Today is a time for reflection and lessons learned as we observe the one year anniversary of the Thomas Fire that burned through Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties and at one point encircled the Ojai Valley where the Humane Society of Ventura County’s 4.4-acre facility is located. Our staff and volunteers remember well when we first received the news that a fire had broken out in the Upper Ojai/Santa Paula area, changing our lives and the lives of our community forever. That night the Shelter immediately opened its doors 24/7 to those being affected by the fast-moving fire and in the first 48 hours after the flames ignited, the shelter nearly quadrupled its residents. At the peak of the disaster, the shelter was home to nearly 400 animals, including the 81 animals already in our care. Besides the numerous cats and dogs that came in, it was necessary for the shelter to improvise to accommodate the hundreds of other animals in peril including alpacas, donkeys, goats, chickens, and even snakes. Each and every animal that was brought to the Humane Society of Ventura County for safekeeping brought with it a story of hope and survival. These animals were in our care because in one way or another their lives and the lives of their families were threatened or in danger. For weeks the shelter ran at capacity and many animals remained in the shelter’s care well into the new year, with the last evacuee animal going home this past June.

The Humane Society of Ventura County’s 33rd Annual Santa Paws holiday photo shoot is this Sunday in Ojai! This popular event will also feature a bake sale and Firefly Ceramics will be on hand providing the materials to make ceramic paw print ornaments for a $25 donation to the Shelter. 

The Humane Society of Ventura County sends a huge Thank You to all of the volunteers who have donated their time in the last few weeks to help care for the animals displaced by the Woolsey and Hill fires.

For over 85 years, the Humane Society of Ventura County has served the community with the goal of improving the lives of animals in need. All of our achievements have been made possible with the generosity of our supporters, whether it be donations, volunteering, or adopting. 

On Black Friday people across the nation wake up early after a day of giving thanks to get the best deals on items for their loved ones. Besides being an opportunity to stretch your dollar in the hopes of putting a smile on the face of those closest to you, you can also do something to make a difference in the life of a homeless animal.

By donating just $5, you will be part of a community of people who are making a positive impact on the lives of animals in need. As a private, non-profit organization that does not receive funding from the government or national animal welfare organizations like Humane Society of the United States or ASPCA, we depend on people who selflessly give to the animals and the programs that support them. Today for Black Friday we are humbly asking our supporters to make a donation to animals in need.

Have a purrfect weekend and thanks for your support!

We have a wonderful update for our supporters on the two horses who were rescued by the Humane Society of Ventura County from a burnt down property in Malibu. Flash and Pepe had originally been escorted out of a burned down home in Malibu by HSVC Equine Specialist Christie Tracy, and HSVC Animal Rescue Emergency Volunteer Bennie Scorsur. The horses were transported down to Zuma beach where they were transferred to animal rescue workers, Allie Tashnek DVM, Chris Weber, and Chloe Willems, who took them to Humphrey Giacopuzzi & Associates Equine Hospital for immediate care.

Good morning friends. As the containment of the Woolsey fire gets under control we know that many of our new friends who are able to pick up their animals are looking forward to doing so. We are kindly requesting anyone who wishes to pick up their animal to please call the shelter first to arrange a time so that we can have your paperwork ready. This is especially important for those picking up large animals, such as horses and goats, so that our equine team is available to assist you and we can avoid any heavy traffic jams with trailers entering and exiting the property. Unless otherwise arranged we ask that all animal pickups take place between 10 am and 4 pm.

Dear friends, we are so grateful for the many wonderful people in our community and beyond who have come together in support of displaced animals during the Hill and Woolsey Fires. You have made a difference in these animals lives and in each of ours!