News Summary
Mission Viejo will host the Fur-Ever Friends Fall Festival which includes a pumpkin patch and a chance to adopt pets. The event will feature adoptable animals like Hera, a loving cat, and a pair of pugs named Autumn and Amber. Additionally, a new program called ‘Wild Tunes’ will introduce live music for shelter pets, aimed at enhancing their adoption chances. The festival invites the community to engage with these animals while enjoying a fun-filled day.
Mission Viejo is set to host the Fur-Ever Friends Fall Festival, Pumpkin Patch, and Open House on Saturday, October 11, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event aims to provide residents with opportunities to learn about and adopt pets while enjoying a festive day filled with fun activities, including a pumpkin patch and interactions with adoptable animals.
Among the animals available for adoption is Hera, a 2-year-old spayed female tortoiseshell cat. Hera is known for her loving and affectionate nature and is eager to bring joy to her new home. She exhibits playful hunting techniques reminiscent of her wild counterparts, often simulating stalking and pouncing behaviors on her toys. Individuals interested in adopting Hera can visit her at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center, located at 28095 Hillcrest, Mission Viejo, or contact the center at 949-470-3045 for further information. The adoption process includes an application and screening to ensure the most suitable matches.
In addition to Hera, a bonded pair of 9-month-old pugs, Autumn and Amber, are also available for adoption. To encourage their placement together, the shelter is offering a buy-one-get-one-free adoption fee for this charming duo. The staff emphasizes that adopting siblings can significantly help reduce anxiety for pets during the transition to new homes.
The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is also launching a new initiative named “Wild Tunes.” This program invites musicians and singers of all skill levels to volunteer their time to play music for the shelter’s pets. The objective of “Wild Tunes” is to provide positive human interactions for animals in the shelter, potentially increasing their chances of adoption. The facility’s director expressed hope that both amateur and professional musicians would contribute to the program by performing once a week.
The concept for “Wild Tunes” was inspired by a 10-year-old from Texas in 2023 and aims to enhance the comfort of pets around humans. Volunteer musicians are encouraged to register through the shelter’s website or by calling 949-470-3045. Accepted instruments include keyboard, violin, guitar, flute, and other string or wind instruments; however, drums or percussion are not permitted in the program.
The program will officially launch with a performance by 12-year-old Yuvi Agarwal, who initiated the idea for the program, on Tuesday, August 5, at noon. The public is invited to attend this kickoff event to enjoy live music while interacting with the adoptable pets available at the shelter.
The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is part of a broader movement among animal welfare organizations to enrich the lives of shelter animals. Such efforts include aromatherapy and providing handmade toys, all designed to create a more nurturing and comforting environment for pets awaiting adoption. The Fur-Ever Friends Fall Festival, along with the “Wild Tunes” program, represents the center’s ongoing commitment to increasing the adoption rates of its residents by promoting positive experiences both for the animals and prospective adopters.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Pumpkin Picking Season Begins in Mission Viejo
Sister Pugs Amber and Autumn Seek Forever Home
Fur-Ever Friends Fall Festival at Mission Viejo
Raymond Ornelas Wins People’s Choice Award at BBQ Music Fest
Lake Forest Celebrates the Return of the South County Pet Expo
Additional Resources
- NBC Los Angeles: Pug Puppies Adoption
- Wikipedia: Mission Viejo
- KTLA: Mission Viejo Shelter Live Music
- Google Search: Mission Viejo Animal Services Center
- Patch: Pumpkin Patch Adoption Event
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Animal Adoption
- LAist: Orange County Animal Shelter Music Program
- Google News: Shelter Animals 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.
