How to perform for adoptable pets at the Mission Viejo animal shelter

Soft music and singing wafts between metal dog kennels at an Orange County animal shelter while a small crowd watches a pair of teenage girls perform for adoptable pets.

The pop-up show was part of a new “Wild Tunes” program that officially launched at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center this week. A handful of artists volunteered their time to play, strum and sing for their new four-legged fans, including the founder of the nonprofit program, Yuvi Agarwal, 12, who traveled from Texas with his keyboard in tow.

Yuvi told LAist it’s a great opportunity to practice music while reducing stress and anxiety in the animals, especially since they don’t mind if you miss a few notes.

“Seeing a human playing music for them, which is a good thing, helps them associate humans with good things again, which effectively helps them rebuild their bridges with us and makes them more likely to get adopted,” he said.

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How it works

On a Tuesday afternoon, Annika Almgren of Ladera Ranch belted out “Love Story” by Taylor Swift and “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus for a boxer named Bunny, Keanu the labrador mix and about a dozen other adoptable dogs.

As she strummed her ukulele, an excitable French bulldog named Oliver laid down calmly in his cage to watch the 15-year-old play.

Annika, who hopes to become a veterinarian when she gets older, said the program seemed like a perfect opportunity to combine her love for pets and music.

“ I love playing for people and animals alike,” she told LAist. “It's really fun and really rewarding as well.”

Annika Almgren, 15, of Ladera Ranch sang and strummed a ukulele.

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Makenna Sievertson

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LAist

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Yuvi Agarwal, 12, founded the program and shared his keyboard with a few pups.

(

Makenna Sievertson

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LAist

)

People from the community perused the kennels during the performances, including Mission Viejo Mayor Bob Ruesch, who noticed the music’s calming effect on the animals.

“ They're in a place where they aren't sure where they are and they don't know what's gonna happen to them,” he told LAist. “And now they have the opportunity to be peaceful and to be adopted and taken to a good home.”

A few of the dogs even put their paws to the keys during Yuvi’s performance, which has become sort of a tradition for the program. The young founder said the first pup to play his keyboard a few years ago got adopted soon after.

“ So now every time we get a dog to play the piano, there's a good chance that he gets adopted,” Yuvi said.

How to participate 

People interested in volunteering for the program can register here or call (949) 470-3045.

You’ll be asked to select the shelter and complete volunteer training before scheduling performance sessions with staff.