Animal Services

Our October volunteer of the month is Diane Fidyke. Diane started volunteering at the center in January 2021 as a greeter directing visitors and answering questions. 

“In my experience as a greeter, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the people coming to the shelter,” Diane said. “I loved hearing the stories about their pets – ones they had now and in the past, and I loved the excitement of people adopting a pet!” 

Diane knew she wanted to do volunteer work after she retired. 

Mission Viejo Animal Services was recently alerted to a fallen owlet found beside the path along the Oso Creek Trail. The concerned caller feared the owlet might be injured or threatened by other animals. Animal Control Officer DeAlmeida promptly responded and discovered the owlet entangled in loose branches in a ditch. After untangling the young owl and confirming it was unharmed, she relocated it to a safer spot on the hillside beneath its mother's tree.

Mission Viejo Animal Services would like to acknowledge the exceptional efforts of our dedicated Animal Control Officer David Lim.

David was recognized by the City Council for saving a child at National Night Out event in August.  Without hesitation, David rushed to the frantic mother whose child was experiencing breathing difficulties and successfully dislodged a large gumball from the 5-year-old child's airway.  Mayor Brian Goodell and Animal Services Director Michelle Claud-Clemente spoke about David and his heroic actions that night.

Mission Viejo Animal Services was contacted by a resident who had captured an animal on her front door camera. The resident did not recognize the species and asked MVAS to identify.  Animal Control Officers were amazed to see it was an American badger.  A badger has never been reported in the City of Mission Viejo.  The camera captured the badger at about 1 am and it most likely traveled along the Oso Creek Trail. There have only been two other confirmed sightings of badgers in Orange County since 2014, making this observation very unusual!
 

October is National Pet Wellness month and a great time to get your pet’s annual vaccines up to date at our low-cost vaccination clinic on October 21.  There is no exam fee and no appointment necessary.  Visit the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center at 28095 Hillcrest from 8:30 to 10 am for our final 2023 vaccination clinic. 

Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is gearing up for a special “Cirque de Bun” rabbit adoption promotion this September.

Beginning September 1, all rabbit adoption fees will be waived, so approved applicants will pay only $20 for a microchip. All bunnies will also go home with a circus-themed toy.

The promotion runs through September 15 at 28095 Hillcrest.

For more information, visit cmvas.org or call 949-470-3045.

Bitzen and his sister Gigi were relinquished by their owner to Mission Viejo Animal Services Center in July.  

The family faced some changes that made it impossible to keep the dogs, and the owner knew the 2 ½-year-old pups deserved a chance to find a loving home together.   

Natural disasters impact pets as much as humans; therefore, owners must be prepared to care for and evacuate their pets when necessary. It is critical that everyone in your house, including your pets, gets out safely in the event of a natural disaster. Natural disasters are a frightening situation for humans, but they are far scarier for pets that rely on their owners to keep them safe. As a result, having emergency preparations in place for your pets is critical to ensuring they are able to escape and handle the situation safely.

The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is celebrating National Immunization Awareness Month by hosting a drive-through low-cost pet vaccination clinic from 8:30 to 10 am on Saturday, August 19 at 28095 Hillcrest.   

Whether you have a new pet or need boosters for your existing pet, we have you covered. 

Mission Viejo Animal Services received a call concerning a guinea pig spotted in dense brush on the edge of a cliff next to a green belt in Laguna Niguel. Senior Animal Control Officer Sgt. Stewart responded promptly to the situation. Upon arrival, he skillfully located the guinea pig and set up a humane trap with some lettuce as bait to entice the guinea pig. With great efficiency, Sgt. Stewart managed to capture the healthy guinea pig by hand.