WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — One of Contra Costa County's longest-running animal rescue and adoption nonprofits, operating for 32 years as the Animal Rescue Foundation, got a new name and a makeover Wednesday.
The Animal Rescue Foundation has become Joybound People & Pets, the organization announced.
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CEO Susan Lee Vick said, “If you've ever seen a dog wag its butt happily or a cat lovingly snuggle up to a person, you've seen Joybound in action. There should be,” he said. “The name Joybound reflects our long-standing commitment to forming and supporting strong human-animal bonds to bring greater health and happiness to canine, feline, and human families.”
Guest animals were treated to a red carpet during a ceremony Wednesday morning at the Walnut Creek campus as a crowd of dedicated volunteers, staff and supporters cheered on.
Walnut Creek Mayor Loella Haskew read a proclamation, and State Assemblywoman Rebecca Bauer-Kahan introduced a resolution commemorating the name change.
Other officials who joined in to help usher in the next era for the long-loved community organization include State Rep. Tim Grayson, Walnut Creek City Council members Kevin Wilk and Cindy Silva, and Steve・Representatives from State Senator Glazer's office and U.S. Representative Mark were present. Desaulniers and Contra Costa County Supervisor Ken Carlson.
“Anyone who owns a pet can tell you that pets are like family,” Glaser says. “We congratulate Joybound on this milestone and look forward to hearing about even more lives enriched by pet adoption.”
'Unleash The Love': Celebrations continue on Saturday
The celebration continues on Saturday, February 17th with “Unleash the Love,” an adoption and celebration featuring adorable animals from more than a dozen rescue and adoption organizations across Northern California. At this family-friendly event, the first 100 pets will be microchipped for free, whether adopted at the event or already part of the family.
Therapy animals share their love with guests.
Other festivities include food trucks, music, face painting, free ice cream and other giveaways.
Joybound expands services beyond Bay Area with addition of vocational training
Joybound People & Pets, formerly known as Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), was founded in 1991. Joybound's many programs support human-pet relationships throughout life, with the goal of making every adoption a story of a lasting friendship. love and mutual happiness. Services include training and veterinary care, feeding and feeding assistance, therapy and service animal programs, and extensive learning resources for all pet families.
The privately funded nonprofit, based at 2890 Mitchell Drive in Walnut Creek, plans to expand its human-animal bond-building and support services beyond Contra Costa County and the Bay Area. Additionally, Joybound plans to introduce pet-related job training programs for people interested in careers such as pet grooming, dog training, and veterinary nursing.
“The shared emotional experience of the human-animal bond lasts long after the rescue mission,” said Carol Ross, a volunteer for 14 years. She says, “Ultimately, our job is to help people and their pets develop and maintain a lifelong, joyful relationship.”
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