Ventura County Animal Services Promotes and Protects the Welfare of Animals

Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) is a division of Ventura County Public Health and a department of the Ventura County Health Care Agency. Ventura County Animal Services is committed to promoting and protecting the health, safety and welfare of the people and animals living in Ventura County.

VCAS's main animal shelter and administrative offices is located near the Camarillo Airport at 600 Aviation Drive. The shelter houses up to 400 animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, livestock and exotic animals. The Simi Valley shelter at 670 West Los Angeles Avenue accepts strays from Simi Valley and Moorpark that can be reclaimed by local residents but due to space limitations are photographed and brought to Camarillo usually within 24 hours. Both shelters are currently open seven days a week. Visit www.vcas.us for operating hours.

To reach either shelter, call 805.388.4341 or 888.223.PETS, Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 5:30 pm and Saturday/Sunday 8 am to 4 pm. Field officers are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and can be reached through these numbers.

How to Adopt an Animal: Animals become available for adoption over varying periods, depending on if the animal has been given up for adoption or is a stray. All adopted animals must be spayed/neutered. In-county adoption costs $125, including certification of sterilization, preliminary vaccinations, first rabies vaccine, Ventura County license*, Trovan microchip for permanent identification, free obedience classes and a certificate for a free health exam at participating local veterinarians. You must be 18 or older with valid ID and commit to providing a "home" (not just a yard) for the animal.

*State law requires that dogs over four months of age be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. VCAS handles licensing for all of Ventura County except Thousand Oaks and Santa Paula, which have their own licensing programs. The City of Thousand Oaks contracts with the Los Angeles County Animal Shelter located at 29525 Agoura Road in Agoura Hills. The Agoura Hills shelter is open seven days a week and can be reached at 818.991.0071. Visit the Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center site at www.santapaulaarc.org for licensing information in that city.

Dog adoption fee for Ventura County residents as of January 2022 (includes license, sterilization and microchip): $115 ($90 fr out of county residents; excludes license). Cats $80, rabbits $50, birds $15.

Books, eBooks, Activities and Fun at Libraries Throughout Ventura County

There are nearly 20 libraries in Ventura County and surrounding areas, offering hundreds of thousands of books and downloadable eBooks readable on a range of devices. And most of these local libraries host free and/or inexpensive events and activities like storytimes, classes, concerts more for kids, teens and adults of all ages!

The Ventura County Library System currently includes 12 libraries around the county.

The Camarillo Public Library is the newest library in the county.

There are 2 libraries in Thousand Oaks: The Grant R. Brimhall Library and the Newbury Park Branch Library.

The Agoura Hills Library, part of the Los Angeles County Public Library System, opened in 2001.

The City of Moorpark manages its own library.

The Simi Valley Library was the most recent library to become municipally operated on July 1, 2013.

Last but not least is the Westlake Village Library, also part of the Los Angeles County Public Library System.

Ray Miller Trail at Pt. Mugu State Park in Malibu

Views from the Ray Miller Trail at Pt. Mugu State Park.

The Ray Miller Trail is located in the La Jolla Canyon section of Pt. Mugu State Park in Malibu. The trail is named after Ray Miller, "Guardian of the Canyon," who was the first official California State Park Camp Host, having volunteered from March 1, 1979 until his death on April 28, 1989.

Monument to Ray Miller on boulder in the La Jolla Canyon Day Use parking lot.

On its own, the trail is 2.7 miles each direction, taking you from the base of La Jolla Canyon to an overlook of the Pacific Ocean that provides sweeping views towards Mugu Rock on the west and Sycamore Cove on the east.

La Jolla Canyon sign in need of repair in September 2015.

The trail looks harder than what it really is in my opinion. The elevation gain is close to 1,000 feet over the 2.7 miles, but none of the climbs are particularly steep.  The trail zigs and zags its way up as you take in views below. You will love this trail. Many people I know say this is their favorite trail!

Single track trail all the way up, but the surface is pretty good overall. Can get slippery when wet, however.

After you reach the overlook, you continue on until you reach the Overlook Fire Road at the end of the trail (there's a sign). At that point, you can turn back or you can continue on the fire road going either north towards the La Jolla Valley Fire Road, or south towards Sycamore Campground.

Views are in abundance most of the way up this trail. This photo was taken in September 2015, in the midst of a four-year drought. It will green up in the winter.

This is the sign indicating you're reached the endpoint of the Ray Miller Trail, where it intersects with the Overlook Fire Road. Explore the road going both directions if you have time (and are carrying water), as there's plenty of views in all directions.

At the bottom of La Jolla Canyon is a group campground.  

La Jolla Canyon is located at 9000 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. Take PCH south/southeast from Los Posas Road in Camarillo. Takes about 30 minutes to get there from the center of Thousand Oaks via either the 101 or via Potrero Road in Newbury Park. It is located just east of Mugu Rock and near Thornhill Broome Beach.

You can park in the La Jolla Day Use Parking Lot (as of September 2015, $8 for day use; $7 for seniors), or you can park on PCH and walk in. Dogs and bikes are not allowed on this trail, though horses are. It can get pretty hot up here in the summer, so be careful and bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen. 

