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All PAWS locations closed Sunday, January 25 & Monday, January 26

All PAWS locations are closed to the public on Sunday, January 25 and Monday, January 26 (don’t worry, some amazing staff and volunteers will be braving the weather to care for the four legged friends on-site). Thank you for your understanding, and please stay safe and warm!

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Make fostering your best New Year's resolution

What better way to kick off the new year than by saving lives? Foster homes make it possible for PAWS to help pets when they need it most. As we see more animals arrive, opening your home can be truly life-changing. Even a short foster stay gives a homeless pet safety and comfort while making room for another animal in need. We provide the supplies and support; you provide the love and care!

Shop our wishlist to help pets today

With our kennels at capacity, our most-needed items run out quickly. From nutritious wet food to keep pets of all ages nourished, to paper towels and cleaning supplies that help us maintain safe, comfortable spaces, every item makes a direct difference. Shop our most-needed items and make sure pets have the essentials they rely on every day.

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PAWS is Hiring: Join our team!

Join PAWS for a meaningful career in animal welfare! Work alongside passionate animal lovers and help us fulfill our mission of saving lives and building a better future for Philadelphia’s pets and people.

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Meet your new best friend!

Johnny Cash

Foster Care

"Hey there, I'm Johnny Cash" — a sweet, squishy homebody. If you need a relaxation coach for naps, toy time, and guilt-free TV binges, I’m your guy!

Meet Me >

Bingo

Foster Care

I'm a social, affectionate, hilarious charmer who loves other cats and is looking for a special home!

Meet Me >

Netta

Foster Care

I'm a low-riding, high-speed sweetheart with unlimited love, zero buffering, and a serious passion for booty scratches.

Meet Me >

Zoe

Foster Care

I’m a loving, talkative companion who wants to be your only pet, your biggest fan, and the narrator of your daily routine.

Meet Me >

Barbie Dreamhouse

Foster Care

Barbie’s my name, and being your future dreamboat is my game! I’m a gentle house hippo who loves nothing more than playing with toys, soaking up attention, and even hanging with other pups.

Meet Me >

Andre

Foster Care

I'm a gentle and mellow senior who loves to rock a bow tie and gets along with dogs and cats!

Meet Me >

All Available Dogs

All Available Cats

PAWS is the city's largest rescue partner.

We are working to make Philadelphia a place where every healthy and treatable pet is guaranteed a home. We do so through rescue, foster care, adoption, and preventing pet homelessness in the first place by offering low-cost spay/neuter and basic vet care.

Support Our Lifesaving Efforts

Donate Today

Make a one-time gift or commit to monthly support. Give in honor or memory of someone special.

Donate

Create a Fundraiser

Raise support from family and friends for your birthday, in honor of your pet, or for any occasion.

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More ways to give

Donate needed supplies, provide for the animals in your planned giving, plan an event, and more.

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Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinics

Keeping pets and families together through low-cost basic veterinary services. Our clinics in Grays Ferry and the Northeast serve tens of thousands of pets every year whose caretakers may not afford care elsewhere.

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Recent News

01.25.26

PAWS Closed on Sunday, January 25

All PAWS locations are closed to the public on Sunday, January 25 (don’t worry, some amazing staff and volunteers will be braving the weather to care for the four legged friends on-site)! At this time, we plan to reopen for regular hours on Monday, January 26. Updates will be shared by Sunday afternoon. Thank you […]

12.29.25

PAWS New Years Hours

As we celebrate the New Year, please note adjusted hours at all PAWS locations: Wednesday, December 31 Closing early at 3:00 PM Thursday, January 1: Closed Friday, January 2: Regular hours resume We encourage community members to plan visits and appointments accordingly. Our team is grateful for the chance to recharge so we can continue […]

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43,452 animals saved

We rescue animals, primarily from the city shelter, almost daily with a focus on the most vulnerable: adult dogs, kittens, cats recovering from illnesses, and small animals. Once safe at PAWS, they receive everything they need to become ready for adoption, then are matched with loving homes.

178,607 volunteer hours served

PAWS’ dedicated and caring volunteers are essential in every aspect of our lifesaving efforts.

406,999 clinic patients served

Our low-cost Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinics prevent pet homelessness and provide a needed resource in our community, enabling loving pet owners to care for and keep their dogs and cats as family.

165,085 spay/neuters performed

PAWS provides low-cost spay/neuter surgery for owned pets, rescues and community cats to prevent the birth of unwanted litters. Our efforts are working: since our clinics opened their doors, the number of homeless animals entering Philadelphia’s city shelter has declined year over year.

