Joybound People and Pets FKA Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation

Community Outreach Programs:Building upon the foundation of animal rescue and adoption, Joybound reaches out to our community to provide a wide breadth of services to support pet families. Our Shelter to Service program trains carefully selected shelter animals to become psychiatric service dogs and emotion support animals, assisting veterans and other individuals coping with psychological trauma and mental health challenges. This year, 131 people were enriched by psychiatric service dogs, facility dogs, and emotional support animals. Joybound's Pet Safety Net program provided counseling, financial support, and resource referrals to help 1,100 families retain their pets during times of crisis. The Community Solutions team responded to 2,137 calls and emails, offering expert guidance to community members facing animal-related challenges. Joybound hosted monthly free Vaccine and Microchip Clinics to provide essential preventive care for pets in underserved communities - serving 2,938 cats and dogs during the year. These clinics were offered on the Joybound campus and at partner locations across Contra Costa County and help protect public health by delivering core vaccinations and by ensuring pets can be identified and reunited with their families through microchipping. By removing financial and logistical barriers, the program supports pet retention, helps keep pets healthy, and reduces shelter surrenders. Through the Community Veterinary Care fund (CVC) 442 veterinary exams were provided to pets from low-income households in Contra Costa County, ensuring these animals received critical veterinary care. Our Pet Food Pantry program provided 30,840 meals to ensure that cats and dogs did not go hungry. For grieving pet owners, Joybound held monthly Pet Loss Support Group meetings, providing support and care during a very difficult time to 43 people working through the loss of their pet. Joybound's Pet Hug Pack therapy animal program continued to provide emotional support and companionship to individuals in hospitals, schools, care facilities, and community outreach events. This year, Pet Hug Pack teams brought comfort and joy to 15,681 people across dozens of sites. All therapy animals are temperament-tested, healthy, and trained for their important roles.

Animal Care & Adoptions:This year, Joybound People & Pets placed 2,041 cats and dogs into new, loving homes through its adoption program. Each animal was behaviorally and medically assessed, treated as needed, spayed or neutered, and microchipped prior to adoption. While awaiting placement, all animals received daily enrichment, compassionate care, and basic training to enhance adoptability and promote well-being. In addition to routine shelter operations, Joybound also provided emergency rescue relief by assisting animal organizations impacted by natural disasters. We transferred animals in need from areas affected by events like wildfires, provided urgent veterinary care and housing, and facilitated adoption placement. These collaborative efforts helped ease the burden on overcrowded shelters and gave displaced animals a safe path to recovery and a new home.