By: Jessica Susolik

The wagging tails and puppy dog eyes of dogs and cats awaiting adoption at the Newport Beach Animal Shelter tug at the heartstrings of many in the community. For a number of years, a dedicated group of volunteers called the Friends of Newport Beach Animal Shelter (FONBAS) has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the shelter’s furry residents and help connect them to forever homes.  

FONBAS was founded in 2017 by local animal lovers who wanted to provide extra support and services for city-run shelter operations. As early FONBAS Board member and Newport Beach City Council Member Robyn Grant explained, the group was inspired to add to the resources available to the hardworking shelter staff. 

“The shelter staff is amazing and do so much with the resources provided by the City,” said Grant. “This inspired a small group of animal lovers to create FONBAS to work together providing extra care and comfort for the animals, as well as promote pet adoptions.” 

After formally incorporating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, FONBAS quickly grew from 7 to hundreds of active members today. They have provided thousands of volunteer hours and raised over $3 million to help the shelter animals.  

FONBAS’ key initiative is to make animals more adoptable. This can include supplementing medical and dental services, additional grooming, purchasing supplies to enrich the animals' environments, and running social media campaigns to promote specific adoptable pets. 

One recent success story is Riley, a 7-month-old Maltipoo rescued by the shelter in poor health and with matted fur. FONBAS provided special grooming services to restore Riley’s health and appearance. She was then adopted by Newport Beach resident and former City Council Member Joy Brenner. “Of course, Riley and I rescued each other.  I’d wanted a dog for several years, but my City Council schedule was too crowded already.  When my council term came to an end, it was the perfect time to bring pure positivity and love into my life with Riley.  I could not be more grateful.” said Brenner. 

After years of leasing a shelter facility, in 2022, FONBAS accomplished its biggest goal - raising $3 million in private funds to purchase land and build a beautiful new city shelter from the ground up featuring indoor/outdoor kennels, plenty of space for families to meet the pets, and room for the staff to care for the animals. The 3,500-square-foot shelter officially opened about 8 months ago and was gifted to the city to own and operate.  

Grant shared that the new shelter has some special features like the “cattery” with room to roam for cats. She also emphasized the careful screening of potential adopters and volunteers to ensure all animals are properly cared for while at the shelter and ultimately placed in good homes.   

When asked what motivates her to continue serving animals so generously year after year, Grant said it’s all about giving them a chance at a happy life. 

 “These pets have already been through so much uncertainty and abandonment,” Grant said. “To be able to provide comfort and training and connect them with a new forever family- that’s why I’ll always be involved.” 

Grant encourages others in the Newport Beach community to get involved by becoming a member of FONBAS, volunteering, donating, or adopting.  

To learn more about FONBAS and support their work to save animal lives, visit www.fonbas.org or follow them on Instagram at @friendsofnbanimalshelter @newportbeachanimalshelter and @adventureswithofficerbubbles