Cancel

Open app

Search

Ventura County Animal Services

3.3 (169 reviews)
Closed 1:00 pm - 6:00 PM

Services - Ventura County Animal Services

Animal shelters

Ventura County Animal Services Photos

You might also consider

More like Ventura County Animal Services

Recommended Reviews - Ventura County Animal Services

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Kaitlin T.

I unfortunately had a pretty stressful visit to the Camarillo Animal Shelter when I came to visit the kitten I was interested in adopting. In order to visit a kitten to potentially adopt, you have to first sign in on the shelter's website at 9am and put a hold on the pet you would like to see. I was then given a hard and fast time to see the animal at the shelter, and if I didn't go then, someone else would get their choice to adopt that same animal. When I walked into the shelter it immediately reminded me of the DMV. I do not envy the employees behind the counter and I give mad props to the ones working that day. I waited in line for 45 minutes listening to a homeless man verbally assault the shelter employee and then get shown out by the police and to another man yelling to another employee about his pet licensing. I was finally able to go back and see the kitten I was interested in. Once in the kitten room, an unfriendly employee showed me the kitten and let me pet her and see her for only a few minutes before asking if I wanted to adopt her. I asked for some extra time to make a really important and big decision of adopting her and he said that there were other people waiting to see this same kitten, so I had 5 minutes to decide. After my exact 5 minutes were up, I decided to take this kitten home and then was told to wait back in line for another 30 minutes in order to finalize the adoption paperwork. I tried to be as patient as possible with them. But I felt very rushed and pressured to adopt her only because they had a tight ship to run and other people were interested in the kitten. I was glad to see such a high demand for adopting kittens and puppies at that shelter, but I felt their adoption process was cold and methodical. But maybe the county runs it that way for a reason, I don't know. I'm just sharing how my experience went down that day. I love the little kitten I adopted though and fortunately she was already spayed and came to me healthy without any fleas, diseases, or respiratory issues.

The entrance
Erica R.

I got one of my dogs from the Camarillo Animal Shelter a long time ago, although I still like to come back and see the doggies every once in a while and think about adding another dog to my family. Although I wish it was possible for every dog to have a home, I like that the dogs in the kennels are able to be outdoors or indoors, depending on what part of their kennel they prefer to stand in. There's an info sheet on the dogs, their breed, weight, sometimes info about their temperament, whether they were surrendered or "lost," and their availability date for adoption. When I first adopted my cutie pie dog, they also offered free obedience classes once a week for 6 weeks, which I swiftly took advantage of. They also adopt out kitties and I've seen some bunnies available for adoption as well, but typically the bunnies are not adopted out around Easter if I remember correctly. The only thing is that sometimes it's hard to track someone down if you're interested in a dog. This place has a lot of volunteers, but there's also a lot of customers who want to see and play with their future dog (or cat) outside of the kennel to see if they're a good fit for the family, so you just have to be patient. A lot of times, there are great deals for adopting your pet in order to try to clear the shelter. I adopted my sweetie pie dog for $25, when the prices were originally $125. He's worth every penny, even if we did have to get rid of the rugs in our house because he kept peeing on them.

Sara A.

I've visited the VCAS website for 2 years looking for the perfect cat to join our family. I have severe cat allergies so I thought the chances were slim to none, but it finally happened. We rescued Shiba, who had just had her kittens taken from her and been spayed. Nevertheless, she is so sweet, and for the first time in my life I'm not allergic to a cat. Thank you VCAS. I now have a slightly malevolent shadow that follows me everywhere, wakes me up at 6am with tiny cat licks on my forehead, terrorizes our poodles and never lets me poop alone. Truly a dream come true.

Rescue Reader
Robyn C.

We LOVE that VCAS offers a reading program called Rescue Readers. It has been a fun bonding period for my son and I, and he has learned a lot about empathy and compassion for animals in shelters. VCAS does the best they can to provide for all the animals in their care, which can be challenging given the number of animals they have. If anyone reads this, please consider adopting from VCAS when looking for a new furry friend - cats, dogs, bunnies, guinea pigs, etc. There are so many large breed dogs that are highly stressed and need a loving home.

