Let’s inspire the next generation of animal lovers! We believe that fostering compassion starts early. Introducing young people to the world of animal wellness not only builds empathy and responsibility — it also empowers them to become lifelong advocates for pets and pet guardians. Through hands-on experiences, education, and meaningful connections with pets and people, our youth programs give kids and teens a deeper understanding of the human-animal bond. By engaging the next generation, we’re planting the seeds for a more compassionate future where every pet is loved and every person has the chance to make a difference.
Camp Joybound
Register for Joybound’s award-winning youth camps at our Walnut Creek headquarters!
Birthday Parties
Throw their celebration at a venue filled with wagging tails and purring hearts!
Teen Volunteering
Volunteering helps teens grow as individuals and stand out on college applications.
“Joybound’s birthday parties are so interactive, keeping the all the kids interested and excited! Plus, everything was very organized and ran smoothly!”
– Anne, Joybound supporter
Get Your Kids Involved with Joybound
Joybound welcomes our younger community members into the world of animal care with camps, hands-on lessons, meaningful service projects, and more. Children and teens enrolled in our variety of youth programs learn to become animal-loving citizens invested in giving back to their community.
Joybound’s Youth Programs
Birthday Parties
Does your special birthday kid love dogs and cats? Throw their celebration at a venue filled with wagging tails and purring hearts!
Camp Joybound
Our award-winning youth camps introduce students to the worlds of veterinary medicine and animal care, providing hands-on experience with dogs and cats.
Teen Volunteering
Volunteering helps teens grow as individuals and stand out on college and scholarship applications by showing initiative, dedication, and a commitment to social good.
Therapy Animal Visits
Our Pet Hug Pack® therapy animals visit hospitals, schools, colleges, and beyond, spreading the unique joy that only a pet can give.
Family-Friendly Events
From game nights to animal-themed movie viewings, we have a wide variety of fun and educational activities for kids and families. View the list below for upcoming family events or visit our Events page for all of Joybound’s upcoming events.
Birthday Party FAQs
What time should I arrive?
The host family should arrive 30-60 minutes prior to the birthday guests’ arrival – please no earlier than one hour in advance and no later than 30 minutes in advance. This allows time for you to set up our Education Center with decorations, food, and/or drinks that people will partake in at the end.
What time will the party end?
At (or around) 12 PM we will need to start cleaning up. Guests should start leaving at this time, and the host family should start packing up any excess food, drink, presents, etc.
Will party guests be able to interact with shelter animals?
Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee interaction with Joybound shelter dogs or cats. But a furry member of our Pet Hug Pack® volunteer therapy animal team will make a visit to let party guests enjoy some time with a lovable animal.
What is provided by Joybound?
Joybound provides dedicated space in our Education Center, a tour of the facility, and guaranteed interaction with a canine or feline member of the Pet Hug Pack®.
Keep in mind, Joybound does not provide:
- Food or drinks
- Utensils, plates, and/or napkins.
- Decorations for the party room.
Are there any items we are not allowed to bring to Joybound?
Please refrain from bringing:
- Duct tape
- Piñatas
- Confetti
- Silly string
- Family pets
- Alcohol
If you unsure of something you may not be able to bring, please contact our team.
Do you have to be a child to have your birthday party at Joybound?
Our birthday parties are actually available to animal-lovers of any age! You’re welcome to unleash your inner child and throw an incredible party here at Joybound!
Camp Joybound FAQs
What happens during Camp Joybound?
Camp Joybound is a veterinary medicine, animal care, and behavior training camp. Campers learn how animals are cared for in a shelter environment, basic training skills, and an introduction to veterinary services. There are a variety of sessions throughout each day led by Joybound staff plus lunch and snack breaks.
Will my child interact with animals?
Yes, following safety and care instructions. Throughout sessions, dogs and cats will be introduced to campers for both skills learning and animal socialization. This is based on camper and animal safety and well-being, as well as availability. Any camper who interacts inappropriately with Joybound animals will be removed from the situation immediately, and parent/guardian contacted.
Does my child have to view clinic surgery?
No, campers are not required to view clinic surgery – it is always optional. Camp Joybound includes information, photos, and live viewing of animal surgery. We welcome students to try the experience. There are alternate activities for students not wishing to view clinic surgery.
