UNLEASH HAPPINESS

Our Mission: To inspire and nurture the human-animal bond and bring people and animals together to enrich each other’s lives.

View/Download our Impact Report as a PDF

From Our CEO

At Joybound People & Pets, every life changed begins with you. Your compassion fuels the joyful connections between people and pets, neighbors and communities — and powers everything we do.

This year, your generosity drove extraordinary growth in Joybound’s reach across the East Bay, where nearly six in ten households share their homes with a dog or cat. Together, we achieved more than 147,000 beneficial community impacts – an incredible 58% increase from last year! Thanks to you, tens of thousands more pet families are healthier and happier.
That impact shows up in every joyful adoption, every service or emotional support animal placed, and every rescued cat or dog who found a forever family. Through your support and the power of partnership, thousands more pets received low- or no-cost vaccinations, microchips, and spay/neuter services. And when guardians couldn’t afford critical veterinary care, your generosity made life-saving treatment possible.

When the Palisades Fire struck Los Angeles County, your compassion reached even farther. Joybound’s mobile team partnered with Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control, transferring adoptable animals north to free up shelter space for those displaced by the fires, helping families reunite.

Thanks to you and our partner Purina, hundreds of thousands of pounds of pet food and litter kept companions nourished and loved. Donor support also created Solo’s Play Yard, a joyful new space where adoptable Joybound dogs can run, play, and meet their future families.

Looking ahead, your generosity will help make Joybound’s next dream — our campus expansion, which will house behavior training and boarding day care for both cats and dogs — a reality, coming soon. Stay tuned for details.

Because of you, bold dreams for pets and the people who love them are becoming happy, healing realities every day.

A woman in a business suit smiles while holding a black and white kitten. The image conveys a professional yet approachable atmosphere, aligning with the Joybound Strategic Plan for 2023-2026.

With gratitude,

Susan Lee Vick
President & Chief Executive Officer
Joybound People & Pets

Together, We Unleash Happiness

Your Compassion at Work

Every connection we make between a person and a pet has the power to change both — and your compassion makes that possible. Through your generosity, Joybound is so much more than an adoption center. It’s a place of healing and also of opportunity, where the human-animal bond thrives in countless ways.

Your support powers compassionate rescue and adoption programs and also vocational training through the Engelstad Grooming Academy, opening doors to meaningful pet care careers. It sustains a trusted veterinary clinic and also a mobile veterinary clinic that reaches pets and people who need care most. It strengthens a Training and Behavior Center and also a community hub that helps families stay healthy and together through low- and no-cost services, spay/neuter care, and behavioral support. It even fills empty bowls through Joybound’s FoodShare Pantry, ensuring no pet goes hungry.

Since 1991, this spirit of “and also” — the belief that compassion can always do more — has helped more than 53,000 dogs and cats find loving homes and countless others receive the care, training, and resources they need to thrive. Because of you, Joybound is not just where hope begins; it’s where it grows, multiplies, and connects us all.

A man wearing a white t-shirt holds a small dog in his arms, with the dog leaning towards his face. They are surrounded by greenery and soft blurred lights in the background, contributing to a relaxed outdoor atmosphere. This image relates to the Joybound Strategic Plan.

“Our new dog Wrigley has been absolutely amazing! She immediately attached to me and never wants to be apart. Truly, she’s the perfect addition and has seamlessly become part of our lives.”

– Joybound Adopter

They’re Better Together

When Ruby’s guardian received a lively one-year-old poodle, she looked forward to all the joy and companionship the little pup would bring. But, in addition to that, she found herself caring for a high-energy dog with chronic ear infections, painful matting, and behavior challenges that quickly felt overwhelming.

When she reached out to Joybound’s Community Solutions team with a single request for help with spay surgery, they recognized the pair could use additional support, coordinated across Joybound’s departments. The Lynn & Delores McCoskey Clinic provided the medical care Ruby needed to treat her recurring ear infections, while the Engelstad Grooming Academy stepped in to perform a medically necessary grooming that relieved her discomfort and helped prevent future problems. At the same time, the Training Department developed a personalized behavior plan and offered one-on-one coaching to help Ruby’s guardian manage her exuberant energy. To make it all possible, Joybound ensured they could reach every appointment safely and on time despite mobility challenges.

“I’m so grateful for the help. You made a real difference in me being able to care for my dog. I want to live and I need Ruby to do it.”

– Ruby’s Guardian
A small poodle wearing a red outfit with white polka dots is being held by two people. One person has visible tattoos and wears a dark vest while the other has light hair and is in a colorful shirt. This image reflects the Joybound Strategic Plan within the Impact Report 2024-2025.

Each Joybound service played a vital role in helping Ruby heal and in empowering her guardian to continue providing a loving home. “I don’t want to give her up,” she shared. “I know I can take better care of her than the next person. You made a real difference in me being able to care for my dog. I want to live — and I need Ruby to do it.”

Thanks to the generosity of Joybound supporters, Ruby and her guardian are now thriving — living proof that when care is collaborative and compassionate, both people and pets can flourish together.

A Second Chance Becomes a Lifelong Bond

Each animal who comes through Joybound’s doors is a testament to the healing power of love and opportunity. Oreo’s story, in particular, reflects the compassion, care, and second chances that define our mission, and the powerful bond that transforms lives, both human and animal.

