Animal Services

Mission Viejo Animal Services (MVAS) recently received a concerned call from a resident regarding two baby raccoons (which are called kits) at El Dorado Park. Officer Rodriguez promptly arrived at the scene and saw two adorable 7-week-old raccoon kits near the school in the middle of the day, with no sign of their mother. Acting swiftly, Officer Rodriguez transported the kits to the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center to ensure their safety.

Almost  two months after the devastating wildfire that swept through Lahaina on August 8, Maui Humane needed additional support for its vital animal welfare services. Mission Viejo Animal Services answered that call and deployed Animal Control Officer David Lim to the area in October.  Officer Lim engaged in a variety of routine service calls, aiming to provide relief and support to the fire-impacted community.

Dillinger and Hoover are 2-year-old purebred German Shepherds who unfortunately lost their home due to financial hardship. 

The owners of these bonded brothers lost their home and were forced to move across the country to a place that didn’t allow dogs. The family was heartbroken to leave their beloved dogs behind.  

A sick kitten rescued from a drainage pipe is on the road to recovery and will soon be available for adoption. 

Mission Viejo Animal Services on October 6 received a report of the sick kitten at the entrance of Target off Alicia and the I5 freeway. When Animal Services Officer Nick Ross arrived on scene, he saw the kitten panting in the bushes near the entrance of the building.  

“It was around 90 degrees when I got there, and the heat reflecting off of the building felt like it was easily above 100 degrees,” Officer Ross said. 

Hop over to the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center October 28-29 for the “Hoptober Fest” bunny adoption event.  

During the two-day special promotion, all bunnies are $20 to approved adopters. 

Bunnies will go home spayed or neutered and microchipped, and adopters will receive a free veterinarian visit and rabbit care information packet for their new furry family member.  

Four adorable 14-week-old puppies – named after football teams – are waiting for new homes at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center. 

The sweet Chihuahua-mix puppies were relinquished to the shelter (due to no fault of their own) because their owner could no longer care for them. 

The pups – Saint, Cardinal, Charger and Bronco – are a bit timid at first but come around quick. They will need basic puppy training and proper socialization. 

Over the past few days, Animal Services has been working to mitigate an avian botulism outbreak in the Aliso Creek at Sycamore Park. On Sunday, Animal Services received a report of several sick and deceased mallard ducks in the Aliso Creek at Sycamore Park. Upon arrival, Animal Control Officers found 14 deceased and six sick mallards. Officers also located several piles of bread left by a person intending to feed wildlife. The symptoms of the ducks indicated the likely suspect was exposure to Avian Botulism C.

To celebrate the most "spooktacular" time of the year, the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is waiving all adoption fees for adult cats throughout October as part of its "howl-o-meow" adoption promotion.  

Adult cats tend to be overlooked at shelters thanks to the cuteness of kittens, but they actually make better pets for families with children and existing pets. DAWG will sponsor the adoption fees for an approved applicant who will only pay $20 for the microchip. 

The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is hosting a drive-through low-cost pet vaccination clinic from 8:30 to 10 am on Saturday, October 21 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.

The Mission Viejo Animal Services Youth Explorers program recently assisted the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at the Back Bay Science Center in Newport Beach with its marine life inventory. Our Explorers learned about the importance of estuarine ecology to preserve the many endangered species that live in our local areas.