The La Jolla Canyon Trail, accessed adjacent to the Ray Miller Trail, has been closed since January 2015 due to mudslides and rain damage. However, you can access the beautiful La Jolla Valley from the the La Jolla Valley Fire Road.

More information about Pt. Mugu State Park

Other local hikes and trails

New Eateries Coming Soon to the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County as We Enter 2022

Here we are in mid-December 2021, 18 months into the coronavirus pandemic and looking forward to good tidings in 2022. Here’s a compilation of the some of new local eateries that opened in the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas in 2021 and eateries that are anticipated to be opening soon in the new year.

New Eateries That Opened in 2021

• The Waffle Experience Newbury Park opened in June

• California Fish Grill Thousand Oaks opened in July

• Sweetgreen Westlake Village opened in August

• West Tasting Room Thousand Oaks opened in July

• Ma-Kin Vegan Sushi Agoura Hills opened in July

• Azuki Boba & Tea Westlake Village opened in September

• Chakaa Tea Cafe Newbury Park opened in September

• Viet Kitchen Newbury Park opened in October

• Maru Kitchen Westlake Village opened in June

• Nick the Greek Souvlaki & Gyro House Westlake Village in March

• The Bamboo Room Westlake Village opened in June

• Honeycup Coffeehouse & Creamery Newbury Park opened in August

• Valentino’s Take & Bake Pizza Thousand Oaks opened in October

• Pokitomik Thousand Oaks opened in November

• Cork Dork Wine Bar Westlake Village opened in May

• Angry Ferret Brewing Moorpark opened in late spring

• Country Harvest Camarillo opened in November

• Itala Bakery & Cafe opened at The Oaks in July

• Loru’s Cafe opened at the Camarillo Premium Outlets in November

• Sweet Lady Jane Bakery opened in Calabasas on November 11th

• Drive-through Starbucks on South Westlake Blvd opened in October

• M on High Street in Moorpark opened in late October

• Country Harvest Moorpark opened in June

• Naughty Pine Brewing Co. Westlake Village opened in late summer

• Wingstop Thousand Oaks opened in April

• Everbowl Westlake Village opened in June

• Eddie’s Grill Ventura opened in April

• Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Oxnard opened in March

• Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen Agoura Hills opened in January

• O’t Bistro Asian Comfort Food Thousand Oaks opened in March

• Agoura Wine & Beer Co. opened in January

• Furn Saj Bakery Calabasas opened in May

• Drive-thru Starbucks at Janss Marketplace opened in January

• Burnin’ Mouth Nashville Hot Chicken in Oxnard opened in January

• Dave’s Hot Chicken Port Hueneme opened on December 10th

Eateries That Are Anticipated to Open in 2022

• The Stand to open at former Pitfire Pizza Westlake Village location in early 2022

• Black Bear Diner Ventura to open in January 2022

• Encore Kitchen & Bar at the Palm Garden Hotel Newbury Park to open in 2022

• Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken Thousand Oaks in the spring of 2022

• Phil’s Restaurant Thousand Oaks

• Parma Pizzeria to open 2nd location in Agoura Hills

• Denino’s Pizzeria & Tavern Thousand Oaks is “coming soon.”

• Caribbean Haven will be opening soon in Thousand Oaks

• Rose’s Garden Bar in Calabasas

• Amy’s Drive Thru Thousand Oaks

• Barney’s Gourmet Hamburgers in Calabasas

• Clean Juice Superfood Cafe in Agoura Hills

• Mai Thai Kitchen in Newbury Park

• El Sancho Loco to open Westlake Village location in 2022

• Mad Era Brewing Co. Simi Valley we sure hope opens in 2022

• Crumbl Cookies Westlake Village

• Salsa & Beer Calabasas - not sure about the timing

• Harold’s House of Omelettes - closed but we thought they will be reopening - status TBD

Eateries That Closed in 2021

• Jessica’s Cafe in Camarillo (now Country Harvest)

• STACKED Thousand Oaks announced they would not be re-opening after 18 month closure

• Red Robin Thousand Oaks also announced they would not be reopening

• 101 BBQ Hut Thousand Oaks closed in the summer

• Draught’s Restaurant & Bar closed in August

• Le Pain Quotidien Calabasas closed in May

• Flame Broiler Newbury Park closed permanently

• Fierce Ave BBQ Newbury Park opened and closed in 2021

• Lemonade Restaurant Westlake Village closed in February

• Mimi’s Cafe Thousand Oaks and Ventura closed in February

• Mali Cuisine Thousand Oaks

• Prawn & Basil Thousand Oaks

• Pitfire Pizza Westlake Village announced they would not be reopening after a long closure.

