The City of Mount Vernon says its closure of the city's animal shelter is due to multiple failed inspections.

Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said the building that houses the animal shelter for the last five decades is crumbling and that it lacks proper ventilation and heat.

City officials confirmed to News 12 last week that the shelter was made to enter a one-year contract with the Westchester Humane Society in New Rochelle.

"We've partnered with a very respected organization again, the Humane Society of Westchester at New Rochelle, to ensure that there is care for our furry friends going into the future," added Patterson-Howard.

Volunteers told News 12 there are currently about 20 dogs and 30 cats at the shelter. Twenty percent of the animals at the shelter though have already been transferred to the Humane Society.

"I'm going to miss coming in, checking on the animals," said volunteer Charles Lewis. "That's actually what I'm doing now because people leave dogs and cats here at different hours. Very depressed. We need an animal shelter."

The city acknowledged it will maintain an animal warden and is in the process of creating a hotline for residents to call for assistance with stray or unwanted animals.

For now, the shelter will remain open as staff attempts to adopt out animals.