Using music to calm anxious animals is the latest program adopted by the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center to help the pets in its care that are hoping to find adoptive families.
Yuvi Agarwal, 12, of Houston plays some music for a shelter dog at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. Agarwal developed the Wild Tunes program which brings together volunteer musicians to play soothing music for shelter animals to increase their chances of being adopted. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Annika Almgren, 15 of Ladera Ranch, right, and Kayden Tokarski, 15, center, finish performing a duet for the animals at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center as part of the Wild Tunes program in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. Created by Yuvi Agarwal of Houston, Wild Tunes aims to sooth shelter animals with music in an effort to increase their chances of being adopted. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
A shelter dog listens to music played by Yuvi Agarwal at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. Agarwal, 12, is the founder of Wild Tunes which brings together volunteer musicians to play soothing music for shelter animals to increase their chances of being adopted.(Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
A shelter dog listens to music being played by volunteer musicians for the Wild Tunes program at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Nora Kalasapui, 10, of Yorba Linda, gets assistance with her manuscript from her mother, Monica, as she plays for the shelter dogs at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. Kalasapui was playing for the Wild Tunes program which brings together volunteer musicians to play soothing music for shelter animals to increase their chances of being adopted. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Annika Almgren, 15, sings for shelter animals at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. Almgren volunteered for the Wild Tunes program which brings together musicians to play soothing music for shelter animals to increase their chances of being adopted.(Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
A pair of shelter dogs listen to the music performed by a volunteer for the Wild Tunes program at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Yuvi Agarwal, 12, of Houston plays some music for a shelter dog at the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. Agarwal developed the Wild Tunes program which brings together volunteer musicians to play soothing music for shelter animals to increase their chances of being adopted. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
On Tuesday, Aug. 5, the shelter introduced Wild Tunes, a music program created by Yuvi Agarwal, a 12-year-old Houston boy who was on hand to perform for some of the dogs. His nonprofit helps organize volunteer musicians and singers to perform for shelter pets. The program was also introduced last week at the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority shelter in Downey.
“Music has the power to calm, connect and heal,” Yuvi said in a statement. “Wild Tunes is a win-win opportunity that helps abandoned and stressed shelter pets associate humans with something good. When pets are routinely exposed to music, it helps them become more comfortable around humans, which ultimately increases their chances of finding forever homes. For the volunteers, it is a great way to practice their music and boost their confidence.”
Animals on Tuesday were treated to several performances, including by new volunteer Annika Almgren, 15, who has an interest in becoming a veterinarian in the future.
“I love animals. I am also a performing artist. I love to sing and play instruments,” she said. “I just thought this was the perfect opportunity and I applied.”
The center is seeking more volunteer musicians and singers, to learn more or to register, visit wildtunes.org/volunteers or call 949-470-3045.
