BusinessPaws Spotlight: Joybond People & Pets

Joybound People & Pets opened its doors in 1991 under the name of Contra Costa Animal Rescue Foundation. In their more than 33 years within the pet care industry they have grown into a multi-faceted organization focused on improving not only the wellness of animals but also the individuals and families that make up their community. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit they work tirelessly to place rescue pets in homes, provide pet care services to those most in need, and aid pets needing evacuation from areas facing natural disasters. Their professional development program helps support diversity in the pet care industry by providing accessible training and opportunities for hands-on experience. They also offer an exceptional range of services for pet parents in their community including veterinary care, training classes, and pet grooming, in addition to placement programs for service dogs, therapy animals, and emotional support dogs. Throughout their many years of service, the Joybound team has placed more than 52 000 pets with loving families and have conducted more than 100 000 essential veterinary services including vaccinations, spay/neuter, dental care, and more. Their programs have resulted in a 145% increase in essential services to their community from 2023.

Starting from humble roots, a small group of volunteers saved 157 dogs and cats in their first year stationed out of donated office space. They noticed time and time again how the connection between animals and people had the power to change lives for the better. In placing rescues with families they witnessed firsthand the difference pets made in the lives of their people. This knowledge quickly became the driving force behind their organization. By focusing on the transformative and healing nature of the human-animal bond they knew they could branch out beyond animal rescue to make a larger impact in their community. With a team now made up of over 20 full time team members and numerous volunteers Joybound has been able to make that dream a reality.

Some of the additional programs Joybound has worked to develop since their inception were implemented in an effort to help prevent pets from entering the shelter system altogether. In working with pet parents in their community, the Joybound team recognized that many shelter pets came from homes where they were very much loved and wanted, but who were unable to care for them due to financial constraints. To help address this, programs were implemented to help provide a safety net to those most in need. New Community Solutions programs helped to reduce some of the financial strain that can be associated with pet guardianship. This includes free vaccination clinics, reduced or free spay and neuter services, and free food pantries. 

In 2011 Joybound took a big step, implementing a brand new Shelter to Service program. This initiative aimed to not only help rescue animals find their place, but also to provide assistance to individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, agorophobia, post-traumatic stress, and other mental health conditions. Broken into three components, Psychiatric Service Dog Training, Emotional Support Animal Matching, and Facility Animal Matching, the Joybound team helps to train and place suitable pets where they can not only live happy, fulfilled lives, but also help the people around them do the same. 

Though shelter dogs are not always front of mind when thinking about service animals, the Shelter to Service program has shown the amazing capabilities of so many pets in the shelter system. In addition to their training of shelter dogs through this program, Joybound also works with individuals looking to train their personal pet to be a psychiatric service dog. The animals and people working together through Service Dog Training, Emotional Support Animal Matching, and Facility Animal Matching initiatives demonstrate the amazing impact that can be made through the bond between humans and their pets. Just as people have the opportunity to change a dog’s future, dogs likewise have the potential to transform the lives of the people around them.

The Joybound Grooming Academy program likewise aims to address two pressing community needs: accessible, affordable pet care services and opportunities for meaningful job training. With no tuition costs to serve as a barrier to learning, those looking to start a new career are able to receive vocational training through hands-on grooming experience with industry professionals. In turn, clients of Joybound are able to access more affordable grooming services for their pets, and pets in the adoption program are given free grooms, increasing their adoptability and overall wellbeing. In 2024 alone the Joybound Grooming Academy program provided grooming to over 1000 dogs, including shelter pets and regular grooming clients.

Throughout their many years of service, the Joybound team has seen many transformations both in the pets they work with and in the people whose lives they have touched. From service dogs helping veterans regain their independence, to children gaining a new best friend in their newly adopted pet, to struggling families getting the support they need to keep their beloved pet, the connection between people and companion animals drives the staff and volunteers at Joybound to continue their work in community-focused programs.

A true testament to the life-changing difference pets can make, one Joybound rescue dog named Polly has helped to save lives on two separate occasions. Found as a stray in Madera CA, Polly first came to Joybound in 2014 and was adopted the following year. In 2023, after almost a decade living happily in her home she alerted her guardian to an elderly neighbour who had fallen and was stranded in their own home. Thanks to Polly’s commitment, the neighbour was able to get the medical attention they needed. When her guardian passed the following year in 2024 Polly found herself back at Joybound, where she was later adopted by a couple named Barbara and Joe. Despite being nearly deaf Polly adjusted well to her new home, learning to communicate with hand signals and other body language cues. A number of months later, Polly alerted Barbara to the fact that Joe had had a bad fall in the backyard. This allowed Barbara to get Joe the help he needed just in time. In both cases Polly’s persistence and loyalty saved lives in a very real way. 

