Measure X Helps Keep Carmen and Kodi Together

How Measure X is Breaking Down Barriers to Care

For 80-year-old Carmen, becoming a pet guardian for the first time was both exciting and a little overwhelming. Since welcoming Kodi, a Pomeranian + Havanese mix, into her home in March 2026, the pair have become inseparable. Carmen cherishes the companionship Kodi provides. Each evening, the two enjoy a quiet walk around the neighborhood, a simple routine that brings comfort, connection, and joy to both.

But as pet care costs continue to increase, Carmen faced difficult challenges getting Kodi the care he needed.

Their journey with Joybound began at a free pet vaccine and microchip clinic in Richmond in June. While attending the event, Carmen stopped by the Community Solutions table and learned about additional resources available to help pet families keep their beloved companions healthy and safe.

As a first-time pet guardian, Carmen was doing her best to care for Kodi. However, his grooming needs had become difficult to manage. His long, matted fur affected his comfort, visibility, and ability to move freely. Carmen also struggled with a worn retractable leash that made their daily walks more challenging and less safe.

Through Joybound’s support services, Kodi received grooming care at the Englestad Grooming Academy, transforming not only his appearance but also his comfort and quality of life.

Carmen was also able to have Kodi neutered – an important step in being a pet guardian, and Kodi and Carmen met with Joybound’s behavior training team who provided guidance on safe leash walking as well as a new harness and leash set to make their neighborhood walks easier and more comfortable.

This assistance – vaccination, microchipping, surgery, was made possible through Measure X funding, which helps Joybound provide critical veterinary services to pet families throughout Contra Costa County.

For Carmen, access to low-cost spay and neuter services meant more than a veterinary procedure. It meant peace of mind. It meant keeping Kodi healthy and preventing accidental litters. It meant having a trusted partner to help navigate the challenges of pet guardianship. And most importantly, it meant preserving the special bond that has become such an important part of her daily life.

The impact extends beyond one family. Measure X funding helps ensure that pet guardians throughout Contra Costa County can access essential services that keep pets healthy and families together. By removing barriers to care, these resources strengthen the bond between people and pets.

Carmen’s gratitude says it best: “Joybound, thank you for your patience with me. I’m being pulled in many directions, but Kodi is my support. Thank you for giving me another chance.”

Thanks to Contra Costa County’s Measure X funding, pet guardians like Carmen can get the help they need when they need it most, helping their beloved pets stay healthy and keeping families together.