NEW ROCHELLE, NY — In an effort to better reflect all the communities it serves in central and lower Westchester, the New Rochelle Humane Society has changed its name to the Humane Society of Westchester at New Rochelle.
Surrounded by officials and community leaders from some of the 19 communities in their service area, the organization’s leadership unveiled its new name and logo today at a news conference at the shelter’s headquarters at 70 Portman Road in New Rochelle.
“We may be physically located in New Rochelle, but the animals we rescue and provide care for come from many communities, and they do not care about town lines and boundaries,’’ said John Feldtmose, president of the Board of Directors of the Humane Society of Westchester. “Because of our name, many people weren’t aware that we served their communities. We believe that the name change will raise awareness outside of New Rochelle. We want these other communities to know how vital our organization is to them and that we need their support.”
Over its 104-year history, the Humane Society has grown beyond New Rochelle to provide animal adoption and rescue services for 19 communities throughout Westchester County.The Humane Society’s Pet Adoption Center is well knownas a happy and friendly place to adopt and provides a learning experience for students from all over Westchester who visit and volunteer to experience how animals impact our lives.
“Going forward into the next 100 years, our new name “Humane Society of Westchester” better represents who we are and what we are doing for the communities of Westchester County,” said Feldtmose.
New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson said that the shelter has provided a great public service to the City of New Rochelle, but that it is also a vital resource to many other communities.
“New Rochelle has benefited so much from the exceptional work of the Humane Society, and we’re proud to have such a great institution within our borders,” said Bramson. “But we know that the Humane Society is a truly regional asset, and this change reflects a spirit of partnership between New Rochelle and our neighboring municipalities.”
Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner said that the town appreciates the work of the Humane Society of Westchester at New Rochelle.
“The Humane Society of Westchester provides local governments with an important service and we have always been pleased with the quality of services that the society providesand with the responsiveness and caring nature of the staff.”
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 750 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, Rye, Rye Brook, Scarsdale and Tarrytown.
