Camarillo, CA – Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for what we have, but for hundreds of abandoned dogs and cats in the county’s animal shelter, they have little reason to rejoice.

Since September 1st of this year, over 2600 dogs, cats and bunnies have come through the shelter’s doors. Of those, approximately 1700 were dogs, 900 cats and the rest were rabbits. Twenty one percent of the dogs got reclaimed by their owners but only two percent of the cats and bunnies went back to their original homes.
The shelter works with a number of rescue organizations to transfer out as many of the remaining animals as possible but it still needs the public’s help.

“Another name for “shelter animal” is “homeless pet” said Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) Director Monica Nolan. “These animals end up in shelters through no fault of their own. Whether its an owner who died or lost his home, or someone who never got their animal ID’d through chipping or licensing, the victim, not the criminal, ends up being the shelter animal.”

This coming weekend, VCAS is having its own Black Friday sale. Dog and cat adoption prices will be half price ($60 instead of $125) from Friday through Sunday. Each adoption package includes a spay/neuter, rabies shot, county license, microchip ID, a certificate for a veterinary exam and obedience lessons for the dogs.
“This offer is our way of saying thank you to those who adopt a shelter dog or cat – thank you for giving them a new home and a second chance at love” Nolan said.

The shelter is open Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 4pm, Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Thursday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Animals can also be adopted from our Janss Mall Shelter Hope Pet Shop The Pet Shop is open Friday through Sunday from 11am to 7pm. To view the animals or for more information, go to www.vcas.us.