We are now offering a six week dog obedience class. The class begins at 6:00pm April 13, 2010. Dogs must have current vaccinations records. Bring a six foot leash and a choke chain. You cat teach your dog to heel, sit, stay come and place, not to dash through doors, jump on people or play bite. For more information and to sign up, call (805) 646-6505, cost is $75.00. Instructor is Jolene Hoffman.

If you would like to subscribe to our monthly newsflash, please send your e-mail address to heather.balaam@humanesocietyvc.org.

Be Kind To Animals Week began in 1915 by American Humane Association to celebrate the role of animals in our lives.  Our goal is to have a representative for our shelter at a different park each day around 3:00 or 4:00 to read a humane-themed story, lead a lesson on pet care, and hand out literature.  Total time at the site would be about 1 hour. 

Please call Aimee French at (805)650-6152 is you would like to help.

Natural Disasters can happen at any time without warning. Being prepared ahead of time will insure a quick evacuation for everyone in your family. Practice and update your disaster plan with your family regularly, this will help reduce the risk of harm to your family and pets if disaster strikes. Here are some recommendations on how to prepare before disaster hits.

Prepare and maintain a pet emergency kit with enough supplies for each pet in the household. Here are some examples of what should be in your emergency kit:

¨ Pet first aid guide and supplies such as: wound cleaning supplies, dressings, gauze, bandaging materials, etc.

¨ Microchip each animal in the household for permanent identification, you must register your information with the microchip company to ensure safe return if your pet goes missing, also register the microchip number with your veterinarian and local animal shelter. Keep a record of the microchip number in your emergency kit.

¨ Have a current picture of each pet for identification purposes.

¨ Make sure each pet has a properly fitting collar with license and ID tag attached, be sure to have current & readable home and cell phone numbers on the tag.

¨ Keep an adequate amount of leashes and or carriers close by and in reach.

¨ A copy of current veterinary records, including rabies and wellness vaccination information, medical diagnosis and a  list of current medications. Medication should be kept in a water proof bag.

¨ Supplies to collect and dispose of pet waste.

¨ 7 day supply of canned (pop top) or dry food, rotate regularly to ensure no expired food is left in your kit, and pet food and water dishes.

¨ Bottled water.

¨ Liquid dish soap and disinfecting soap.

¨ Disposable litter boxes, and cat litter.

You should also have an emergency kit ready for your family, here is a list of important supplies you should include: batteries, duct tape, flashlight, radio, multi-tool, tarp, rope, baby wipes, blankets, bottled water, canned or packaged food (enough for 7 days), rescue whistle, extra cash, copies of medical records and medications, list of allergens, etc.

Talk to you neighbors, give them a list of veterinary and emergency contact information in case you are away from your home when emergency strikes. Let them know where your emergency kits are kept so they can safely evacuate your animals. You can also get an emergency sticker saying there are pets in the house, place it in a window that is visible for emergency crews.

Never leave your animals chained outside, if you have to evacuate take them with you, as you may not be able to return to your house for several days. This will ensure your pets safety.

If you have livestock make sure you have a transportation vehicle and trailer prepared at all times, if you do not have a trailer keep emergency numbers ready for people who will trailer your animals to safety. You can also contact you local animal shelter for help if needed. Keep a list of suitable evacuation centers and phone numbers of where you can take your animals in case of emergency.

We have to be prepared! We never know when the next disaster will strike, but it could be at any moment. In order to be prepared, the Humane Society is asking for the following items to be donated:

• Duct Tape
• Zip Ties of all sizes
• Trash Bags
• Sharpee Markers
• Neon Markers
• Neon Wrist Bands
• Batteries of all sizes
• Flashlights
• New Chainsaws
• New Gas Cans
• Portable Lighting
• New Kennel Panels
• Crank Radio
• New or gently used Generator
• Tarps of all sizes
• Tools
• Extension Cords
• Power Inverter

Please bring items to the shelter at 402 Bryant St. in Ojai. We appreciate anything you can give!

To qualify to be a Foster Parent to one of our animals, you must:

Fill out a Volunteer application form (available on our website or at the shelter).

Fill out additional “Hold Harmless Agreement” for off-site fostering.

Contact Volunteer Coordinator Suzanne Soprano.

Be interviewed by Shelter Director Jolene Hoffman.

Have a home and yard check done by one of our Humane Officers (yard must be completely fenced and secure).

Have no children in the home under the age of 14 years old.

Be willing to take the dog to obedience training.

Work on housebreaking or litter box training and basic manners.

Notify the shelter if any severe behavior issues occur.

Be willing to return the animal when asked.

Update the staff weekly on how the animal is adjusting.

Be willing to make the animal available to meet prospective adopters (make appointment and bring animal to the shelter).

Only “special needs” animals can be fostered.

Food and medical care will be provided.

Animals will be vaccinated, wormed, spayed/neutered and given a flea treatment.

Animals under the age of 8 weeks will be altered at a later date.

Thank you to Richard & Ellen Gilleland of Black Mountain Ranch in upper Ojai for donating almost 8,ooo pounds of walnuts to The Humane Society of Ventura County. We have been selling lots the last couple of months, but there are still plenty more that need to go! We have now reduced the price to $1 per bag. You can also buy them from us in bulk for an even lower price. Come to the shelter in Ojai to purchase some of these delicious, organic walnuts!

Camper Clare Knutson shows Emily how to 'Watch Me!'

They got to play and cuddle with the dogs and cats, all while learning about animal behavior, grooming, pet health, animal cruelty, dog training, careers and more.  A favorite job was folding laundry and selecting just the right blanket to put into each dog’s bed.  They toured our Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, asked our Humane Officer tough questions, comforted the newly arrived animals and cheered for the dogs and cats ‘going home’. 

Sadie, the German Shepherd, understands when Emily Winters tells her to 'Leave It!'

Lauren Erdmann teaches Rocky the hand signal for 'Down!'

Our Humane Society Camps are offered to children ages 9-13 years.  More camps will be scheduled this year. 

You may contact our Humane Educator, Aimee French at education@humanesocietyvc.org for more information and to be put on a mailing list.