Animal Services

Just one mention of her name evokes smiles from the many community members who have met Animal Services Officer (ASO) Gabby Galeano.

She is one of eight ASOs from the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center we’re recognizing in honor of National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week. 

An ASO in Mission Viejo for four years, Officer Galeano has nearly a decade of experience in the industry. 

Anyone who knows Mission Viejo Animal Services Officer Adrian Enriquez knows he puts his heart and soul into his work. 

Officer Enriquez is one of eight Mission Viejo Animal Services Officers we are recognizing during National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week. The center covers Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills and Rancho Santa Margarita. 

Sid and Vish are 5-year-old brothers who have been waiting for their new forever home at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center since early March. 

With National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week underway, the City is taking the opportunity to recognize the dedicated officers of the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center.

Officer Erik Mansoor is one of eight highly trained officers serving Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills and Rancho Santa Margarita.

If you or your kids are looking for something fun to do while staying at home, consider sending a written letter or hand-drawn photo to animal services officers working in the trenches. 

Animal caregivers and animal control officers are essential personnel who are reporting to work seven days a week to care for the pets in our shelter as well as work in the field to help people and animals. Sometimes, they’re called on by Mission Viejo Police Services to assist them with various situations. 

Even though most people are staying at home, spring has still sprung and there is an abundance of newborn wildlife out and about. This is a friendly reminder to keep your social distancing, even from wildlife. Did you know it is normal for birds to spend their fledgling stage on the ground? It is important to leave them where they are. Removing the bird from the location, even if trying to help, is detrimental to its health. Several times a week during spring, Mission Viejo Animal Services Officers respond to injured wildlife calls.

We hope that you and your loved ones are safe and well! These past few days have been surreal! Staff who can work from home are, and the rest of us are working in modified ways to minimize our exposure. We are all still working hard to maintain our commitment to high-quality service and providing all essential services as before this crisis. However, because we've modified things, we ask for your patience if you need us.

Through "A Mission for Home Rescue Program," we transferred an adorable Boston Terrier/Chihuahua-mix from a high-impact shelter in Los Angeles to our shelter.  Oddly enough, this little dog that we named Patrick was dyed green.  We could only imagine why he was dyed green, and no amount of bathing would remove his green tint.  We think this added to his charm and so did a wonderful family from Mission Viejo who decided to take him home.  Here is the update from the family:

We received a call about a baby skunk in Laguna Hills that was stuck under a car and covered in motor oil. Officer Ceballos rescued the baby skunk and cleaned the tiny animal at the shelter. The skunk was kept at the shelter overnight where staff fed it by syringe and kept it on a heating pad until the baby skunk was transferred to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. 

To purchase or renew a license, you must provide proof of your pet's current rabies vaccination. However, in response to the current COVID-19 situation if owners are unable to or are not comfortable with visiting their local veterinarian during this time, you may postpone your pet's rabies vaccination until May 1, 2020 at which time we will assess the need for an extension. However, pet owners must pay the licensing fee by the renewal date in order to avoid late fees.