• Hunan Restaurant Westlake Village

• Mejico Grill in Agoura Hills closed after suffering fire damage in February

Other New Businesses That Opened or Closed in 2021 or Plan to Open in 2022

• Five Below opened at Janss Marketplace in November

• Bowlero opened at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard in October

• K1 Speed Indoor Go Kart Racing Thousand Oaks/Newbury Park to open TBA date

• Agoura Farmers’ Market at Whizin Market Square Agoura opened in November

• The Disney Store at The Oaks Mall Thousand Oaks closed in September

• Office Depot Thousand Oaks closed in late summer to make way for a Grocery Outlet

• Burlington at Janss Marketplace Thousand Oaks closed in July

• Weekly farmers’ market opened at The Collection in Oxnard in June

• Wild Fork Meat & Seafood Market to open soon

• The Mighty Axe Thousand Oaks opened at Janss Marketplace in August

• Amazon Fresh stores coming at some point to Moorpark and Westlake Village

Historic Southern Pacific Railroad Depot and Moreton Bay Fig Tree in Santa Paula

The Southern Pacific Railroad Depot in Santa Paula is located at 963 E. Santa Barbara Street, adjacent to the Museum of Ventura County's Agriculture Museum. Built in 1887, this was the first train depot in Ventura County, serving passengers until 1934 and hauling freight until 1975. It was also one of the first prefabricated structures in Ventura County, with its second floor serving as living quarters for the station's agent and family. It was designated as Ventura County Historical Landmark #23 in April 1972.

The Depot is now home to the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce and a gift shop. A nice place for visitors to stop by and obtain tourist information.

Also located in the restored Railroad Depot is Santa Paula Society of the Arts, which hosts an art gallery on weekends from noon to 4pm.

Just south of the Depot, across Santa Barbara Street, stands a towering Moreton Bay Fig Tree, Ventura County Historical Landmark #79, designated in September 1982. This tree was planted July 4, 1879 by the Reverend Eben H. Orne to honor the birth of his daughter Cecilia. Quite a beautiful, large tree.

This majestic Moreton Bay Fig Tree is over 130 years old and looking great.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Case Tallies and Deaths in Ventura County, California and the World (2021)

This page will be updated periodically with information on Ventura County area cases from www.venturacountyrecovers.org, U.S. cases from the CDC and global cases from the World Health Organization (WHO).

This post covers statistics in 2021. 2020 case tallies are at THIS LINK.

Note that previously reported case counts are subject to changes and updates. We report initial case counts reported on these sites that in particular in the global stats change over time. For more accurate up to date counts at the global level, visit the WHO website at who.sprinklr.com.

Local area COVID-19 updates and news items are at THIS LINK.

Find Ventura County COVID-19 testing locations at www.venturacountyrecovers.org/coronavirus-testing.

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Reporting changed from weekdays to weekly to 3 times a week in July.

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Reporting changed from weekdays to weekly to 3 times a week in July.

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Eligibility for California Golden State Stimulus I and II Payments

A friend of mine who is in his 80s called me the other day asking if I knew why he received a check in the mail from the State of California. It was a check for $600 as part of the Golden State Stimulus II program. Here are the details.

Golden State Stimulus I Payments

First off, earlier in the year, many Californians received the Golden State Stimulus 1 payment, which was either $600 or $1200. Qualifications for GSS I were as follows:

• Must have filed your 2020 taxes,

• Must be either a CalEITC recipient or an ITIN filer who made $75,000 or less in California Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) in 2020.

  • A CalEITC (or California Earned Income Tax Credit) recipient is someone who in 2020 had California AGI of $30,000 or less and does not use the married filing separately filing status.

  • An ITIN (or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) filer is a taxpayer who is not eligible to obtain a Social Security Number.

• Must have lived in California at least half of 2020 and are a California resident the date the payment is issued.

• Cannot be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer.

GSS I recipients received $600 if they were either 1) an CalEITC recipient or 2) were an ITIN filer and made $75,000 or less in 2020 CA AGI (if filing jointly at least one taxpayer must use an ITIN).

GSS I recipients received $1,200 if they 1) were both a CalEITC recipient and an ITIN filer and made $75,000 CA AGI or less in 2020 or 2) filed a joint return, were CalEITC recipients, at least one was an ITIN filer and made $75,000 or less in 2020 CA AGI.

More information about GSS I on the Franchise Tax Board website at www.ftb.ca.gov/about-ftb/newsroom/golden-state-stimulus/gss-i.html.

Golden State Stimulus II

The state expanded the program and started paying out additional stimulus payments in October, continuing through mid-January. The amount of these payments is either $500, $600, $1,000 or $1,100. Qualifications for GSS II are as follows:

• Must have filed your 2020 tax return by October 15, 2021.

• Have CA AGI of $1 to $75,000 and wages of $0 to $75,000 in 2020.

• Must have lived in California at least half of 2020 and are a California resident the date the payment is issued.

• Cannot be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer.

Here’s what you get if you qualify and have a SSN:

• $500 if you also qualified for GSS I and claimed a credit for 1 or more dependents.

• $600 if you did not qualify for GSS I and did not claim any dependents.

• $1,100 if you did not qualify for GSS I and claimed 1 or more dependents.

• $0 if you qualified for GSS I and did not claim any dependents.

Here’s what you get if you qualify and have an ITIN:

• $1,000 if you did qualify for GSS I and claimed 1 or more dependents.

• $0 if you did qualify for GSS I but did not claim and dependents.

More information about GSS II on the FTB website at www.ftb.ca.gov/about-ftb/newsroom/golden-state-stimulus/gss-ii.html.