| It is a sad but very real fact that animals are destroyed at the Ventura County Animal Shelter. We make every effort either to locate the owner or find a qualified, loving adoptive placement, more animals come to us than there are responsible animal owners. More than 2,200 animals are turned in to our Shelter by their owners each year for a variety of not so valid reasons: Top 10 Reasons Owners Get Rid of Dogs. Dogs Unfortunately, many dogs we receive are undisciplined, un-socialized, ill mannered, ill-tempered street dogs of either pit bull or chow origin. They are virtually impossible to place in homes and few if any Rescue organizations deal with these breeds and mixes. Cats Last year more than 700 feral (wild) cats brought into the Shelter could not be handled, socialized or adopted. While several local Rescue groups care for feral colonies, their resources and volunteers are limited and they are unable to take such a large number of additional cats.
Until the people of Ventura County become more responsible animal caretakers we will continue to have to kill animals. But we have hope. Over the past 20 years we've seen a marked reduction in both the numbers and percentages of animals destroyed. Adoptions are up thanks to the tireless work of the dozens of Rescue Organizations. Unwanted animal births are down thanks to the efforts of many local spay/neuter advocacy groups and organizations and animals reclaimed by owners are steadily increasing due in large part to the success of the microchip program.
We still have a long way to go if we are ever to achieve our goal of NO UNNECESSARY animal deaths. In order to attain that goal we must rely on the people of Ventura County to become responsible animal caretakers, to realize that the adoption of an animal is a commitment for the life of that animal and that living animals, unlike Chia pets, are not disposable.
2011-2012 Statistics 2010-2011 Statistics 2009-2010 Statistics 2008-2009 Statistics 2007-2008 Statistics 2006-2007 Statistics 1975-2010 Comparative Statistics Related Links National Council on Pet Population National Statistics HSUS Pet Overpopulation Estimates The Asilomar Accords |