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Smile File

Looking for a little joy? Check out our Smile File, a collection of inspirational stories and updates that are sure to put a smile on your face.

A smiling white dog with black spots stands on a concrete surface. The dog is wearing a harness and looking directly at the camera, showcasing its happy expression. In the background are blurred legs of a person wearing blue shoes.

Want to add a story to our Smile File? We’d love to hear from you!

Smile File Stories

  • When Partnership Saves a Life

    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…

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  • Seven Years of Service, One Big Heart

    Seven Years of Service, One Big Heart

    Joybound Names Mie Schoolcraft 2025 Volunteer of the Year Sometimes the biggest impact comes from the quietest acts of kindness, and that is exactly where Mie Schoolcraft, Joybound’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year, shines. “Caring for dogs comforts me,” Mie shared. Over the past seven years as a Joybound volunteer, that care has taken many…

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  • Measure X in Action

    Measure X in Action

    How County Funding Helps Keep Pets Healthy and Families Together In November 2020, Contra Costa County voters passed Measure X — a half-cent sales tax designed to protect the county’s most vulnerable residents. For many families, that includes the four-legged loved ones who share their hearts and lives. At Joybound People & Pets, Measure X…

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  • An Unlikely Teacher with Whiskers

    An Unlikely Teacher with Whiskers

    How a Former Rescue Cat Helps Prepare Service Dogs at Joybound At first glance, Spoon might seem like just another friendly office cat. But Spoon’s Joybound journey began long before he ever strolled across a keyboard or greeted a coworker with his signature quiet confidence. Spoon was rescued from an extreme hoarding situation in Hollister,…

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  • From a Scroll to a Second Chance

    From a Scroll to a Second Chance

    How Petfinder & Joybound Helped Rio Find His Way Home Sometimes the right dog doesn’t just change your life. He finds you exactly when you need him most. For many families, adoption begins during a moment of transition, when a home feels a little quieter than it used to. That was true for Kate and…

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  • Your Support Filled the Food Bowls this Winter

    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…

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  • From a Scroll to a Second Chance

    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…

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  • 2025 End-of-Year Recap Video

    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…

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  • How Measure X Changes Lives Across Contra Costa County

    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…

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  • How Does Joybound’s Admissions Process Work? 

    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…

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  • Jonathan’s Journey Through Joybound’s Engelstad Grooming Academy

    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…

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  • The Future of Pet Care, Joybound Style

    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…

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The ASPCA logo features the letters 'ASPCA' in bold gray with the letter 'P' highlighted in orange. This logo represents the organization's mission to protect animals. Related to the Joybound Strategic Plan, it emphasizes their goals in the Impact Report 2024-2025.

We’re honored to elevate animal wellness alongside the ASPCA.

Logo of VCA Animal Hospitals featuring the letters ‘vca’ in blue and the words ‘animal hospitals’ in a smaller font below. The logo includes a colorful diamond shape in turquoise, orange, and purple on the upper right side.

VCA’s expert care heals pets and Joybound shelter animals alike.

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