News Summary
The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is introducing the ‘Wild Tunes’ program, a unique initiative aimed at helping shelter animals find homes through live music. Launching on August 5, the program collaborates with a nonprofit to create a calming environment that enhances animal-adopter interactions. Volunteers, including musicians, are encouraged to participate, as regular exposure to music is believed to increase the pets’ comfort levels and chances of adoption. The center aims to promote animal welfare by incorporating live music into its enrichment strategy.
Mission Viejo Launches “Wild Tunes” Program to Help Shelter Animals
The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center in Orange County is set to launch a novel initiative called “Wild Tunes”, aimed at helping shelter animals find permanent homes through the power of live music. The program is officially scheduled to commence on August 5, 2023, marking a new chapter in the center’s efforts to improve the well-being of animals in their care.
Collaborative Effort to Comfort Animals
“Wild Tunes” is a collaboration with a Texas-based nonprofit founded by a compassionate 12-year-old, Yuzi Agarwal, that focuses on providing comfort to shelter animals through music. The initiative’s main goal is to create a calming atmosphere that helps animals relax, ultimately fostering better interactions with potential adopters.
Center’s Enthusiasm and the Role of Music
Director of the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center, Brynn Lavison, has expressed excitement about the beneficial effects of music on animals. Volunteer musician Kayden Tokarski also emphasizes the importance of music in providing peace and comfort to shelter animals, highlighting that many of them come from traumatic backgrounds and can greatly benefit from a soothing environment.
Scientific Insights and Enrichment Efforts
Research indicates that music, particularly classical genres, may help calm dogs in stressful settings, although more comprehensive studies are necessary to fully grasp the extent of its effects. The live music program forms part of the center’s broader enrichment strategy designed to enhance the well-being of both animals and staff. This program complements existing initiatives, including aromatherapy and the creation of handmade toys for the animals.
Volunteering Opportunities for Musicians
The center is actively seeking volunteers, including musicians and singers of all skill levels, to participate in the “Wild Tunes” program. The center invites musicians to perform for approximately an hour each week, which will help drown out the usual noise of the shelter environment, further promoting a peaceful atmosphere.
Increasing Adoption Rates
Yuzi Agarwal noted that regular exposure to music assists pets in feeling more at ease around humans, which can significantly boost their adoption chances. By providing a consistent musical backdrop, the center aims to help animals build positive associations with human presence, thus enhancing their likelihood of finding forever homes.
Launch Event and Registration Information
The public is encouraged to attend the official launch performance of the “Wild Tunes” program on August 5 at noon. Musicians wishing to volunteer must undergo a training session and are allowed to use various instruments such as keyboard, violin, guitar, and flute. However, percussion instruments are discouraged. Individuals interested in volunteering can register online or by calling (949) 470-3045.
Conclusion: A Harmonious Approach to Adoption
With the introduction of “Wild Tunes”, the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is taking a harmonized approach to promote animal welfare and improve adopters’ experiences. By integrating the soothing influence of live music into the shelter environment, the center hopes to increase adoption rates while providing comfort to its furry residents.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Music Initiative Enhances Animal Welfare in Mission Viejo
Additional Resources
- LAist: Orange County Animal Shelter Seeks Musicians for Adoptable Pets
- NBC Los Angeles: Mission Viejo Launches Live Music Program
- Patch: Mission Viejo’s Music Program for Shelter Animals
- CBS News: Orange County’s Music Program for Pets
- LAist: Call for Volunteers to Sing for Shelter Pets
- Wikipedia: Animal Shelter
- Google Search: Impact of Music on Animals
- Google Scholar: Music Therapy for Animals
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Musical Therapy
- Google News: Shelter Animals Music Program
