Dogs and cats aren’t just animals we take care of. They take care of us too. When you bond with a pet, it is scientifically proven to make you healthier and happier. But you don’t need a bunch of research to tell you that. You can feel it with every belly rub or every time they rush to greet you at the door. Creating that feeling has been our driving purpose for more than 30 years: we’re on a mission to unleash happiness.
Joybound’s mission is to inspire and nurture the human-animal bond and bring people and animals together to enrich each other’s lives.
We are Joybound People & Pets, formerly the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF). Headquartered in Walnut Creek, CA, Joybound is committed to forming, supporting, elevating, and celebrating the human-animal bond through cat and dog rescue and adoption and services such as training and veterinary care, food and supply assistance, therapy and service-animal programs, and rich learning resources for all pet families. Our goal is for every adoption story to become a lasting tale of friendship, love, and mutual happiness.
View our annual report, audited financials, animal statistics, and more.
Bring your expertise and love for animals to start your dream career at Joybound.
Answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Meet the leaders of Joybound People & Pets.
Get directions or contact us with any questions or comments.
Keep up with our latest news, publications, and rescue stories.
Joybound at a Glance
Locations
Joybound’s Headquarters
2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
Thrift Store, Cat Lounge & Adoption Center
1950 Market Street Suite I, Concord, CA 94520
Hours of Operation
Walnut Creek Adoption Hours
Mon – Fri: 12 PM – 7 PM
Sat – Sun: 11 AM – 6 PM
(Early sign-in begins at 9 AM)
Walnut Creek Business Hours
Mon – Sun: 9 AM – 6 PM
Concord Thrift Store, Cat Lounge & Adoption Center Hours
Mon – Sat: 10 AM – 4 PM
Sun: CLOSED
Walnut Creek Grooming Salon Hours
Mon – Sat: 9 AM – 4:30 PM
Sun: CLOSED
The Joybound Story
Joybound People & Pets was founded in 1991. For more than 30 years, our commitment to our core work of finding loving homes for dogs and cats in need has been unwavering. Tens of thousands of Northern Californians have entered our doors seeking that special unconditional love only possible between people and companion animals.
Joybound is a renowned local leader and national model in the animal wellness community. Through the years, we have facilitated more than 55,000 pet adoptions and conducted more than 100,000 essential veterinary procedures such spay/neuter and other surgeries, dental care, vaccination, and microchipping. Since its founding in 2011, our nationally recognized Shelter to Service program has pioneered new solutions to utilize the human-animal bond to help individuals with depression, anxiety, agoraphobia, and beyond.
We envision a world where every companion animal has a safe and loving home and every person who could benefit from the human-animal bond has access to, and resources for, a lifelong relationship.
Every day, our team strives to improve and innovate through programs that bring people and pets together for a lifetime of health and happiness. From evacuating animals impacted by natural disasters, to developing innovative safety net programs designed to support struggling pet guardians and keep pets out of shelters, to vocational training to bring more diverse talent into the animal wellbeing sector, we strengthen and multiply human-animal bonds through programs for children, seniors, Veterans, and animal guardians struggling to keep their pets. We serve Contra Costa County, the Bay Area, and beyond.
Joybound’s Core Values
How it All Started
Joybound was founded in 1991, as the Contra Costa Animal Rescue Foundation. In a donated office space, we began as a small team of driven volunteers who worked tirelessly to save 157 dogs and cats during our first year. It wasn’t long before the board of directors realized that of equal importance to rescuing animals was the remarkable role they play in people’s lives.
Joybound was founded in 1991, as the Contra Costa Animal Rescue Foundation.
Humane education programs began a couple of years later to ingrain an early love of animals in school-aged children. Therapy animals and other programs introduced animals’ unconditional love and acceptance to seniors, veterans, at-risk youth, and more people in need. Programs to help low-income pet guardians keep their beloved pets out of shelters soon followed.
Our Campus
The construction of our Walnut Creek headquarters — a 37,700-square-foot animal care facility — was completed in 2003. This critical milestone was the realization of a long-held dream: an animal shelter that felt more like a lifesaving community center. The homey condos set the standards for housing shelter guests in the animal welfare industry. In 2021 we added a new 7,900-square-foot Engelstad Training Pavilion, an expanded 4,900-square-foot animal care wing and veterinary clinic to better serve and rescue more animals, and a solar array for greater operational efficiency.
Questions?
Questions? Read some of our relevant Frequently Asked Questions below, or feel free to visit our FAQs page for even more answers.
General Joybound FAQs
Where is Joybound located?
Joybound’s national headquarters and primary adoption center are located at 2890 Mitchell Drive, in Walnut Creek, California.
The Joybound Thrift Store, Cat Lounge & Adoption Center is located at 1950 Market Street, Suite I, in Concord, California.
What kind of shelter or rescue is Joybound?
