Adopt a Pet for Free. Gain a Shadow, a Snuggle Buddy, a Friend for Life
Sylvie Belmond 
Pets bring joy—adoption fees will be waived June 7 for California Adopt-a-Pet Day. Donate supplies now at drop-off sites in Simi Valley and Moorpark to support new adopters
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Animal shelters are full of stories. Some bounce against kennel doors. Others sit quietly, waiting to be noticed. This week, those stories belong to McGinty, Pippin, Jessie, a dachshund pup, and even a curious little hamster. They’re all waiting. Not just for a place to sleep—but for someone to see them.
McGinty has waited the longest. He’s an eight-year-old Siberian Husky with a thick coat and steady gaze. He was found in Oxnard and brought to the Simi Valley Animal Shelter back in March. At 75 pounds, he’s strong and calm, a classic husky with miles still left in him. He doesn’t push for attention. But he’s ready to give it back to anyone who offers it.
Pippin is also a husky, but younger—just two years old. He’s full of energy, alert and eager. He came from Camarillo and is now housed at the Camarillo Animal Shelter. Like most huskies, Pippin needs more than space. He needs movement, structure, and someone who understands that a smart dog needs a challenge.
Over in Kennel 356 is a dachshund mix. He’s just five months old and weighs nine pounds. This little guy came from Ventura and doesn’t have a name yet. He’s a blank slate—wobbly, curious, and hungry to learn. Puppies like him can grow into amazing companions with the right guidance.
Nearby, a small hamster waits. Known only by her ID number, A864779, she’s young and delicate. Her world fits in the palm of your hand. But she’s ready to learn that people can be safe, gentle, and kind.
Then there’s Jessie. Just seven weeks old, this two-pound kitten was found in Oxnard and brought to Camarillo. She’s playful, wide-eyed, and already spayed. A domestic shorthair with a soft coat and louder purr, Jessie is the kind of cat that makes you slow down. She’s the reason people say a home isn’t complete without a cat curled on the windowsill.
These animals are part of a larger push to find homes as California Adopt-a-Pet Day approaches on Friday, June 7. That day, adoption fees will be waived at shelters across Ventura County. The goal is simple—clear the kennels and help animals start new chapters.
To help make that transition easier, Ventura County Supervisor Janice Parvin and her team have organized a countywide effort to collect items for Pet Adoption Kits. These kits will be handed out to people who adopt pets during the June 7 event. Several donation drop-off sites are open now:
- Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Ventura County Supervisor Janice Parvin’s office, 980 Enchanted Way, Simi Valley
- Lucky Dog Coffee, Simi Valley
- City of Simi Valley offices
- Arroyo Vista Community Park, Moorpark
- Moorpark Karate & Krav MAGA
- Enegren Brewing Company, Moorpark
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce, one of the participating drop-off sites, said they are proud to be part of the effort to support pet adoptions in the community. “Thank you Ventura County Supervisor Janice Parvin and your amazing team for putting this together,” the Chamber shared, encouraging residents to stop by with donated items during business hours, Monday through Thursday from 9 to 5, and Friday from 9 to 2.
You can donate things like food bowls, toys, leashes, collars, treats, or anything else that might help a newly adopted animal feel cared for from the start. Each item tells a pet: you matter now.
As writer Caroline Knapp once said, “Before you get a dog, you can’t quite imagine what living with one might be like; afterward, you can’t imagine living any other way.” That truth applies to cats, hamsters, and puppies too. And for someone out there, June 7 may be the day it all begins.
