Animal Shelter Puts Out Call for Volunteers

When the City Council moved ahead recently with plans to build an animal shelter, it was with the understanding that the facility would be staffed mostly with volunteers.

Less than a month before the city takes over control of stray animals, those volunteers are still needed, say leaders of a local animal rights group.

“If this program is going to fly, we need the volunteer help,” said Stu Halpert, vice president of Friends of Mission Viejo Animals, a volunteer group set up to assist the operation of the proposed Mission Viejo shelter.

Although the shelter won’t be ready until early 1993, the city will handle its own strays beginning July 1. City officials are negotiating with shelters in Irvine and Laguna Beach to temporarily house Mission Viejo strays.

Volunteers are needed to help care for the animals, as well as handle phones and other office work. Friends of Mission Viejo Animals also needs assistance in running an adoption program that will include an ad campaign, exposure on cable-access programs and community events such as holding adoption shows in local malls.

The group recently incorporated as a nonprofit organization and is also seeking tax-deductible donations to help operate the shelter.

The facility will be run similarly to the San Clemente animal shelter, where stray animals are cared for until they can be adopted.

“Because our permanent home isn’t built yet, people aren’t really aware of our program,” Halpert said. “But beginning July 1, our animals in Mission Viejo will be protected, and we need help to make sure that happens.”

Anyone interested in volunteering or making a donation can contact Friends of Mission Viejo Animals at 25108 Marguerite Parkway, Suite 249, Mission Viejo, Calif. 92692, or by calling (714) 587-1855.