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PAWS is the city's largest rescue partner.
Recent News
Myrtle: too special to part with!
Willow: once abandoned, now adored

37,015 animals saved to date
We take in rescues from the city shelter almost daily with a focus on the most vulnerable: adult dogs, kittens, and cats recovering from illnesses. Once safe at PAWS, they receive everything they need to become ready for adoption, then are matched with loving homes.

151,024 volunteer hours served
PAWS’ dedicated and caring volunteers are essential in every aspect of our lifesaving efforts.

330,430 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.

128,431 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' impact grows as our services expand & progress continues
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Stay up-to-date on lives saved and happy beginnings or maybe even find your new best friend!
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We’re not fooling when we say Walt Whit is an absolute delight! He’s looking for a foster home where he can recover from his kennel cough, and will reward you with lots of affection and playful grandpa antics. Walt has an irresistible smile and plenty of pep for his 9 years, and is an absolute goof when the toys come out!
Sick animals tend to improve much faster outside of the shelter, but we’ve seen a dip in foster signups lately due to the recent canine respiratory virus going around. We’re urgently seeking dog-free homes for Walt and his sniffly friends, or homes where resident dogs can be kept separate for 2-3 weeks. If you can help, email foster@phillypaws.org!
#dogsofphilly #getyourrescueon #fosteringsaveslives #phillypaws #phillypawsfoster ...
Have you grabbed tickets for Pours for PAWS yet? Early bird pricing ends today!
This night out is hosted by the Young Friends of PAWS and open to animal lovers of all ages who want to support our lifesaving efforts 🐶 🐱
Join us on Thursday, April 27 from 6:30–8:30 PM at @toptomatobar for a 2-hour open bar, appetizers, tasty pizza, great tunes, and a silent auction with local goodies from vendors across the city!
Get your ticket today at phillypaws.org/pours (link in bio)🍻 ...
Would you like to save a pet from heartache and save an owner from losing their best friend? These cats are looking for Safety Net fosters! Many animals entering shelters have owners who are desperate to keep them, and just need a temporary place for them to stay during a difficult transition. By opening your home to a friendly pet for 1-3 months, you’ll help us open shelter space for pets who truly have nowhere to go, and help a family remain intact.
Sweetie, Larry, and Curly are all very nervous at the shelter and would love to find foster homes as soon as possible. Larry and Curly came from the same household and are hoping to find a home together until their owner can take them back at the end of May. Sweetie would be happiest on her own and just needs a place to stay until April 21. If you’d like to help, please email foster@phillypaws.org!
#getyourrescueon #fosteringsaveslives #phillypaws #phillypawsfoster ...
We are heartbroken to share that we had to say goodbye to Groovy today after her condition sharply declined overnight. We were hopeful after she showed some progress yesterday, but her oxygen levels dropped significantly, even though her care team took extra steps to help her breathe more easily.
Despite all of the treatments she`d received, Groovy`s prognosis was poor. She was struggling to breathe, and there wasn`t anything else that could be done for her.
Saying goodbye is always painful, even when it’s the kindest thing we can do. We take comfort in knowing that Groovy was in the very best hands with the veterinary team at @bluepearlphiladelphia, and had so many caring supporters rallying behind her. This sweet girl was surrounded by love until the very end, and can finally rest easy.
Our deepest thanks go out to Groovy’s medical team, and to the many animal lovers who contributed to her care. We are profoundly grateful for your kindness and compassion.
We are currently grappling with some very severe dog upper respiratory infections in our community, at the city shelter, and among PAWS` shelter dog population. Recuperating in a home setting reduces the likelihood that a pet will become dangerously ill, and we are desperately seeking dog-free foster homes for dogs who are sick or at risk of becoming sick. If you’d like to take a hands-on role in a shelter dog’s recovery, please email foster@phillypaws.org for more information. ...
Brian is sick and urgently needs a foster home — please help! We are really struggling to place our dogs lately due to the upper respiratory infection going around. Brian in particular has been at the shelter for a few weeks and his cough is getting worse. He would benefit tremendously from going to a foster home to recover, even if it’s just for a couple of weeks!
This lovable doofus is always smiling and so happy to make new friends. He loves to snuggle up next to you and follow you around so he doesn’t miss any fun! Brian has a history of living with cats, and is friendly with other pups but should be kept away from them until he’s recovered from his illness. He adores all humans, but will do best in a home with teens and up since he’s still learning how to take treats like a gentleman.
