Emergency Services

The Humane Society of Ventura County is dedicated to the protection of animals in our community and beyond. We offer a variety of free services to assist those in need during times of uncertainty. Our two badged and trained Humane Officers are responsible for alleviating the abuse, neglect, and suffering of animals throughout Ventura County.

Our Animal Rescue Team and volunteer Emergency Response Team, alongside other emergency agencies, are ready to spring into action to help evacuate, transport, and intake animals during fires, floods, and other disasters. For years, the HSVC has functioned as an evacuation center for animals in need of refuge as a result of California's many wildfires. As always, we offer our disaster relief and sheltering services at absolutely no charge to anyone who needs our help.

If you are in need of evacuation/transport assistance or any of our other emergency services, please call the shelter at 805-646-6505.

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Report Abuse

The Humane Society of Ventura County is dedicated to the protection of animals. While education is one of the primary tools our Humane Officers use to accomplish this goal, we will not hesitate to seek the prosecution of those found abusing or neglecting animals. Anyone witnessing an act of animal abuse is encouraged to call their local police immediately. After filing a report with your local police, contact our humane officers by calling 805-646-6505 or 656-5031. All information is kept confidential. The HSVC does not investigate barking dog complaints, loose or vicious dogs, or too many animals (unless this constitutes a health risk for the animals). For these types of complaints, contact the Ventura County Animals Services at (805) 388-4341. To file a nuisance complaint, please visit their website.

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Humane Officers

Appointed and employed by the Humane Society of Ventura County and confirmed by the superior court, Humane Officers may exercise the powers of a Peace Officer to uphold our state's animal protection laws. They can make arrests, execute search warrants, and file criminal cases with the district attorney's office. Prevention, detection, and investigation of all forms of animal abuse are all key components of a Humane Officer's job. Humane Officers are provided with extensive training in animal husbandry and investigating animal cruelty and neglect cases. When needed, Humane Officers collaborate with Officers from other Humane Societies, SPCAs, animal care and control agencies, police and sheriff's departments, and other law enforcement agencies. All of this is provided without monetary support from the city, county, or state with a goal to eliminate all animal suffering in Ventura County.

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Disaster Preparedness

An emergency can strike at any moment, it's important to be prepared! The best way to protect your family and pets from a disaster is to have a disaster preparedness plan in place ahead of time. Your plan should include things like an emergency supply kit and a pet care buddy system plan. Check out these tips so you can be prepared the next time a disaster strikes.

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Animal Rescue Team

Most Our Animal Rescue Team is comprised of Humane Society of Ventura County staff who have experience in and training for evacuations during natural disasters. We have a fleet of two trucks and two stock trailers. The team consists of Humane Officers, Veterinary Assistants, Equine Specialists, Media and Marketing personnel, and Shelter Directors. Our Animal Rescue Team has assisted with evacuations from multitudes of natural disasters over the years. The equipment, training, and readiness of our Animal Rescue Team to assist in evacuations are funded entirely by our community. The Humane Society of Ventura County is not affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States and does not receive any funding from federal, state, or local government. If you would like to make a contribution to our Disaster Preparedness and Evacuation efforts, please visit our website to make a donation. Thank you for your support!

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Emergency Response Team

For years, the HSVC has functioned as an evacuation center for animals in need of refuge as a result of California's many wildfires. To help care for the animals that are evacuated to the shelter, Senior Humane Officer King developed the HSVC Emergency Response Team (ERT) in 2020. Comprised of experienced volunteers, HSVC ERTs will work alongside staff during emergencies. Members of the ERT program (ERTs) are trained in two teams. One team assists our office staff with evacuee animal intake and data entry in the event of a natural disaster. The second team cleans and cares for the evacuated animals to assist our kennel staff. ERTs are encouraged to participate in training for both teams so they can fill in wherever staff needs assistance most during an emergency.

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