Mission Viejo Animal Services seeking public’s help in identifying an individual who tossed an injured cat into a dumpster
Mission Viejo Animal Services (MVAS) is seeking the public’s help in identifying a man related to an ongoing animal cruelty investigation.
On Monday at approximately 7:20 pm, surveillance footage captured the individual discarding an injured cat into a dumpster near the 25000 block of Cabot Road in Laguna Hills.
Animal Services received a report on Tuesday about the injured cat found inside a dumpster behind a shopping center near Cabot and La Paz Road. The cat, suffering from obvious trauma, was immediately transported to a local animal hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Animal Control Investigator DeAlmeida launched an investigation and through a review of surveillance footage, she identified a vehicle driving behind the businesses and parking near the dumpster. The footage shows an individual exiting the vehicle, retrieving a white garbage bag, and tossing it into the dumpster. The injured cat is seen stumbling away from the individual before driving away. The cat was discovered nearly 15 hours later and just minutes before the dumpster was scheduled for collection.
The cat, now named Willow by MVAS staff, is receiving treatment for extensive injuries but is expected to recover. Despite this heartbreaking betrayal, Willow continues to show immense affection to the veterinary staff caring for her, purring and seeking comfort from those providing her with kindness and affection. Thanks to the Dedicated Animal Welfare Group (DAWG), MVAS is committed to ensuring Willow receives the necessary medical care and rehabilitation after this senseless act of abandonment. We are grateful to the thoughtful person who found and retrieved Willow from the dumpster.
MVAS is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying either the suspect or the cat’s owner. The suspect’s vehicle appears to be a light blue or gray 2022–2024 Volkswagen Tiguan or a similar small SUV.
If you have any information, please contact Mission Viejo Animal Services at 949-470-3045.
To support Willow’s recovery and other animals in need, donations can be made to DAWG at dawg.org.
Comments
Unfortunately, due to the…
Unfortunately, due to the extremely high number of homeless or unwanted pets, many shelters and not even accepting any animals unless they are sick or injured and found homeless. Many shelters are so full that they are not even accepting “relinquished” animals from owners or even people who have found the animal as a homeless or stray pet. If they are in relatively decent health, they will tell you they cannot take them and to return them to where they are found, especially if they are already spayed or neutered. Not saying this is the case for mission Viejo animal shelter but I know many shelters are so full that unless the animal is injured or visibly ill and in need of immediate medical attention. This over-population of unwanted pets is a very difficult problem all around and more than heartbreaking. There is just way to many people who have animals that are un-fixed and left unwanted (or they think it will be fun and adorable to have a litter of kittens or puppies and do not even think about what they will do with them when they start to grow and they can’t find homes for all of them) and end up with more in-fixed animals that are in need of homes that become adults faster than they can find the once tiny, adorable and sought after babies. Many people who have random litters for “fun” or thinking they can sell the babies don’t realize just how many animals and even litters are in need of homes and do not take that into account and make a pore decision to let their animals breed or become pregnant and have a litter anyway. To then want to discard them in anyway possible when they start to grow, require food and vetting, space and attention, and many people who make this sort sighted decision end up not having anywhere to take them or can’t find anyone who wants them. It’s very irresponsible and they don’t take into account that having a littler means that you will suddenly be responsible for many living, breathing, and many times expensive animals and end up doing irresponsible things to “get rid of them” this is why spay and neuter clinics are so important. It breaks my heart to think of all the confused animal souls looking for a place to call home and being abandoned by the only life and care takers they have ever known. We as pet owners need to do better and treat these animals like the sentient little beings they are and treat them as such, Not a last minute, instant gratification split second decision that many pets unfortunately .
This cat should be rehomed…
This cat should be rehomed elsewhere! Not safe for her to return to her previous owner. The abuser could go there and kill the cat.
May I suggest, to have a…
May I suggest, to have a safe haven drop box for after hours or any hour, like they do for newborn babies? Have food and water in the safe box. Then hopefully people will stop putting animals in the trash.
Just a thought.
Thank you,