A newly-opened animal shelter in Newport Beach, California, was awarded one of the state’s 2023 nonprofits of the year after being nominated by state Assemblymember Diane Dixon.

The Friends of Newport Beach Animal Shelter was honored through the “Nonprofit of the Year” initiative in which state legislators select nonprofits for the good work they do in their districts. The program included a recognition ceremony at the state Capitol on California Nonprofits Day, which this year was June 7.

Shelter president Jon Langford and Newport Beach Councilmember Robyn Grant accepted the honor alongside Dixon.

(L-R) Newport Beach Councilwoman Robyn Grant, Assemblywoman Diane Dixon, and Jon Langford, Friends of Newport Beach Animal Shelter president, pose for a photo as the organization is recognized as one of California's nonprofits of the year in Sacramento on June 7, 2023. (Courtesy of Robyn Grant)

(L-R) Jon Langford, Friends of Newport Beach Animal Shelter president, Assemblywoman Diane Dixon, and Newport Beach Councilwoman Robyn Grant pose for a photo as the organization is recognized as one of California's nonprofits of the year in Sacramento on June 7, 2023. (Courtesy of Robyn Grant)

The shelter, which opened last month, is the city’s first permanent animal shelter. It first opened in 2018 at a temporary location next door to the new, permanent building on Riverside Drive.

According to its founders, the shelter was first opened to provide more hands-on and specialized care, socialization, and expanded treatments including procedures for animals that might otherwise be euthanized.

Shelter staff have continued to provide such care in an attempt to make the animals more viable for adoption.

The Newport Beach Animal Shelter in Newport Beach, Calif., on May 25, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

“Assisting our seniors, educating our children, protecting the environment, caring for animals — this is the work nonprofits do and do well,” Dixon said in a statement announcing the award. “I am proud to present California Nonprofit of the Year [to Friends of Newport Beach Animal Shelter] to acknowledge their part in making a collective impact with other nonprofits in Assembly District 72 and across the State of California.”

The $2.9 million no-kill shelter was gifted to the city late last year, with funding raised almost entirely by shelter volunteers and board members.

The city’s animal control department operates the shelter, while the city is responsible for operating, managing, and maintaining the building.