Paw Works gets reprieve; rescue group allowed to stay put as it seeks proper permits

Ventura County planning commissioners gave Paw Works a reprieve this week, allowing the animal rescue group to stay at its current site while applying for required permits.

Late last year, the group moved into a new location on Wolff Road near Oxnard. It leased the spot from the Western Ag Group, LLC, but did not seek the proper permits it needed to operate — an oversight the group said was caused by misunderstanding the requirements.

Now, Paw Works said it is willing to apply for the permit. But that was not allowed under county regulations. Among a few issues in the case, a business cannot operate at a site as it seeks a permit to do so. That's common practice to protect public health and safety, officials said.

Paw Works appealed its violation to the Ventura County Planning Commission. On Thursday, the group told commissioners the shelter had reduced its numbers but couldn't find enough spaces for all of the dogs and cats. If it was forced to leave, some of those animals may end up euthanized elsewhere.

“I beg you to please help us by accepting our appeal,” said Brittany Vizcarra, operations director. “We have our paperwork ready. All we want to do is help our community.”

Commission seeks alternative

Planning commissioners voted 4-0 to uphold the notice of violation but to allow the group to stay put during the application process. Paw Works would do so under conditions to be set by the county, according to the commission's decision.

Paw Works said it was more than willing to cure and remedy the situation, Commissioner Maggie Kestly said. In this case, she felt officials had a responsibility to find a work-around such as a compliance agreement.

“We are talking about animals that have nowhere to go,” she said. “I believe that we have a reasonable way to help this organization continue to do the work that they’re doing."

The commission received hundreds of public comment letters, the vast majority in support of granting the appeal and supporting the group's operation, officials said.

'We're just grateful'

After the meeting, Vizcarra said the group had not researched enough and naively thought its permit at a previous location in Camarillo would transfer to a new site. The new location is in a rural, unincorporated area of the county near Oxnard.

Over the years, the group has rescued thousands of abandoned and unwanted animals, including older pets and those with medical or behavioral issues, she said. Some have been abused and neglected. They have formed bonds with staff but may be deemed aggressive and euthanized at another shelter, she said.

The shelter had just under 100 dogs and cats as of Thursday.

Vizcarra called the commission's decision to let the group stay a great thing.

"We're just grateful that the animals do in fact have a home and they are safe," she said.

For more information about the rescue group or opportunities to foster and adopt, go to pawworks.org or send a message to @pawworks on Instagram.

Cheri Carlson covers the environment and county government for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at cheri.carlson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0260.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Paw Works gets reprieve; nonprofit to stay as it seeks permits