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Fosters needed: help save lives!

Foster homes are at the heart of PAWS’ ability to save lives. When you foster one animal, we rescue the life of another. With a brief commitment, you can be a hero for cats, dogs, and small animals. We provide supplies and support; you provide love and care!

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Adopt Humble

Part muppet, part alpaca, and 100% original, Humble is playful, ridiculously cute, and marches to the beat of his own drum. He’s looking for a dog-savvy, adult-only home where his quirks will be appreciated. He’s got opinions (especially about neighbor noise—expect some colorful commentary!), but with the right family, we know he’ll gain confidence and embrace his independence.

Meet Humble

Adopt Andre

Andre is a big-hearted 10-year-old who loves human company and coexists well with other cats. He enjoys flexing his playful streak—pouncing on feather toys, scaling his scratching post, and expertly tracking tossed kibble—before settling in for well-earned chin scratches. While he eats a special diet and manages asthma with daily medication, his endearing quirks make him the perfect mix of silly and lovable.

Meet Andre

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!

TriSarahtops
Foster Care
In my previous home, I was full of energy and always ready for adventure. Since arriving at the shelter, though, I’ve been feeling a bit nervous. I’d love to find a home with another dog who can help me regain my confidence so I can get back to enjoying zoomies and snuggles!
Meet Me >
Choco Taco
Foster Care
I'm a sweet treat who just wants to relax, befriend everyone I meet, and be near my people where I'm happiest!
Meet Me >
Hustle
Foster Care
I'm a a seasoned snuggler and couch connoisseur who loves getting pets and belly rubs, sharing kisses, and playing with my favorite toys!
Meet Me >
Bumpy
Grays Ferry Clinic
I'm Bumpy, a 46-pound lap dog with a snuggly nature, named after the lovable dinosaur from Jurassic Park. While I'm adjusting to some life changes, I'm looking for a chill home where I can relax, get plenty of affection, and slowly build confidence in my new routine.
Meet Me >
Quartz
Foster Care
At 12 years young, I'm the definition of peaceful companionship. I dare you not to fall in love when I gaze into your eyes!
Meet Me >
Kona
Foster Care
I'm a loving, smart, and snuggly 6-year-old pup looking for a cat-free home where I can be your BFF and maybe share life with another dog!
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.

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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

04.02.25

2025 Kitten Week at PAWS!

As spring arrives, kitten season begins, bringing an influx of orphaned kittens and new mothers to the city’s shelters. PAWS’ nursery is quickly filling up with litters, and we’re seeking your assistance to support them — and many more who will follow — throughout the warmer months ahead! Help us welcome the little ones by […]
Read More
03.24.25

PAWS Announces Participation in PetSmart Charities® National Adoption Week & Receives Grant Funding

Pets are family. They offer hope, companionship, and unconditional love to their people. By adopting a pet in need, you not only gain a loyal friend but also help ease the strain on overcrowded shelters, which positively impacts the entire community. That’s why PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society) is proud to participate in PetSmart Charities® […]
Read More
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41,775 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.

387,529 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.

157,209 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
Pets Served 100 100
More Shelter Statistics

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Apr 19

Open
Say hello to Crunchwrap! He’s a sweet and scrungly former stray who’d love to get healthy in foster care with you 🥰 Crunchy arrived in rough shape — he’s underweight, recovering from anemia, and is fighting a persistent upper respiratory infection — but all he needs is some time and TLC to get back to feeling his best! An affectionate softy who loves a good chin scratch, Crunchy almost looks more like a little bear than a cat, and is around 9ish years old (it’s hard to confirm since he’s got no teefs)! If you’d like to help this kind gentleman with his glow up, email foster@phillypaws.org to learn more about Crunchwrap today!

Say hello to Crunchwrap! He’s a sweet and scrungly former stray who’d love to get healthy in foster care with you 🥰

Crunchy arrived in rough shape — he’s underweight, recovering from anemia, and is fighting a persistent upper respiratory infection — but all he needs is some time and TLC to get back to feeling his best!

An affectionate softy who loves a good chin scratch, Crunchy almost looks more like a little bear than a cat, and is around 9ish years old (it’s hard to confirm since he’s got no teefs)! If you’d like to help this kind gentleman with his glow up, email foster@phillypaws.org to learn more about Crunchwrap today! ...

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

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