Animal Services

A 2-year-old Rottweiler that was tied to a pole and left to starve is now healthy and available for adoption.

Trinity was abandoned and tied to a pole in the City of Laguna Hills. On June 9, an employee of a medical center reported that a dog had been tied up outside her workplace. She said the dog seemed to be starving with visible ribs. The employee and her coworkers tried to give her food and water, but Trinity threw up the food after eating it. The dog was spotted being walked by a man in the days leading up to the report, but the man vanished and was nowhere to be found.

With summer temperatures and activities, the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is reminding pet owners to keep their pets safe in the heat and during the upcoming July 4th holiday.

Dogs and cats cool themselves differently than we do because they cannot sweat.  Instead, they regulate their body heat through their mouths and tongues, which is a relatively inefficient method in extreme temperatures. That’s why your pets should remain indoors where it’s cool. Even a garage can get extremely hot, so pets should be kept in the house, preferably with the air conditioner set.

Two loving bulldogs are waiting for their forever homes at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center –  and our staff is shocked they haven’t yet been adopted.

That’s because both neutered males that came in separately on May 23 are the sweetest dogs, and traditionally, bulldogs quickly get adopted.

In light of the many coyote encounters posted on various social media platforms, the City is reminding residents to report such encounters directly to the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center to ensure coyote activity is tracked and appropriate actions are taken.

 Natural and man-made disasters affect pets just as much as they affect humans, therefore owners must be prepared to evacuate their pets when necessary.

Mission Viejo Animal Services teamed with PetHub to offer furry four-legged family members a next-generation pet license ID tag.  The new modern tag with a QR code is made of epoxy-coated aluminum, which makes it much more durable than the former license tag.  In addition to increased durability, the QR code on the tag links to an optional FREE online pet profile with 24/7 access to the lost/found pet call center.

 June is National Foster a Pet Month, and the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is celebrating by embracing our foster families.  We rely heavily on our volunteer foster caregivers who provide a temporary shelter in their own homes for pets that are not ready for adoption.  Foster caregivers provide these animals with the time and attention that they need while also preparing them to find forever homes.   Most of our fosters care for underage kittens that are too small to be adopted.  Some need to be bottle fed throughout the day and night, while others can

 Join our team: Seeking experienced dog walker volunteers! 

Are you passionate about dogs and want to make a difference in their lives? Mission Viejo Animal Services is seeking dedicated and experienced dog walker volunteers to join our team. If you have formal training and a love for our four-legged friends, we would love to hear from you!

Why volunteer with us?

Three-year-old Buster is a friendly and mellow Mastiff mix. At 85 pounds, he is a true gentle giant and a bit of goofball that will roll over for belly rubs. He loves his walks but is strong and could use some leash training.

Because of his size, he will need a home with a yard and may do OK with another friendly dog in the home.  Sadly, Buster was relinquished to the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center when his owner, a Marine, was deployed.  He misses living with a family and would make a great addition to almost any home. 

The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is hosting a drive-through low-cost pet vaccination clinic from 8:30 to 10 am on Saturday, May 11 at 28095 Hillcrest.   

Rabies vaccinations are $12 and other vaccines for dogs and cats are available at reduced rates. A $2 medical disposal fee is charged for each animal. Licenses and current rabies vaccinations are required for all dogs in Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita and Laguna Hills.  Dogs should be on a leash and cats in carriers.