Joybound People & Pets (formerly the Animal Rescue Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization founded in 1991 to rescue dogs and cats from overcrowded municipal shelters and strengthen the human-animal bond for children, seniors, Veterans, and people in need. Read about our unique dual mission and origin story.
Our team is committed to finding homes for all healthy and treatable dogs and cats in our care. Animals with treatable medical or behavioral conditions are evaluated and cared for prior to rehoming them. Learn more about these classifications by reviewing Maddie’s Fund’s Health & Behavior Categories for Shelter Animals. Potential adopters are provided with all health and behavior history during their time at Joybound.
Can I surrender an animal to Joybound?
We rescue dogs and cats from overcrowded or under-resourced municipal shelters. We do not accept surrenders from the public. If you feel unable to continue caring for your pet, please contact our Resource Center or read about rehoming a pet.
If you adopted from Joybound, our team is here to support you through the difficult decision to return your companion. Please read our adoption return policy.
How is Joybound funded?
We are a non-profit organization funded by private donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Our complete financial information is available here. Joybound is a registered charity in all 50 states.
Does Joybound offer programs for children?
From birthday parties to animal-themed camps, we have a wide variety of programs to help nurture the next generation of animal-lovers.
Does Joybound offer advice on caring for a pet?
The Pet Care and Behavior Library is filled with helpful information on pet care, solutions for common behavior challenges, training tips, and more.
If you do not see a certain topic covered, please contact the Resource Center for guidance.
Does Joybound offer veterinary services?
Animals in our adoption program are given veterinary care at our state-of-the-art clinic, but we do not provide primary veterinary services to the public.
Limited services are available for low-cost spay and neuter, dental cleaning services, end-of-life services, veterinary assistance programs for low-income pet guardians, and wellness veterinary care for Veterans’ pets. Explore veterinary assistance options.
Will Joybound help fund my organization or project?
We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, relying solely upon donations to fund our programs. We are not a granting organization and do not accept solicitations for funding.
Adoption FAQs
What can I expect from Joybound’s adoption process?
Joybound is proud to offer a fast, convenient, and stress-free adoption process. The first step after arriving at Joybound is to sign in and complete a matchmaker profile form by signing in at one of our designated kiosks. Then, guests will speak with an adoption counselor who will introduce you to animals who may be a good fit. During the visit we will share information about the health and behavior of the animals, as well as the post-adoption resources Joybound offers. This can take time, so please allow 60 – 90 minutes for the adoption process.
We encourage the entire family to participate in the adoption process, including children. If you are looking to add an additional dog to your family, we encourage you to bring your dog with you to meet their new canine friend. Our team can provide a room for your dog to safely wait while your family meets potential new pups.
You can read more about the process on our Adoption Process web page.
What are Joybound’s adoption hours?
You can visit for pet adoptions in Walnut Creek during these hours: Monday – Friday from 12 – 7 PM, and Saturday – Sunday from 11 AM – 6 PM. Early sign-in is available beginning at 9 AM. Finding the right match takes time. Since the adoption process can take 60 – 90 minutes, adopters who check-in shortly before closing may be limited in how many animals they can meet.
The Joybound Thrift Store, Cat Lounge & Adoption Center in Concord is open for cat adoptions Monday – Saturday from 10 AM – 4 PM.
Where can I adopt a pet from Joybound?
Joybound’s adoptions are done at:
- Our Walnut Creek headquarters, located at 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA.
- The Joybound Thrift Store, Cat Lounge & Adoption Center, located at 1950 Market Street Suite I, Concord, CA.
- Mobile adoption events, which are held multiple times a week at locations across the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Various partnering PetSmart locations across Northern California.
If an animal is not located at our Walnut Creek adoption center, it will be noted on their individual profile with details about how to meet them. If you are interested in a dog or cat who is noted to be in a foster home, please email [email protected] to get more information and set up a time to meet them.
What is included in my pet’s adoption?
All of Joybound’s animals are spayed/neutered, current on vaccinations, microchipped, de-wormed, and given flea/tick preventative. Animals are sent home with a welcome home supply of Purina One food.
Dogs 7 months and older are tested for heartworm, and all dogs are started on heartworm preventative. Puppy adopters are offered a discount on puppy social classes. All cats are tested for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), and all cats older than 6 months are tested for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).
Why does Joybound use variable adoption fees?
Joybound uses variable adoption fees to help ensure every animal receives the care they need while waiting for a home. Fees vary based on factors such as an animal’s age, size, breed, medical or behavioral needs, and overall adoption demand. Animals that are less common or highly sought after may have higher adoption fees because they tend to be adopted more quickly, while senior pets, animals with special needs, or more common breeds may have lower fees to reduce barriers and encourage adoption.
This approach allows higher-demand adoptions to help support animals who require additional medical treatment, training, behavior support, or longer stays in our care. Higher fees for certain animals can also help discourage resale through informal or for-profit rehoming channels, helping ensure they are placed in committed homes.
