VENTURA COUNTY — Effective Monday, March 30, 2020 and until further notice, all non- essential services at Ventura County Animal Services will be discontinued and some ancillary services will be reduced. The goal is to keep people in their homes and carefully limit the number of animals housed on-site. Please know that VCAS will never turn away a sick or injured animal.
The following services will be discontinued:
- Pet adoptions and all virtual adoption counseling sessions.
- Owner-requested euthanasia appointments.The following services will be adjusted:
- Owner-surrendered animals accepted only due to urgent/emergency situations.
- Stray Animals – VCAS is strongly encouraging residents to only bring in stray cats who appear to be sick or injured. Cats who appear healthy should remain in-place as they likely have a source of food, water and shelter and may be cared for by someone in the neighborhood.
- Kittens – Mating season will soon begin as the weather warms. Litters of kittens should only be brought to VCAS whose mother has not returned for them after 6-8 hours – please watch and wait from a distance. Mothers often leave kittens in order to hunt for food and they expect to return to their kittens. Please do not remove kittens if not absolutely necessary. (Ref. Dr. Kate Hurley, Program Director – Koret Shelter Medicine Program – University of Davis)
- Lost pet pick-up: VCAS is encouraging those who are reclaiming their lost pet to please call ahead and bring proof of ownership when reclaiming lost pets. (805) 388-4341
Animal
urgent calls will be deferred until further notice. All Field Officers will attempt to return found animals to their owners. Field Officers will be donning Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) during all interactions with the public.
As stated in a previous press release:
- The Simi Valley Animal Shelter remains closed and the Camarillo Shelter is restricting all non-essential on-site and casual visits.
- TNR/Community Cat public spay/neuter services are suspended.
- All public and community outreach events are cancelled including rabies vaccination clinics.
- Pet licenses can only be processed online at www.vcas.us/licensing or via U.S. mail. Paymentshould be sent to Ventura County Animal Services 600 Aviation Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010 and license-related documents can be sent via FAX to (805) 388-4393 or emailed to vcas_pet_license@ventura.org.
VCAS is committed to ensuring that the highest quality of care is provided to our animals. Our team of highly dedicated staff are on-site to feed, clean, and care for all animals at the shelter. Staff also provide enrichment activities as well as medical care as needed.
We have received information that there are various rumors circulating regarding the potential for euthanasia of animals during the COVID-19 situation. VCAS remains 100% committed to lifesaving activities during these times and we will continue to provide care to all healthy and treatable animals. Despite the challenges facing our shelter due to COVID-19, animals will not be euthanized due to time or space. Please help us to curtail the spread of such rumors.
We continue our commitment to saving animals’ lives and reuniting lost pets with their families. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please call (805) 388-4341, we are here for you.