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. Whether you’re providing hands-on care for shelter pets, assisting at events, or helping community members keep their beloved animals, every role helps create a kinder, more compassionate world for pets in need.
Join our team of dedicated volunteers and become part of a community that shares your passion for animal wellness. Whether you have a few hours a week or want to get involved in a larger way, there’s a place for you at Joybound People & Pets.
“Volunteering at Joybound is a way to give back, but you get so much more in return.”
– Doris, Joybound Volunteer
Volunteering is a rewarding experience that allows you to connect with animals, give back to your community, and meet fellow animal-lovers. The time and effort you contribute directly impact the well-being of animals, from providing essential care to helping them find loving homes. No matter your role, you’ll leave knowing you made a difference.
Joybound offers regular information sessions to introduce you to our mission, programs, and available volunteer opportunities. Orientation is the first step to joining our team and ensuring you’re set up for success in your role. We ask for a six month commitment of at least eight hours a month. We are unable to accommodate short-term community service volunteer opportunities or sign off on hours before a six month commitment is complete.
Upcoming Volunteer Information Sessions
Note: Joybound is moving to an online volunteer onboarding process, along with an in-person option. While this transition occurs, we are temporarily pausing in-person information sessions (after April 27) . If you would like to be notified as to when our new volunteer onboarding process launches, please fill out this form. Thank you!
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.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are many ways to get involved at Joybound, whether you want to work directly with animals or support behind the scenes. While most of our volunteer roles are available for volunteers ages 16+, some roles may be available only to ages 18+. Here are just a few of the departments and program that you can help:
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.
Adoptions
Adoption volunteers play an important role in matching pets with loving families. Meet & greet volunteers introduce potential adopters to shelter pets and help guide them toward finding their perfect companion. Boutique volunteers assist adopters with selecting necessary pet supplies at our in-house boutique before they take their new furry friend home.
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.
Community Solutions
Volunteers in our Community Solutions department provide vital resources to pet guardians in need. Resource Center volunteers assist people with pet-related concerns, such as rehoming, lost pets, and low-cost care options. Vaccine Clinic volunteers help support our monthly free vaccine and microchip clinics, each of which generally serves more than 250 pets. FoodShare volunteers help prepare free pet food for distribution to guardians and community cat caregivers throughout Contra Costa County, ensuring pets stay fed and cared for.
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.
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.
Pet Hug Pack®
Volunteers with well-behaved, friendly pets can join our Pet Hug Pack program to provide comfort and companionship to people in need. These therapy animals visit hospitals, nursing homes, and other community spaces, bringing joy and emotional support to those who need it most.
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.
Shelter to Service
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.
Becoming a Shelter to Service volunteer foster trainer is also a great way to earn the required hours towards becoming a professional dog trainer!
Thrift Store
At Joybound’s Concord Thrift Store, volunteers assist customers, organize merchandise, and sort and tag donated items — with all proceeds benefiting our Community Veterinary Care program, which offers high-quality, low-cost veterinary care to qualifying Contra Costa County pet guardians.
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.
Veterinary Clinic
Our veterinary clinic volunteers help support our on-site clinic, which provides care for both shelter animals and community pets. This ranges from working hands-on with animals by helping with post-anesthesia recovery or prepping them for procedures to tasks like prepping surgery packs or resetting the clinic for the following day.
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.
“I love volunteering here because of the diverse opportunities at Joybound.”
– Candace, Joybound Volunteer
Teen Volunteering
Is your teen 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.
Most of Joybound’s volunteer roles are available to volunteers age 16+.
Questions?
- “What kind of commitment is required?“
- “Are there ways I can volunteer from home?“
- “Can I complete my court-ordered community service at Joybound?“
If you have questions about being a Joybound volunteer, feel free to read our volunteering FAQs, where we answer some of our most commonly asked questions about volunteering.
Volunteering FAQs
👋 How old do I have to be to volunteer?
Most of Joybound’s volunteer opportunities are available to volunteers ages 16+. However, some roles may be available only to ages 18 and older – please review each role description for additional details. Sign up for an orientation session today!
👋 If I am not old enough to volunteer, but want to help, what can I do?
Host a fundraiser or donation drive. Past fundraisers have included donated birthdays, live streams, lemonade stands, and much more.
Or consider fostering as a family to get involved. Start the foster orientation process to hear about the realities and rewards of this unique volunteer role from experienced foster parents. Bring your questions to this free, no-obligation information session.
👋 I work regular business hours. Can I volunteer after work or on weekends?
Weekend and evening volunteer opportunities are available.
👋 What kind of commitment is required?
We ask for a commitment of six months with at least eight hours each month.
👋 Can I complete my court-ordered community service at Joybound?
We require a six month minimum commitment from all volunteers. We cannot accommodate short-term community service volunteer opportunities or sign off on hours before this six month commitment is complete.
👋 I want to volunteer with my pet. What are my options?
You and your pet might be a great addition to our Pet Hug Pack® therapy animal program, or consider becoming a foster family.
👋 Are there ways I can volunteer from home?
Yes! Consider becoming a foster home! Every new foster family means another pet rescued from an overburdened, public shelter. Find out more about the foster program.
Other remote volunteer opportunities include event coordination, providing assistance through the Resource Center to pet guardians in need, and more.
👋 After I attend orientation, how long until I can start volunteering?
Most volunteer jobs require additional training sessions or prerequisites while some jobs can be started right away. Depending on how quickly you progress through the training it will generally take 2-4 weeks to start volunteering.
👋 Do you offer one-time volunteer opportunities for groups?
Is your company or social group interested in a one-time group volunteering session at Joybound? Contact our team at [email protected] and we’d be happy to work with you! Alternately, your group is welcome to help our mission by hosting a fundraiser or donation drive.
Get Involved
Donate
Your gift changes lives.
Sign Up for Email
Receive updates and inspiring stories.
Volunteer
Volunteers make our mission possible.
