Animal Shelter Set To Open Early 2023 In Newport Beach After Donation

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — A local nonprofit gave the city the money it needs to build the first-ever permanent municipal animal shelter in Newport Beach Tuesday.

Newport Beach City council members accepted the $2.9 million donation from Friends of the Newport Beach Animal Shelter at its Tuesday meeting.

According to the city, FONBAS has spent roughly five years raising the funds through private community donations to buy property at 20282 Riverside Dr. in order to build a new animal care and shelter facility.

"On behalf of the city council, I'd like to thank FONBAS and all the private donors who contributed to make this new shelter a reality," Newport Beach Mayor Kevin Muldoon said in a statement. "This was a tremendous effort and will make a big different for animals under the city's care."

The city has contracted with private companies for decades to provide veterinary care and shelter services for stray and abandoned animals. However, in 2017 the Newport Beach Police Department began managing operations at a temporary shelter at 20282 Riverside Dr.

That same year, FONBAS became the officially recognized nonprofit to assist with shelter activities and raise funds for future capital projects.

Following the launch of a successful fundraising drive, FONBAS purchased the Riverside Drive property in April 2020 for $1 million. After raising an additional $1.9 million for construction, FONBAS broke ground on the new shelter in January 2022.

The facility is nearing completion, and the City plans to begin operations at the new shelter in early 2023.

The 1,500-square-foot shelter includes a 750-square-foot kennel, a front-yard greeting area and a rear-yard animal exercise area.

For more information on shelter operations, residents can visit the NBPD website.