Behind the Scenes

Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is committed to providing the best possible service for the five cities it covers during this difficult time. Dedicated staff will continue to care for the animals, and animal services officers will continue to patrol the communities and respond to stray animals and public safety functions.

Stay tuned to this page to see daily updates on what's going on behind the scenes at the center during our closure.

Additional Behind the Scenes are available here:

September 2020

September 30, 2020

Everly adoption update

My husband and I were looking at local shelters for months. We had been talking about getting a dog, and after the loss of my previous pup I finally felt ready. I was going through a transition in my life, I had left my job of 10 years the month before and felt I had time that I could be at home to help the transition of our new family member before I started a new job.

We adopted "Everly" now "Shiloh" last Christmas. She is the love of my life and I could not imagine a day without her. I am so incredibly thankful to everyone at the shelter for looking after her until she could come home to us.

September 29, 2020

Butte County assist update

On September 21 two animal services officers, one animal care technician and one of our amazing local veterinarians deployed to assist with the emergency response for the North Complex Fire in Butte County. Initially our teams were working out in the field checking burnt out and evacuated areas for missing and injured animals. Staff wrangled donkeys, pigs and a number of cats and dogs. Our teams split up on Wednesday with one team continuing to work in the field, and the other working with the sheltering needs of the animals impacted by the fire. We were one of the few teams with a veterinarian, and we were able to set up a field hospital to tend to the animals suffering from burns and dehydration. In the midst of all the chaos and sadness our very own Dr. Fahrtash was able to help a sweet mama dog suffering from burns who was in the middle of giving birth. This girl delivered 14 very cute puppies! We are so happy that we can help our neighbors to the north, and provide our exceptional Mission Viejo animal care to these creatures in crisis. A huge shout out to our team Kyle, J.R., Kaily and especially Dr. Fahrtash! We are so proud of you! Animal Medical Center & Spay/Neuter Clinic Inc.

September 26, 2020

Low Cost Pet Vaccine Drive Thru Clinic

The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center will host another drive-through vaccine clinic on Oct. 3 for Mission Viejo, City of Laguna Niguel - Government, City of Aliso Viejo - Local Government, City of Rancho Santa Margarita - Local Government, and Laguna HIlls residents.

The clinic is from 8:30 am to 10 am at 28095 Hillcrest.

Rabies vaccinations are $10 and other vaccines for dogs and cats are available at reduced rates. The clinic is a good opportunity for pet owners to renew a license or obtain a new one. Licenses and current rabies vaccinations are required for all dogs in Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita and Laguna Hills. (A $2 medical disposal fee is charged for each animal.)

Microchipping is also available for $20.

For more information, call 949-470-3045 or visit http://www.cmvas.org

September 25, 2020

Lindo & Guapo adopted

September 24, 2020

Virtual Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Contest

Even though Dedicated Animal Welfare Group (DAWG) and the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center can’t hold the annual DAWG Walk & Adoption Extravaganza Event for the first time in 25 years due to COVID-19, the Pet Costume Contest will go on this fall!

This exciting virtual fundraising event will include photos you submit of your amazing cat, dog or other pet. Submit one photo featuring one pet per entry, and the most creative, adorable Howl-O-Ween pet picture in each category will win a prize valued at $200.

Prizes will include dinner for two at a delectable local restaurant and a gift certificate from Chewy.com and Hala’s Paws for your fabulous fur companion.

Photos can be submitted online starting September 25 to October 25 here. The top contestants will be live-streamed on a special Halloween Day event on the city's YouTube channel at 3 pm.

DAWG is asking for a minimum donation of $25 per entry, which you can made online here . Under message, type Howl-O-Ween contest and the name of your pet or send a check to DAWG: 27472 Capricho, Mission Viejo, CA. 92692 and write Howl-O-Ween contest and the name of your pet in the memo section of your check.

Get ready to dazzle us with your Howl-O-ween costume while raising money for the homeless animals at our shelter.

September 23, 2020

Karoo Rose & Jade adoption update

Both are doing great and love their new house! House arrived a couple days late and we just notice a huge difference now that they have more space!

September 19, 2020

MVAS respond to a call for help from Butte County Emergency Operations

Mission Viejo Animal Services responded to a call from the Butte County Emergency Operations Center to assist as part of the wildfire response in Northern California. The Butte County EOC requested 10 two-person teams from outside animal services agencies to assist in the rescue, care, and sheltering of animals displaced from the fires. Mission Viejo is sending two animal services officers, one animal services technician, and a volunteer veterinarian from our local vet hospital, Animal Medical Center in Mission Viejo. They took two animal services trucks and the animal services emergency response trailer stocked with a cache of crates, pet food, personal protective equipment and other supplies. All costs associated with the deployment, which will have the teams deployed from September 20-29, will be reimbursed by Butte County as part of the FEMA-funded presidential declaration. MVAS staff set up a mobile field hospital out of our mobile trailer to care for displaced, lost and stray animals resulting from the fires. The City is proud of the staff's willingness to volunteer for this assignment and we wish them a safe return home!

September 18, 2020

Coconut adoption update

It has been 1 month and 11 days!!! She has truly broken into the house and loves her slinky toys and bell toys. She is happy and eating well. She has truly shown her little personality. I love her so much! I cant wait to share more photos and videos for you guys on updates!

September 17, 2020

Saylor & Cebolla adopted!

September 16, 2020

Dwight adoption update

We adopted a black kitten named “Dwight" from the Mission Viejo Shelter in December 2019. We named him Pancho and upon brining him home, he found a new best friend in our cat, Bandito. It took him a few months to warm up to our busy home however, I have to say, now that he’s been here a few months, he is one of the most loving cats we have ever encountered. We love him so much!

