Kitten season is in full swing at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center with a host of furry felines ready for adoption. Adopt two kittens and Dedicated Animal Welfare Group (DAWG) will pay the $100 base adoption fee for the second one. That means you’ll get the second kitten for only $50, or two kittens for $200. (The adoption fee for one kitten is $150.)
DAWG is the non-profit organization that provides medical care for the animals at the center. The facility is now accepting applications for the cuddly kittens, which are all vaccinated, de-wormed, spayed or neutered, microchipped and ready to find permanent, loving homes.
If you would like to see the wonderful animals available for adoption, stop by the facility at 28095 Hillcrest during operating hours or visit www.cmvas.org. For more information, call 949-470-3045.
I recently applied to adopt a cat from the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center. I indicated on the application that I would keep the cat’s litter box in the garage with cat door access. Upon receipt of the application, the person at the desk made a note that I keep my car in the garage (a two-car garage). I was told the application would be reviewed and that I would be notified in a day or two if the adoption was approved. I called the next day to indicate that I was very interested in the cat I had selected at the shelter. The person I talked with told me she would make a note of my interest on the application. The following day, I received a phone call to “interview me”. I again told the shelter representative that I would allow the cat access to the garage for use of the litter box. I was told I would be notified in a day or two as to whether my application was approved. The following day I called the shelter to inquire about the cat. I was told my application was denied as the policy of the shelter is to deny adoption to any person who would allow a cat access to a garage or outside the house. I said if this is the “policy” why is that not specified at the time of application or certainly during the phone interview? I was told that if people knew the policy, “they would lie”. This is incomprehensible! I wasted time and emotion in this process. I have had animals all my life and never lost one of them. I have raised 3 children and administered a child care program for a school district that served 600 students. I am insulted by the treatment I received at the shelter. If there is a policy in place for adoption, it should be clearly stated at the beginning of the process.
You might check with the Irvine Animal Shelter which has a very large selection of homeless animals. My friend adopted 2 cats from them several years ago and the offered a free vets office visit and bag of Science Diet food included with the adoption fee. Also try any of the PetSmart stores which usually have cats for adoption. The fees charged by the MV shelter are often very overpriced and you will likely not have to deal with the arrogant attitude of their staff. Good luck in your search.
Nan, I sure do agree with you that somebody at the shelter should have told you right away about their policy. I can’t speak to why that happened but I know that is not how it normally goes as I volunteer to help out in the front office at the shelter and have done so for 19 years. I would completely disagree with the person who said the staff is arrogant. The Mission Viejo Shelter includes a free exam for any family adopting a cat, just as the Irvine shelter does. As a volunteer I have also worked closely with some of the other rescue groups in the area, who sometimes help the shelter with animals not doing well in a shelter environment. Some of these groups participate in DAWG’s annual DAWG Walk. It seems to me all of those rescue groups have the exact same policy about cats going into a garage to use their litter pan. If the garage door will be opening and cars will be going in, this could be dangerous for a kitty. How would I know that? Because I have spoken to callers asking for help with their deceased feline because they simply did not see them when they pulled their car into the garage. I am super pleased it has never happened to any of your cats, Nan. For those looking for a healthy, cute indoor (no garage access) feline friend, I hope they do come check out the extraordinary cats at the Mission Viejo shelter. I have personally spoken to hundreds of families who have adopted a kitty from the shelter who are exceedingly happy with their cool kitty and with the shelter. Good luck with your new kitty Nan and I know you will take good care of it but I hope too that you will rethink that litter pan in the garage.