PAWS Partners

Our lifesaving work is possible with the meaningful support of business and community partners.

See our Partners

Current Partners

PAWS' impact grows as our services expand & progress continues

By rescuing, rehabilitating, and finding loving adopters for homeless animals with nowhere else to go, and providing affordable vet care and other services so pets can stay in their homes where they are loved, PAWS provides a vital and growing safety net for Philadelphia's most vulnerable cats and dogs. The pandemic has prompted a shift toward more intensive, individualized care for more complex needs.

2010

7154

2012

16160

2014

26188

2016

36510

2018

40455

2020

33840

2021

34528

2023

34801

More Shelter Statistics

Join us on social media

View Instagram post by phillypaws

Jan 25

Open post by phillypaws with ID 18092351855489053

Darby James got adopted just in time for the storm! As the city hunkered down for the weather yesterday, we are especially grateful to the staff, volunteers, and fosters who worked so diligently to move so many pets into cozy homes where they could watch the snow fall. More than a dozen pets found fosters or adopters yesterday, and we emptied both our dog kennels AND PAWS’ Old City Adoption Center!

PAWS is closed to the public today, but our remaining on-site pets are safe, warm, and cared for thanks to the incredible team members who are braving the snow to make sure they have all they need. As of right now, we are planning to be open for regular operations tomorrow, but we will post updates by the afternoon if this changes! ...

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View Instagram post by phillypaws

Jan 24

Open post by phillypaws with ID 18038185319528159

Meet Walnut, the ultimate snuggle sidekick! If you’re looking for a cat who will actually hang out with you, he’s your guy. This super-social, ultra-friendly cuddle bug is around 9 years old, and settled into his foster home like he’d always been part of the family.

9 year old Walnut is happiest right next to his people — curled up on a lap during a Netflix binge, stretched out in a patch of sunshine by the window, or following you around to see what’s happening next. He especially enjoyed playing with the two toddler boys in his foster home, and soaking up affection from everyone he meets. He has a permanent blep due to having some teeth removed, and it only makes us love him more!

What Walnut needs most is a family who will love him as fiercely as he loves them — and trust us, this boy has a lot of love to give ♥️ If you want a devoted companion who brings sunshine, snuggles, and endless charm (tiny tongue included), Walnut is ready to brighten your home! ...

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View Instagram post by phillypaws

Jan 24

Open post by phillypaws with ID 18056220887341897

❄️ SUNDAY SNOW UPDATE ❄️ Due to the severe forecasted weather, all PAWS locations will be closed to the public tomorrow, January 25 (don’t worry, some amazing staff and volunteers will be braving the weather to care for the four legged friends on-site)!

As of right now, we expect to reopen for regular hours on Monday, January 26. If this changes, we will share updates by Sunday afternoon. Thank you, and stay warm out there! ...

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View Instagram post by phillypaws

Jan 24

Open post by phillypaws with ID 17871004362520035

Update: foster found!
Poor Ana is breaking our hearts! This shy girl is terrified at the shelter and looking for a foster to show her that everything’s going to be alright. She was found outside, and is still adjusting to finding herself in a strange new place.

Ana is barely eating and spends all day curled up in her hidey hut, but she’s never shown any aggression — just lots of sad girl vibes 😭 She’s around 2 years old, and would be very grateful to move to a quiet home with a patient foster who can help her build trust and come out of her shell. If you’d like to learn more about helping sweet Ana, email foster@phillypaws.org today. ...

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Together, we will make Philadelphia a no-kill city.

Get Involved

All PAWS locations closed Sunday, January 25 & Monday, January 26

Make fostering your best New Year's resolution

Shop our wishlist to help pets today

PAWS is Hiring: Join our team!

Meet your new best friend!

Johnny Cash

Foster Care

Bingo

Foster Care

Netta

Foster Care

Zoe

Foster Care

Barbie Dreamhouse

Foster Care

Andre

Foster Care

PAWS is the city's largest rescue partner.

Support Our Lifesaving Efforts

Donate Today

Create a Fundraiser

More ways to give

Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinics

Recent News

PAWS Closed on Sunday, January 25

PAWS New Years Hours

43,452 animals saved

178,607 volunteer hours served

406,999 clinic patients served

165,085 spay/neuters performed

PAWS Partners

Our lifesaving work is possible with the meaningful support of business and community partners.

Current Partners

PAWS' impact grows as our services expand & progress continues

Join us on social media

Stay up-to-date on lives saved and happy beginnings or maybe even find your new best friend!

#phillypaws

Together, we will make Philadelphia a no-kill city.