'Tails' from the Field

Mission Viejo Animal Services (MVAS) recently received a call from a Laguna Niguel resident about a bobcat. While on his daily walk, the resident spotted the bobcat, which appeared to be suffering from mange, in a neighbor’s yard. Concerned for the animal's wellbeing, he alerted his neighbors and promptly contacted MVAS.  The resident mentioned that he had recently learned about wildlife displacement caused by the nearby Airport Fire and suspected that the bobcat might be one of its victims.  When Animal Control Officer Ross arrived on the scene, the bobcat had already moved on to a different location, but thankfully, the resident kept a close eye on the cat and was able to guide Officer Ross to its new location.

During the pursuit, the bobcat gave Officer Ross quite a chase, as it ran through a backyard, jumped onto a fence, hid in several large shrubs, crossed a street, ducked under multiple cars, and climbed halfway up a tree before it was captured unharmed. Animal Control officers often face challenges when responding to calls about injured wildlife as the animals may remain mobile enough to hide or evade capture before assistance arrives.

Thanks to the timely reporting and vigilance of the concerned resident, the bobcat is receiving the medical attention it needs and is expected to make a full recovery.