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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.

05 Nov 2025

Help us Celebrate the Humans Behind the Shelter Doors

By Humane Society of Ventura County

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.

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04 Nov 2025

Jackson Galaxy Fosters Black Cat Abandoned on Halloween

By Humane Society of Ventura County

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.

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03 Nov 2025

Vaccines, Burgers, and Smiles at Happy Place!

By Humane Society of Ventura County

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!

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29 Oct 2025

Kitten Yoga Stretches Into Success!

By Humane Society of Ventura County

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!

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29 Oct 2025

Keep the Howls Happy & Safe This Halloween!

By Humane Society of Ventura County

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.

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14 Oct 2025

Woofs, Hooves, & Whiskers 2026 Winners: Meet Our Top 12!

By Humane Society of Ventura County

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

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14 Oct 2025

Ciders, Sidekicks, and Second Chances

By Humane Society of Ventura County

Our pups had a fall-tastic time at this weekend's Ciders & Sidekicks adoption event! It was a crisp, sunny day in downtown Ventura at Night Owl Ciderworks, making it the perfect setup for an afternoon of animal fun. Adoptable shelter dogs West, Lunar, and Sienna were just as excited to explore downtown as they were to make new friends. Thank you to all who stopped by to meet our animals, and to the staff and volunteers who helped make this event a success. A special thank you also goes out to our friends at Night Owl Ciderworks for hosting us and supporting animals in need!

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13 Oct 2025

It Takes a Village: How Teamwork Helped Junior Find His Way Home

By Humane Society of Ventura County

They say it takes a village to find shelter pups the homes they deserve. Sometimes that even means transporting a dog halfway across the country! After nearly 400 days in our care, we're thrilled to share that sweet Junior is finally on the road to a new beginning!

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