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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

From Inspiration to Action

September 19, 2024

My Joybound Volunteering Adventure By Candy Kane Conrad, volunteer since 2017 Have you ever felt inspired to get involved after seeing a volunteer in action? That happened to me in 2017 when I saw a volunteer reading to dogs during a Joybound shelter tour. My husband and I had just discovered Joybound (formerly ARF) while…
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Joybound Assists with Park Fire Animals

July 31, 2024

42 Dogs and Cats Make their Way to Safety Joybound’s disaster relief team dove into action this week to assist Tehama County Animal Services, a partner shelter that was impacted by Northern California’s Park Fire. Sending a caravan of vehicles to Red Bluff, CA, we returned with 42 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens who were…
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Adoption Update – Pine

June 21, 2024

After facing an uncertain future, Pine was given a second chance at a life full of love to share with his new family.
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Joybound’s Engelstad Grooming Academy Hosts First Aid Certification Course

June 14, 2024

Empowering Pet Care On June 13, 2024, the Engelstad Grooming Academy hosted a Pet First Aid and Certification Course led by Lori Garcia from CPR Marin. Joybound employees attended this event, which underscored our unwavering commitment to pet safety. Students learned essential skills such as performing CPR on pets of various sizes, managing choking incidents,…
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Meet the Fleet

June 3, 2024

Last week was another incredible week of pet adoptions! Thank you to everyone who adopted a new best friend. Adopters are invited to stay involved through events, programs, and more!
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Foster Spotlight: Mie & Ember

May 13, 2024

August 2024 Update: We’re pleased to announce that Ember has found a loving home! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joybound People & Pets (@joyboundpeopleandpets) Since 2019, Joybound volunteer Mie has fostered 30 dogs. To her, fostering is a family affair along with the support of her dog-loving husband, Earl, and her…
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Celebrating Caturday Spay (and Neuter) Day!

April 2, 2024

On the heels of World Spay Day in February, and in advance of “kitten season” when we typically see a surge in stray kittens who often face major health obstacles, our veterinary team and dedicated Joybound volunteers spayed and neutered 82 unhoused, community cats from around Contra Costa county on Saturday, March 2nd. Dubbed “Caturday,”…
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Joybound Emergency Response: 11 Cats from Hollister

March 21, 2024

On Friday, March 8, the Joybound team quickly mobilized to respond to an emergency call from Hollister Animal Care and Services for assistance evacuating cats from a property with health and safety concerns.
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Breaking New Ground for Good Jobs and Clean Pets

March 7, 2024

Careers and clean dogs are the aim of the Engelstad Grooming Academy and Salon, which broke ground on March 4. Joybound CEO Susan Lee Vick was joined by Kris, Sean, and Erin Engelstad and Jane Fielden of the Engelstad Foundation, community leaders, Joybound board members, staff, and supporters in the space that will open its…
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2023 End of Year Video

December 28, 2023

Every December, we like to recap the past year in the form of a music video. 2023, your support made a world of difference for at-risk animals and pet guardians in need. This includes: Please enjoy some of the happy faces you saved, the people you touched, and the milestones you helped us reach, set…
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Finding a Forever Home with Juliette Goodrich (via KPIX)

September 28, 2023

KPIX’s Goodrich visited the Animal Rescue Foundation to meet Oso, a husky mix who has officially been at the shelter for a full year.
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Infantry Marine Finds a Best Friend in his Service Dog

September 13, 2023

Steve first heard about Shelter to Service from a counselor at the Veteran Center in Concord, CA. A Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, he was interested in being paired with a psychiatric service dog, but didn’t know where to begin. Once a Shelter to Service team member explained the process and discussed what…
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