Meet your new best friend!
Pierogi
Foster Care
I'm a lively and outgoing gal with a passion for squeaky toys and any kind of adventure!
Denny
Grays Ferry Clinic
I'm a goofy guy who is ready to leave the shelter and eager to make a new friend!
Tilly
Foster Care
I'm a cuddly senior will follow my favorite person to the ends of the earth!
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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.
Recent News
01.31.23
Willow: once abandoned, now adored
From the moment she arrived, Willow amazed us with her kindness and resilience. This sweet young cat was abandoned at the city shelter with an eye infection that left her completely blind. When PAWS rescued her, she was still recovering from surgery to remove the remaining tissue, and had a long journey ahead of her. […]
01.11.23
Pickles: love was worth the wait!
This friendly former stray charmed everyone he met with his kind and goofy personality, but spent weeks searching for an adopter without any luck. Many miles away in Canada, Colinne and Peter were ready to open their hearts to a new dog after saying goodbye to their PAWS pup of over a decade. “My husband adopted […]
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February is spay/neuter awareness month! On any given day, PAWS veterinarians — experts at performing high-quality, high-volume surgery — are caring for owned pets, shelter pets, and community cats, supported by skilled vet technicians and frontline staff.
To date, PAWS has spayed and neutered more than 128,000 animals, and in 2022 alone, PAWS performed 12,398 spay/neuter surgeries, preventing countless unwanted litters and continuing to reduce the number of animals entering shelters!
The result? Less than half as many pets enter Philadelphia shelters compared to when we began, and far fewer litters are born on the street. Now that’s something to celebrate!
#spayneutersaveslives #nationalspayneuterawarenessmonth #phillycats #phillypaws
❗️ Pet food donations needed ❗️
Our next Community Pet Food Pantry event will take place on February 11 with Citizens for No-Kill Philadelphia and New Leash on Life, but we need your help restocking our pantry. Pantry events often serve between 100-145 family members, enabling loved pets to stay in their homes and out of shelters.
Donations of cat food (dry and wet) and litter are most needed, but dry and wet dog food will also be put to good use. Goods can be brought to any PAWS location during hours of operation or to the pantry location the morning of the event (next Saturday!).
If you would like to coordinate pet food drop-off for this event, or a future pantry, please email allison@phillypaws.org!
PAWS’ February volunteer spotlight is Risa Stolker! Risa has been volunteering as a cat care volunteer for a little over a year ago at our Old City location, but this isn't her first rodeo.
"Years ago I volunteered at a shelter in NY, walking dogs, taking care of cats, and helping with adoptions," shares Risa, "I wanted to find something similar in Philadelphia and feel so fortunate that PAWS has such a great volunteer program. The dedicated staff, my fellow volunteers, and the community of prospective adopters are truly amazing. I really look forward to my shifts and being around people who share my love for animals. Nothing makes me happier than when people find their cats and cats find their people."
After just a few shifts, Risa was completing tasks as if she had been a volunteer for many years! So much so that she is now a mentor volunteer for new folks starting their journey with PAWS, and recently represented PAWS (on her own!) at a charity fair.
When we asked Risa what her favorite moments about volunteering have been, she said, "My favorite moments are spending time with all of the cats, but I am especially fond of the senior kitties. I also enjoy training new volunteers, learning about animal rescue and welfare from the amazing adoptions staff, making the cat cages and rooms really nice with the coziest blankets, towels, toys, and beds, and volunteering at special events promoting PAWS."
We are so grateful to have Risa as a volunteer and hope she stays with PAWS for many years to come!
Lyla is a total love bug! 🥰
This super friendly gal is available for adoption through PAWS’ hospice program. Some of her favorite activities? Chilling on your lap while you WFH and laying on your chest while you take a nap!
Lyla’s foster shares she’s fond of walking around with two little stuffed mice in her mouth, meowing loudly until someone acknowledges it!
This adorable lady seeks a special family to give her care and comfort for whatever time she has left 🙏
Lyla is a part of our Hospice Program because she was diagnosed with mammary cancer, but she’s a happy girl ready to be showered with your love!
Learn more about Lyla at the link in our bio!
#phillypaws #phillypawsfoster #fosteringsaveslives #phillycats
When Tia's owner brought her to PAWS for a routine vaccination appointment, they couldn't have imagined it would end up saving her life!
This friendly pup had only recently joined her family when she arrived at our Northeast clinic. Although her demeanor appeared normal, PAWS' medical team made an alarming discovery during her exam: she was showing early signs of pyometra, a life-threatening uterine infection that would become fatal without surgery. Fortunately, a spay appointment was available at our Grays Ferry clinic the very next morning. After a successful surgery, Tia was reunited with her family and is now fully recovered and making a healthy new start!
Learn more about PAWS affordable clinic services and how they help end pet homelessness on our website through our link in bio!
#phillypaws
Stop scrolling: Willow's story will brighten your day! ☀️
From the moment she arrived, this young cat amazed us with her sweetness and resilience. Willow was abandoned at the city shelter with a severe infection in both eyes, leaving them damaged beyond repair. With time, encouragement, and lots of love in her foster home, she learned to navigate the world without sight. "Willow was a joy to foster," shared foster mom Rita, "Every day I was so excited to see what she would learn and discover." When the time was right, Willow found her forever home and is now bringing that same joy to her adopter!
