News Summary
The Mission Viejo Animal Services has launched ‘Wild Tunes,’ a nonprofit program aimed at reducing shelter animals’ stress through live music. Founded by 12-year-old Yuvi Agarwal, the initiative invites musicians to perform for pets, enhancing their adoption prospects by creating positive human-animal interactions. Local artists showcased their talents at the launch, while Mayor Bob Ruesch highlighted music’s calming effects on animals. This program not only enriches the lives of shelter animals but also fosters community involvement and is already expanding to shelters across several states.
Mission Viejo, California – The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center has initiated a new nonprofit program called “Wild Tunes,” aiming to reduce stress and anxiety in shelter animals through live music. Founded by 12-year-old Yuvi Agarwal from Texas, the program launched officially on Tuesday, August 5, at noon, featuring a public performance to introduce the initiative.
“Wild Tunes” invites musicians of all skill levels to volunteer their time to play music for shelter pets. The primary objective of the program is to provide shelter animals with positive interactions with humans, thereby improving their chances of adoption. The initiative seeks to create an environment where pets can associate humans with enjoyable experiences, making them more likely candidates for adoption.
At the launch, local artists, including young musicians like Annika Almgren and Kayden Tokarski, showcased their talents by performing popular songs such as “Love Story” by Taylor Swift and “Lost Boy” by Ruth B. This highlights the community’s involvement in enriching the lives of shelter animals.
Mayor Bob Ruesch emphasized the calming effect of music on the animals, noting that it contributes to a peaceful atmosphere while they await adoption. The program permits a variety of musical instruments; however, percussive instruments like drums are excluded, as they can potentially induce anxiety in the animals.
The director of the Mission Viejo Animal Services, Brynn Lavison, expressed that “Wild Tunes” adds significant value to their existing animal enrichment initiatives, which are designed to improve the overall well-being of pets in the shelter. By providing exposure to music, the program is expected to enhance not only the animals’ mental health but also the well-being of the staff and the level of community involvement at the facility.
Volunteer training for “Wild Tunes” is essential, and individuals interested in participating can register online or contact the shelter directly at 949-470-3045. This initiative is already gaining traction, expanding to shelters in other states including Colorado, New Jersey, and California, showcasing its success and impact on a wider scale.
Preliminary findings suggest that routine exposure to music may help calm shelter animals, although extensive research on this topic remains limited. Previous success stories from the program include instances where shelter pets have engaged with the music, with some dogs even taking part by playing instruments during performances.
“Wild Tunes” offers a fresh approach to animal care in shelters, focusing on the emotional needs of pets who often experience stress and anxiety. As the program progresses, it is expected to contribute positively not only to the lives of the animals but also to the community, encouraging greater adoption rates and fostering a deeper connection between humans and pets.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Mission Viejo Launches ‘Wild Tunes’ Program for Shelter Pets
New ‘Wild Tunes’ Program Launched for Shelter Animals
Mission Viejo Animal Services Center Introduces Live Music for Adoption
Mission Viejo Launches Wild Tunes Program for Shelter Animals
Mission Viejo Launches ‘Wild Tunes’ Program for Shelter Pets
Mission Viejo Launches ‘Wild Tunes’ Program for Shelter Animals
Mission Viejo Launches “Wild Tunes” Program for Shelter Animals
Mission Viejo Launches ‘Wild Tunes’ Program for Shelter Animals
Music Initiative Enhances Animal Welfare in Mission Viejo
Additional Resources
- LAist: Orange County Animal Shelter Seeks Musicians for Pets
- Wikipedia: Animal Shelter
- CBS News: Music Program for Shelter Pets
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Musical Therapy
- KTLA: Mission Viejo Shelter Live Music Initiative
- Google Search: Shelter Animal Music Program
- OC Register: Wild Tunes Program
- Google Scholar: Music Therapy for Animals
- NBC Los Angeles: Mission Viejo Live Music Program
- Google News: Shelter Pets Music
Author: STAFF HERE MISSION VIEJO WRITER
MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER The MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMissionViejo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Mission Viejo, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair, Walk Against Drugs & Community Fair, and National Night Out. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, plus leading businesses in retail and education that power the local economy such as The Shops at Mission Viejo, Capistrano Unified School District, and Amazon Delivery Station. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
