Humane Society of Westchester completes $4.5 million shelter renovation

New Rochelle, NY After more than three years, the Humane Society of Westchester in New Rochelle held a grand opening event July 13 to celebrate the opening of a newly renovated shelter that employs modern sheltering standards, taking the organization into the future.

The shelter at 70 Portman Rd. has undergone a $4.5 million renovation including a host of improvements aimed at creating a warmer and more practical space and increasing the number of pet adoptions.

Not deterred from its goal by the pandemic, the organization managed to keep construction moving ahead while continuing to operate and offer adoptions.

Over its 110-year history, the Humane Society has grown beyond New Rochelle to provide animal adoption and rescue services for 20 communities throughout Westchester County. The Humane Society is well known as a happy and friendly place to adopt.

John Feldtmose, president of the Board of Directors of the Humane Society of Westchester, said the new shelter is, “Part of a long-range plan to facilitate more adoptions quickly – reducing time the animals spend in the shelter in a personalized and warm space. The shelter also provides animal control services to our partner municipalities such as lost dog and cat rescues with safe returns to owners.

“We are proud to open this modern-day shelter with bright and functional spaces that welcome the public,” said Feldtmose. “The pandemic helped us to rethink how we were doing business and to position ourselves to operate in a more efficient way that is safer for our pets and offers a more personalized and better experience for adopters. I want to thank the many generous donors who have made today possible and urge those who would like to contribute to help us by visiting our website at www.humanesocietyofwestchester.org to learn more about our priority projects,” he said.

“This pandemic has taught us the value of animal companionship. Families here can put their trust in the Humane Society of Westchester to care for these animals and provide a peaceful, safe environment for them, until they find their forever home. As a dog owner myself, I could think of no better addition than adopting a shelter animal,” said Westchester County executive George Latimer.

In 2015, the organization changed its name from the New Rochelle Humane Society to the Humane Society of Westchester to better reflect the large number of communities it serves. In 2018, the organization formally launched a capital campaign to raise funds to modernize the shelter.

The new modern shelter will allow the Humane Society to pursue its goal of more personalized adoptions. Potential adopters can now schedule visits and have pets selected in advance to meet their particular needs. Spacious and comfortable, newly built “get acquainted” adoption rooms will enhance the experience.

Features of the new shelter include:

• A new, larger entryway and lobby with vaulted ceiling to bring in natural light;
• Conference rooms to expand education and training programs for shelter animals, staff, alumni and volunteers;
• A beautifully paved outdoor entryway with a historic fountain and new bike rack;
• An open cat room in the center of the lobby, viewable through large windows, where adoptable cats roam freely and climb vertically. The cathedral ceiling with high windows allow abundant natural light.

The Humane Society of Westchester at New Rochelle is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing individual loving care for lost, abandoned, injured, and mistreated animals. The shelter provides safe haven for more than 500 dogs and 800 cats a year and serves Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Eastchester, Elmsford, Greenburgh, Harrison, Hartsdale, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington, Larchmont, Town of Mamaroneck, Mamaroneck Village, New Rochelle, Pelham, Pelham Manor, Port Chester, Rye, Rye Brook, Scarsdale and Tarrytown.