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.
“My kids loved their time [at Camp Joybound]. They came home with a whole new level of appreciation for our pets!”
– Carol, Joybound supporter
Camp Joybound
We’re welcoming students 10-14 years old to Camp Joybound this Summer!
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.
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.
Birthday Parties at Joybound
Does your special birthday kid love dogs and cats? Throw their celebration at a venue filled with wagging tails and purring hearts!
Joybound’s birthday parties are held on Saturdays, from 10 am – 12 pm in our party room. This space can accommodate a maximum of 15 children (not including adult guardians). The first hour consists of a tour of Joybound’s adoption floor and other parts of the facility depending on child’s age, a mock pet adoption, and a visit from a furry member of our Pet Hug Pack® therapy pet program. After that, you’ll have the last 30 – 60 minutes to use the room for food, presents, games, etc.
Learn more about hosting your child’s birthday party at Joybound. Or book their party right now — our team will follow up for payment based on the availability of your selected date.
Camps for Kids
Our award-winning camps for kids are BACK! Registration for Camp Joybound’s Summer Break sessions is officially open.
We’re welcoming students ages 10-14 years old to Camp Joybound! This weeklong camp at Joybound’s Walnut Creek headquarters introduces students to veterinary medicine and animal care, providing hands-on experience with dogs and cats in a fun and instructive environment. Throughout the week, students will learn alongside, shadow, and engage in hands-on care with our clinic, animal care, training, and adoption experts. It’s perfect for students with a passion for animal care and wellness, life sciences, and medicine.
Upcoming Camp Joybound sessions are:
Therapy Animal Visits
The extra-special therapy animals of Joybound’s Pet Hug Pack® visit hospitals, schools, colleges, and beyond, spreading the unique joy that only a pet can give. Interested in having the Pet Hug Pack make a trip to your school or facility? Submit a therapy animal request to invite therapy animals over for 30 – 60 minutes of casual animal interaction, completely free of charge!
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.
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.
“Fostering has taught my kids to be responsible — and made their love for animals grow so much!”
– Kaitlyn, Joybound volunteer
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.
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.
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.
