Break out the sequins and get ready to boogie for a great cause! Joybound People & Pets will host its annual signature fundraising gala, Unleash Happiness, on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 5:30 to 10:00 PM on its Walnut Creek campus. VIP guests are welcomed at 5:00 PM for an exclusive early experience. This year’s disco theme encourages guests to embrace their groovy glam and enter a dazzling evening where sequins, celebration and compassion shine, all in support of transforming the lives of pets and the people who love them.

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Joybound People & Pets presents its annual Unleash Happiness Gala on May 30, 2026, in Walnut Creek, CA. The disco-themed evening will feature special guest Jackson Galaxy, renowned cat behaviorist and television personality, alongside dining, entertainment, and auctions supporting programs that strengthen the bond between people and pets.

This unforgettable night will feature a special appearance by Jackson Galaxy, nationally known as “The Cat Daddy,” Animal Planet’s famed cat behavior expert, New York Times best-selling author, and longtime advocate for animal welfare. Best known as the host and executive producer of the hit series My Cat from Hell, Galaxy has become a global force in cat behavior and advocacy. Through his books, social media following, live appearances around the world, and the Jackson Galaxy Project, he continues to transform the lives of cats and the people who care for them. Guiding the night’s program is Emcee Dan Ashley, award-winning reporter, and anchor of ABC7 (KGO-TV). VIP table hosts and guests receive exclusive access to a meet and greet with Jackson Galaxy.

“Unleash Happiness is a joyful reminder that when we come together for a cause, we can create extraordinary change,” said Susan Lee Vick, President and CEO of Joybound People & Pets. “Guests will leave this party happy and inspired, knowing their presence and generosity directly support the animals and people who need us most.”

Held on Joybound’s Walnut Creek campus, the Unleash Happiness Gala offers guests an immersive experience into the heart of Joybound’s mission of forming, supporting, elevating, and celebrating the human-animal bond.

Guests will enjoy:

• Gourmet Delights: Exquisite hors d’oeuvres, grazing stations, a decadent 3-course dinner and indulgent desserts.
• Craft Cocktails & Fine Wines: Curated local wine selections and handcrafted signature cocktails and mocktails.
• Dancing & Entertainment: Disco music, lively entertainment, interactive moments, and special appearances from adorable four-legged ambassadors.
• Live, Silent and Online Auctions: Including unique travel experiences, curated wine packages, exclusive pet-lover bundles, and more.

Throughout the evening, attendees will receive exclusive, behind-the-scenes glimpses into Joybound’s pet adoption, therapy animal, and community programs and meet some of the dogs and cats whose lives are transformed through donor support.

Every ticket purchased and every auction bid placed fuels Joybound People & Pets’ life-changing programs, which bring people and pets together in powerful, lasting ways across the Bay Area and beyond. For full details: https://joybound.org/event/unleash-happiness-gala-disco-fever/

This event is made possible thanks to our generous partners and sponsors:

Purina, Petfinder, Diablo Magazine, Kelly and Carrie Barlow, Gagen McCoy, Steve Degnan, DLHA Law Group, Jennifer and Kevin Hall, VCA Animal Hospitals, JPA Strategies Group, Inc., Nixon Peabody, Signature Development Group, and John and Dayna Sayres.

About Joybound People & Pets: Joybound People & Pets is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the human-animal bond by providing compassionate rescue and adoption programs, pet-focused vocational training, and community services that benefit both animals and their human companions. Since 1991, Joybound has facilitated more than 54,000 pet adoptions, while offering accessible veterinary services, animal training, pet-related human services, and more, resulting in a 145% increase in essential services to the community since 2023.

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“Unleash Happiness is a joyful reminder that when we come together for a cause, we can create extraordinary change,” said Susan Lee Vick, President and CEO of Joybound People & Pets.