After announcing last month the launch of a new campaign to raise funds to rebuild their kennels, the Humane Society of Ventura County was the recipient of a $30,000 donation to help kick off this large scale project. 

Jackie Welsh, who made the generous donation, has dedicated over 50 years of service to animals in Ventura County. Jackie worked for Matilija Veterinary for many years and began volunteering at the HSVC when it moved to its current location in Ojai, nearly 34 years ago.

Over the years, Jackie has supported the shelter in a variety of ways. Jackie and fellow long term volunteer, Silvia Basich, initiated and have run our annual Santa Paws Bake Sale for over 12 years raising much needed funds for the shelter. Jackie and her rescue dog Nupie were active in our Pet Therapy program until they retired a few years ago. Jackie adopted Nupie from the shelter over 13 years ago after Nupie was brought to the shelter by Humane Officers.While Nupie was under medical care, Jackie would come in daily to visit her-the two fell in love and have been together ever sense. In 2011, Jackie's rescue family grew once more when she adopted a kitten from a litter she had fostered who had arrived at the shelter only days old.

Jackie’s latest contribution is a generous donation exclusively for new dog kennels. The Humane Society of Ventura County is currently entering phase one of this large project and our first step is focusing on the fundraising effort to help accomplish our dreams of a more spacious kennel.

For more information or to see how you can help, please contact Jolene Hoffman at 805-646-6505 or email [email protected]. You can also make a donation online on our DONATE NOW page.