​Embarking on the journey of pet adoption is an act of compassion that not only enriches your life, but also provides a loving home to an animal in need. Joybound is grateful for your decision to adopt, as it embodies our mission to give shelter animals a second chance at happiness. For information on what to expect, learn more about our adoption process.
Looking for the perfect pup a fabulous feline? Our animals are ready to meet you!
Our Shelter to Service team would be happy to pair you with an ESA candidate!
Get some quality cat time at the Joybound Thrift Store, Cat Lounge & Adoption Center!
“We got our forever furry friend from Joybound, and couldn’t be happier! The post-adoption follow up and help has been incredible too!”
– Julie, Joybound Adopter
Available Animals
Adopt a pet today and provide a shelter animal with a second chance at love. Joybound’s intake & admissions team makes multiple trips every week to partner shelters across California, so available animals are updated daily. Adoptable animals who are located offsite from Joybound’s main Walnut Creek headquarters (at the Cat Lounge, in a foster home, or at a mobile adoption event) will have their location noted on their profile.
Please note: If you are having trouble viewing our adoptable pets widget above, please try viewing this page in a different browser, or clearing your cache. You can also view all our adoptable pets via this direct link.
Spotlight Pet
Every week, we like to select a very special adoptable animal to name as that week’s “Petfinder Spotlight Pet.” Oftentimes these are dogs and cats who have been looking for homes for longer than the rest of our shelter guests, and could use some extra love. If their adoption fee has not been sponsored by a donor, the Spotlight Pet’s fee is waived that week!
We’d like to thank our partners at Petfinder and Purina for everything they do to make our life-changing work possible.
Adoption Fees
- Cats: $50 – $200
- Dogs: $50 – $400
Feline adoptions are 2 for 1 when completed on the same day. Adoption fees are always waived for U.S. military Veterans.
Select animals have their adoption fees sponsored by generous admirers. Interested in sponsoring a shelter animal? Your tax-deductible donation can cover the adoption fee of a shelter pet and give a family an extra incentive to adopt them.
Hours of Operation
Adoption Hours
Mon – Fri: 12 PM – 7 PM
Sat – Sun: 11 AM – 6 PM
(Early sign-in begins at 9 AM)
Business Hours
Mon – Sun: 9 AM – 6 PM
Current Number of Adoptions
Questions?
Questions? Read some of our relevant Frequently Asked Questions below, or feel free to visit our FAQs page for even more answers. If you have any unanswered questions, please contact Joybound’s adoptions team at [email protected] for more information.
General Joybound FAQs
Where is Joybound located?
Joybound’s national headquarters and primary adoption center are located at 2890 Mitchell Drive, in Walnut Creek, California.
The Joybound Thrift Store, Cat Lounge & Adoption Center is located at 1950 Market Street, Suite I, in Concord, California.
What kind of shelter or rescue is Joybound?
Joybound People & Pets (formerly the Animal Rescue Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization founded in 1991 to rescue dogs and cats from overcrowded municipal shelters and strengthen the human-animal bond for children, seniors, Veterans, and people in need. Read about our unique dual mission and origin story.
Our team is committed to finding homes for all healthy and treatable dogs and cats in our care. Animals with treatable medical or behavioral conditions are evaluated and cared for prior to rehoming them. Learn more about these classifications by reviewing Maddie’s Fund’s Health & Behavior Categories for Shelter Animals. Potential adopters are provided with all health and behavior history during their time at Joybound.
Can I surrender an animal to Joybound?
We rescue dogs and cats from overcrowded or under-resourced municipal shelters. We do not accept surrenders from the public. If you feel unable to continue caring for your pet, please contact our Resource Center or read about rehoming a pet.
If you adopted from Joybound, our team is here to support you through the difficult decision to return your companion. Please read our adoption return policy.
How is Joybound funded?
We are a non-profit organization funded by private donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Our complete financial information is available here. Joybound is a registered charity in all 50 states.
Does Joybound offer programs for children?
From birthday parties to animal-themed camps, we have a wide variety of programs to help nurture the next generation of animal-lovers.
Does Joybound offer advice on caring for a pet?
The Pet Care and Behavior Library is filled with helpful information on pet care, solutions for common behavior challenges, training tips, and more.
If you do not see a certain topic covered, please contact the Resource Center for guidance.
Does Joybound offer veterinary services?
Animals in our adoption program are given veterinary care at our state-of-the-art clinic, but we do not provide primary veterinary services to the public.
Limited services are available for low-cost spay and neuter, dental cleaning services, end-of-life services, veterinary assistance programs for low-income pet guardians, and wellness veterinary care for Veterans’ pets. Explore veterinary assistance options.
Will Joybound help fund my organization or project?
We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, relying solely upon donations to fund our programs. We are not a granting organization and do not accept solicitations for funding.
Adoption FAQs
What can I expect from Joybound’s adoption process?
Joybound is proud to offer a fast, convenient, and stress-free adoption process. The first step after arriving at Joybound is to sign in and complete a matchmaker profile form by signing in at one of our designated kiosks. Then, guests will speak with an adoption counselor who will introduce you to animals who may be a good fit. During the visit we will share information about the health and behavior of the animals, as well as the post-adoption resources Joybound offers. This can take time, so please allow 60 – 90 minutes for the adoption process.
