August 2020

August 28, 2020

Francesca Adopted!

At only 3 years old, Francesca, a small Labrador-Retriever mix, experienced more than what many dogs would go through in a lifetime. On July 17, Francesca endured a 2-hour long car ride from Tijuana with a few other dogs and was brought directly to the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center. Once she was greeted with loving arms by staff, she was examined from head to toe because staff could see she had skin irritation, broken teeth and infected ears, among other ailments. She immediately went to the veterinarian, where she tested positive for sarcoptic mange and ehrlichiosis, which is a tick-born disease. Due to the nature of her conditions, she was in isolation for weeks. Each time a staff member was around, she just wanted to be loved and show affection.

After what seemed like forever, Francesca was finally cleared medically and was able to be put up for adoption, which also meant she could give and receive all the affection she wanted. Considering her sweet disposition, adorable face, and highly sought-after breed, staff thought she would be in her forever home in no time. However, that was not the case. While continuing to search for her forever home, she became quite the playmate to another shelter dog named Minnow. Both dogs would play together like littermates until their hearts content. No matter what comes her way, Francesca is always a sweet, submissive soul that brings joy to anyone she meets. She is great with people of all ages and loves other dogs. Her adoption day finally came, and she went home with a lovely retired couple with an older older. She is the only pet and will receive all of the family’s love and attention.

August 27, 2020

Blakely Adoption Update

I wanted to check in and give you an update on "Blakely", the sweet pup we adopted back in May, we have since changed her name to Kona. She is an absolute joy and loves her new forever home. She has taken to our 10-year old dog Harriet, emulating her every move. They are very playful together rolling around and running in the backyard and taking long walks around the neighborhood.

Thanks for all you do for the animals!

Colleen H.

August 26, 2020

National Dog Day

Celebrating all breeds, National Dog Day is designed to raise awareness of the number of dogs that need to be rescued every year from public shelters, rescues and pure bred rescues. National Dog Day honors family dogs, and canines that work selflessly to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort.

Celebrating the day is as easy as giving your four-legged friend a big kiss or by:

Adopting a pet from your local shelter
Fostering for your local animal shelter
Completing a safety check of your home and make sure it is safe for your dog and others.
Donating blankets, food, and toys to your local animal shelter.
Making a donation to your local animal shelter.

To see all of the adoptable dogs at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center, click here.

August 22, 2020

Kelz and Lana adopted!

August 21, 2020

Mr. Smile adoption update

Mission Viejo Animal Services Staff & Volunteers,

I just wanted to thank you for Mr. Smile (now Bruno)! We adopted him in 2017 and we live every minute with him. Bruno is such a joy to have in our house! By the way, He likes to go shopping with us. Thank you for giving Bruno to us!

August 20, 2020

Olivia & Pretzel Adopted!

August 19, 2020

Featured Pet Kelz

Six-year-old Kelz is probably the friendliest cat to come to the Animal Services Center. He absolutely loves people.

As soon as he sees someone, he runs right up and rubs on their legs until he gets attention – and if he does not get attention, he will tell you all about it. He is extremely chatty, interactive and affectionate. However, because he’s a black cat, he is getting overlooked at the center.

Black cats are usually the last cat to be adopted. We have no idea why because they are just as amazing as any of the other cats at the shelter – and in Kelz’s case, he is even more awesome that the rest.

If you want a loving feline companion, visit www.cmvas.org to submit an adoption application for Kelz. His adoption fee is only $20 for the approved applicant thanks to DAWG!

August 18, 2020

A second "Chance"

Mission Viejo Animal Services Center received a phone call from a resident who rescued a dog from an overcrowded animal shelter in Riverside. The dog was so under-socialized that when she arrived home, he would not enter her house, so she put him in the backyard where he managed to jump a wall and escape.

Animal Services officers found and safely rescued the dog, but since he suffered from heat exhaustion and burns on his paws from traveling on hot asphalt, he couldn’t walk any further. A nearby resident heard the commotion and offered to help by bringing the dog cold water and a hose for the officer to cool the pup down.

For her good deed, Mission Viejo Animal Services gave the resident a challenge coin.

In the dog’s best interest, the new owner relinquished the pup to the shelter where staff will work to socialize and find him a forever home. Animal Services staff named the dog “Chance.”

August 15, 2020

Check the Chip Day

Microchips greatly increase the chances that pets will be reunited with their families if they are lost or stolen…but a microchip only works if its registration information is current and accurate.
August 15th is “Check the Chip Day.” If your pet is already microchipped and you have a scheduled appointment with your veterinarian in the near future, make sure you ask them to “check the chip” Ensure that your registration information in the microchip manufacturer’s database is up to date. Your veterinarian can give your pet’s microchip number in seconds, and provide you with the contact information for the company who handles yours pet identification information.

