Help comes in many stripes

This article was originally published by the Moorpark Acorn.

In the wake of the devastating Mountain fire that swept through Camarillo and nearby communities last week, a wellknown quote by Mister Rogers resonates: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

The Ventura County Animal Shelter became a center of relief for hundreds of evacuated animals, receiving donations of food, bedding and supplies from community members eager to support displaced pets and their owners.

Both the Camarillo shelter and the Ventura County Fairgrounds provided temporary housing for 450 animals, including 153 horses, 79 ducks, 47 chickens, 42 dogs, and many others. Staff worked tirelessly to care for these animals and assist horse owners with routine well-being checks.

Kelly L., a local resident, expressed her gratitude on social media, praising the shelter staff: “Your day-to-day work at the shelter is hard enough. To add 450 animals at a moment’s notice and care for them with love is a herculean task. You’re all the best.”

Among those evacuated were 60 horses from JM Boarding on Waters Road in Moorpark. Thanks to prior preparation, the facility’s owners managed to move their animals to safety, with 13 temporarily housed at the fairgrounds.

“It came up so fast. We got out of there by the skin of our teeth,” said one horse owner. “The smoke was so terrifying. But everyone got out safe, so we were happy.”

Blue Ribbon Hay and Grain, a San Fernando Valley business, provided critical supplies, delivering 260 bales of hay to the fairgrounds. The business also sourced and brought water buckets, donated by Lowe’s in Pacoima and Ace Hardware in Porter Ranch, to support the animals’ needs.

Operation Blankets of Love provided a van full of pet food, blankets, food and other items for families affected by the fire.

As evacuation orders lifted, pet owners returned to reclaim their animals, including one who retrieved 80 ducks. A few stray cats and dogs found in the burn areas remained at the shelter, with efforts underway to locate their owners.

On Nov. 12, the last three horses at the fairgrounds were returned to their home in Somis.

Tragically, some families who lost their homes also reported missing pets, with many listed on the VCAS and Camarillo Missing Pets social media pages.

VCAS spokesperson Randy Friedman said while almost all of the 450 animals have been reclaimed, the shelter remains at 117% capacity with unclaimed stray animals still waiting for their families to find them or prospective pet parents to adopt them. More information at VCAS. US. Donations can be made at vcas.us/ donate.

For those humans displaced by the fire, the American Red Cross and Ventura County Human Services Agency set up a shelter at Padre Serra Parish in Camarillo. Initially a check-in point, it quickly transformed into an overnight haven with cots, meals provided by the Salvation Army, and nurses treating minor injuries.

The Camarillo Community Center also hosted a donation drive, where volunteers from Journey the Church sorted and boxed essential items for affected residents. Annette Castro, a Camarillo resident who brought clothing and toiletries, said, “It’s the least I can do to help the community that supports one another.”

The Ventura County Community Foundation, in partnership with the county, established the Ventura County Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund to support those most impacted. One hundred percent of the donations go directly to relief efforts, with funds focused on families and nonprofit organizations providing critical aid.

VCCF President and CEO Vanessa Bechtel highlighted the outpouring of support, noting that more than 130 donations were made within days of the fire.

On Nov. 9, the VCCF board approved an immediate distribution of $20,000 in financial assistance to help eight displaced families secure temporary housing. An additional $10,000 was allocated for emergency animal evacuation costs and ongoing care.

“These grant funds were specific contributions from local donors to support animal welfare, and we can’t thank them enough for making this happen,” Bechtel said.

To donate, go to vccf.org/donate.