Business, Family, Government, Health, Local, News

Ventura County Animal Services — Simi Valley Animal Shelter once again open and more news

by Community Contributor • October 25, 2021 • Comments Off

VCAS 3rd Quarter Newsletter

October 2021 | www.vcas.us | (805) 388-4341 | info@vcas.us

Saving Lives Each And Every Day

I am excited to announce that the Simi Valley Animal Shelter is, once again, fully open for all business, including pet adoptions! I am equally pleased to report that pet adoptions have steadily increased to match the expected rise of stray animals coming into our care.

As a reminder, adoption hours are 1:00pm – 6:00pm, Tuesday – Sunday, at both the Camarillo and Simi Valley locations. We encourage everyone to preview our dogs, cats, rabbits and other critters online prior to your visit. Also, please take a moment to review our new and improved adoption process which employs text messaging to reduce wait times and long lines.

Our staff and volunteers are here to answer questions and help make the best matches possible! Thank you for your continued support of our lifesaving efforts!

Jackie Rose

Director

Mutual Aid – Animal Rescue

Veteran Animal Control Officers Fernando Serratos and Tony Ochoa were recently deployed to El Dorado County in northern California to provide mutual aid animal rescue support in the Caldor Fire area. These officers have been deployed previously to provide mutual aid during the Butte Fire and were recently recognized by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors for their inspirational work in the community. A short video montage was created to help illustrate the amazing work these officers do. Enjoy the video.

Peanut Butter Frisbees

Enrichment plays a key role in the care of our animals, and helps us maintain their health and emotional wellness while we work to find their new home. Staff and volunteers work side-by-side to ensure that all animals receive daily interaction, and have a comfortable living area with regular exposure to new toys and activities all in an effort to reduce fear and stress.

Our Animal Care Coordinators have developed some truly innovative enrichment activities which include the use of Lick-mats, Sniffle-mats and, introducing, Peanut Butter Frisbees [view video]! The science behind these activities tells us that animals who are well-enriched have a greater likelihood of finding their forever home.

As we strive to increase the variety in their frozen treats and toys, we are asking for help filling our enrichment pantry. We need these items on an ongoing basis. Pantry donations can be brought to the Camarillo Animal Shelter at 600 Aviation drive. Thank you so much for your donation!

Monthly Report

Transparency is very important to us. Each month we publish a monthly report, highlighting a number of shelter statistics. For additional reports, including our Annual Report, please visit www.vcas.us/statistics.

VCAS Bunny Art Auction

Adoptable VCAS rabbits explored their artistic sides for our very first Bunny Art Auction. Bunny Brigade volunteers spent many adorable, if slightly messy hours, helping our shelter rabbits create their masterpieces. Artwork was available for purchase via a Facebook auction. The bidding was spirited and underscored the amazing support of our community.

Our Bunny Art Auction was a wonderful way to showcase the personalities of our good-natured, adoptable house rabbits, and the creative teamwork of our volunteers. The auction raised $225, and all proceeds support the hundreds of homeless rabbits who come into VCAS each year. Thank you to everyone who made this event a success!

Tap/click here to learn more about the VCAS Bunny Brigade.

100 Community Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic

VCAS is sponsoring 100 spay and neuter surgeries for community cats! These surgeries are essential to our coordinated, countywide Trap Neuter Return (TNR) effort to help reduce the overpopulation of outdoor cats living in our community.

TNR is the process by which community cats (or outdoor cats) are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, then returned to the area from which they came, if the location is safe. These cats can now live out their lives in the environment they were thriving in, without the possibility of having unwanted litters. Learn more about TNR and other essential cat programs at www.vcas.us/CatPrograms.

Offering low/no-cost spay and neuter services is vital to ensuring that all Ventura County residents have equal access to this essential surgery. VCAS has received a grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture, allowing us to hold four (4) no-cost spay and neuter clinics. The next clinic will be on October 26th and those interested are asked to schedule an appointment by calling the Simi Valley Non-Profit Spay & Neuter Clinic at (805) 584-3823. Please see flyer for additional details.

Meet Oliver

Oliver (10) is a lovable, low-energy pup who is looking for a plush home to rest his body and soul. He prefers to be the only dog in the home and would likely spend his days napping and playing with his squeaky toy! If there are kids in the house, he would prefer they be older teens.

Tap/click here to learn more about adoptable Oliver.

Hold a Donation Drive for VCAS!

Do your kids need a community service project for school or scouts? Consider sharing our Amazon Wish List as part of a donation drive event! All items listed on our wish list provide a service to the animals in our care. From toys and enrichment tools, to specialty food and life-saving kitten milk replacer!

We have created a short link ideal for printed flyers: www.vcas.us/AmazonWishList.

About Our Staff

Dr. Nycole Cole

Dr. Nycole Cole is a Ventura County native. She graduated from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and specializes in small and exotic animals. She has a history in wildlife response and rehabilitation, including raptors, mammals and aquatics. In her spare time, Dr. Cole enjoys hanging out with her rugby team, rollerblading, and spending time with her dog, Milo, who is everything one should aspire to be. Her horoscope sign wavers between Gemini and Cancer and she usually picks whatever one has the better horoscope for that day.

Pet Licensing

Purchase or renew your pet’s license! Special discounts available for pet owners who are 55+ and/or for animals who are spayed or neutered!

Donate

Monetary donations gives VCAS the greatest flexibility to provide what our animals need, when they need it. General use donations are used in a variety of ways: from veterinary care and enrichment toys, to kitten formula and specialty food.

Amazon Wish List

Not sure what to donate? Don’t worry, we’ve created a list of items we are in most need of, along with their quantity! Tap/click to view our Amazon Wish List now!

Amazon Smile

Tap/click before you shop and a percentage of your purchase will be donated to VCAS! Bookmark this link and use it every time you shop on Amazon!

Meet Our Pets!

All animals cared for by VCAS can be viewed online. Tap/click the button below to view our animals listed online. Questions? Need to know more about an animal? Email us at info@vcas.us or call (805) 388-4341. Thank you!