Find your perfect pet at the shelter

Ask Kathy Jenks, director of the Ventura County Department of Animal Regulations, the most unusual animal that's come through the doors of the Camarillo Animal Shelter, and she's likely to tell you: "A roller skating elephant."

No joke.

Jenks said the talented pachyderm, owned and trained by an Ojai woman, was temporarily boarded at the shelter located at the Camarillo Airport in 1984. Jenks said she has seen her fair share of unusual animals during her 35 years of working for the county, including camels and a pack of 32 wolves that arrived after the closure of a wolf sanctuary.

What she sees mostly, though, are thousands upon thousands of cats and dogs who are given five days at the shelter before they are euthanized.

According to county officials, of the 5,566 dogs taken in by the shelter last year, 27 percent were killed. Of the 3,608 cats housed at the shelter, nearly 60 percent were put down. Those annual numbers don't include the more than 3,000 other animals brought into the shelter, including fowls, rabbits, rodents and fish.

Although the Ventura County Humane Society, based in Ojai, does try to adopt the animals before they are euthanized- as do a handful of other local animal agencies- there is still a very real need for these animals to be adopted.

Jenks is quick to tell those looking for a pet about the advantages of adopting an older animal. She says they are typically housebroken and less likely to chew up furniture and other household items. As opposed to a puppy or kitten, older pets do not require around-the-clock care.

She said that those looking to adopt should be realistic and understand that it will take time and patience to fully train a newly adopted dog. The shelter, though, does offer free obedience classes with Deena CasePall, one of the county's leading dog trainers.

For more than two years, the Moorpark Acorn has published "Pet of the Week," which features an animal from the Camarillo shelter in need of a loving family. The success of the "Pet of the Week" has been outstanding- thanks in large part to our exceptional readers. Between August 2007 and April 2008, more than 90 percent of the animals who appeared in "Pet of the Week" were adopted.

In one instance, an entire litter of kittens were adopted when one of the females appeared in the Moorpark Acorn late last year.

Remember, if you don't find the exact dog or cat you want when you first visit the shelter, try, try again. Who knows? Your next best friend might just be waiting for you- roller skates and all.

For more information about the Camarillo Animal Shelter, 600 Aviation Drive in Camarillo, call (805) 388-4341 or visit the website at www.vcar.us.