Born from One Act of Compassion
When our founder discovered that the shelter down the street from her NYC home was a kill shelter, she signed up to foster a cat. That single decision sparked a mission that has grown into the work we do today.
Joyful Pets Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that exists to keep families and their pets together. Based in Amherst, Massachusetts, we connect pet families with veterinary assistance, housing support, pet food resources, behavior help, and more. When rehoming is the only option, we help with the vet care, transport, fostering, and placement needed to get pets safely to their next home.
We believe what the research shows: most surrenders are preventable. Families rarely lose their pets because the love wasn't there. They lose them because no one showed up with the right resource at the right moment. We are that resource.
What We Do
Veterinary Assistance
We help cover vet bills, procedures, and medications so a treatable health problem never forces a family to give up their pet.
Housing and Crisis Support
When families face housing transitions, hospitalization, or temporary emergencies, we help with boarding fees and connect them with pet-friendly housing resources.
Stay Together Resources
Pet food banks, behavior support, training resources, military deployment assistance, senior pet guardian programs. We connect families with whatever they need to keep their pet.
Rehoming Assistance
When keeping a pet is not possible, we help with the vet care, transport, fostering, and placement needed to get them safely to a loving new home.
Every dollar we raise goes to work removing a real, specific barrier for a real family. We document where it goes, and we measure what it makes possible.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Whether you need help for your pet or want to support families in crisis, we are here.