We found a stray dog a few weeks ago. I absolutely did not want to take him to the Camarillo shelter because I was convinced it was a kill shelter. It is not and I was so completely wrong. That policy changed years ago. He was not neutered, he had cuts all over him, had worms and was limping. He had a collar in that was a little too tight. And he did not know how to walk through door ways or how to access stairs. He did not understand a leash but was extremely loving. He had to have been in someone's backyard for a few years. I took him to the shelter where he had to stay for a week to be checked out and to see if an owner stepped forward. We visited him a few times and no one ever came. On day 6 we went and officially adopted him. They were so kind and took such good care of the animals there. They all had toys and blankets and play time out of the kennels. We found him so we had the option to take him home before he was offered up for adoption to anyone else. They even spent 45 minutes with us to see if my current dog and this dog would be compatible. It was a great experience. Now I have a 2 year old doggy that has never lived inside before sleeping on my couch. He is so smart and with live and patience he will learn and live a happy life with people who actually want him around.

See all

13 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Randy F.

Randy F.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Kaitlin T.
421
50
12

2 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Randy F.

Randy F.

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 3
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 5
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of M. C.
0
15
13

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of D L.
0
70
0

10 months ago

Great place until the end of July free adoption and they gave the best pets and it's very clean

Business owner information

Photo of Randy F.

Randy F.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jay H.
160
381
1251

3 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Robyn C.
4
86
123

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Business owner information

Photo of Randy F.

Randy F.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of B S.
0
65
12

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 2
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Bob B.
5
10
0

2 years ago

These guys have a rough job and they do it for the love of animals. They were very compassionate and helpful

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Lily Y.
1251
1046
2299

6 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of L G.
2
7
0

3 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 2

3 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Randy F.

Randy F.

Helpful 4
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 1

3 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Randy F.

Randy F.

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Randy F.

Randy F.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Randy F.

Randy F.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 4
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jade B.
1
67
22

4 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Randy F.

Randy F.

Helpful 5
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

12 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Randy F.

Randy F.

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 5

Ask the Community - Ventura County Animal Services

Can I see all photos of lost cats?

Hi - You can see cats in our care at www.vcas.us/cats. Additionally, you can see photos of cats… Read more

We are looking for a temporary (few months) home for our Doberman.. we are willing to pay specially if someone is willing to take the time to train her while taking care of her?

Rob Lerner of Dog-Gone Behavior fostered and rehabilitated our badly abused and rescued dog for the Agoura Shelter - he had her for almost 2 years before she was ready for a forever home. He and his wife are fabulous and we have been loving our… Read more

View All 3 Questions

Review Highlights - Ventura County Animal Services

We even got a few free obedience lessons from the shelter to get started which is nice.

Mentioned in 3 reviews

Read more highlights

You might also consider

Purrmaid Cafe and Adoption Center - Sweet kitties yawning!!

Purrmaid Cafe and Adoption Center

(74 reviews)

