August 26, 2025

Mission Viejo Animal Services Center Unveils New Mural

News Summary

The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center has unveiled a vibrant mural designed to celebrate pet adoption and honor families who welcome pets into their homes. Created by local artist Chris Trisnan, the mural features a large depiction of a dog and cats against the Saddleback Mountain backdrop. This initiative, along with the new ‘Wild Tunes’ program featuring live music for shelter animals, aims to enhance the environment for animals and improve adoption rates. Special events are being held to commemorate the mural’s unveiling.

Mission Viejo, California – The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center (MVAS) has recently unveiled a vibrant new mural on its main building, designed to enhance the atmosphere for potential adopters and honor families who have welcomed pets into their homes. The mural, created by artist Chris Trisnan of CT Designs, features a large depiction of a dog and two cats set against the picturesque backdrop of Saddleback Mountain.

The mural has been dedicated to all the pets and families connected with MVAS, showcasing a commitment to celebrating the bond between humans and their animals. According to MVAS Director Brynn Lavison, this colorful backdrop will serve as an ideal setting for adoption pictures and other photography opportunities, drawing attention to the importance of pet adoption.

In conjunction with the mural’s unveiling, MVAS organized a special event on Saturday, August 30, inviting families who have adopted pets to visit the center and take photographs with their furry companions in front of the mural. Attendees were encouraged to make a small donation to the Dedicated Animal Welfare Group (DAWG) in exchange for a professionally taken 4×6 family photo, allowing them to commemorate the occasion.

Alongside the mural project, MVAS has also introduced a new initiative called “Wild Tunes,” which features live music performed for animals in the shelter. This program launched on August 5, 2023, thanks to a partnership with a Texas-based nonprofit dedicated to comforting shelter animals through music. The program was inspired by 12-year-old Yuvi Agarwal, who began visiting MVAS with his keyboard to perform for the pets.

Volunteer musicians are welcome to join the Wild Tunes program, and early reports from participants indicate that the presence of live music has had a calming effect on the shelter animals. Although further research on the impact of music in shelters continues, existing studies suggest that music, particularly classical, may help to reduce anxiety in dogs awaiting adoption.

MVAS recognizes the significance of creating an enriching environment for animals while they await new homes, and the organization aims to improve both animal well-being and volunteer engagement. Interested individuals looking to get involved can register for the Wild Tunes program, which requires completion of training and scheduling performance sessions prior to participation.

The introduction of both the mural and the music program aligns with MVAS’s objective to foster a welcoming atmosphere for prospective adopters. These initiatives are designed to enhance the experience for visitors and facilitate smoother transitions for shelter animals into their forever homes. As a result, MVAS hopes to improve adoption rates and strengthen community ties, reinforcing the vital role that pets play in the lives of families.