Deutsche Bank AG
Taunusanlage 12, D-60325
Frankfurt am Main
Federal Republic of Germany



Jeffrey A. Ruiz
Vice President
Telephone: (212) 250-3667


                                                               February 06, 2006

Securities and Exchange Commission
SEC Document Control
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC  20549
Attn:  Filing Desk


Dear Sir or Madame:

 Re:  Filing of Schedule 13G - Ventas, Inc


Pursuant to Rule 13d-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, attached is
one copy of Schedule 13G with respect to the common stock of the above
referenced corporation.

Please acknowledge your receipt of the Schedule 13G by return e-mail
confirmation.

                                                               Sincerely,



                                                               Jeffrey A. Ruiz








Enclosures





                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 13G


                    Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                                  Ventas, Inc.
                     ---------------------------------------
                                 NAME OF ISSUER:


                         Common Stock ($0.001 Par Value)
                     ---------------------------------------
                          TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES

                                    92276F100
                     ---------------------------------------
                                  CUSIP NUMBER


                                December 30, 2005
                     ---------------------------------------
             (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)


     Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this
                               Schedule is filed:

                                [X] Rule 13d-1(b)

                                [ ] Rule 13d-1(c)

                                [ ] Rule 13d-1(d)





1.  NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
    S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS

    Deutsche Bank AG*

2.  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

    (A) [ ]
    (B) [ ]

3.  SEC USE ONLY

4.  CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

    Federal Republic of Germany

NUMBER OF         5.       SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES                     6,107,650
BENEFICIALLY      6.       SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY                   0
EACH              7.       SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING                  6,176,550
PERSON WITH       8.       SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                           0

9.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

    6,176,550

10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 9 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

    [ ]

11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

    5.98%

12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

    BK, HC, CO,

    * In accordance with Securities Exchange Act Release No. 39538 (January 12,
    1998), this filing reflects the securities beneficially owned by the
    Private Clients and Asset Management business group ("PCAM") of Deutsche
    Bank AG and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, "DBAG"). This
    filing does not reflect securities, if any, beneficially owned by any other
    business group of DBAG. Consistent with Rule 13d-4 under the Securities
    Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act"), this filing shall not be construed as an
    admission that PCAM is, for purposes of Section 13(d) under the Act, the
    beneficial owner of any securities covered by the filing.





1.  NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
    S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS

    RREEF America, L.L.C.

2.  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

    (A) [ ]
    (B) [ ]

3.  SEC USE ONLY

4.  CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

    Delaware

NUMBER OF         5.       SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES                     6,090,450
BENEFICIALLY      6.       SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY                   0
EACH              7.       SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING                  6,090,450
PERSON WITH       8.       SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                           0

9.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

    6,090,450

10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 9 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

    [ ]

11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

    5.90%

12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

    IA, CO





1.  NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
    S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS

    Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

2.  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

    (A) [ ]
    (B) [ ]

3.  SEC USE ONLY

4.  CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

    Delaware

NUMBER OF         5.       SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES                     0
BENEFICIALLY      6.       SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY                   0
EACH              7.       SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING                  33,500
PERSON WITH       8.       SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                           0

9.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

    33,500

10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 9 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

    [ ]

11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

    0.03%

12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

    BK, CO





1.  NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
    S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS

    Deutsche Asset Management Investment

2.  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

    (A) [ ]
    (B) [ ]

3.  SEC USE ONLY

4.  CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

    Delaware

NUMBER OF         5.       SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES                     8,200
BENEFICIALLY      6.       SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY                   0
EACH              7.       SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING                  43,600
PERSON WITH       8.       SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                           0

9.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

    43,600

10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 9 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

    [ ]

11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

    0.04%

13. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

    IA, CO





1.  NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
    S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS

    DWS Holding & Service GmbH

2.  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

    (A) [ ]
    (B) [ ]

3.  SEC USE ONLY

4.  CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

    Germany

NUMBER OF         5.       SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES                     9,000
BENEFICIALLY      6.       SHARED VOTING POWER
OWNED BY                   0
EACH              7.       SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING                  9,000
PERSON WITH       8.       SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                           0

9.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

    9,000

10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 9 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

    [ ]

11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

    0.01%

12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

    IA, CO





Item 1(a).        Name of Issuer:

                  Ventas, Inc. ("the Issuer")

Item 1(b).        Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:

                  10350 ORMSBY PARK PLACE
                  SUITE 300
                  LOUISVILLE KY 40223

Item 2(a).        Name of Person Filing:

                  This statement is filed on behalf of Deutsche Bank AG,
                  ("Reporting Person").

