Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Orange County animal shelter wants volunteers to sing and play music for adoptable pets
Kayden Tokarski, 15, was the first volunteer to sing to shelter pets at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center.
(
City of Mission Viejo
)
An Orange County animal shelter is looking for musicians and singers of all skill levels who can volunteer their talents to help soothe shelter pets.
It’s part of the new “Wild Tunes” program officially launching at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center next week. The goal is to boost the animals' chance of adoption by giving them positive experiences with people, while artists polish their performances in front of four-legged fans.
Brynn Lavison, the director of the facility, told LAist she’s hoping amateur and professional artists from every age group can come in for an hour about once a week and drown out the sounds of the shelter with live music.
“ They don't have to even be that great,” she said. “The animals don’t judge.”
Support for LAist comes from
About the program
Wild Tunes was started in 2023 by a then-10-year-old, Yuvi Agarwal, from Texas who described the nonprofit program as an opportunity to help abandoned and stressed pets associate humans with something positive.
“When pets are routinely exposed to music, it helps them become more comfortable around humans, which ultimately increases their chances of finding forever homes,” Agarwal said in a statement. “For the volunteers, it is a great way to practice their music and boost their confidence."
Lavison said she thought the program would be a great addition to their enrichment program, which already includes aromatherapy, handmade toys and peanut butter frisbees for the dogs, cats and other critters in their care.
“Certainly some of the animals that have been here a little bit longer could use this type of distraction, you know, and interaction with humans in a different way,” she said.
Support for LAist comes from
The first volunteer artist, 15-year-old Kayden Tokarski, stopped by to sing “Lost Boy” and “Rainbow” on Monday. Lavison said it did seem to calm the animals.
Several other Southern California shelters, including San Diego County and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of L.A., also participate in the Wild Tunes program.
How to get involved
Yuvi, now 12, is scheduled to play his keyboard and officially launch the program at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at noon. The public is invited.
People interested in volunteering can register here or call (949) 470-3045. Musicians who wish to participate are asked to select the shelter and complete volunteer training before scheduling performance sessions with staff.
Keyboard, violin, guitar, flute and other string or wind instruments are welcome. Drums, chimes and percussion instruments are not, as they could be more anxiety-inducing than soothing for the shelter pets.
Support for LAist comes from
Lavison encouraged people in the community to come interact with the adoptable animals and enjoy a performance while they’re at it.
“ We're hoping to really make a difference in the animals that are here waiting for their homes through this program,” Lavison said.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties. -
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
-
Hexavalent chromium is the same carcinogen Erin Brockovich warned about in the 1990s, but researchers say more study is needed on the potential health effects of nanoparticles detected earlier this year. Experts will answer questions at a webinar this evening.
Best of LAist