No matter where they come from, every animal who leaves the Joybound campus embarks on a joyful new chapter. While many faced uncertain futures earlier in their lives, it’s all smiles from here. Some go on to become Pet Hug Pack® therapy animals, taking their love to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and other places where a dog or cat can reduce isolation or stress. Some are trained as psychiatric service dogs as part of our Shelter to Service program. Most become beloved family pets, giving and receiving unconditional love with their adoptive families and community.
On Thursday, March 8, Joybound completed its 50,000th adoption since starting our lifesaving rescue and adoption work in 1991. With that in mind, we’d like to share a few stories of the special dogs and cats who have touched our hearts:
Hope
Adoption #5,551
November 21, 1997
Hope made national news when she was rehabilitated after a car accident and learned to walk on her front two legs. The Hope Fund was established in her honor, funding our shelter animals with special medical needs.
Bokeh
Adoption #18,359
May 24, 2008
Before she was adopted, Bokeh was the first foster animal of a Joybound volunteer who has since fostered more than 350 animals.
Figaro
Adoption #23,744
May 20, 2011
Figaro is one of the most popular pets in the Pet Hug Pack® program. He has been proudly visiting resident facilities for more than a decade.
Molly
Adoption #30,759
January 19, 2015
Molly was declared a hero in 2019 when she saved her neighbor’s life. The brave beagle mix pulled her guardian to the neighbor’s front door.
Pepper
Adoption #32,924
December 16, 2015
Pepper, the pride of our Shelter to Service program, was our first service dog graduate. This smart, empathetic kelpie mix set the standard for future Joybound service animals.
Rocky
Adoption #37,000
September 13, 2017
Rocky was among 150 animals we helped evacuate from Broward Humane Society in Florida ahead of Hurricane Irma.
Bijou
Adoption #39,685
November 26, 2018
Bijou suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation during the 2018 Northern California Camp Fire. We patched her up and reunited her (and a dozen other felines) with their guardians.
Mel
Adoption #44,120
July 1, 2022
Mel spent more than a year in our care, rehabilitating from paralysis in her back legs. Through a combination of physical therapy, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy, this incredible Pit Bull Terrier regained functionality of her back legs.
Karma
Adoption #49,000
October 7, 2023
Karma found his lucky forever home last fall. A precocious, extra-playful kitten, he and his siblings drew eyes from across the adoption floor as they played and tumbled with one another.
Duckling
Adoption #50,000
March 8, 2024
On a beautiful day in March, Joybound crossed the threshold to 50,000 adoptions when Duckling, a one-year-old cat, left our building with his new family. They left with a care package from our in-house boutique and to the cheers of Joybound’s staff and volunteers.