Item 2(b).        Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence:

                  Taunusanlage 12, D-60325
                  Frankfurt am Main
                  Federal Republic of Germany

Item 2(c).        Citizenship:

                  The citizenship of the Reporting Person is set forth on the
                  cover page.

Item 2(d).        Title of Class of Securities:

                  The title of the securities is common stock, $0.001 par value
                  ("Common Stock").

Item 2(e).        CUSIP Number:

                  The CUSIP number of the Common Stock is set forth on the cover
                  page.

Item 3.           If this statement is filed pursuant to Rules 13d-1(b), or
                  13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:

                  (a) [ ] Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the
Act;

                  (b) [x] Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act;

                          Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

                  (c) [ ] Insurance Company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of
                          the Act;

                  (d) [ ] Investment Company registered under section 8 of the
                          Investment Company Act of 1940;

                  (e) [X] An investment adviser in accordance with Rule
                          13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);

                          RREEF America, L.L.C.

                          Deutsche Asset Management  Inc.

                          DWS Holding & Service GmBH

                  (f) [ ] An employee benefit plan, or endowment fund in
                          accordance with Rule 13d-1 (b)(1)(ii)(F);

                  (g) [X] parent holding company or control person in accordance
                          with Rule 13d-1 (b)(1)(ii)(G);

                          Deutsche Bank AG

                  (h) [ ] A savings association as defined in section 3(b) of
                          the Federal Deposit Insurance Act;

                  (i) [ ] A church plan that is excluded from the definition of
                          an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the
                          Investment Company Act of 1940;

                  (j) [ ] Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1 (b)(1)(ii)(J).

Item 4.           Ownership.

                  (a) Amount beneficially owned:

                  The Reporting Person owns the amount of the Common Stock as
                  set forth on the cover page.

                  (b) Percent of class:

                  The Reporting Person owns the percentage of the Common Stock
                  as set forth on the cover page.

                  (c) Number of shares as to which such person has:

                      (i)   sole power to vote or to direct the vote:

                            The Reporting Person has the sole power to vote or
                            direct the vote of the Common Stock as set forth on
                            the cover page.

                      (ii)  shared power to vote or to direct the vote:

                            The Reporting Person has the shared power to vote or
                            direct the vote of the Common Stock as set forth on
                            the cover page.

                      (iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition
                            of:

                            The Reporting Person has the sole power to dispose
                            or direct the disposition of the Common Stock as set
                            forth on the cover page.

                      (iv)  shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition
                            of:

                            The Reporting Person has the shared power to dispose
                            or direct the disposition of the Common Stock as set
                            forth on the cover page.

Item 5.           Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.

                  Not applicable.

Item 6.           Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another
                  Person.

                  Not applicable.

Item 7.           Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which
                  Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding
                  Company.

                  Subsidiary                              Item 3 Classification

                  RREEF America, L.L.C.                   Investment Advisor

                  Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas    Bank

                  Deutsche Asset Management Inc           Investment Advisor

                  DWS Holding & Service GmBH              Investment Advisor

Item 8.           Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.

                  Not applicable.

Item 9.           Notice of Dissolution of Group.

                  Not applicable.

Item 10.          Certification.

                  By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge
                  and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and
                  are held in the ordinary course of business and were not
                  acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the
                  effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of
                  the securities and were not acquired and are not held in
                  connection with or as a participant in any transaction having
                  that purpose or effect.





                                    SIGNATURE

        After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.

Dated: February 06, 2006

                                                    DEUTSCHE BANK AG

                                                    By: /s/ Jeffrey A. Ruiz
                                                    Name:   Jeffrey A. Ruiz
                                                    Title:  Vice President

                                                    By: /s/ Pasquale Antolino
                                                    Name:   Pasquale Antolino
                                                    Title:  Associate





                                    SIGNATURE

        After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.

Dated:  February 06, 2006


                                                    RREEF America, L.L.C.

                                                    By: /s/ Peter Pages
                                                    Name:   Peter Pages
                                                    Title:  Vice President





                                    SIGNATURE

        After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.

Dated:  February 06, 2006


                                            Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

                                            By: /s/ Jeffrey A. Ruiz
                                            Name:   Jeffrey A. Ruiz
                                            Title:  Vice President





                                    SIGNATURE

        After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.

Dated:  February 06, 2006


                                                  Deutsche Asset Management Inc.


                                                  By: /s/ Jeffrey A. Ruiz
                                                  Name:   Jeffrey A. Ruiz
                                                  Title:  Vice President





                                    SIGNATURE

        After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.

Dated:  February 06, 2006


                                                DWS Holding & Service GmbH

                                                By: /s/ Susan Seidel
                                                Name:   Susan Seidel
                                                Title:  Assistant Vice President