Beloved animal rescue organization celebrates the human-animal bond this Valentine’s Day and beyond; also hosting community adopt-a-thon Feb. 17
WALNUT CREEK, CA, February 14, 2024 – After 32 years as the Animal Rescue Foundation, one of Contra Costa County’s longest-serving animal rescue and adoption nonprofits got a new name and makeover today. Animal Rescue Foundation will now be known as Joybound People & Pets.
“If you’ve ever seen a dog give a happy wag or a cat lovingly nuzzle up to its person, you’ve seen Joybound in action,” said CEO Susan Lee Vick. “The name Joybound reflects our longstanding commitment to forming and supporting strong human-animal bonds to bring greater health and happiness to dogs, cats, and their human families.”
At a ceremony on the Walnut Creek campus starting at 11am this morning, animal guests will receive the “red carpet” treatment before an audience of devoted volunteers, staff, and supporters. Walnut Creek Mayor Loella Haskew will read a proclamation and State Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan will present a resolution to commemorate the name change. Other officials in attendance to usher in the next era for this beloved community organization include State Assemblymember Tim Grayson, Walnut Creek City Councilmembers Kevin Wilk and Cindy Silva, and representatives from the offices of State Senator Steve Glazer, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, and Contra Costa County Supervisor Ken Carlson.
“Anyone with a pet can tell you they are like family,” said State Senator Steve Glazer. “I congratulate Joybound on this milestone and look forward to hearing more stories about how pet adoptions are enriching so many more lives.”
The celebration will continue on Saturday, February 17, with an “Unleash the Love” Adopt-a-thon and Celebration, featuring adorable animals from more than a dozen Northern California rescue and adoption groups. This family-friendly event will offer free microchipping for the first 100 pets (whether adopted at the event or already a member of a family), therapy animals on hand to spread love, food trucks, music, face painting, free ice cream, and other giveaways.
Joybound People and Pets, previously known as the Animal Rescue Foundation, was founded in 1991. Joybound’s many programs support people and pets through the life of their relationship. Services include training and veterinary care, food and supply assistance, therapy and service-animal programs, and rich learning resources for all pet families.
“The shared emotional experience of the human-animal bond continues long after the act of rescue,” said 14-year volunteer Carol Ross. “Ultimately our work is to help pets and people form and sustain joyful lifelong relationships.”
As Joybound, the organization plans to expand its services forging and supporting human-animal bonds beyond Contra Costa County and the Bay Area. In addition, Joybound will be introducing pet-related vocational training programs for people interested in careers such as pet grooming, dog training, and veterinary nursing.
About Joybound People & Pet Alliance
We are Joybound People & Pets Alliance, formerly ARF, a privately-funded, 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Walnut Creek, California. With dog and cat rescue and adoption at the heart of its mission, Joybound forms, supports, elevates, and celebrates the human-animal bond through services such as training and veterinary care, food and supply assistance, therapy and service-animal programs, and rich learning resources for all pet families. We serve our community through programs for children, seniors, Veterans, and animal guardians who need a helping hand to keep their pets in safe, healthy, forever homes. Joybound’s goal is for every adoption story to become a lasting tale of friendship, love, and mutual happiness.
