Animal Services

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.

Mission Viejo Animal Services held its annual "Living with Wildlife" presentation at the Laguna Niguel Crown Valley Community Center. Fostering a harmonious and safe coexistence between the public and wildlife is an important priority for MVAS. Our dedicated Animal Control Officers and HOWL volunteers brought informative resources, taxidermized animals, a live opossum and snakes to provide the community with a firsthand look at the wildlife sharing our surroundings.

Roscoe is one of our “Mission for A Home” dogs that was rescued on the day he was scheduled to be euthanized. He had been at an overcrowded Riverside County shelter for over a month, so his time had run out and he was “red-listed.”  

Halo, a 3-year-old Siberian Husky, came to our shelter in May as a confiscated animal that was homeless with someone who could not properly care for him.  At 23 pounds, he was literally skin and bones when he was impounded. 

October is Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month

Did you know black cats are the most overlooked cat at animal shelters and take longer to be adopted than more brightly colored felines?  Not sure why but it could be due to an old superstition that black cats are bad luck or cursed in some way. Regardless, black cats are just as sweet and deserving of love as any feline. 

Why should you adopt a black cat?

Roscoe is one of our “Mission for A Home” dogs that was rescued on the day he was scheduled to be euthanized. He had been at an overcrowded Riverside County shelter for over a month, so his time had run out and he was “red-listed.”