What age range does Camp Joybound accept?
Most Camp Joybound sessions are for ages 8-14 years old. Please see each session for specific age range. For any questions or requests, please contact [email protected].
What should campers bring to Camp Joybound?
Campers are encouraged to bring:
- A water bottle
- Daily lunch and snacks (we will also have emergency snacks)
- Any necessary medications
- Appropriate attire for camp: long pants, short sleeve shirts, closed-toe shoes
- Hat, sunglasses, extra sunscreen
- Mobile devices/watches are okay to bring and keep in backpack so long as they are not distracting birthday parties to animal-themed camps, we have a wide variety of programs to help nurture the next generation of animal-lovers.
Teen Volunteering
Is your 16 or 17-year-old looking to add something extra-special to their college applications? Or maybe they just want to get involved in the community?
Volunteering with Joybound provides teens with more than just community service hours — it’s a chance to develop leadership skills, build confidence, and make a real impact in the lives of animals. These experiences help teens grow as individuals and stand out on college and scholarship applications by showing initiative, dedication, and a commitment to social good.
Volunteer FAQs
Have questions about volunteering? Check out our Volunteering FAQ to learn more.
Current Volunteer Portal
Already a volunteer? Log in to the Volunteer Portal to manage your schedule and access resources.
Volunteer Info Sessions
New to volunteering? Sign up for a volunteer information session to get started.
“Fostering has taught my kids to be responsible — and made their love for animals grow so much!”
– Kaitlyn, Joybound volunteer
Volunteer Roles
Most of Joybound’s volunteer roles are available to volunteers age 16+. This includes:
Volunteer Foster Training
We’re looking for special people to foster pre-evaluated dogs in preparation for service and facility work. Before a Shelter to Service candidate meets their future handler, they must undergo exposure and foundational training with a volunteer foster trainer to master the required skills of crate training, alone-time behavior, walking appropriately on a loose leash, and potty training. These candidates spend 15 weeks with their volunteer foster trainers, following a daily training regimen guided by our professional trainers, and attending weekly, two-hour training sessions at Joybound’s Walnut Creek headquarters. Plus, becoming a Shelter to Service volunteer foster trainer is also a great way to earn the required hours towards becoming a professional dog trainer!
Foster
Foster volunteers provide temporary, loving homes for animals in need, giving them a safe environment while they prepare for adoption. Joybound provides all necessary supplies, including food, medical care, and support, so volunteers can focus on nurturing their foster pets.
Animal Care
Animal Care volunteers help ensure our shelter pets are happy and comfortable during their stay. Cat care volunteers assist with feeding, cleaning litter boxes, and socializing cats to keep them happy and healthy. Dog care volunteers take on responsibilities like walking, feeding, and providing enrichment activities that improve canine well-being while they await adoption. And Pet with Me volunteers provide enrichment for shy shelter dogs by spending time with them in their condos, offering petting, brushing, and positive social interaction.
Shelter Essentials Laundry
Behind the scenes, volunteers keep our shelter running smoothly. Our laundry volunteers help us stay on top of the large amount of laundry that departments throughout the organization accumulate throughout the day. Whether you are looking for a meditative role that lets you listen to music and focus on your task or would prefer to chat with the many different staff members that come to drop their laundry off, this could be the role for you.
Events
Event volunteers help make Joybound’s internal and external events successful and engaging. They assist with setup, operations, and guest engagement, ensuring that community events, fundraising events, and beyond run smoothly and make a positive impact on the community.
Training Classes
Volunteers in our training programs assist with Joybound’s award-winning public training classes, helping community pets develop good manners and essential skills. From Puppy Socials to specialty courses like Reactive Rover, these programs provide guidance and training to help dogs and cats become well-behaved companions.
Community Engagement
Our community engagement volunteers serve as ambassadors for Joybound and often act as someone’s first contact with our organization. Whether it is helping out on-site at our reception desk or off-site at our tabling events, these volunteers play an integral role in letting people know what services we offer and getting them the help they need.
And Much More!
There’s always a way to help at Joybound! Whether you have special skills in photography, marketing, office work, or another area, we can find a role that fits your talents and passion.
