Newport Partners with Animal Sanctuary After Accusing Humane Society of Mistreating Animals

The City of Newport Beach has officially transitioned animal care services away from the Humane Society following allegations by animal control officers that the nonprofit’s staff mistreated animals, housing them in poor conditions without fresh air or sunlight.

Last week, the City Council voted to cancel its contract with the Humane Society and instead contract with the Home Free Animal Sanctuary for the city’s animal sheltering services.

The next day, the city issued the following statement:

The City of Newport Beach will be transitioning their animal sheltering services. The Police Department is pleased to announce that we will be partnering with Home Free Animal Sanctuary, a facility in a residential kennel district of Newport Beach. Beginning at noon today, Home Free Animal Sanctuary will provide boarding, care, and feeding of animals collected by the Police Department’s Animal Control Division.

New procedures for adopting animals, claiming pets, and dog licensing are now in place, as detailed on our website here. These services will be coordinated through the Police Department, and not directly handled by Home Free Animal Sanctuary. Members of the public with questions about the new procedures should call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 949-644-3717 and ask to speak to an Animal Control Officer.

Anyone wishing to support the new sheltering services can visit the Our Animal Shelter section of our website to review a list of approved animal care items and cleaning supplies. These items can be dropped off at the front desk of the Police Department during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily).

Charitable monetary donations may also be made to the Pick-a-Pet Foundation. The foundation works to make pets more adoptable through grooming, medical treatment, and training. Checks should be made out to the City of Newport Beach, noting “Pick-a-Pet foundation” in the memo line, and may be dropped off at the front desk or mailed to the Police Department, ATTN: Animal Control. (These monies are eligible for charitable donation tax reductions; a tax receipt will be provided to each donor.)

Anyone over the age of 18 is also welcome to apply to volunteer at the shelter. Applicants must have valid health insurance, maintain a current tetanus vaccination, and be fingerprinted by the Department before assisting at the shelter. Applications and more information can be found on our website using the links above.