Animal-shelter pets like toys, too

Donation suggestions to help the critters



Some of the most sought-after items for local animal shelters, as well as the nearest zoo, can be found in your child’s playroom.

“Very hard balls or plastic blocks, like those toddler toys that Fisher Price makes, are good for the monkeys and for the birds,” said Mara Rodriguez, an operations instructional technician with America’s Teaching Zoo on the Moorpark College campus.

The zoo, which houses about 90 different species at a time, is always looking for donations that can make animals’ lives happier. Sometimes, Rodriguez said, the simplest items make the best gifts for all the zoo’s creatures.

The Moorpark College attraction often accepts rope, fire hoses, toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls to create enrichment for the animals. The zoo also accepts blankets and towels that do not have holes in them, as well as hard plastic toys.

“The hard plastic toys can be previously used, but they need to be in good shape,” Rodriguez said.

And with the construction of the zoo’s new lion exhibit, officials are asking for Home Depot gift cards to turn Ira’s home into an African lion’s playground.

Those wishing to make donations to America’s Teaching Zoo can drop off donations on weekends during its operating hours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can also call the zoo at (805) 378-1441 to make a dropoff appointment.

County shelters

Each year, the Ventura County Animal Services cares for more than 10,000 dogs, cats, bunnies, birds and turtles. Between the daily grooming and the visits from the public, it takes a lot of supplies and toys to keep these animals happy and healthy.

The agency, which operates shelters in Camarillo and Simi Valley, is always looking for monetary and physical donations from the public.

Because the needs of the shelters change from week to week, the agency created an Amazon wish list, found at www.VCAS. us/AmazonWishList. The list is updated weekly with specific items the shelters need.

For example, the shelters are looking for dry and wet cat food, bunny play pens, safety whistles, cat carriers, dog “slip leashes,” cat powdered milk formula, puppy pads and “adopt me” vests for dogs, among other items.

VCAS started the Amazon wish list after receiving hundreds of pounds of donations that the shelters could not use such as open bags of food and used collars and leashes from animals who had died. The shelters, instead, use slip-leads to train the animals and to keep them comfortable.

Specifically, the shelters cannot accept cat trees, big cages, chicken coops, electric collars, furniture, used clothing, open containers of food, pillows, plastic bowls, plush squeaky toys, shredded paper, stuffed animals or tennis balls.

Animal services also cannot accept used dog beds, litter boxes or pet toys.

But the shelters are always in need of and looking for towels, blankets, sponges, dryer sheets and bleach. People can also donate empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls that will be used for enrichment for rabbits.

A VCAS official said the shelters can always use more blankets, terrycloth towels and dryer sheets, because the agency does more than 600 pounds of laundry a day.

To donate items, stop by the shelters anytime to drop items in the donation bins out front. People can also go to the shelters during business hours to get a receipt for their tax-deductible donations.

VCAS also accepts monetary donations at VCAS.us/donate.

Also, those who would like to give their time can volunteer to become foster pet parents or to become weekday volunteers.