Brian will be a wonderful foster for almost any experience level, and will be your best friend in no time! Email foster@phillypaws.org for more info about this special boy. ...
Are you a sucker for a handsome ginger? Theodore is waiting to meet you at our Old City location! A chatty boy with a sweet and spicy personality, his favorite thing to do is to chase after toys you’ve thrown for him, flying down the stairs and doing somersaults once he`s reached his prize.
Theodore (aka Teddy) is a very talkative boy who loves to tell you how he`s doing, and enjoys relaxing with his people at the end of the day, either on the top of the couch or snuggled next to you (he’s also an expert masseuse and is happy to knead on you). Teddy`s personality will shine best in a home with adults and/or teens, and he’d likely do well with a fur-buddy with the same energy level!
Visit Theodore and our other adoptable felines at PAWS’ Old City Adoption Center, or learn more about him at our adoptions page (link in bio)!
#catsofphilly #phillypaws #gingercatsofinstagram ...
Groovy is fighting to survive and needs your help now. She’s in critical condition after her canine upper respiratory infection developed into a life-threatening pneumonia, and has spent the last 24 hours in intensive care at the emergency vet.
The prognosis is currently very guarded for Groovy: she’s still dull and listless in spite of round-the-clock care with fluids and oxygen, and isn’t responding to treatment as the vet team had hoped.
If there was a special medication, treatment, or procedure that would ensure this sweet girl’s recovery, we’d pursue it in a heartbeat. But with a pneumonia this severe, the only treatment is time and intensive medical support.
Groovy’s best hope for survival is to remain at @bluepearlphiladelphia for at least another 24-48 hours. Any amount you can contribute towards her care will help ensure she has every fighting chance at recovery. If you’re able to make a gift, you can do so via Instagram, Venmo (username @phillypaws), or through our #linkinbio.
Ps. If you’d like to take a hands-on role in a shelter dog’s recovery, we are desperately seeking dog-free foster homes for shelter pups who are currently fighting upper respiratory infections, since recuperating in a home setting greatly reduces the risk of severe illness. Email foster@phillypaws.org for more info! ...
We have a full house in our feline medical ward and fosters are needed now! Thumbelina, Prospero, Moon Jelly, Patchy, Peyton, and Patty Melt are incredibly sweet and would love to finish healing at your place. They’re all recovering from injuries and don’t need much beyond rest, basic oral meds, and lots of chin scratches ❤️🩹
Several cats needing medical care are waiting at @acctphilly with no rescue prospects in sight, but PAWS can save them if we find homes for our current medical cases. PAWS provides all the medication, follow up vet care, and guidance you’ll need, and your feline foster friend will thank you with tons of snuggles and affection!
Email foster@phillypaws.org if you can help, and sign up in the meantime through our #linkinbio!
#getyourrescueon #fosteringsaveslives #catsofphilly #phillypaws #phillypawsfoster ...
Tim is the low maintenance senior of your dreams! This 12 year old charmer is full of endearing quirks: excited little hops when he sees a familiar face, butt wiggles when meeting a new friend, and full on sploots when he lays down with a favorite toy.
Tim absolutely adores relaxing by your side on the couch, but can also walk for miles without getting tired thanks to his arthritis medication. He’ll be a great fit for an adopter who enjoys leisurely strolls as much as he does!
If you’re looking for 67 pounds of love, Tim can’t wait to spend his golden years with you!
#oldbutgold #seniordoglove #phillypaws #phillypawsfoster ...
SOS: sweet little Butterbean needs a foster hero asap! This cuddly girl has been incredibly affectionate in foster care and is going to make her future home so happy. She just desperately needs a little help getting to the point!
She was unexpectedly diagnosed with ringworm (not a worm, but a mild fungal infection of the skin), and her current foster parents aren’t set up to continue caring for her. She was very stressed when she was at the shelter, and we don’t want to put any more strain on her health!
Butterbean needs very little space in your home at the moment — she’s been prescribed strict rest due to a severe leg injury she arrived with — so even a large dog crate/pen or small bathroom will work great for this cutie! She`s currently on two medications, an oral med for Ringworm and a pain med that can be sprinkled in her food.
Email foster@phillypaws.org to learn more about Butterbean from our foster team!
#getyourrescueon #fosteringsaveslives #phillypaws #phillypawsfoster ...
