Kittens Everywhere: Ventura County Needs to Find Homes for 1500 Kittens — Extra Cans of Food Would Help Too

Trusted Simi Valley clinic offers affordable spay/neuter services, and real relief for pet owners and rescuers

(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — The smallest kitten can have the biggest needs. Ventura County Animal Services is in the thick of a very busy season, with more than 1,500 kittens expected to pass through its shelter and foster system this year. While volunteers continue to step up, community support remains essential — especially when it comes to feeding the tiniest animals in care.

Foster families provide around-the-clock attention to these fragile kittens, many of whom need to eat every few hours. The shelter has encouraged the public to take part in its ongoing Kitten Food Drive, which helps maintain a steady supply of formula, wet food and dry kibble throughout the summer. Donations can be shipped directly to the Camarillo Animal Shelter at 600 Aviation Drive.

Among the kittens in care is a tiny orange tabby currently living in a foster home. Just seven weeks old, he’s curious, gentle, and small enough to curl up in your palm. As of August 1, he’s ready for adoption. His Animal ID is A868843 — but once you meet him, you might just call him your new best friend.

At the Camarillo shelter, a calm, one-year-old gray tabby has been quietly waiting for someone to notice him. He was found in an unincorporated part of the county and brought to safety in late July. Now officially adoptable as of August 5, he’s looking for a quiet home and a steady companion. His Animal ID is A868825, but it’s his soft gaze that will really stay with you.

While adoptions help ease the burden, long-term solutions are just as important. In Simi Valley, the Simi Valley Nonprofit Spay & Neuter Clinic plays a leading role in reducing future shelter intake. Since opening its stand-alone facility in 2009, the clinic has performed more than 100,000 spay and neuter procedures on cats and dogs.

Founded by veterinary technician Robin Bentz, the clinic offers low- and no-cost surgeries for pets and feral cats. It actively supports Trap-Neuter-Return programs and works closely with volunteers who bring in unowned or stray cats for care. While its core mission is sterilization, the clinic also steps up to provide humane medical treatment to animals in need — giving them a healthier chance at life.

The pricing is designed to be accessible. Spaying or neutering a cat costs just $50, with no added fees for females in heat or pregnant. Feral cats receive surgery, a rabies vaccine, flea treatment and ear tip — all for the same price. Dog surgeries range from $80 to $250, depending on weight. Vaccines start at $15, and microchipping is available for $40, or $5 if you bring your own chip. Pain medication, cones and antibiotics are offered at reasonable rates.

Though the clinic stays busy, it comes highly recommended by local veterinarians and rescue groups alike. Many residents, including this reporter, have brought their pets there for care. When I had my own dog spayed at the Simi Valley clinic, the staff was patient, professional and clearly devoted to animal well-being. The experience was efficient and compassionate — and the price made it possible when cost could have been a barrier.

What sets the clinic apart is not just the volume of animals it helps, but the energy behind the work. Staff and volunteers are united by a deep love of animals and a commitment to reducing the number of unwanted litters that overwhelm shelters. Their dedication is visible in every interaction, every careful procedure, every small act of kindness.

In addition to its Simi Valley headquarters, the nonprofit operates mobile clinics across Ventura County and has permanent locations in Porterville and Bakersfield. All services are supported by donations, community outreach and the belief that prevention is the most powerful form of rescue.

The clinic’s work is fueled not just by skill and heart, but by the generosity of the community. Donations help cover the medical costs of each procedure and keep services affordable for families and rescuers who might otherwise go without. Every dollar makes a difference. Contributions help prevent the birth of unwanted litters, ease the pressure on shelters, and give thousands of animals a healthier life. All donations are tax-deductible.

Supporters can give online or by mail. Those without a PayPal account may download a donation form and send it to the clinic at 1659 East Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley, CA 93065. Donations are also accepted by phone at (805) 584-3823.

Whether it’s donating kitten food, adopting a cat, or supporting spay and neuter efforts, every small act helps. And for animals like the tiny orange tabby in foster care or the quiet gray adult still waiting in his kennel, that help could mean everything.