Joybound People and Pets Fka Tony Larussas Animal Rescue Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To inspire and nurture the human-animal bond and bring people and animals together to enrich each other's lives.
- Income
- $13.4 million
- Spending
- $18.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 35.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 67%
- Employees
- 179
- Volunteers
- 543
- Highest pay
- $324,922, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 35.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 37% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 28 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $5.1 million spent. 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.
- $4.6 million spent. 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.
- $4.2 million spent. Veterinary Clinic:Joybound's onsite veterinary clinic provides essential medical care and surgical procedures for animals in our adoption program. Additionally, through our public spay/neuter initiatives, we support community members and rescue partners in addressing companion animal overpopulation. A total of 4,888 spay and neuter surgeries were performed during the year for both shelter and public animals, helping to reduce shelter intakes and prevent unwanted litters. Another 283 quality-of-life surgeries were performed to enable dogs and cats to live their best lives possible. Additionally, 1,049 veterans received free veterinary wellness exams, vaccinations, and preventative treatments from Joybound's caring Clinic team.
- $1.0 million spent. Animal Behavior and Training:Joybound provided a robust schedule of in-person training classes aimed at promoting positive pet behavior and strengthening the human-animal bond. This included 939 classes teaching basic manners, puppy social skills, kitten kindergarten and other group training sessions. Private consultations provided 1,450 dog and cat guardians with customized support either in person, virtually or by phone.Grooming Academy:Joybound's Grooming Academy was launched in June 2024 to address workforce barriers while supporting community pet wellness. The academy provides hands-on training in professional grooming for individuals facing employment challenges, including veterans and others with limited access to job opportunities. Graduates are equipped with marketable skills for careers in the pet care industry. At the same time, the program offers affordable grooming services to the public and to Joybound's shelter animals, improving adoptability and overall animal wellbeing. During the year, 46 students completed the Grooming Academy, and 1,510 public and shelter dogs were groomed with care.Service Volunteers:During the year, 779 active volunteers shared 56,918 hours of their time across Joybound's full breadth of programs - from fostering, to greeting visitors, to assisting with laundry, to walking dogs, to socializing cats.. you name it. Joybound could not accomplish all that we do without these selfless volunteers.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1996.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.