Kind regards,

Miriam W.

September 15, Featured Pet - Ms. Cuddles

Aptly named, Ms. Cuddles is a sweet and loving short haired cat waiting for a home at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center. Ms. Cuddles came to us through our rescue program, A Mission for Home, when a high impact shelter reached out for assistance placing their cats. When she arrived at the center, we immediately noticed that she was reluctant to eat. Upon closer inspection, we realized that she had an abscessed tooth, and she was immediately rushed to the vet for dental care. Thanks to Dedicated Animal Welfare Group, who paid her medical bills, Ms. Cuddles is now feeling fantastic and is ready to meet her perfect family. At only 4 years old, she has a lot of life left in her! Her large, inquisitive eyes and owl like face are just darling and hard not to fall for, and her personality is amazing. Although she prefers not to be carried, she will jump up on your lap and head butt you for love and attention. Ms. Cuddles would comfortably fit into any home, so if you are interested in adopting her, fill out an application, and we will contact you to meet this sweet girl.

September 12, 2020

Molly adopted!

One of our longtime volunteers always had the desire to foster dogs for our shelter. However, her dog did not like to share her affection with other dogs. Recently, our volunteer lost her beloved dog whom she adopted from the shelter over 10 years ago. When she heard Molly's story, she was overjoyed to open up her home for her while she found a new forever home.

Molly found herself homeless after her family had to move to an apartment that would not allow Molly to come along. Molly is a very sweet older lady, she loves kids, is good on a leash, and enjoys her walks. She has a lot of energy and is very playful for an 8 year-old. Her previous owner reported that she does okay with dogs that are mellow and are her size, but it may be best that she is the only pet in the home as she does have a prey drive, just like her previous dog.

It was inevitable that she would fall in love with Molly. She decided to adopt her shortly after her foster stay.

September 11, 2020

Pick Nick adoption update

We adopted Macaron aka Mac (formerly Pick Nick) last mother’s day weekend 5/9/2020. He was named after the French cookie that Miley fell in love with during our visit to France last March. In a 19-hour whirlwind of driving down from the San Francisco Bay Area to pick him up and then back home was worth it. These past few months he has become very comfortable in his home - he quickly became house trained and learned lots of tricks from his 8-year old “sister” Miley. On the weekdays his routine consists of morning walks to see the geese with Papa, midday playtime with sister, and afternoon snuggles with Mama. He was immediately welcomed in our neighborhood with a big welcome basket full of treats, toys and comfort items. Mac loves to hike and play at the beach too. We often spend the weekends exploring nature and all places dog-friendly. He is the best car traveler! Our most recent trip was to Yosemite and Mammoth Lakes. We couldn’t imagine life without him. Our family became complete the moment he joined our family. That was the best Mother’s Day weekend ever!

September 10, 2020

Donate to DAWG in memory of Bay City Rollers guitarist Ian Mitchell

The widow of former Bay City Rollers guitarist Ian Mitchell who passed away from cancer is asking that fans support the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center in his memory.

The center is where Ian and his wife Wendy adopted their two dogs from about seven years ago. The dogs, named Rod-Stewart and Tam-Paton, were two of the center’s harder-to-place dogs, so the staff was elated they went home with a lovely couple.

Ian joined the Bay City Rollers in 1976 at the age of 17, replacing founding member and bassist Alan Longmuir. While he was with the Rollers, the band released the 1976 album Dedication and a cover version of Dusty Springfield's “I Only Want to Be With You.” The group also had the big hit song “Saturday Night.”

Since the couple was so passionate about the shelter and the dogs who became a wonderful part of their family, Wendy is asking in lieu of flowers for fans to support the center. A special fund for rescue animals has been set up through Dedicated Animal Welfare Group (DAWG), the shelter’s nonprofit organization. To donate, visit www.dawg.org and click on the “donate now” button and be sure to mention in the comments the donation is in honor of Ian Mitchell.

"We are so touched by the friends, fans and family of Ian Mitchell ... What an amazing legacy for all the animals we help and will now be able to help in the future thanks to this kind act," said Animal Services Manager Michelle Claud-Clemente. "My friends and I roller skated to 'Saturday Night,' and those great memories are made more meaningful knowing that Ian Mitchell was such a caring animal lover! We send our sincere gratitude and condolences to everyone who loved Ian, and we promise to express our appreciation for a life well lived through our work to improve the lives and well-being of animals."

September 9, 2020

Chance adopted!

We are happy to report that Chance, the scared timid dog that we featured here on August 18 has been adopted! He went home to a wonderful patient family who understands his needs. Congrats Chance!!

September 5, 2020

Mia adoption update

We adopted “Mia” now Luna in the beginning of june 2020. We are incredibly in love with her. She is perfect for our family she is our absolute little love! She is the most perfect family dog (we go so lucky) we obviously weren't expecting anything but i cannot even tell you how perfect she is with little kids. She has actually brought our whole neighborhood together during this time! Our neighbor saw her an instantly had to interact with her, and now we have new friends who we can visit with during these times! We love her so much! Thank you for finding her so that we could find her! She’s a happy pup and has completed our little family!!!

September 4, 2020

Local club’s generosity benefiting our homeless animals

tap here for story

September 3, 2020

Viva & Vegas adopted!

September 2, 2020

Jinx adoption update

I adopted Jinx (now Finneas/Finn) and he was originally very independent and DID NOT like being held. Now he loves attention from people and has even become friends with my sister’s Boston Terrier! I’m actually convinced he was a dog in another life.
Finn loves cuddles and is a purring machine! He’s happy, healthy, and the most spoiled kitty! Thank you Mission Viejo Animal Shelter for everything!!