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OUR MISSION

To improve the lives of the animals in our care, be timely and compassionate in our responses, educate the public through community outreach and, provide for the health and safety of the citizens and animals of Ventura County.

Pet Retention

Pet Retention Program
Helping Keep Pets with their People


If you’ve landed on this page then you likely need help with your pet. We are here to to provide you with a multitude of resources and assistance to help you keep your pet. The ultimate goal of the Pet Retention Program is to provide counseling and resources to pet owners so they can make informed decisions that will ensure the best option for their pets and themselves. The best thing for any pet is to stay in the home they’re used to and never have to come to the shelter. We are here to help people and their pets. Often, the issues you’re facing are easily fixed — and we can help you, allowing you to keep your pet as an important member of the family.

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Pet Retention Program

The Pet Retention program can help provide you with the resources to help overcome the barriers to keeping your pet.

Animal Services staff will work with you to help prevent you from surrendering your pets, while helping to ease the stray population and space at the Pet Adoption and Protection Center.

Please e-mail us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. learn more about our intake process and discuss surrendering your pet. Be sure to include:
  • Your Name, Email Address, and Phone Number
  • Type of Pet (Dog or Cat)
  • Sex of animal and whether or not it has been spayed/neutered
  • Pet’s Name, Age, and Breed
  • A Brief Description of the pet (including how long you’ve had the pet and where you initially got the pet)
  • Why you’re surrendering the pet
  • Any Medical History and Vaccine Status
  • Any images of the pet

Pet Deferment Program

The Pet Deferment program offers options to help you rehome your pet and avoid having to relinquish your dog or cat at the shelter. In some cases, we administer free DHPP and Bordetella vaccines and owners are asked to hold on to their pets for one to two weeks, after which time the owner comes back to the shelter and surrenders their pet if a solution to keeping or rehoming the pet has not been reached.