Staff Spotlight

Meet Carly! An Animal Care Technician, Carly has been working at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center for the past year and a half. Growing up, she always wanted to be a veterinarian and got a job at a local feed store shortly after school.  Working at the feed store, she met various animals including cockatoos, pigs, chickens, rabbits, dogs, and cats. Her interests grew more in veterinary medicine. After completing online veterinary assistant classes, she landed at San Clemente Veterinary Hospital, going from a new technician to a team lead in two years. Carly’s favorite part about working in a veterinary hospital is X-rays and surgeries. She continues to learn by completing the registered veterinary technician program through Penn Foster. 

At MVAS, Carly's favorite aspect of her work is building trust with stray and frightened cats, taking the time necessary to help them feel secure. Her favorite transformation was a cat named Mercer; he was found at the Mercy Warehouse in Laguna Niguel. Mercer was not the nicest impound, but Carly was determined to give him a chance. Even though Mercer didn’t want human touch at first, after weeks of spending extra time with him at the kennel doors just talking to him or flicking a toy through the kennel doors to him, he finally trusted Carly enough to let her touch and eventually hold him. Mercer and Carly became best friends. Carly would spend at least 10 minutes with him every shift, giving him kisses and belly rubs. Mercer eventually was adopted into his forever home, and Carly was on to the next frightened cat. 

Next time you’re looking to adopt, stop by MVAS! Carly, along with the rest of our helpful and friendly staff, would love to help you find your next furry family member.