Animal Services

Animal Services provides pet licensing, as well as for the care, protection and control of animals that stray from their homes or are abused by their owners. Since January 2009, the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center has handled this function for the City of Aliso Viejo.

Shelter Facility

The pro-humane facility at 28095 Hillcrest in Mission Viejo provides an array of services including pet licensing, picking up injured wildlife, impounding stray dogs/cats, issuing citations and providing shelter for homeless animals. The facility has dogs, cats, and rabbits available for adoption. For more information, call 949-470-3045 or visit Animal Services.

Pet Licensing

All dogs over the age of four (4) months in the city of Aliso Viejo are required to have and wear a current license tag. Cat licenses are recommended, but not required by law. Your pet's license is proof of its valid rabies vaccination, as well as its best chance to return safely home. Pet licensing is also handled by Mission Viejo Animal Services. Please visit Mission Viejo Animal Services pet licensing page for more information. If you have any questions, call Mission Viejo Animal Services at 949-470-3045 or email petlicensing@cityofmissionviejo.org.

Nuisance Wildlife

Information regarding nuisance wildlife is available on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's website or by calling the enforcement line at 562-598-1032.

Coyote Sightings

Coyote sightings in urban areas of California have increased in recent years. By nature, they are fearful of humans, but if they have access to human food and garbage, their behavior changes and they can lose caution and fear.  While not normally a danger to human beings, coyotes will display defensive behaviors if threatened or cornered; therefore, it is important to keep your distance if you encounter one.

Immediately contact Mission Viejo Animal Services at 949-470-3045 if any of the following occurs:

  • Your pet is attacked or killed.
  • A coyote is on or living close to your property.
  • The coyote is acting unusually aggressive toward a person.
  • You have been bitten by a coyote.
  • The coyote is injured or appears sick.

Mission Viejo Animal Services will evaluate each report to determine if the coyote is behaving in an unusual manner or is a threat to human safety.  For more information, call 949-470-3045.