When our team first saw Oreo in Sacramento, they knew she was special. She had grown up in an unhoused encampment and arrived at the shelter thin, itchy, and in need of some serious TLC. But behind those tired eyes was a spark of joy waiting to shine.

From the moment she arrived, Oreo won everyone over. Her signature “woo woo” greeting, her smile, and her unshakable sweetness made her a fast favorite at Joybound, especially with Adrienne, an Engelstad Grooming Academy student, who worked with Oreo and says “she changed my life.” Read Adrienne’s story at joybound.org/adrienne.

A black and white dog lying on a patterned rug with a joyful expression. The dog has a purple collar and is playing with a stuffed toy. Nearby, there are two green toys visible. This image complements the Joybound Strategic Plan in the Impact Report 2024-2025.

“She is sweet and snuggly and so much fun to work with. She helped me learn how to train better because of her intelligence and patience with me. She is an absolute joy!”

Micaela Kahler, Shelter to Service Volunteer

Through Joybound’s Shelter to Service program, Oreo received medical care, training, and evaluation to become an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), a role she was clearly born for. She even made her debut at Unleash the Love, Joybound’s annual festival and adopt-a-thon, finding a new family within the hour.

Today, Oreo has been officially adopted and is living out her purpose as a trusted ESA, offering comfort, calm, and unconditional love to her person. From a rough start to a radiant new life, Oreo’s journey is proof that with compassion, care, and a little “woo woo,” every rescued cat and dog has the power to heal.

Corporate and Foundation Partners

United by purpose, powered by partnership. Together, we’re transforming lives for people and pets.

Purina® + Joybound = a Pawsitive Impact!

Our partnership with Purina shows how shared purpose creates real change. Through generous financial support and donations of pet food and litter, Purina helps Joybound’s shelter guests, service animals, and FoodShare clients thrive. Together, we’re building a world where every bond between people and pets is celebrated.

A ginger cat on a wooden table beside two bags of Purina ONE cat food labeled "Tender Selects Blend" and "Sensitive Skin & Stomach." Bowls contain kibble and wet food, with the cat showing interest in the food.

Thank You, Volunteers!

Joybound’s mission shines brighter because of volunteers. The volunteers listed below have each contributed 100+ hours of service — powering rescue, care, and community programs that change lives. Thank you for being the heart of Joybound’s work and the hands behind every act of compassion.

Three individuals pose together outdoors during an event. Two women, one wearing glasses and a blue sweater, and another in a purple shirt, stand on either side of a man in a black shirt. The setting includes greenery and a modern building.

Meet Our Pet Hug Pack® Volunteers!

The Pet Hug Pack® program spreads joy through the power of therapy animals! These amazing furry friends visit hospitals, nursing homes, and even college campuses during finals week, offering comfort when it’s needed most.

A woman with glasses sits on grass next to a golden retriever, smiling at the camera. In the background, a tall clock tower and historic building are visible. This image supports the Joybound Strategic Plan within the Impact Report 2024-2025.

A Legacy of Love That Lives On

Our Forever Joybound legacy society members ensure that compassion endures. Through thoughtful estate gifts, they’re creating a brighter future for people and pets, one where love, care, and connection continue to thrive for generations to come.

A woman with gray hair wearing a blue sweater smiles while taking a selfie. A black and white cat sits beside her, partially in her lap. The setting appears to be indoors, with soft lighting and a cozy atmosphere. Relevant to the Joybound Strategic Plan.

“I donate to Joybound because they’re making a difference. I feel personally rewarded because I’ve learned a lot and grown from the relationships I’ve had with everyone over the years. I love that Joybound gives back to the community, and it’s wonderful to be part of something that gives so much.”

Carol, Legacy Society Member

Paws Up for Joybound Donors!

Every name on these lists represents compassion in action. Thank you for helping create a world where every person and pet can flourish together.

“We donate because Joybound is more than a shelter. My husband and I are especially impressed with Joybound’s efforts to bring Veterans and animals together to their mutual benefit. Joybound truly is for people and pets.”

– Barbara, Joybound Donor
An older woman with short gray hair, wearing a light blue sweater, crouches on a grassy area holding a small black and white dog. Pink flowers are visible in the background, and a house with large windows is behind them.

FY 2024 – 2025 Operating Revenue & Expenses

Revenue:

A bar graph with varying colored bars representing data metrics. The tallest bar is blue, followed by yellow, green, orange, black, and pink bars. This visual supports the Joybound Strategic Plan in the Impact Report 2024-2025.

Expenses:

Animal Care & Adoptions$3,689,92322.5%
Behavior & Enrichment$1,246,3317.6%
Veterinary Clinic$3,838,56723.4%
Community Outreach Programs$3,805,16723.1%
Fundraising$2,521,94215.4%
Administration$1,310,7718.0%
Total$16,412,701100%
A series of six vertical bar graphs in various colors, representing data trends. The colors include blue, green, yellow, orange, purple, and pink. This visualization is relevant to the Joybound Strategic Plan and appears in the Impact Report 2024-2025.

Make a Gift Today

100% of every dollar donated goes directly to saving and supporting dogs, cats, and the people who care for them.

Joybound People & Pets is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Tax ID: 68-0240341

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