Ventura County Animal Services Shelter
600 Aviation Drive, Camarillo, CA
January 26th, 2012 at 9:00 A.M.

Residents of Ventura County and members of the rescue community interested in a No-Kill county shelter will rally at the Camarillo facility on Thursday, January 26th, 2012 at 9AM. The Ventura County Animal Services Commission will be conducting a public meeting at this time. On the agenda, members of the local rescue community will be presenting a series of documents detailing current conditions, procedures and protocols at the shelter that contribute to the continued use of euthanasia as a population management tool.

An average of 50 to 100 adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized every week of the year at the facility. The general public and rescuers are demanding that immediate changes be implemented at the shelter to reduce and then eliminate their continued killing. There is a proven combination of programs called the “No Kill Equation” that over time will accomplish this goal. (www.nokilladvocacycenter.org)

Taxpayers in Ventura County should be able to expect our shelter to do these things (and more) with the $5.5 million annual budget granted to the Camarillo facility.

Apart from the humane concerns, it is bad business to kill adoptable animals. It is a waste of taxpayer money to expend resources killing thousands of animals that, with the implementation of life saving programs, would generate income for the county and for the local business community.

It doesn't make sense to spend taxpayer money to euthanize perfectly amazing companion animals when puppy-mill pet stores are selling pets. It’s better that the public adopt pets at the shelter, which will (1) save pets' lives, (2) save taxpayer money that would otherwise be spent on housing and euthanizing pets, and (3) put the inhumane puppy mills out of business.

These issues and others will be the topic of discussion at the Commission meeting on January 26, 2012. Everyone who is interested in how our county shelter can more effectively utilize taxpayer dollars and kill fewer animals is urged to attend this most important meeting and rally in support of No-Kill. Supporters are asked to wear yellow and blue ribbons pinned to their lapel as a visual show of support. For more information visit http://www.vcpapa.org