Animal Services

Raccoons are probably one of the most clever and tenacious suburban pests, boasting a wide range of athletic skills. They can climb, swim, jump, and run with ease. Their ability to break into trash cans is truly unparalleled in the animal kingdom.

To ensure the health and safety of the public, the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center on Tuesday, June 23 will host a drive-through low-cost pet vaccination clinic for Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita and Laguna Hills residents.

The clinic, which will ensure social distancing, is from 5:30-7:30 pm at 28095 Hillcrest. 

The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is proud to acknowledge the hard work of all first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic. As their way of saying thank you, the shelter is offering a “First Responder Tuesdays” promo for all doctors, nurses, firefighters, EMTs, and police officers. 

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If you're thinking about bringing a furry new family member into your home, National Adopt-a-Cat Month is the perfect the time to do so! Although the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center remains closed to the public, our cats are still in need of loving homes, and we are still processing adoptions.  

Weber the local celebrity duck at Rancho Santa Margarita Lake was seen with injuries by lake visitors. With the help of SAMLAC (Rancho Santa Margarita Landscape and Recreation Corporation), Mission Viejo Animal Services Officers were able to get a hold of the injured duck in the middle of the lake. Weber was taken to Animal Urgent Care of South Orange County where he was rehabilitated and even fostered until he was fully recovered. He was then reunited with his duck friends at the lake. His friends happily greeted him when he arrived and together they all went for a celebratory swim!

We receive many calls regarding baby animals"”wildlife that appear in distress"”separated from their parents. Often goodhearted people jump in to rescue, but often these caring folks do more harm than good. On occasion, intervention does have a happy ending, but it often depends on quickly returning the young to their parents.

Educating people about the best course of action when finding baby wildlife is critical. Here are some pointers on what to do - or not do - if you find a baby animal.

We receive many calls regarding baby animals"”wildlife that appear in distress"”separated from their parents. Often goodhearted people jump in to rescue, but often these caring folks do more harm than good.

We receive many calls regarding baby animals"”wildlife that appear in distress"”separated from their parents. Often goodhearted people jump in to rescue, but often these caring folks do more harm than good.

Earlier this year, we received a call from one of our rescue partners needing assistance. The organization had just received a pregnant purebred boxer from a homeless encampment near the border of Mexico. This beautiful white boxer was about to give birth at any moment. With the assistance of DAWG, the center welcomed the dog with open arms. One of our amazing foster moms took her in; however, within two days, she went into labor without success.  The mother dog Melody was so anemic and weak that she could not deliver on her own.