Some pets feel like family from day one! When Heather and Brian took Myrtle home as a foster in December, they planned to help her get healthy, enjoy some canine companionship, and find her a forever family. But this gentle granny transformed their lives as soon as she arrived. As their bond deepened and Myrtle filled their days with warmth and joy, they soon realized they couldn’t imagine life without her!
“For someone who has cared for family and friends’ pets for over 15 years,” says Heather, “I know first-hand the healing power of pet companionship and am a big believer in pet therapy. There is no doubt that there has been a lot of healing felt in our family, and I definitely attribute that to all the love and comfort Sweet Myrtle has shared.”
There were countless reasons for making Myrtle an official member of the family. One of the most unexpected ones was the special friendship she’d developed with Heather’s mother, who’d never been comfortable with dogs until she met this extraordinary senior.
“I think one of the biggest surprises that has happened over the past 85 days with Myrtle is the surprising bond that she has formed with my mom. I say this because mom has never been much of a dog person – never grew up with dogs and just not very comfortable around them.
“My mother cared for my father around the clock for many years as he struggled with dementia, and we lost my dad back in 2021. All I can say is that I am watching this beautiful relationship between the two of them bloom and a great lightness can be felt ever since Myrtle arrived. Myrtle brings so much joy & happiness to our lives.
“I will drop Myrtle off at moms and on my way out cannot help but smile when I hear, “Want to watch the Golden Girls Myrtle?” She tells me,”I really think she likes watching Golden Girls with me!” Mom will also play Wordle with Myrtle or do her crosswords with her – always with one hand on Myrtle. And at the end of the day, when we are heading out, I’ll often hear, ‘I am so excited to see you again tomorrow, Myrtle!’ Music to my ears!”
Want to transform a pet’s life, and your own? Visit our #linkinbio to become a foster or adopt a new family member with PAWS! ...
You’ll be saying “hubba hubba” once you meet Mr. Chubba Chubba! This 8 year old mush is a cuddle bug through and through. His foster reports that he loves to snuggle next to you and on you, whether you’re on the couch, chair, or snoozing in bed.
There’s no need to worry whether you’ve given Chubba enough affection for the day — he’ll be kindly inform you it’s cuddle time with one of his sweet meows!
Chubba eats a special diet to manage his kidney disease, and would be happy to share his home with other mellow cats. If you’d like to find out how soft Chubba’s cheeks are in real life, visit our adoptions page to learn more about taking home this friendly boy (link in bio)!
Ps. Chubba’s foster can only keep him for a couple more weeks, so if you’re looking for some sweet feline companionship but aren’t ready to commit long term, email foster@phillypaws.org about fostering this lovely gentleman! ...
What a day! Yesterday’s pet pantry and vaccination clinic was one for the books. In partnership with @phillynokill we provided 216 owners with much-needed pet food for their beloved family members, and Philly Pets Vax Project provided vaccinations and dewormer to about 500 pets!🙀
The number of families who braved the chilly rain to ensure their pets had the care they needed is a testament to how deeply they love their furry companions. It also highlights just how great the need is, as economic and housing challenges continue to grow. If you’d like to donate unopened bags of dog or cat food or help with our next pantry, please email help@phillypaws.org! ...
Piggy munchies with Peanut to kick off your Saturday night (sound on)! If you think guinea pigs sit around all day, think again. When they’re not treating you to crunchy ASMR during mealtime, many piggies enjoy exploring their surroundings and affection with their people.
We’ve got over a dozen guinea pigs available for adoption right now with a whole range of personalities, so whether you’re looking for a bonded pair or a single buddy to join a piggy friend at home (because they’re always best in twos), see who’s waiting to meet you at our #linkinbio!
#guineapigsofinstagram #phillypaws #phillypawsfoster ...
After a long journey, this former stray is once again exactly where she belongs! Marbles was rescued by PAWS after a Good Samaritan found her outside, fighting a cold and suffering from a severe eye infection.
We discovered a microchip tracing back to Baltimore, and left a message with her last known owner. When her mom contacted us, we learned she had not technically lost her, but she desperately wanted her back!
Several years ago, she reluctantly rehomed Marbles with a friend, and was devastated to learn later that they had given her to someone else. It was one of her biggest regrets, so she was over the moon at the prospect of being reunited with her cherished pet!
We performed surgery to remove Marbles’ badly damaged eye, and her mom picked her up as soon as she was healthy enough to travel. “I tell her at least 30 times a day how much I love her and how beautiful she is,” she shared recently. “I am so grateful to have her back!” ...
