Smile File Stories

  • Spotlight on Ken & Binx

    Spotlight on Ken & Binx

    How a Service Dog Restored Hope for Combat Veteran Ken “It was just a night and day difference between my life before Binx and then after Binx.“ For Ken, the hardest part of an ordinary errand could be getting through the door. A combat Army veteran living with post-traumatic stress and anxiety, he sometimes found…

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  • Joybound Around Town on Broadway 2026

    Joybound Around Town on Broadway 2026

    Joy Takes to the Streets of Walnut Creek Joybound Around Town was a celebration of the connection between people and pets. For 26 years, Joybound Around Town on Broadway has brought people and pets together, and this year’s celebration continued the tradition on Sunday, September 13, at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek. Around 6,500 people…

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  • A Surprise Cat Encounter

    A Surprise Cat Encounter

    Joybound’s Pet Safety Net Keeps Duchess and her Guardian Together “I’m so happy to have saved such a precious kitty. I truly couldn’t have done it without your help.” Tara thought April 29 would be just another day. Things took quite a turn when she crossed paths with a cat in need and brought her…

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  • Stronger Together for People and Pets

    Stronger Together for People and Pets

    Connected When it Matters Most “By working together across organizations and regions, we can relieve pressure on overwhelmed shelters.” When emergencies put people and pets at risk, connection becomes a powerful resource. No single organization can respond to every need alone. But when animal welfare organizations, emergency agencies, and community partners build strong relationships before…

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  • Two Old Guys, One New Beginning

    Two Old Guys, One New Beginning

    J.R. Gave Fostering a Try. Timmy Had Other Plans. “We are now known as the two ‘old guys’ driving around town.” He’d seen plenty of people fall in love with pets they never expected to bring home. But, J.R. never expected it to happen to him. This time, it was his turn. “A chunky, senior…

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  • Make This Fall Un-fur-gettable

    Make This Fall Un-fur-gettable

    Simple Ways to Turn Fall Adventures into Meaningful Moments with Your Pet Fall invites you to slow down, savor the season, and spend a little extra time with your pet. And with a little creativity, that time together can become an opportunity to explore, try something new, and strengthen your bond. Ready for some fall…

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  • When Care Can’t Wait

    When Care Can’t Wait

    Community Partnership Helped Jupiter Through a Medical Emergency “Having access to support through Joybound made all the difference.” Jupiter has never been shy about letting his family know when it’s time for dinner. So, when the food-loving cat suddenly stopped eating, drinking and seeking out his favorite cuddles, Marselena knew something wasn’t right. Marselena adopted…

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  • Measure X Helps Keep Carmen and Kodi Together

    Measure X Helps Keep Carmen and Kodi Together

    How Measure X is Breaking Down Barriers to Care “Kodi is my support. Thank you for giving me another chance.”  For 80-year-old Carmen, becoming a pet guardian for the first time was both exciting and a little overwhelming. Since welcoming Kodi, a Pomeranian + Havanese mix, into her home in March 2026, the pair have become…

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  • Spotlight on Carissa

    Spotlight on Carissa

    Carissa’s Journey as a Shelter to Service Foster “Volunteer foster training — it’s my favorite job that I don’t get paid for. I tell that to everybody.”.” When Carissa found herself between jobs, she felt a strong need to reconnect with a sense of purpose. While searching for opportunities to give back, she discovered Shelter…

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  • Thrifting with a Purpose

    Thrifting with a Purpose

    You Never Know What You’ll Find! Walking into the Joybound Thrift Store, Cat Lounge & Adoption Center, you just never know what you’ll find! Whether you’re shopping on a budget, searching for a one-of-a-kind gem, just enjoying the thrill of thrifting, or even hoping to cuddle a super-cute kitty, Joybound’s Concord location has you covered.…

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  • A Lifeline for Jupiter

    A Lifeline for Jupiter

    How Access to Care Kept a Family Together “I don’t think you need to be rich to be able to have a pet. As long as you love them and care for them, that’s what matters.”  When Marselena noticed something was wrong with Jupiter, she trusted her instincts. Her large tabby cat was usually the first one…

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  • Spotlight on Syreeta & Murphy

    Spotlight on Syreeta & Murphy

    How a Psychiatric Service Dog Restored Syreeta’s World “Life would be very small, very reclusive, if it wasn’t for [Murphy]. I wouldn’t do much of anything. He’s what I needed to make a change.” After retiring from the transportation industry in 2022 following a traumatic workplace mass shooting, Syreeta Moore found her world shrinking. The…

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