Free Pet Food
At the Humane Society of Ventura County, we want to help keep animals out of shelters and in thei...
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NEWS AND EVENTS
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WHAT WE DO
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ABOUT
What We Do
The Humane Society of Ventura County is a compassionate care shelter and non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and adoption of animals in need throughout Ventura County.
Our mission statement is, “The Humane Society of Ventura County, through shelter, adoptions, programs, and services, boldly ensures the welfare of animals in Ventura County.”
Protecting Animals in Need
The Humane Society of Ventura County is dedicated to the protection of animals. While education is one of the primary tools our Humane Officers use to accomplish this goal, we will not hesitate to seek the prosecution of those found abusing or neglecting animals. Please use the form below to report ongoing neglect and abuse.
HSVC Cares!
The Humane Society of Ventura County’s HSVC Cares program increases outreach efforts by supplying free pet food, offering low to no-cost pet vaccinations, and providing low to no-cost spay and neuter surgery to communities in need.
Free Remote Vaccination
Vaccinating your pet is the best way to keep them safe from serious and potentially fatal disease...
Low Cost Spay/Neuter
Altered animals lead longer, healthier lives. They are less likely to spray, have better temperam...
Latest News
12 Mar 2025
Flying into Retirement: Honoring Oliver Bird's 33 Years of Service as HSVC's Mascot
By Humane Society of Ventura County
After serving 33 years as HSVC’s beloved onsite mascot, Oliver Bird has officially retired! He has been placed into a loving home to live out the remainder of his years. His retirement comes just shy of his 38th birthday.
04 Mar 2025
HSVC Cares & Crowne Plaza Was a Blast!
By Humane Society of Ventura County
What a weekend! This past Saturday and Sunday were nothing short of amazing! HSVC Cares proudly hosted an offsite pet vaccination clinic at Nyeland Acres in Oxnard on Saturday, March 1st, delivering vital veterinary services directly to the heart of the community. Then on Sunday, March 2nd, we had the pleasure of partnering with the Crowne Plaza Hotel Ventura Beach for an adoption event. The event not only introduced some incredible dogs to new people, but it also celebrated our shared love for dogs in a beautiful, dog-friendly space. Thank you to all who came out to receive services, support, and help us spread the word about the lifesaving work HSVC does!
26 Feb 2025
Enhancing Shelter Practices with Wolf Mother K9
By Humane Society of Ventura County
In the fast-paced world of animal shelters, understanding the behavior and needs of the dogs in our care is vital to their well-being. Recently, our team had the incredible opportunity to participate in a mentorship program led by Saharai Salazar from Wolf Mother K9. The 3-day training focused on improving our staff's skills in handling, evaluating, and enriching the lives of shelter dogs. This workshop also provided the team with invaluable insights into canine behavior, defensive handling techniques, and enrichment strategies that will shape our approach to shelter care moving forward. Here’s a look at what we learned during the mentorship and why it’s such an exciting development for our team and the dogs we care for! A significant portion of the mentorship focused on understanding canine body language, a vital skill for anyone working with dogs, especially in a shelter setting. Interpreting a dog’s physical cues can make all the difference in assessing their emotional state and knowing how to approach it. The workshop helped animal care staff refine their ability to identify signals that indicate fear, excitement, aggression, or relaxation. Simple details like the position of a dog’s ears, tail, or posture can give us important clues about their mood and comfort level. This knowledge helps us ensure we approach each dog with respect for their personal boundaries and emotional state. Handling shelter dogs can be challenging, particularly when dealing with dogs who are fearful, anxious, or reactive. In these situations, knowing how to handle a dog defensively—while maintaining both the dog’s and handler’s safety—is critical. The mentorship included hands-on practice with defensive handling techniques and teaching staff how to calmly manage high-stress situations without escalating the dog’s anxiety. Whether a dog is fearful of human contact or displaying signs of aggression, these handling methods empower our team to approach the situation with confidence and care, keeping both ourselves and the dog safe. One of the core aspects of the mentorship was learning how to conduct welfare-based evaluations for shelter dogs. These evaluations are crucial in understanding a dog’s temperament, needs, and suitability for adoption or potential placement in a foster home. Through role-playing exercises and real-life examples, we learned how to assess a dog’s behavior while keeping their emotional welfare at the forefront. By using compassionate evaluation methods, we can avoid placing additional stress on the dogs and gain a deeper understanding of their personalities and behavior. This skill will not only help staff determine the right fit for adoption but also ensure that we can provide the best possible care for each dog.
HSVC Events Calendar
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Mar
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Mar
4:00 PM
Pacific View Mall - Bottom Floor
YPG Volunteer Fair
Your chance to learn more about the e...
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14
Jun
Turn Your Compassion Into Action - Donate Today!
Since 1932, tens of thousands of animals have come to rely on the Humane Society of Ventura County (HSVC) as a safe haven. We are thankful for our community partners, volunteers, and donors who offer their time and resources to help us continue making a difference in the lives of animals in need. Join us in our mission by making a donation today. Through your actions and support, the HSVC will continue promoting the health, safety, welfare, compassionate care, and protection of all animals.
Other Ways to Give
Become an Animal Angel!
Calling all animal lovers, we invite YOU to join Animal Angels! Animal Angels is a passionate and dedicated group of monthly givers on a mission to help the animals at HSVC. From rescuing animals f...
Support our Free Pet Food Programs!
As a private nonprofit, we do not receive any government funding and we are not affiliated with any national animal welfare organizations. Consider helping us keep pets in their homes and out of th...
Our Wishlists
We appreciate your donations any time of year! As a private nonprofit, we rely entirely on the generosity of our community to continue providing our services to shelter animals in need. Purchasing ...