The fun-filled anniversary celebration is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 28095 Hillcrest. The event includes a special appearance by Jackson Galaxy, host and executive producer of Animal Planet’s hit show “My Cat from Hell,” educational booths, children’s activities, wildlife education, safety demonstrations, food trucks and more.
For the alumni fashion show, 15 families and their adopted dogs will strut their stuff, showing what a loving family can mean to a canine. These dogs have come a long way.
Some arrived at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center injured or ill; others came from over-crowded shelters; and two were rescued after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Today, all have loving homes thanks to the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center and Dedicated Animal Welfare Group (DAWG). Here are a few of their stories:
Little Man, a Pekinese, came into the center as a stray in May 2011 with most of his hair missing, cloudy eyes and extremely painful ears. He was immediately sent to a local veterinarian who diagnosed him severe allergies, which left his skin inflamed and balding, and chronic eye infections in both eyes. He also had three different kinds of bacteria growing in his ears. After months of treatment paid for by DAWG, Little Man was finally ready for adoption. Luckily, the Harvey family understood he required ongoing care and was willing to make the commitment. Now named “Tricky Woo,” this little pup is thriving in his home with a St. Bernard sister and tons of love.
Smoochie and Huggie were two pups rescued from the overcrowded Merced Animal Shelter where their lives were in danger. After their arrival in February 2008, they were diagnosed with mange, a parasite that lives in the follicles of the skin. This condition requires weeks of treatment, so DAWG paid for their medicine until they were ready for adoption. These two special pups were adopted by the Berry family, who changed their names to Koda and Kenai. This family also adopted two more dogs a few years later from the Animal Services Center.
A boxer mix, Bubbles was found wandering alone and ended up at a shelter in Kern County. Unfortunately, animal shelters in that area are highly overpopulated. The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center learned that sweet Bubbles was in danger and made arrangements to transport her here. When she arrived, staff discovered she was pregnant and about to deliver five puppies. Bubbles was sent to a great foster home while nursing her pups. Once the pups were old enough, DAWG paid for the family to be spayed and neutered and all were all adopted into loving homes. On November 1, Bubbles will walk the catwalk with her little brother, Spike, a Chihuahua, which was also adopted from the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center.
The fashion show will also feature some rock royalty with Ian Mitchell, a former member of the 1970s Scottish pop band “The Bay City Rollers,” hitting the stage with his dogs, Tam Paton and Rod Stewart.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to cheer these families and dogs on during the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center’s 20th anniversary celebration.
For more information, visit http://www.cmvas.org or call 949-470-3045.
Kelly Tokarski
City of Mission Viejo
Public Information Specialist
