Taking a Second Look at Mt. Vernon Shelter

Just like the pit bulls that fill most of its 36 kennels, the run-down animal shelter at 600 Garden Ave. in Mt. Vernon—tucked in between Target's loading dock and the batting cages of Home Run City and the Underdome—deserves more than a first glance. After all, like a pit bull, it's what's on the inside that counts.

On any given Saturday, the Mt. Vernon Animal Shelter brims with volunteers, sometimes as many as 20. This past Saturday volunteers walked dogs, answered phones, and helped greet both potential adoptors, as well as the stream of dog-lovers donating everything from dog treats to blankets.

According to assistant warden Megan Webster (there is no warden), the facility's needs are significant. The shelter, which has just three members of staff and is open 365 days a year, would like to pair with rescue groups. And they would like more volunteers, especially on weekdays. The wish list of in-kind donations ranges from toys to treats to blankets. But most of all, the shelter seeks loving homes for the dogs. 

According to Webster, who has worked at the shelter for four years, the truth is that only a few dogs found homes during the entire month of March. "It's been terribly slow," she said. "The only reason I can think of is the bad economy."

Despite the state of the facility, which can only be described as grim, the shelter is something of a second home to many of the volunteers. Friendships form. The dogs benefit from their visits.

"Some Saturdays we can have up to 20 volunteers," said Kandis Rivera, who often comes in the afternoon after teaching 8th grade at a public school in the Bronx. "If I have a stressful day, this is how I unwind."

There are also two dog trainers who help evaluate dogs and work with the dogs. And volunteers can become "captains" who, in turn, teach new volunteers some of the best training techniques.

Beyond training and dog walking, the volunteer paperwork allows applicants to indicate their interests—from photography, to gardening and handyman work. Mari Cronin, for example, who works as an office manager, offers her social media and event organizing skills in her free time. Right now Mari is planning a May 18th tag sale fundraiser. "We'll also have a bake sale, face painting, a dog kissing booth, and dogs for adoption," said Cronin.

Volunteers like Rose Valentin, Roger Rodman and Curtis Lambert come to walk dogs whenever they have a free hour. On Saturday, Lambert took "Precious," a blue nose pit bull for a two-hour extended walkabout. Afterward, calm and relaxed, Precious hung out with Lambert in the parking lot and basked in the warm spring sun.

Volunteers, who must be at least 18, attend a three-hour session, during which they learn dog training techniques. "They learn the elevator game," said Cronin, as Brenda Vacquez demonstrated the technique with pit bull "Max." "There's the eye contact game," added Cronin. "That's where you use a treat to get them to look you in the eye. It makes them more adoptable and helps them bond with people."

On Saturday, volunteers took it in stride as several families came and went without even meeting dogs. "A lot of times they just don't want a pit bull type dog," said Webster.

But then there was the satisfaction of witnessing Clark's happy ending. Clark, a dark brindle pit bull whose coloring put him amongst the least likely to be adopted, seemed to know how lucky he was. As he headed home with his adoptive mom and dad, Ryan Rubi and Cassandra Dotson, he looked over his shoulder once and disappeared.

More happy news. Word arrived that Apollo, a pit bull mix puppy pulled from the shelter by Cat Assistance and fostered for three months, found his forever home on Saturday as well. A cheer of excitement went up at the good news. Then it was back to work.

The shelter is open 365 days a year. Webster, who replied "Never," when asked when she takes a day off, is often called out at night for emergencies such as the recent fire that displaced a local family. The family pet, a pit bull mix, is one of the shelter's new residents.

"Make her tell you about when she jumped in the river to rescue Baby the cockapoo," said longtime volunteer, Rose Valentin, with a wink. "That river is deceptive. It's wide. And it got deep," added volunteer Vacquez. "You can see the photos on our Facebook page."

"I had a spare uniform in the office," said Webster with a shrug, as if jumping in the river was par for the course.

Webster makes her work look easy, with her unflappable disposition, but the responsibility weighs heavy. The 36 kennels fill up. Where to put the dogs? She works the phones. She sends emails. Staff and volunteers all have as many dogs at home as they can accommodate. Others volunteer because their landlords don't allow dogs. But there's so many dogs and just not enough homes.

The fee to adopt a dog is $40, which includes spaying or neutering, and shots. Once approved, adoptors must purchase a license from city hall. The dog license fee recently increased from $2.50 to $3.50.

The shelter's Web site contains volunteer and fostering information, as well as an outline of the adoption process and a gallery of dogs for adoption.

Mt. Vernon Animal Shelter is located at 600 Garden Ave. Dog adoption hours are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. Telephone: 914-665-2444. The email, for adoption queries only, is MtVernonAnimalShelter@gmail.com. Like the shelter on Facebook.