We encourage the entire family to participate in the adoption process, including children. If you are looking to add an additional dog to your family, we encourage you to bring your dog with you to meet their new canine friend. Our team can provide a room for your dog to safely wait while your family meets potential new pups.
You can read more about the process on our Adoption Process web page.
What are Joybound’s adoption hours?
You can visit for pet adoptions in Walnut Creek during these hours: Monday – Friday from 12 – 7 PM, and Saturday – Sunday from 11 AM – 6 PM. Early sign-in is available beginning at 9 AM. Finding the right match takes time. Since the adoption process can take 60 – 90 minutes, adopters who check-in shortly before closing may be limited in how many animals they can meet.
The Joybound Thrift Store, Cat Lounge & Adoption Center in Concord is open for cat adoptions Monday – Saturday from 10 AM – 4 PM.
Where can I adopt a pet from Joybound?
Joybound’s adoptions are done at:
- Our Walnut Creek headquarters, located at 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA.
- The Joybound Thrift Store, Cat Lounge & Adoption Center, located at 1950 Market Street Suite I, Concord, CA.
- Mobile adoption events, which are held multiple times a week at locations across the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Various partnering PetSmart locations across Northern California.
If an animal is not located at our Walnut Creek adoption center, it will be noted on their individual profile with details about how to meet them. If you are interested in a dog or cat who is noted to be in a foster home, please email [email protected] to get more information and set up a time to meet them.
What is included in my pet’s adoption?
All of Joybound’s animals are spayed/neutered, current on vaccinations, microchipped, de-wormed, and given flea/tick preventative. Animals are sent home with a welcome home supply of Purina One food.
Dogs 7 months and older are tested for heartworm, and all dogs are started on heartworm preventative. Puppy adopters are offered a discount on puppy social classes. All cats are tested for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), and all cats older than 6 months are tested for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).
Why does Joybound use variable adoption fees?
Joybound uses variable adoption fees to help ensure every animal receives the care they need while waiting for a home. Fees vary based on factors such as an animal’s age, size, breed, medical or behavioral needs, and overall adoption demand. Animals that are less common or highly sought after may have higher adoption fees because they tend to be adopted more quickly, while senior pets, animals with special needs, or more common breeds may have lower fees to reduce barriers and encourage adoption.
This approach allows higher-demand adoptions to help support animals who require additional medical treatment, training, behavior support, or longer stays in our care. Higher fees for certain animals can also help discourage resale through informal or for-profit rehoming channels, helping ensure they are placed in committed homes.
The cost of caring for and rehoming Joybound’s animals exceeds $1 million annually. Adoption fees help offset expenses such as transportation, veterinary care, and daily shelter services, but they cover less than one-third of the total cost. The remainder is made possible through donations, grants, and community fundraising. Some animals have their adoption fees sponsored by generous supporters, and adoption fees are always waived for U.S. military Veterans. Through this variable fee structure, Joybound can provide compassionate, responsible care while helping animals find a loving home.
Can I return my Joybound-adopted pet if they aren’t a good fit?
Yes, if your adoption is not a good fit for your family, you may submit a request to bring your Joybound-adopted pet back into our care.
Returns are available by appointment only. You may return your adopted pet for a full refund up to 30 days from the date of adoption. After one year from the date of adoption, pets must be re-evaluated by our team to ensure they meet adoption criteria. If your pet is over 7 years old, a medical evaluation will also be necessary. Additionally, after that first year a $100 surrender fee is applied towards the ongoing care of your pet while at our center.
Please submit a return request through our website to make an appointment to bring your companion back, so our team can ensure appropriate space and housing availability.
Does Joybound do background checks or home visits as part of the adoption process?
No, Joybound does not do background checks or home visits as part of our adoption process. Many studies show that they are ineffective, easy to cheat, and generally discourage pet adoption from all parties.
Instead, we connect with each potential adopter through a conversation during the adoption process, getting to know their needs, offering guidance and support, and working toward making a great match for both the person and the pet.
How do I adopt an emotional support animal or psychiatric service dog?
If you’re interested in adopting an emotional support animal (ESA) candidate or psychiatric service dog, please contact Joybound’s Shelter to Service team. We train specially selected shelter animals to help people diagnosed with emotional and mental health conditions find a new leash on life. This personalized matching service connects each applicant with an animal who will complement their lifestyle and help them achieve their goals.
How can I sponsor an animal’s adoption fee?
Of course you can sponsor an animal’s adoption fee! Your tax-deductible donation can cover the adoption fee of the shelter pet(s) of your choice and give a family an extra incentive to adopt them.
Donation FAQs
How can I make a donation?
It’s easy to make a secure online donation.
To donate by mail, please send checks to Joybound People & Pets, 2890 Mitchell Dr., Walnut Creek, CA, 94598.
How will my donation be spent?
We know you have many choices when it comes to charitable gifts. We are a proud recipient of Candid’s Platinum Seal of Transparency.
Upcoming Adoption Events
Here is a look at where you’ll be able to find our mobile adoption team (dates and locations are subject to change), as well as sponsored adoption days and other types of adoption events.
