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Home / Blog / Congressman DeSaulnier Town Hall – August 3

Congressman DeSaulnier Town Hall – August 3

Shaping the Future of Animal Wellness

Congressman DeSaulnier holds a microphone while speaking indoors, with a “Compassion in Action” sign and the numbers 26–27 on the wall behind him.
87

minutes of rousing discussion

100+

passionate animal-loving citizens in attendance

The entire Joybound team would like to thank Congressman Mark DeSaulnier for choosing Joybound People & Pets as the location for his August 2026 community town hall focused on animal welfare. Congressman DeSaulnier and Walnut Creek’s Mayor Kevin Wilk were joined by Joybound’s President & CEO Susan Lee Vick to discuss efforts at the federal and local level to protect both animals and the people who care for them.

While turnout was a bit stifled due to souring 100°+ temperatures in Walnut Creek on that date, the cool Nestle Purina Training Pavilion served as a reprieve from both the heat and a hub of community joy. We look forward for more future collaborations with our local elected representatives as we shape the future of animal wellness together.

  • A woman speaking into a microphone stands beside a phone on a tripod and a flower arrangement, with audience members seated in the foreground and dark curtains behind her.
  • A police officer in a black uniform holds a small brown-and-white dog indoors beside a beige wall.
  • Five adults stand together in front of blue curtains, with a 'We Are Joybound' Compassion in Action banner on the wall at left.
  • A small tan dog wearing a black harness and white bandana stands indoors on a dark floor with chairs in the background.
  • Congressman DeSaulnier shakes hands with a man at the front of a room, with seated attendees and animal welfare banners on the wall behind them.
  • A yellow Labrador service dog lies on a dark floor with a harness and leash attached.
  • A man in a light blue blazer speaks into a microphone at a podium during a town hall, with seated audience members in the foreground and animal welfare banners on the wall behind him.

If you were unable to attend this informational and inspirational evening, please view the recorded stream via Congressman DeSaulnier’s YouTube channel, linked below:

Youtube video

Get Involved with Joybound

Whether you’re looking to volunteer, attend an event, train your dog, or go bargain hunting at our Thrift Store, there are so many ways to get involved while supporting Joybound’s programs.

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Adoptions

A young girl gently kissing and cuddling a tabby cat on a couch, with her hand resting on the cat’s back. The scene highlights a bond between them, emphasizing the importance of animal rescue donations for providing care and support.

Pet Adoptions

​Embarking on the journey of pet adoption is an act of compassion that enriches your life, and that of an animal in need.

A woman gently embracing a dog, demonstrating affection. The dog's expression is calm, and a group of people is visible in the background. This scene emphasizes the importance of programs focused on rescuing animals in need.

Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)

ESAs provide many therapeutic benefits, including reducing anxiety, stress, symptoms of depression, and more. 

Volunteering

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Volunteer

Volunteering at Joybound is about more than just giving your time — it’s making a difference in the lives of animals and the people who love them.

A woman in a hospital bed interacts with a small dog, smiling at each other. The setting is a medical facility, with hospital equipment visible in the background, highlighting efforts toward rescuing animals in need.

Pet Hug Pack

Our talented Pet Hug Pack therapy animal teams visit schools, hospitals, nursing homes, community events, and beyond!

A person with curly hair holds two playful puppies, one black and one brindle, with their tongues out. The setting appears casual, and the image highlights the act of rescuing animals in need.

Fostering

Foster volunteers play a crucial role, providing temporary space where animals can heal, grow, and receive special care.

A man wearing sunglasses is joyfully smiling while holding a black dog close to his face. The background features greenery, indicating an outdoor setting. The image depicts a moment of connection, emphasizing efforts in rescuing animals in need.

Shelter to Service Fostering

Your hours as a volunteer foster trainer can county towards becoming a certified professional dog trainer!

Pet Services

A groomer with short blonde hair holds a brown dog while brushing its fur in a brightly lit grooming area. The groomer smiles as she carefully attends to the animal, highlighting efforts in rescuing animals in need.

Dog Grooming

We offer a comprehensive range of grooming services, including baths, haircuts, nail trims, ear cleaning, and beyond.

A woman kneels on the floor, gently holding a dog's paw. The dog is a large, fluffy white breed. The setting is bright and spacious, with windows allowing natural light. This scene exemplifies the efforts involved in rescuing animals in need.

Pet Training Classes

Train for a lifetime of happiness with your pet. Our skilled instructors teach people and their pets, from beginners to experts.

A beagle lying on a veterinary table, receiving care. An oxygen mask is placed over its face, while various medical equipment is visible nearby. This scene illustrates efforts in rescuing animals in need.

Dental Cleaning

Keeping your pet’s teeth clean isn’t just about fresh breath — it’s essential to their overall health and well-being.

A veterinarian administers a vaccine to a small dog held by a woman. Both individuals are focused on the procedure, highlighting efforts in rescuing animals in need at a community event.

Assistance Programs

Joybound offers free, monthly pet vaccination clinics, held at various locations in Contra Costa County!

Donations

A sleeping gray and white kitten curled up with its paws covering its face, resting on a soft gray surface. The image emphasizes the appeal for animal rescue donations.

Donate Now

100% of every dollar you give goes directly to saving and supporting pets and the people who love them!

A small, mixed-breed puppy with white fur and brown patches is looking directly at the camera. In the background, people are blurred, suggesting a busy environment. The image relates to animal rescue donations.

Monthly Giving

Automatic, manageable monthly contributions add up to a substantial amount for animals in need.

A small, brown dog with floppy ears and expressive eyes is standing on its hind legs. The dog appears focused and ready for instruction, typical of a dog training session. The background features a textured floor.

Sponsor an Adoption

Your tax-deductible donation will cover the adoption fee of a Joybound shelter animal of your choice!

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Forever Joybound Legacy Society

Joybound has partnered with FreeWill to offer an online estate planning tool that makes it easy and cost-free to make your plan.

An older woman sitting on a wooden fence interacts with a tan dog on a leash. The background features a residential neighborhood with greenery. This image illustrates the importance of animal rescue donations.

Donor Advised Funds

DAFs are investment accounts for the purpose of supporting charitable organizations.

An older man with gray hair smiles while holding a Siamese cat on his shoulder. The background is softly blurred, highlighting the man and the cat. The image conveys a sense of care, relevant to animal rescue donations.

IRA Giving

If you are 70½ or older, giving from your IRA can help reduce your taxable income!

More Joybound Happenings

We feed our animals high-quality Purina pet food.

You can find all our adorable, adoptable animals on Petfinder.

We’re a proud recipient of funding from the Engelstad Foundation.

The ASPCA logo features the letters 'ASPCA' in bold gray with the letter 'P' highlighted in orange. This logo represents the organization's mission to protect animals. Related to the Joybound Strategic Plan, it emphasizes their goals in the Impact Report 2024-2025.

We’re honored to elevate animal wellness alongside the ASPCA.

Logo of VCA Animal Hospitals featuring the letters ‘vca’ in blue and the words ‘animal hospitals’ in a smaller font below. The logo includes a colorful diamond shape in turquoise, orange, and purple on the upper right side.

VCA’s expert care heals pets and Joybound shelter animals alike.

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