🛑 Stop what you’re doing and watch Bear’s face flaps in action (sound all the way up, trust us)!
Bear’s foster parents (@phillyfosterdads) have nicknamed him Pop Pop, because he’s the sweetest old man you’ll meet. He loves to spend his days strolling through the neighborhood, or snoozing on the couch with his foster-dog sister. He is happiest with his head resting on your lap, and could stay there forever if you let him (or until dinner time)!
Bear is trying not to let his age slow him down, and still goes on walks and up & down stairs despite some arthritic hind legs that require daily pain medication. Bear was pretty fast friends with the dogs and cats in his foster home, and would be happy as ever to find another crew of chill dogs or cats to hang out with - or to be spoiled rotten as your only pet!
This kind soul is full of funny quirks that will keep you chuckling throughout the day. If you`re looking for a older boy to bring some more cuddles to your life, Bear may be the one! Learn more about this very special grandpa at our adoptions page (link in bio)!
#grandpadog #oldbutgold #jowlsfordays #dogsofphilly #phillypaws #phillypawsfoster ...
Saturday’s free vaccine clinic and pet pantry event is ON, rain or shine! We’re cohosting with Philly Pets Vax Project and @phillynokill, so if you need food or shots for your pets, join us from 10-1 tomorrow, March 25, at 1101 W. Hunting Park Avenue (be sure to prepare for the weather so your and your pet can stay dry)! ...
It’s #NationalPuppyDay, and these pups need your help! Canine influenza infections are sweeping through the community as well as local shelters, and dog-free foster homes are urgently needed to help these pups recover while they’re still contagious to other dogs. Every dog who leaves the shelter will allow us to rescue another dog in their place, so you’ll be saving two lives! Read on to learn more about our canine companions, and email foster@phillypaws.org if you can help!
7 year old Rocky loves to lean in for pets and will slump his whole body into you. He could stay snuggled up next to you all day long if you let him! This a heart-melting senior is having a rough couple of weeks after landing in the city shelter when his owner passed away. He’s looking for a foster home where he can enjoy lots of snuggles and won’t need to climb too many stairs.
9 year old Walt is a new intake from the city shelter who has been a very chill guy despite all the stress of the city shelter. He’s pretty easy to walk on leash, and spends most of his time sniffing or moseying around when outside. He seems to have a good foundation of manners, but has yet to really open up beyond hanging out by your side for pets — we`d love to hear from a foster what this sweet guy is like in a home!
6 year old Brian has the face of a wise house elf, and the heart of a silly puppy. Brian will charm you instantly with his wiggly tail, and he wants to be friends with everyone he sees. He also lived with cats in his previous home (though a foster should have space to separate during slow intros). Brian is the perfect goofy guy for both beginners or veteran fosters!
#getyourrescueon #dogsofphilly #fosteringsaveslives #phillypaws #phillypawsfoster ...
If you’ve ever wondered why fosters are so vital to our work, just ask Jasper! He was very scared and nervous after losing his home, and kept getting overlooked at our adoption center because he was so withdrawn. After a few weeks in foster care with @monkeybutterfly (who made this adorable video), he’s embraced his inner lovebug and is ready to start the rest of his life with you!
“He had a tough time adapting to all the
changes at first,” wrote foster mom Rita, “but look how far he’s come!!!! This sweet boy is affectionate, loves to play, but knows the value of alone time. A forever home is the perfect ending to Jaspers journey.”
Visit our #linkinbio to find Jasper at our adoptions page, or to sign up and become a foster yourself!
#fosteringsaveslives #phillypawsfoster #phillypaws ...
Creamsicle’s a dreamsicle! This little Luck Dragon is around 13 years old and looking for a foster home ASAP. He’s very kind and his day-to-day care isn’t extensive at all, but the shelter is not the right place for a little old man needing TLC.
Sweet Creamsicle is eating a special diet to help manage his early stage kidney disease, and is likely blind due to hypertension. His legs are also a little wobbly, but with a smaller room to start him off and a consistent furniture layout, he can absolutely navigate around a home just fine once he’s had time to learn the “lay(out) of the land.”
We’re worried about Creamsicle’s quality of life here at the shelter. This friendly grandpa deserves to be out of a cage, free of stress, and soaking up lots of love and sunbeams! If you’d like to change Creamsicle’s life and find out just how soft his ear tufts are in real life, email foster@phillypaws.org!
#getyourrescueon #fosteringsaveslives #catsofphilly #phillypaws #phillypawsfoster ...