CAMARILLO, Calif. — Animal welfare advocates and staff at Ventura County Animal Services are making an urgent plea to local residents to find a permanent home or secondary foster placement for a young puppy facing a return to the shelter. Click here to view Smiley's profile on the official VCAS Foster Portal and click here to view the official VCAS Facebook post.
The 9-month-old dog, named Smiley (Animal ID: A886900), is currently placed in a temporary foster home after struggling significantly with shelter anxiety.
Smiley's temporary foster placement with a county Animal Control Officer (ACO) is scheduled to end on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, prompting shelter staff to mobilize community outreach to prevent his re-entry into the kennel environment.
Shelter Fear, Foster Recovery, and Behavioral Profile
According to video logs and behavioral notes shared by VCAS shelter staff, Smiley experienced severe stress upon entering the shelter environment, trembling constantly in his kennel.
Recognizing his fear, an off-duty Animal Control Officer brought Smiley into her home as a temporary foster to provide space to decompress.
During his week in foster care, Smiley demonstrated remarkable progress, emerging as an affectionate, "wiggly" companion once given time to adjust.
Key traits and profile details highlighted by his foster handler include:
- Dog-Friendly: Excellent interaction and socialization with household dogs of all sizes, both large and small.
- Temperament: Sweet, gentle, and eager to please once comfortable in a stable routine.
- Ideal Home Environment: Thrives best in a calm, patient household that is "not too rowdy" to help build his confidence.
- Physical Stats: 9-month-old male American Pit Bull Terrier mix weighing approximately 33 pounds.
"At the shelter, Smiley was shaking like a leaf out of fear. He’s spent the last week in foster with one of our ACOs where he has been good with dogs (big and small), wiggly, and sweet given some time to decompress," Ventura County Animal Services detailed in an official public appeal.
"Please get in touch if you’d like to bring this guy home!... He’d appreciate a patient home that’s not too rowdy!" shelter representatives added.
How to Adopt or Foster Smiley
Because Smiley is currently residing off-site in a private foster home, prospective adopters or secondary foster parents must contact his foster handler directly to arrange an introduction:
- Visit the VCAS Foster Portal: Access Smiley's official listing at VCAS All Foster Animals.
- Email the Foster Parent: Direct inquiries and application requests to the foster contact email listed on Smiley's profile page.
- Schedule a Meet-and-Greet: Coordinate an off-site meet-and-greet session, particularly if bringing secondary household dogs.
As part of VCAS shelter initiatives, adoption fees for dogs are currently waived, covering initial vaccinations, microchipping, and spay/neuter surgery.
To review Smiley's full profile, view other adoptable animals, or apply to become a VCAS foster volunteer, visit the official Ventura County Animal Services Portal or call the main line at (888) 223-PETS (7387).
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Transparency notes
Published: Sep 22, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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