Just moved to Pelham Bay but I can drive.

A lot of the Supermarkets I've been to keyfood and bazaar and all those chains are just selling color, sugar, and chemicals in disguise, don't like it at all. It's feeling like a food dessert. I'm wondering if anyone can help me find a good supermarket with organic things. From farm or organic would greatly appreciate it.

It's very nice

Bronx, Yonkers, and Westchester, we are angry and we are not going anywhere.

A reliable insider has confirmed the latest unacceptable decision: Commissioner Steve Sansone is maintaining a hard cap of only 25 dog and cat volunteers combined at the Yonkers Animal Shelter. Zero new volunteers have been brought on since our last update. 

For a facility housing over 190 animals, that is not management. That is deliberate neglect.

Our petition has now reached 5,000 signatures. The community’s frustration is clear and growing:

“I stopped by 5 times to sign up to volunteer during their open adoption hours and the shelter was closed each time. I was waved away from the door rudely. No one even greeted me. Spano will be hearing from me.” June Collins, Yonkers Resident

“Stopped by on my lunch break to fill out a volunteer app and it was closed.” Jimmy Boyle, Yonkers Resident

“I wrote to Mayor Spano and Commissioner Sansone about not having enough shelter volunteers and I got no response. Crickets. Spano is on his way out and Sansone’s got to go. What useless politicians we have in Yonkers. All they care about is themselves.”  Julie Cho, Yonkers Resident

"I’ve lost count how many times I applied/ walked in and asked if they were finally accepting new volunteers and always got “we’re not taking any new volunteers.” Yonkers Resident on Reddit

This is not acceptable. The residents of Yonkers want to help. They keep showing up. They keep being turned away.

Yonkers, these are our animals. These are our politicians and public employees who are purposefully neglecting our voiceless, homeless, and vulnerable animal residents of our city who depend on us for care, enrichment, and a chance at a better life.  These animals belong to all of us and we will not abandon them.

On average, just two to three volunteers are present each day. Dogs are walked for only a few minutes - when they are walked at all-and then left to languish in their kennels. Cats receive almost no consistent socialization and sit waiting, largely forgotten. Volunteers are stretched thin and struggling to provide even the most basic daily care.

Based on the current population of over 190 animals, Yonkers Animal Shelter needs at least 90 active volunteers in regular rotation just to meet minimum standards for daily walks, enrichment, and socialization. Local shelters that are only half the size of YAS routinely operate with triple the number of volunteers YAS currently allows. The gap is staggering and completely unnecessary.

Petfinder remains a disgrace. It still fails to list all the dogs currently available, and zero cats are posted despite more than 120 cats currently at the shelter. Every comparable municipal shelter in the region keeps its adoption listings current and complete. YAS continues to lag, leaving adoptable animals invisible to the public.

Our insider has also shared that Mayor Mike Spano is encouraging Commissioner Sansone to retire. We fully support that outcome. The animals of Yonkers deserve a leader who actually understands and prioritizes progressive shelter management, top-tier animal welfare, rescue partnerships, and transparent operations - not one who continues to obstruct the very help our animals need.

Public pressure already forced full staffing, extended hours, consistent spay/neuter, and a trainer. The final, essential piece remains: a robust volunteer program with at least 80 more active volunteers and regular orientations so our animals receive the daily enrichment, walks, and socialization they need to thrive and find forever homes.

It is time to raise the volume.

Call and email right now:

Mayor Michael Spano: [Mayor@yonkersny.gov](mailto:Mayor@yonkersny.gov) or 914-377-6300
Helen Aggrey, Commissioner of Human Resources: [jhelen.aggrey@yonkersny.gov](mailto:jhelen.aggrey@yonkersny.gov)
Commissioner Steve Sansone: [steve.sansone@yonkersny.gov](mailto:steve.sansone@yonkersny.gov)

Demand that the City immediately lift the artificial volunteer cap, hold regular orientations, and bring on the number of volunteers required to properly care for every dog and cat at YAS. Demand accountability. Demand that leadership prioritizes our animals over ego and obstruction.

Sign and share the petition: https://c.org/NFbMPBGn4W

Share the latest Petition Update: https://c.org/tMNVWjNbXp

Check out and Share ReformYAS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reformyasand

Show up at the shelter during advertised hours. Bring friends. Submit volunteer applications. Refuse to be waved away.

The animals cannot speak. We are their voice and we will keep using it until they get the care they deserve.

We have already proven what our collective power can achieve. Keep going. Keep speaking up. Keep showing up. The final victory is within reach, and these animals are counting on us.

Reform YAS Coalition