I am absolutely, unequivocally obsessed with cats. Frankly, I worship them more than the Egyptians…read moredid and I am quite sure they are Gods. In fact, I am throwing my cat a 5th birthday party literally at the time of this review (she gets a party every year!) and she is laying near me as I type these words waxing her kind, poetic. This means that any place that involves cats is a place I want to be; and thus: cat cafes is a trend I stand behind. A place to hang out with cats AND promote adoptions of said cats on premises? Yes, please! These cafes are growing in popularity and one of note is Purrmaid Cat Café, located in Camarillo a stone's throw from the famous Camarillo Outlets (on the way from Los Angeles to the outlets at the exit prior). Typically, not much positive can be said of social media platform, Facebook but just this once: I can thank them. My cat-loving algorithm is what introduced me to Purrmaid as I proceed to 'follow' the business and engage with the owner on her posts. I immediately knew there was something different about Purrmaid from their competitors and that I would someday need to visit. Purrmaid is the love project of husband-and-wife team Robin (who goes by Cat) and Jeff Kent who were locally known as animal advocates and top-of-the-line pet foster parents. Having dreams of opening an animal sanctuary; the universe opened the door for them as their friend Nikki, OG owner of Purrmaid was giving up the reigns and Robin and Jeff knew this was their time to shine and took over. The rest is history. Located in a busy but quiet strip plaza shopping center; Purrmaid is super welcoming the second you cross their threshold. The small lobby area is colorful, smells amazing and is filled with cat merch for sale from local artists. Refreshments (soda, coffee, water) and Robin's very own homemade baked goods are available for a small sum (and adorably, Purrmaid posts on their socials as though the cats pick the deserts for the day/week!). You must try these desserts! The selections during my visit were chocolate chip cookies and brownies and although these may sound basic - my boyfriend and I were obsessed! The cookies were chewy and soft with browned butter caramelization flavor. So good! Purrmaid isn't your typical cat café and is so much better. After signing a release and paying the $6/person fee (must be at least 7 years of age and children must be accompanied by an adult); you enter the cat room which eschews the standard clinical feel of cat cafes and is instead set-up like a living room which carpeting, couches, arm chairs plus cat towers, shelves and toys galore. Purrmaid is spotless (which my OCD approves) and has a calming, quiet, Zen energy. At Purrmaid, you will feel like you are simply hanging with Robin and her beautiful feline Gods in her living room! Robin and Jeff also have the best interest of the kitties in mind as the cats have access to a cat door to a back room they can 'escape' to when they don't feel like being around guests. Or, they can live out their wild cat fantasies watching bird TV. This is truly a Grade-A cat café. Even the bathroom was spotless and decorated with cats down to the hand towels! As amazing and obsessed with cats Purrmaid is; their mission is to find the cats a forever home and they take this very seriously with a $150 fee, application and home visit and adoption contract. Robin is not playing around when finding the perfect home for these cats whom often come from prior traumatic situations. Want to hold an event or birthday party at Purrmaid? Or attend one of their events like tarot card readings? Yup, they do that too! Purrmaid is an amazing facility! Purrmaid is a purr-fect cat café and Robin and Jeff are simply wonderful individuals running an amazing business. If you are even mildly obsessed with cats - or looking to adopt - you must visit Purrmaid Wed- Sundays 11am-5pm. Heck, you may even see me because I already want to return!

Omg I love this place. They are doing such a great thing by helping these cats out. I am just so…read moregrateful that people in places like this exist. If you can please support go hang out with the kitties buy a couple things they give you a beverage to just hang out with some cats the price is not bad at all great experience just love that people like this exist. The lady that was running the shop that day was so sweet and kind and talked to my daughter about the cats and what a great place.

Shelter Hope Pet Shop - Wanting Leo kisses

Shelter Hope Pet Shop

(199 reviews)

STAY AWAY- Waited 4 days to go by and see a dog listed on their website. Drove 45 minutes to…read morearrive 20 minutes after their posted opening time. Arrived to see staff inside the building with the door locked. Was rudely told to apply online to adopt a dog I never met and that maybe- maybe someone will have enough time to get back to me. I'm sure they have good intentions but feel like this place needs better management. Would suggest looking elsewhere for pet adoptions to not waste your time.

PLEASE BEWARE. I recently fostered-to-adopt a dog from this shelter, and right away I was worried…read moreabout his health--he was covered in scabs, lightly coughing, and hopping on his back legs. On the third day of the trial, I contacted the founder to express my concerns, but she dismissed everything, saying the scabs were nothing and the leg issues were "just a small dog thing" From the start, I had made it very clear that It was important to me that the dog I adopt is healthy because my current dog has mitral valve disease (heart failure). Two days later, I was told my trial had ended and pressured to make a quick decision because "others were interested." Feeling rushed, I agreed to adopt him and took him to the vet the next day. The vet confirmed he had a heart murmur, which was devastating since I know what the journey looks like (my current dog had been diagnosed with the same thing and 6 months earlier). When I called the founder, she was extremely rude--telling me I was "too emotional" and that she was the "expert." She also said that heart murmurs are "common" in small breed dogs. Her tone and attitude were extremely disappointing at a time when I was trying to make a thoughtful, lifelong decision. The next morning, she finally arranged an appointment at CARES, and they confirmed everything I had suspected: bilateral luxating patellas and an enlarged heart. He even had double knee surgery the following morning Because I already have a dog with major health issues, I made the very difficult decision to ultimately not keep him. Thankfully, I advocated for him, because he desperately needed medical care that the founder dismissed. In my experience, the shelter seemed more focused on securing an adoption than being transparent about the dog's health. I'm sharing this so others can be cautious. Every adopter deserves honesty, and every animal deserves proper care

Ventura County Animal Services - animalshelters - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...