A Volunteer Making a Big Difference

Meet Julie!

We’re fortunate to have an incredible team of volunteers who dedicate their time and hearts to helping animals and the community. Julie is one of them! Her Joybound journey began three years ago with the passing of her beloved senior cat. Amid her grief, Julie found comfort and healing when she adopted a new cat from Joybound. That adoption sparked a deeper connection to our mission, and she knew she wanted to give back by volunteering. 

Her first volunteer role was as a “cat socializer,” where she would spend time in our cat condos, helping our furry friends feel comfortable and confident in their space. Socializing and stimulating the cats in this way is important for their wellbeing and helps them find their forever homes. For Julie, it was the perfect way to combine her love for animals with her desire to make a difference. 

Volunteering with Our Community Solutions Clinic

A few months ago, Julie took on a new volunteer role with our Community Solutions Free Pet Vaccination and Microchip Clinic. This rotating clinic visits different Bay Area locations once a month to provide essential services to families in need. Julie’s been loving it! 

On March 8, 2025, she spent the day volunteering at our Richmond clinic. By 10 am, they’d already registered over 200 pets! Julie shared that the gratitude from the pet owners made it a rewarding day. “There’s a lot of love and gratitude here. We’re having fun,” she said. Richmond’s Vice Mayor, Cesar Zepeda, stopped by to show his support! By the end of the clinic, we vaccinated and microchipped 298 cats and dogs, helping 177 households — 63% of which were from Richmond and San Pablo. It’s all part of Joybound’s Pet Safety Net program, which helps families facing financial challenges access the care their pets need through our partnership with Contra Costa County Animal Services. 

For Julie, volunteering at these clinics has been a way to connect with the community and directly help pets and their owners. We’re grateful for her hard work, compassion, and love for the animals and families we serve. 

You Can Make a Difference, Too

If you’re inspired by Julie’s story and want to get involved with Joybound, we’d love to have you on our team of amazing volunteers. There are so many ways you can make a difference — whether it’s by volunteering at a clinic, fostering an animal, or helping with our adoption programs. Together, we can continue to create a brighter future for both pets and people in our community.