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.
From his first wobbly steps in our barn to his confident gallops across the pasture, our sweet baby colt has been stealing hearts since the day he was born. On the beautiful morning of May 17th, 2025, Jazmine welcomed her adorable foal, whom we all now know as Abu, into the world, and together they have been a source of endless joy for our staff and volunteers here at the Humane Society of Ventura County.
Our beloved Ozzie has been at the shelter for nearly 300 days. This 5-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix has captured the hearts of staff and volunteers with his lively personality, love for toys, and signature zoomies. Now this cutie needs something more than playtime; he needs a soft, comfortable place to rest and heal. Recently, our animal care team noticed Ozzie showing signs of neck discomfort. After our veterinary team examined him, they deemed it necessary to send him for X-rays to investigate the issue further. After preliminary reviews of his X-rays, there were no obvious signs of medical concern. However, more information will be available once the full X-ray images are received and our veterinarians can take a deeper look. To help him stay comfortable in the meantime, he is receiving oral medications that need to be given consistently, one approximately every 8 hours and another every 24 hours. While Ozzie continues to receive excellent care from the shelter, a kennel environment simply can't compare to the comfort of a real home. A foster or adopter would make an incredible difference in his recovery and overall well-being. Ozzie's ideal foster or adopter would provide a quiet, comfortable environment with soft bedding, consistent medication on a schedule, and a gentle, loving routine to help him rest and relax.
This week is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, and we're taking a moment to shine a well-deserved spotlight on the incredible humans behind the Humane Society of Ventura County. We are thrilled to honor the hardworking staff who make our mission possible every single day. Since 1932, HSVC has been a safe haven for thousands of animals across Ventura County, offering love, medical care, and a do-over to those who need it the most. While every day is dedicated to the animals here, this special week gives us a chance to reflect on the people who help make the magic happen. Every wagging tail, every soft purr, every joyful “gotcha day” moment, and every nicker from the barn begins with the love and dedication of our team. They care for the lost, the abandoned, the injured, and the misunderstood, providing each one with kindness, patience, and hope.
On Halloween 2025, an adult black cat with an ear tip was found abandoned in a crate outside the Humane Society of Ventura County. Scared and confused, he was taken into our clinic for a wellness exam, where clinic and animal care staff kept him comfortable, safe, and happy. The scene was especially touching, given that HSVC Veterinary Assistant Samantha Velasquez was dressed as a black cat herself for Halloween. Meanwhile, staff attempted to locate the owner, as animal abandonment is illegal under California Penal Code 597s subsection (a). After checking the shelter's security cameras and working with the local sheriff’s department, our Humane Officers were able to contact the animal’s owner. They agreed to formally surrender the cat, formerly known as BB, to HSVC. Sweet but nervous, given the situation, it was clear the 5-year-old cat would need a special foster home. We reached out to Jackson Galaxy, friend of the shelter and cat behavior extraordinaire, for guidance. He agreed to foster BB, now Vincent, and came to the shelter in Ojai on Saturday to pick him up.
It was nothing but smiles at this weekend's joint HSVC Cares vaccine clinic and adoption event! With free vaccines, delicious smash burgers, and adoptable dogs, there was no shortage of excitement on Sunday. Thank you to our friends at Happy Place Craft Beer, Wine & Spirits for hosting us for not one, but two events to help animals in need!
What happens when you combine yoga, kittens, and a community full of animal lovers? Pure joy! Our second-annual Kitten Yoga event at the Humane Society of Ventura County was a huge success, filled with laughter, stretches, and plenty of whisker kisses. Hosted in partnership with our friends at Bodhi Salt Yoga, both sessions of the event completely sold out, bringing dozens of yogis to our new community room for an afternoon of feline-filled fun. Led by Bodhi Salt’s own Whitney Carver, each 30-minute class featured gentle, donation-based yoga flows, surrounded by free-roaming kittens eager to “assist” with poses!
Halloween is right around the corner! This candy-clad holiday can be a frightening time for your animals, and without taking the proper precautions, it could turn into a real nightmare! Check out these tips to keep your furry friends safe this Halloween.
You met our first-place winners a couple of weeks ago; now it’s time to celebrate the rest of our 2026 Woofs, Hooves, and Whiskers Calendar Contest stars! Nine of the twelve victors were chosen by you, our amazing voters, as the top three pets in each category. The remaining three were hand-selected by our incredible panel of judges: Bruce Holley of Kirby Subaru of Ventura, Bret Bradigan of Ojai Quarterly, and Jessica McCrea of Hey Bingo. Thank you all for lending your expertise! Every entry is a star in our eyes! Meet all of our 2026 calendar cuties below and get ready for a year full of furry faces and heartwarming moments! First Place Winners: Wrigley, Tabitha, and Oliver Bird Second Place Winners: Dalai & Stewie, Romeo, and Tundra