If your pet is not microchipped, you can have your veterinarian implant a microchip in your pet during your visit. The implant process is simple and causes no more pain or discomfort than a routine vaccine. A long needle is used to place the microchip, which is no larger than a grain of rice, underneath your pet's skin. In cats and dogs, the microchip is typically implanted between the shoulder blades and serves as permanent ID. Having your pet microchipped greatly increases the chances of reuniting you with your lost pet.

This service is also offered during our low cost drive-thru pet vaccine clinics. The next clinic will be on Saturday, October 3rd. Visit cmvas.org more information.

August 14, 2020

Remember to leave pets at home when it's hot out!

We're in a heat wave.

Remember to leave your dogs at home if you must go out and run an errand.

August 13, 2020

Kittens Sunny & Summer Adopted!

August 12, 2020

Pebble Adoption Update

One year ago this sweet, shy, skittish girl joined her fur-ever family! Pebbles (formerly Pebble), Beans, and Big Chicken are just a few of the names her family lovingly call her.

Since she has joined her family, she is not only little sister to Maxi-girl and Little Bear (both k-9 siblings), she is now big sister to Tigger (feline brother) . Until Tigger joined the crew, Pebbles was a quiet, mostly kept to herself kinda cat. Now, she is full blown CAT! She loves hunting bugs and her sister Maxi-girl. Tigger and Pebbles love chasing each other through the house while knocking over food and water bowls.

Pebbles' mom loves night time when the house is quiet and everyone is asleep and it just Pebbles and mommy snuggle time. And when it is time to settle in for the night, it is right on moms legs, where Pebbles loves to lay.

Pebbles loves her family and is so grateful that they took a chance on the sweet, shy, skittish girl she once was.

Thank you to the volunteers and staff that helped care for Pebbles until she was able to find her fur-ever home!

Sincerely,
Stephanie S.

August 11, 2020

Gumball & Chex adopted!

August 8, 2020

Featured Pet "Molly"

The COVID pandemic affects everyone, even dogs. 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 who would make a great family dog. 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. Although her previous owner reported that she does okay with dogs that are mellow and are her size, it may be best that she is the only pet in the home as she does have a prey drive. If you are interested in meeting Molly, please email us at ask-shelter@cityofmissionviejo.org.

August 7, 2020

It takes a village to save unwanted pets lives

The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center has a successful adoption rate, with loving families welcoming homeless animals into their homes. Because of this, our shelter often has empty kennels. With the current coronavirus crisis, rescue groups are being inundated with even more dogs than before.

In light of this, we formed a special collaborative effort with Ghetto Rescue FFoundation to save more dogs. GRFF is run by police officers and fire department personnel along with community members in two states.

We recently received nine dogs from GRFF. These dogs will soon be available for adoption, so if you want to add a sweet dog to your family, visit our website at www.cmvas.org for more information.

Thank you Tami and GRFF for this special relationship!

August 6, 2020

"Lorenzo" the Rooster

Officer Galeano was dispatched to a call for a stray loose rooster in Laguna Niguel. The caller said while on her morning walk, she observed the rooster in a tunnel near Crown Valley Parkway & Nueva Vista. She told dispatch the poor rooster appeared disoriented and was worried about him because he was trying to drink the dirty water running through the tunnel. Officer Galeano was able to locate and rescue the rooster after a short pursuit. He was taken back to the shelter and given fresh water and food. He was named Lorenzo and will be transferred to a rescue.

August 5, 2020

Chiclet & Otis adopted!

August 4, 2020

Low Cost Drive Thru Pet Vaccine Clinic this Saturday

The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center on Saturday, August 8 will host a drive-through pet vaccination clinic for Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita and Laguna Hills residents.

The low-cost clinic is from 8:30-10 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. Please bring all dogs on leashes and cats in carriers. (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

August 1, 2020

Ella Adoption Update

Hi Everyone!

We just wanted to send you a quick update on Ella. In just the first two weeks, Ella is already an important part of family!

We decided to name her Ella, because she is definitely a princess, but she’s got spunk! Kate decided that she reminded her of Ella from her favorite book Ella Enchanted. She looks great in pink. But don’t mess with her. She’ll let you now who’s boss.

She’s super smart! She learned her new name in the first few days. She’s learned to sit in just a few training sessions. After she potties outside, she knows immediately to turn to Ken for her treat. She loves our shoes, but responds immediately when I tell her no when she starts chewing on them. We’re still working on house training, but that’s definitely a person failure not a puppy failure!

Frankie and Ella have been working through the ins and outs of sharing a home. Sometimes they LOVE each other. They play and play and play. Sometimes they argue. Mostly over food. And its really just Ella. We are working to reassure Ella that she doesn’t have to worry! We promise we won’t let her starve.

Thank you for taking care of her! We are so happy to have her as part of our family.

Wendy, Ken, Kate, Mariah, Frankie & Ella