Column: Here’s some good news for lovers of pets, film, tourism, Newport, Costa Mesa

I took a break from writing last week to celebrate my 25th wedding anniversary.

Though I was having all sorts of fun, I kept my eye on happenings in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.

The Costa Mesa animal shelter issue is, of course, one I continue to monitor. And I am keeping in touch with Dr. Anthony Rizk, owner of Newport Center Animal Hospital and Pet Hotel Suites in Fashion Island.

Rizk called last week, saying since entering into a six-month contract with the city to provide medical services to strays as a temporary animal shelter solution for the city of Costa Mesa, things are going great.

He’s working with Priceless Pet Rescue, and the collaboration is developing into a productive one.

As I previously reported, Priceless Pet has locations in Chino Hills and Claremont, and is now scouting a Costa Mesa location.

Board member Lynette Brown tells me this week they’re getting “closer to a location announcement.”

Animals are being brought in from the Costa Mesa Police Department’s animal control unit. Dr. Rizk clears them medically, and Brown says adoptions are going well.

Several senior special-needs animals have come in, and Brown asked that I highlight this to readers.

These animals have been placed in foster care, and Brown hopes someone will reach into their heart and give them a forever home soon.

Rizk asked that I mention the shelter operations could use blankets, towels and dog beds. If you’d like to donate, items can be dropped off at the animal hospital.

Costa Mesa Mayor Sandy Genis reached out in an email saying, “Even though neither Costa Mesa nor Newport Beach currently use the services of the Orange County Humane Society, please continue to write about them. The animals there deserve better care, regardless of where they came from.”

She went on to mention, “The county was going to take away OCHS’s license to operate, but OCHS appealed. The appeal seems to be dragging on. The first hearing was in December, now, in February, the county is still anticipating several more days of hearings, all spread out over weeks, maybe months.

“Please don’t forget about the poor little ones stuck at OCHS.”

Rest assured, mayor, I’m staying on this story and plan on calling Garden Grove city officials in the coming weeks to see if they’ll continue contracting shelter services with OCHS — now that Newport and Costa Mesa have left to start their own shelters.

Speaking of pets, I talked with Dan Pittman, who runs Pittman & Associates Public Relations.

He called to invite my rescue dogs, Stasha and Rocco, to a very dog-friendly hotel, the Westin South Coast Plaza, for “Yappy Hour” from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at the Waterfall Terrace.

Stasha and Rocco look for any excuse to party, so they’re in.

The event benefits the Bichon Rescue of Orange County’s Seniors for Seniors Dog Rescue, and they plan to have a few dogs available for adoption at the event.

Fur babies and humans attending Yappy Hour will enjoy complimentary appetizers, drink specials, “Dogtails” and local, handcrafted treats from JustFoodForDogs.

Yappy Hour will celebrate the Year of the Dog in collaboration with the Lunar New Year celebrations at South Coast Plaza.

Pittman tells me folks should RSVP by calling (714) 662-6668 or emailing aileenhazel.gaccion@westin.com.

On another note, I have to give a shout out to one animal lover who continues to globally promote how dog-friendly Newport Beach is: Newport Beach & Co. President Gary Sherwin.

He’s pet parent to his lhasa apso, Sophie, and cat, Brinkley, and just got back from a successful trip to London’s BAFTA Awards.

The BAFTAs are the United Kingdom’s version of the Oscars, so it’s a big-deal event: red carpet, international press and celebs, you get the picture.

Sherwin explained the U.K. is a lucrative travel market, and cities across our state court its business. Having such a high profile at this event was significant for Newport.

Partnering with the Newport Beach Film Festival and Variety magazine for an official BAFTA opening night event “was a unique opportunity to have our story told through popular culture,” says Sherwin.

The Newport Beach Film Festival kicked off BAFTA weekend Feb. 15 with the Newport Beach U.K. Honors.

Variety partnered to use the opportunity to present its annual list of 10 Brits to Watch.

Sherwin went on the radio in the U.K. the day before to promote the event.

“That’s a way for us to talk about what a glamorous place Newport is — the Cannes of Southern California,” says Sherwin, who was heard on 52 stations.

According to Sherwin, the United Kingdom is one of Newport’s largest source of international visitors, and statistically these tourists stay longer and spend more when they visit.

Kudos to Sherwin’s efforts ensuring Newport made a big splash at BAFTA.

BARBARA VENEZIA is an opinion columnist writing political and social commentary since 2007. She can be reached at bvontv1@gmail.com