r/yonkers

Yonkers and NY State Animal Advocates, we are furious, heartbroken, and profoundly disappointed.

The fifth and most critical demand: A robust volunteer program of at least 80 active volunteers to support the 190+ dogs and cats currently languishing at the shelter is being deliberately undermined by the very people entrusted with their care.

Several reliable insiders informed us yesterday that Commissioner Steve Sansone plans to manufacture a misleading “Volunteer Celebration” event (conveniently scheduled and announced immediately after our last update) purely for optics. This event should celebrate the hardworking skeleton crew of volunteers.  Instead, Steve Sansone intends to print stacks of extra certifications for volunteers who are long gone for years (inactive, moved away, showed up a few times and never returned) all for a cheap photo op to falsely claim “everything is fine.”

Everything is NOT fine.

On average, YAS has 3 volunteers TOTAL PER DAY (sometimes less) for over 190 animals. Most NY Shelters of similar size have at least 10 volunteers PER TWO HOUR SHIFT and at least 30 volunteers PER DAY working with the animals. 

This is not leadership. This is deception and a shameful abdication of responsibility.

Mayor Spano, we expected better from you. Allowing this kind of gamesmanship under your administration is deeply disappointing and reflects poorly on the entire city’s commitment to basic decency and compliance with Article 26C. 

Look at Goku (cover photo), a friendly, athletic, and young female pit bull who has already been at YAS for nearly a year. The photo you see here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ejtKqxB4t/ is a real snapshot of her walk log from February 2026. With so few volunteers, she was lucky to get out of her kennel for 23/28 days for just a few minutes each time. Out of 16 dog walkers, only 7 are even listed on her log, even though Goku is gentle, social, and able to be walked by almost every volunteer. Goku is considered one of the lucky ones at YAS. 

This is her life. This is the daily reality Commissioner Sansone is dooming 190+ animals to by refusing to bring on the 80+ new volunteers the shelter desperately needs.

Residents from Yonkers, Westchester County, and the Bronx are eager and ready to volunteer at YAS. They are simply blocked at every turn. Enough is enough.

Our petition now stands at 3,790 signatures, and it keeps climbing, with the overwhelming majority from Yonkers residents who love our animals and are embarrassed by this level of leadership. Thanks to your voices, we have already forced four out of five demands: full staffing, extended hours, consistent spay/neuter surgeries, and a hired trainer. Lives have improved — but the most important piece remains neglected - a robust and well-managed Volunteer Program. 

We are angry. We are appalled. But above all, we are deeply disappointed that this is the standard of stewardship being shown by Commissioner Sansone and tolerated by Mayor Spano.

The animals in our city’s care deserve far better than these half-measures and staged appearances.

This is your Commissioner of Parks and Recreation — wasting time and taxpayer dollars scheming how to dodge real accountability instead of simply doing his job at a minimally acceptable level. He would rather fabricate a feel-good narrative than deliver the sustained support these animals desperately need. And Mayor Spano’s silence enables it.

We will not be fooled by photo ops.

We will not be fooled by false narratives.

Dogs and cats at YAS are still receiving only minutes of human interaction each day.

They are deteriorating in isolation. Pacing, losing weight, shutting down, and developing anxiety and behavioral issues that could be prevented with the most basic levels of socialization and enrichment. A strong volunteer program is the proven backbone of every successful shelter in New York State. Volunteers provide daily walks, mental stimulation, one-on-one care, adoption support, fundraising, and essential oversight — all at virtually no cost to taxpayers.

It’s time to rise up and make our disappointment loud and clear.

We have come far, but we are not finished. The animals cannot afford more stunts and delays from Commissioner Sansone and Mayor Spano.

Contact Mayor Spano, Commissioner Sansone, HR Commissioner Helen Aggrey, and the Parks & Recreation Board TODAY.

Demand they immediately approve and onboard at least 80 active volunteers across dog walking, cat socialization, enrichment, social media, adoption support, fundraising, and rescue outreach.

Here is a ready-to-copy email script you can send (please personalize it):

Subject: Demand Immediate Approval of 80+ Active Volunteers for Yonkers Animal Shelter – No More PR Stunts from Commissioner Sansone

Dear Mayor Spano, Commissioner Sansone, Commissioner Aggrey, and Members of the Parks, Recreation & Conservation Board,

I am writing as a concerned Yonkers resident and supporter of the Reform YAS Coalition. The shelter still has only a fraction of the volunteers needed for 190+ animals.

This is unacceptable and deeply disappointing. Animals at YAS are suffering daily from lack of enrichment and socialization. A robust volunteer program is essential and costs the city almost nothing.

We demand you immediately overrule any resistance and approve at least 80 active volunteers in rotation.

No more stunts. No more delays.

The animals cannot speak, but we will continue to be their voice.

Sincerely, [Your Full Name]

Send to:

Mayor Michael Spano: Mayor@yonkersny.gov | 914-377-6300
Commissioner Steve Sansone: steve.sansone@yonkersny.gov | 914-377-6430
HR Commissioner Helen Aggrey: jhelen.aggrey@yonkersny.gov |  914-377-6176

City Clerk, Vincent Spano : vincent.spano@yonkersny.gov |  914-377-6020
Parks, Recreation & Conservation Board: 914-377-6450 or Laura Boatswain at 914-377-6429

Additional Ways To Help: 

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

Show up at the shelter in person and submit your volunteer application. Bring friends. Refuse to be turned away.

We have the momentum. We have the numbers. We have the truth.

It’s time to hold Commissioner Sansone and Mayor Spano accountable.

The animals are counting on us. Let’s finish what we started.

Reform YAS Coalition Current & Former Volunteers | Donors | Rescue Partners | Animal Advocates and Lovers that Demand Better

Anyone else get this?

I received this email claiming to be from “NY EBT” saying there was “unusual activity” and asking me to confirm my identity.

I don’t have SNAP or EBT, and I don’t live in New York, so I’m treating it as phishing and not clicking anything.

Posting as a warning in case others are seeing the same email. Don’t use the button or links in the email.

It's better to go directly to the official site/app or contact the agency through official channels instead.

The Official Tribute to Warped Tour is coming to Yonkers Brewing Co this THURSDAY, May 14! Expect all the classics and high-energy chaos. Blink-182, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Green Day, Good Charlotte, punk, ska, hardcore & more. Ends early for elder emos with jobs.

https://www.yonkersbrewing.com/event-details-registration/the-warped-band