The impact of rescue can be seen not only in the families that come to Joybound looking to adopt, but also by the Joybound team themself. When a pitbull mix named Ladybug first came to Joybound she had severe allergy symptoms, sound sensitivity, and struggled with a number of fear-based behavioural challenges, but still exuded a wonderfully joyful energy. In 2023 a Joybound shelter animal trainer named Hope Minton met and fell in love with Ladybug, going on to adopt her shortly after. Through positive reinforcement training, patience, and empathy Ladybug was able to make huge progress. In their journey together Hope and the rest of the Joybound team saw first hand how each dog learns differently and how true behavioural growth comes only through time, trust, and consistency. Ladybug’s story is not only that of a single dog finding their person, but has also inspired Joybound to further enrich the process they use when preparing dogs in their care for adoption.

Though there are many wonderful stories that come along with rescuing dogs and providing important community services, there are also a number of challenges. Working in rescue means that the Joybound team often encounters situations involving neglect or loss, and requiring difficult decisions. Over months and years of work, compassion fatigue quietly built up, negatively impacting the well-being of their team. In order to combat this, Joybound has put a variety of wellness initiatives in place, centering team wellness as a core part of their work culture rather than merely a situational response to burnout. Understanding that supporting mental health is not optional, they now have regular guided meditation sessions, providing space for team members to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with the purpose behind their work.

Joybound has also experienced some growing pains as their mission has shifted to encompass community-based initiatives as well as animal rescue. With the introduction of each new project came uncertainty over the growth beyond more well-established services. As programs like Shelter to Service, the Grooming Academy, and Community Solutions outreach were put in place some stakeholders were not immediately able to understand the shifts. By focusing on transparent communication and consistent community education Joybound was able to work through those concerns and emerge as an even stronger organization able to offer more meaningful services to their community. Clear, demonstrable impact shown through real stories and measurable outcomes combined with a culture fostering collaboration and feedback has helped them to build a sustainable platform while holding onto their core values. These challenges helped to solidify the importance of time taken for thoughtful, mission-driven change.

Looking to the future, Joybound remains focused on strengthening families, communities, and the lives they live with their pets. Having recently passed the incredible milestone of 52 000 pet adoptions, they aim to continue investing in programs helping both animals and humans. As we learn more about the amazing benefits of human-animal bonds, it is likely that animal wellness concerns will integrate even further with public health initiatives, mental health support, and community services. As the economic landscape continues to change, it is also probable that there will be a significant growth in the demand for affordable, accessible pet care services such as veterinary care, training and behaviour support, and grooming. Reducing barriers to these services is one of the best ways to allow pets to stay with their families and prevent them needlessly entering the shelter system. In order to continue to serve their community and beyond, the Joybound team hopes to use data-informed decision making to further expand their service offerings. This includes offering more mobile services, building partnerships to assist in more rapid disaster response, and helping to support other local animal organizations.

All in all, the Joybound team understands that the future of pet care is collaborative, compassionate, and people-centred. For any individual looking to build a successful pet care business they recommend focusing on your core mission and allowing compassion to help guide your business strategy. At the centre of the pet care industry is the understanding that this is not just a service or product being sold, but an important purpose. As you work with your community, remain open to feedback and be willing to adapt but be sure to evolve with intention, remaining true to your core values. Build solid relationships with other organizations, businesses, and individuals in your community. By collaborating with others you can extend well beyond what is possible to achieve alone. Finally, be aware of the power of storytelling to deepen the connection you have with your community. Each person and pet has a story that can be used to build trust and inspire action.

When weathering the ups and downs of the pet care industry it’s important to understand that trends do not evolve in a vacuum. Behind each lies a variety of driving factors including changing lifestyles, economic conditions, and culture shifts. Staying ahead of these shifts requires businesses to listen to the animals and people that make up their community. With the emergence of new technologies, changes in regulations, and constantly evolving customer expectations, flexibility and adaptability are becoming ever more important. By collecting feedback on new programs, scaling what works, and keeping pets and people at the centre of every decision, Joybound looks to continue not only as a sustainable business but also a compassionate one. 

If you would like to learn more about Joybound People & Pets, you can visit their website at https://joybound.org/. There you will find information on their Shelter to Service, Grooming Academy, and Community Solutions programs, as well as their adoptable pets. If you would like to help contribute to their mission, they have a variety of volunteer opportunities and collect financial donations. Joybound People & Pets can also be found on Facebook and Instagram @joyboundpeopleandpets.

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Joybound People & Pets is a valued client of BusyPaws, making use of our booking, CRM, communications, and payments systems. We’re pleased to share a small part of their story with the pet care community.

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