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.
It’s a full house for foster parent Elizabeth! She recently welcomed Yvette, a sweet mama cat, and her eight tiny kittens into her home after they were brought in as strays. Now nearly 4-weeks-old, these beautiful kits have been thriving in the comfort of their safe, quiet foster home. A big thank you to Elizabeth, who opened her heart and home without hesitation!
HSVC Cares once again brought together happy pet owners and wagging tails with a successful free pet vaccine clinic on Saturday, August 2nd. This time, our team set up at Bethany Chapel Assembly of God in El Rio to provide essential veterinary services at little or no cost to the community. Throughout the day, our committed veterinary team and volunteers offered critical services, including free DHPP vaccines for dogs, FVRCP vaccines for cats, $10 microchips, and rabies vaccines. The team provided 164 vaccinations and 28 microchips to pets. These efforts help prevent the spread of common but serious diseases, support public health, and enhance pets' chances for a healthy life. Way to go, HSVC Cares team!
We’re putting out an urgent call for a very special kind of hero, a patient foster parent who can help a young pup named Bullseye find her footing again. Bullseye is a 5-month-old Boxer mix who came to us as a stray through the Santa Paula Police Department. Since arriving, she’s captured our hearts with her sweet, curious spirit. Now, she needs a safe and quiet place to heal. Bullseye is currently recovering from a broken paw that left four of her toes fractured. She’s looking for a quiet, cozy place to recover and avoid further injury while she heals!
This past Saturday, the Humane Society of Ventura County had the joy of participating in the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Families Resource Fair, and we’re still smiling from all the fun we had! Shelter staff came ready with a table full of pet goodies, eager to share them with the wonderful families who stopped by. Our team was proud to represent the HSVC and connect with residents, offering resources and a few surprises for their furry family members. The true star of the show was Winston, our lovable German Shepherd/Pit Bull mix! Winston came along to help us greet residents and made fast friends with everyone he met. He soaked up all the attention, and his sweet personality won hearts left and right. It’s safe to say Winston had just as much fun as the rest of us!
When was the last time you thought about your will? If the answer is "never" or "not in years," you're not alone, but this August is the perfect time to change that! At the Humane Society of Ventura County, we believe every animal deserves a second chance, and every person deserves the opportunity to protect what matters most to them. Make-A-Will Month is a national reminder of something many people tend to put off, but it is absolutely vital when planning for your future. Creating a will is one of the most meaningful ways to protect your loved ones, both two-legged and four. It’s a simple act of care that ensures your voice is heard, your wishes are respected, and your legacy carries on the compassion that defined your life. Planned gifts help us provide safe shelter, medical care, and loving homes to thousands of animals each year, just like Raven. Raven’s story is one that reminds us of the power of planned giving. When her beloved owner passed away, she was left alone in a quiet, empty home. Understandably scared and heartbroken, Raven did what many shy cats do: she hid. Thanks to a generous legacy gift left in her owner’s will, our Humane Officers knew to search the house until they found the nervous black cat tucked away, too frightened to come out. Thanks to planned giving, Raven was not forgotten. Because her person included HSVC in their estate plans, their attorney knew to reach out, and we were able to step in immediately, bring Raven to safety, and begin helping her heal. She was unsure, nervous, and withdrawn when she first arrived at the shelter. However, over time, Raven began to trust again. Her personality blossomed and we discovered the most loving, affectionate, cuddly cat waiting just beneath the surface. Today, Raven is thriving in her new forever home, surrounded by love once more. Her future was secured because her previous owner planned ahead.
This past Saturday was nothing short of amazing! HSVC Cares proudly hosted an off-site pet vaccination and surgery clinic in Port Hueneme in the morning, delivering vital veterinary services directly to the heart of the community. That same evening, we had the joy of being a community partner in Ventura County Credit Union’s (VCCU) Member Movie Night, a family-friendly celebration under the stars that reminded us just how strong Ventura County's sense of community truly is. Thank you to everyone who came out to receive services, show support, and help us spread the word about the lifesaving work HSVC does. Here's a look back at a Saturday well spent! HSVC Cares hit the ground running Saturday morning with a successful off-site vaccine and surgery clinic at First Assembly of God Church in Port Hueneme. With the help of our dedicated veterinary team and volunteers, we provided numerous vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, and microchips to local pets in need. The services offered included core vaccines such as DHPP for dogs and FVRCP for cats, which help protect against some of the most common and serious illnesses. The addition of microchipping marked a milestone in our outreach efforts, as microchips are a small but powerful way to ensure pets can be reunited with their family if they ever get lost. HSVC staff were also on-site, giving away free bags of dog and cat food to make the day even more impactful. The day was marked by kindness, community engagement, and plenty of joyful tail-wagging moments! All spay/neuter surgeries were performed in our fully equipped mobile Pet Wellness Clinic by appointment and included the necessary vaccinations. These procedures not only help reduce pet overpopulation, but they also support long-term pet health and community well-being. While final numbers are still being calculated, the turnout clearly reflects the strength and compassion of this incredible community. Every dollar goes directly back into our programs, helping HSVC continue its important work in neighborhoods that need it most. We are grateful to First Assembly of God Church for hosting us and to the many pet owners who came out and placed their trust in our care. Events like these help remove barriers to veterinary care, ensuring every pet has access to essential services —a cause at the heart of our mission. If you missed us in Port Hueneme, don’t worry! HSVC Cares hosts a low-cost vaccine clinic every Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at our shelter, located at 402 Bryant St. in Ojai. These walk-in clinics are first-come, first-served. Visit our website for more info and keep an eye on our event page to find out where we’re headed next with our mobile services.
Each spring through early fall, shelters across the country, including HSVC, prepare for the busiest time of year. Known as kitten season, this is the period when unspayed female cats give birth in large numbers. Litters of kittens start showing up everywhere, from backyards to parking lots, under sheds, and even in storm drains. While it’s natural to want to help, knowing the appropriate steps to take can make all the difference in the lives of these delicate young animals.
Our little prince, Abu, is growing up fast and keeping us on our toes! Born on May 17th and just shy of two months old, he’s full of personality, curiosity, and the right amount of mischief. Still a mama’s boy at heart, Abu continues to stick close to Jazmine, his gentle, no-nonsense mom. She’s doing a fantastic job keeping him grounded as he explores the world with more enthusiasm and sass each day. Abu spends most of his time doing what any young colt does best: sleeping, sunbathing, playing, and being a bit of a menace. He’s got a fun-loving streak and a knack for finding ways to make everything into a game. One of his favorite pastimes is pestering his neighbor in the barn, 13-year-old Anaia. Thankfully, she tolerates him like the patient big sister figure she is, though we’re pretty sure she secretly enjoys the attention!