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Council honors local nonprofits; city manager announces animal-services award and open‑space goats
Summary
The council recognized the Mission Viejo Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge and Love Mission Viejo volunteers; City Manager Elaine Lister announced Mission Viejo Animal Services earned a 2026 national award, goats returned to open space for vegetation management, and a rescued puppy is in shelter care.
The Mission Viejo City Council opened its April 14 meeting with community recognitions and brief staff updates.
Mayor Wendy Buckton presented proclamations honoring the Mission Viejo Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444 for decades of community service, including a 20‑year program providing free dictionaries to third‑grade students. Alan Harkness accepted the recognition on behalf of the lodge.
Buckton also recognized the Love Mission Viejo movement for volunteer projects launched in 2024; Sharon Genton and movement volunteers described more than 1,200 volunteers and over 95 completed projects and promoted a May 16 Love Mission Viejo Day.
Later, City Manager Elaine Lister announced Mission Viejo Animal Services was named the 2026 Agency of the Year by the National Animal Care and Control Association. Lister also told council that goats returned to the open space between Geronimo and Casta Del Sol for vegetation management and will remain for two to three weeks, and reported that an abandoned puppy is receiving care at the shelter.
The recognitions and staff updates were met with council thanks and brief applause; no formal council action was required.
