Giving abandoned, neglected and abused animals a second chance has been the mission of the Humane Society of Ventura County since it was founded 75 years ago in 1932.

Back then, a digital, wireless kiosk that enables animal lovers to make a tax-deductible donation with a debit or credit card — or begin adopting a pet — would have been the stuff of science fiction.

But today it's a technological reality, and the prototype of the Humane Society's new donation-and-adoption digital kiosk is on display at the Ventura County Fair through the weekend.

"It's the first time this technology has been used for animal welfare in California," said Jeffrey Kroll, a Humane Society board member who led the effort to acquire the kiosks. He is president of JDK Enterprises, which paid for the kiosks, and will be reimbursed by a share of the donated funds.

Kroll said the society wants to help abandoned animals by using technology that makes it more convenient for people to donate or adopt.

"We plan to place five of these kiosks in high traffic areas, like shopping malls, throughout Ventura County," Kroll said. He said he hopes that high visibility locations will bring in more donations and help more animals find good homes.

As digital photos of animals available for adoption move across the screen, the kiosk's interactive features provide access to the organization's Web site. Anyone interested in adopting an animal can begin the process immediately or simply make a contribution for animal care and protection with a debit or credit card.

Jolene Hoffman, shelter director for the Humane Society, which is in Ojai but serves all of Ventura County, said she has high hopes the kiosks will boost donations to help pay for the many services the shelter provides for abandoned animals.

"As a nonprofit agency, we depend entirely on private contributions. The care and compassion we give to animals doesn't cost the county or the cities anything. We need all the help we can get," said Hoffman.

She said increased revenue from the kiosks could make it possible for the shelter to create more space to care for more animals.

"We have a no-kill' policy at the shelter, and the hardest thing is to turn an animal away," said Hoffman.

Kroll said he'd like to work in partnership with Ventura County's Department of Animal Regulation to include its database of animals available for adoption into the Society's kiosks.

"If more people adopt or donate, it can greatly reduce the numbers of animals that are euthanized each year simply because there is no room for them," he said.

Each kiosk costs $4,999.

They are manufactured by Olea Exhibits, based in Artesia. The software that makes them unique was created by SecureGive, a division of Automated Giving Solutions, based in Evans, Ga.