The cost of caring for and rehoming Joybound’s animals exceeds $1 million annually. Adoption fees help offset expenses such as transportation, veterinary care, and daily shelter services, but they cover less than one-third of the total cost. The remainder is made possible through donations, grants, and community fundraising. Some animals have their adoption fees sponsored by generous supporters, and adoption fees are always waived for U.S. military Veterans. Through this variable fee structure, Joybound can provide compassionate, responsible care while helping animals find a loving home.
Can I return my Joybound-adopted pet if they aren’t a good fit?
Yes, if your adoption is not a good fit for your family, you may submit a request to bring your Joybound-adopted pet back into our care.
Returns are available by appointment only. You may return your adopted pet for a full refund up to 30 days from the date of adoption. After one year from the date of adoption, pets must be re-evaluated by our team to ensure they meet adoption criteria. If your pet is over 7 years old, a medical evaluation will also be necessary. Additionally, after that first year a $100 surrender fee is applied towards the ongoing care of your pet while at our center.
Please submit a return request through our website to make an appointment to bring your companion back, so our team can ensure appropriate space and housing availability.
Does Joybound do background checks or home visits as part of the adoption process?
No, Joybound does not do background checks or home visits as part of our adoption process. Many studies show that they are ineffective, easy to cheat, and generally discourage pet adoption from all parties.
Instead, we connect with each potential adopter through a conversation during the adoption process, getting to know their needs, offering guidance and support, and working toward making a great match for both the person and the pet.
How do I adopt an emotional support animal or psychiatric service dog?
If you’re interested in adopting an emotional support animal (ESA) candidate or psychiatric service dog, please contact Joybound’s Shelter to Service team. We train specially selected shelter animals to help people diagnosed with emotional and mental health conditions find a new leash on life. This personalized matching service connects each applicant with an animal who will complement their lifestyle and help them achieve their goals.
How can I sponsor an animal’s adoption fee?
Of course you can sponsor an animal’s adoption fee! Your tax-deductible donation can cover the adoption fee of the shelter pet(s) of your choice and give a family an extra incentive to adopt them.
Donation FAQs
How can I make a donation?
It’s easy to make a secure online donation.
To donate by mail, please send checks to Joybound People & Pets, 2890 Mitchell Dr., Walnut Creek, CA, 94598.
How will my donation be spent?
We know you have many choices when it comes to charitable gifts. We are a proud recipient of Candid’s Platinum Seal of Transparency.
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 our online orientation 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.
If you’re looking for something shorter, consider filling out our event and large project volunteer interest form.
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 volunteer! Every new foster family means another pet rescued from an overburdened, public shelter. 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? Visit our Group Volunteering web page — we’d be happy to work with you! Alternately, your group is welcome to help our mission by hosting a fundraiser or donation drive.
Shelter to Service FAQs
Where does Shelter to Service get its animals?
Just like Joybound’s general adoptions program, Shelter to Service admits dogs and cats from public shelters to provide relief and give more animals a second chance at a healthy, fulfilling life.
Where is the Shelter to Service program located?
Joybound’s Shelter to Service program is located at Joybound People & Pets’ national headquarters and adoption center at 2890 Mitchell Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94598. The 7,893 square foot Engelstad Shelter to Service Center is a safe space for handler-dog teams to gather, learn, train, and socialize with group and simulated home training rooms, program offices, kennels, gathering space, and more.
What services does Shelter to Service offer?
Joybound’s Shelter to Service program provides psychiatric service dog matching, facility animal matching, psychiatric service dog training for personal dogs, personalized emotional support animal matching, and the opportunity to learn how to train these types of animals through vocational volunteer foster training.
When will I hear back from Shelter to Service?
After an application has been submitted, our Shelter to Service team should be in touch within one week.
How do I refer someone to the program?
If you know someone who might benefit from an emotional support animal, facility animal, or psychiatric service dog, our team would love to talk to them and help understand their challenges. Interested parties may reach out to [email protected] for more information.
Can I adopt an emotional support animal?
Any animal adopted from Joybound can qualify as an emotional support animal with a letter of recommendation from the adopter’s licensed mental healthcare provider. However, Shelter to Service offers a personalized ESA matching experience which includes some prior foundational training for emotional support dogs.
Can I train my own dog through Shelter to Service?
The Shelter to Service program now offers psychiatric service dog training for personal dogs and their guardians who meet our program’s eligibility requirements (outlined in the Shelter to Service program application).
How do I donate to Shelter to Service?
Donations of any amount make a lifesaving difference for animals and people. Make a secure online donation and direct your gift to the Shelter to Service program, or to donate by mail, please send a check to Joybound People & Pets, 2890 Mitchell Dr., Walnut Creek, CA, 94598.
There are many other ways to donate, including stock, vehicle donations, planned giving, workplace giving, and more.
Joybound’s Memberships
Joybound People & Pets is proud to be a member of the following local community and professional organizations:
