Humane Society pet adoptions increase in 2008





Through the efforts of the Humane Society of Ventura County, more animals found their way into new homes in 2008 than during the previous year.

The private nonprofit Ojai animal shelter reported overseeing 699 pet adoptions last year, up from 591 adoptions in 2007. While the bulk of the pet adoptions were for dogs and cats, homes were also found for other animals, including pigs, rabbits, ducks, horses, birds, turtles and guinea pigs.

Cyndy Treutelaar, president of the society’s board of directors, attributes the increase in adoptions to the organization’s community outreach services.

“We’re out in the schools, our volunteers are manning booths . . . we’re advertising more,” Treutelaar said.

The shelter also reported 1,944 pets were spayed or neutered in 2008, up from 1,862 pets in 2007. Treutelaar credits the society’s public awareness campaign and grant money the nonprofit has secured that allows it to offer periodic free spay and neutering services.

The Humane Society returned 129 lost pets to their homes in 2008. The year before, 157 lost pets were reunited with their families.

Treutelaar sees the decrease in the number of lost pets as a sign that people are becoming more responsible with their animals and having them collared, tagged and microchipped.

The shelter is at 402 Bryant St. in Ojai and is open for adoptions from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Adoption cost for dogs and cats is $120.

To see animals available for adoption, visit the website www.humanesocietyvc.org.

For more information about the shelter and services, including its spay and neuter and shot and microchip clinics, call (805) 656-5031.


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