Want to add a story to our Smile File? We’d love to hear from you!
Smile File Stories
-
Orange County Emergency Response
When overlapping emergencies strain public safety systems, true collaboration makes all the difference. In response to a recent chemical explosion threat in Orange County that forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of families, Joybound People & Pets leaped into action. Working closely alongside the ASPCA and Orange County Animal Care, we coordinated the safe…
-
When Partnership Saves a Life
Goldie’s Story Sometimes, lifesaving moments happen with little warning. Goldie, a beautiful Mastiff mix, arrived at Joybound on February 26, 2026, from a partner shelter in Tehama County. Her gentle demeanor and aptitude for service work had her designated for Joybound’s Shelter to Service program, offering her a future as a psychiatric service dog or emotional support animal. Goldie was already on the road to recovery…
-
Your Support Filled the Food Bowls this Winter
Full Hearts AND ALSO Full Bellies Late last year, thousands of pet guardians across Contra Costa County found their lives upended due to the government shutdown and pauses in SNAP / CalFresh benefits. Families were suddenly forced to make the heartbreaking decision between feeding themselves and feeding their pets. That’s when YOU stepped in. Thanks…
-
From a Scroll to a Second Chance
“I like to think of it as we were actively searching for a dog to rescue me.” How Rio Found His Way to a New Home Thanks to Petfinder & Joybound Sometimes the right dog doesn’t just change your life, he finds you exactly when you need him most. For Kate and her husband, that…
-
2025 End-of-Year Recap Video
The Furry Faces YOU Impacted in 2025 As you can imagine, a whole lot of cuteness, joy, and unbridled love happens here at Joybound every single day. So to share a snippet of that with supporters like you, we put together an annual “End-of-Year Recap Video” featuring the furry faces who you helped by supporting…
-
How Measure X Changes Lives Across Contra Costa County
“After hearing from many advocates, this funding will improve the welfare of animals across the county.” Shaping the World of Animal Wellness Starts in Our Own Backyard In November of 2020, Contra Costa County voters passed Measure X – a half-cent, countywide sales tax benefiting essential services. The ballot language stated that the funds would…
-
How Does Joybound’s Admissions Process Work?
Partnering to Change Lives Did you know Joybound People & Pets partners with animal shelters across California and beyond to help ease overcrowding and give more pets a second chance? Our Admissions team regularly visits these “partner shelters,” bringing dogs and cats to our Walnut Creek campus where they can be seen, loved, and adopted into their…
-
Jonathan’s Journey Through Joybound’s Engelstad Grooming Academy
From Soldier to Stylist When Jonathan first heard about Joybound People & Pets’ Engelstad Grooming Academy, he wasn’t looking for a career change — just a chance to combine his love of animals with his lifelong commitment to service. A U.S. Army Veteran who served eight years as a light infantry medic, Jonathan is no stranger…
-
The Future of Pet Care, Joybound Style
Joybound’s Upcoming Boarding Facility Goes Beyond Day Care Joybound People & Pets is thrilled to announce a new boarding and daycare facility for dogs and cats, opening Fall 2027. The new operation will offer high-quality pet care at a reasonable cost, along with dedicated professional services to help dogs and cats with behavioral challenges. Pet…
-
From Puppy Kisses to Therapy All Star
Meet Espy, Cuddler-in-Chief of the Pet Hug Pack® If Espy had a LinkedIn, his headline would read: Professional Mood-Booster, Specializing in Kids and Cuddles. This six-year-old sweetheart joined Joybound’s Pet Hug Pack® in 2024, but his road to therapy dog stardom started long before that. Back in 2019, Stanley and his wife spotted a litter…
-
How Animals Boost Our Mental Health
Proof That Love (with Fur) Really Is the Best Medicine “Americans clearly recognize that our relationships with our pets can have noticeable benefits for our overall mental health.” Pets are much more than companions in our life — they also boost our mental health in measurable ways! Studies have found that interacting with animals can…
-
Wrapped In Love
How Steve and Glenda Turned a Simple Idea Into 44,000 Blankets W hen Steve and Glenda Spero first walked into Joybound more than two decades ago, they never imagined they’d become the unofficial “Blanket Dream Team.” Back then, our shelter used soft, white ambulance gurney blankets provided by a local nurse. Perfect for keeping dogs…
Get Involved
We’re a proud recipient of funding from Maddie’s Fund®.
We feed our animals high-quality Purina pet food.
You can find all our adorable, adoptable animals on Petfinder