Humane Society of Westchester
A Long History of Service to Animals
The Humane Society of Westchester has spent more than 100 years compassionately caring for animals while working to connect them with loving owners. Proudly a “no-kill” shelter, the organization commits to never euthanizing a healthy, non-dangerous animal and to nursing animals with treatable medical conditions back to health. Located in New Rochelle, New York, the Humane Society of Westchester works in 19 communities across Westchester County.
The history of the organization dates back to 1911, when a small group of New Rochelle residents concerned about New York State’s muzzle law came together to form the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Their efforts to repeal the law succeeded, and the following year the 15-member group changed its name to the New Rochelle Humane Society.
The society, which by this time established a mission statement of working to ensure the welfare and kind treatment of animals in New Rochelle, opened its first shelter on Morgan Street in 1922. Its membership grew to 618 by its 25th anniversary, and the following decade saw one of the shelter’s rescue dogs, Mr. Skips, serve in the US Army during World War II. The organization moved to what became officially known as Humane Lane in 1981, and then again to its current home on Portman Road in 1996.
Renamed the Humane Society of Westchester in 2015 to better reflect its broader commitment across the county, the shelter has expanded its operations to best serve animals under its care. Renovations in 2008, 2012, and 2021 have enabled it to house a total of more than 1,400 cats and dogs each year in an environment designed for the animals’ health and well-being. As always, the society works to find ways to improve its facilities, so as to help as many animals in need as possible.