Read more about Willow's journey on our website through our link in bio!
#phillypaws #phillypawsfoster #getyourrescueon🐾❤️ #catsofinstgram
These sweet faces? They’re all safe thanks to YOU! With your help, PAWS took in 172 formerly homeless animals in January who had nowhere else to turn. Some needed treatment for illnesses and injuries, others needed a safe place to land, but all of them have a bright future ahead of them because of supporters like you. Want to help us save more in February? Make a #FiveDollarFriday gift of any amount!
You can give via Instagram, Venmo (username @phillypaws), or at phillypaws.org/friday (link in bio)!
#phillypaws #getyourrescueon
This little granny has really been through it this week and needs a foster ASAP!
Fridge is feeling crummy after having several very bad teeth removed, and is having a hard time adjusting to the other pup in her current foster home (we get it girl, we’d want some extra space, too). She’s due for another dental surgery in the next few weeks, and urgently needs a new foster placement where she can heal without feeling stressed.
If you have a quiet home and a soft spot for seniors, Fridge would be thrilled to continue her recovery at your place! Email foster@phillypaws.org to learn more about this adorable golden girl.
Holy moly! 🙀 Did you know PAWS supporters raised over $25,000 for Philly's pets last year through Instagram and Facebook fundraisers alone?
Join the fun by creating a fundraiser of your own! It's the perfect way to celebrate a birthday or special occasion, honor a pet or loved one, or make a difference just because.
You can fundraise for PAWS any time you create a post – just tap "Add fundraiser" and search "Phillypaws" to choose us as your beneficiary. 100% of what you raise goes to PAWS without any fees taken out, and will immediately be put to work saving lives ❤🐾
Have you always wanted your very own unicorn? Kita is looking for a foster home and would love to bring some magic into your life!🦄
This senior sweetheart was found wandering all by herself in Fairmount Park near Strawberry Mansion. She has a PAWS microchip from *15* years ago (!) but so far we’ve been unable to contact an owner. We can only imagine how scared and confused Kita must be, but she’s been nothing but kind and trusting with everyone she’s encountered.
If you’d like to open your home to this gentle soul while she looks for her forever family, email foster@phillypaws.org to learn more about Kita!
#getyourrescueon #seniordoglove #oldbutgold #unicorndog #fosteringsaveslives #phillypaws
This sweet old man is ready for your love! Super senior Nibbles landed at our Old City adoption center after his heartbroken owner of 17 years was unable to keep him, and he’s looking forward to finding someone special to retire with. Could that be you?
Nibbles has plenty of zest for his age, and is a big fan of play time and chin scratches. He’s a gentle sweetheart, but is also true to his name and can be a bit of a nibbler (it honestly kind of just makes him cuter). He’ll be a wonderful fit for a cat-experienced adult home where he can enjoy affection and sunny naps as your only pet!
This adorable grandpa is waiting to meet you at our Old City location along with our other adoptable cats. He has some health needs common to many seniors, which you can read more about at his adoption page (link in bio)!
#oldbutgold #seniorcatlove #grandpacat #phillypaws
This short stack is looking for a foster or adoptive home!
Chip is a 35lb goober whose heartbroken owner was unable to keep him. He loves to play and is quite the little clown, but still has plenty of good boy house manners and was fully housebroken in his last home! His owner shared that his favorite activities include cuddle time, fetch, and following his human around the house.
Email foster@phillypaws.org to learn more about taking home Chip today!
We’re so excited to become a @PetSmartCharities accelerator grantee! Grant funds will go directly toward expanding the scope and volume of services at our Grays Ferry clinic so that we can be there for more of the pets and people who need us most. Thanks to our partnership with PetSmart Charities, we're able to make an even bigger difference for pets like Seven and all the people who love them!
#petsmartcharities
#petsmart
#acceleratorgrantee
Calling all Northeast cat owners (and TNR trappers)! We have a large number of feline spay/neuter surgery appointments available at our 1810 Grant Avenue clinic this Wednesday, February 1, and Thursday, February 2.
If your cat needs to be snipped, you can schedule their appointment online through our #linkinbio!
*Community cat trappers can email neclinic@phillypaws.org to schedule an appointment — subsidies are available for cats trapped in Philly!
Surgeries for owned cats are $70, which includes rabies and distemper vaccinations if needed, plus complimentary nail trim 💅
#spayneutersaveslives #phillypaws #catsofphilly #phillycats
If you’re curious about fostering a pet and want to learn more, join us for our online foster info session hosted by PAWS’ foster manager!
Thousands of animals arrive in city shelters each year, and our ability to save them depends on the number of foster parents we have standing by, ready to welcome a pet into their home until they find their permanent family.
This half hour Zoom will cover a range of topics, including:
• What fostering is and why it's important
• More about PAWS' foster program and what we offer
• Frequently asked questions
• How to get started
• ...And more!
Plus, a Q&A session at the end to answer any other questions you might have!
Register for our info session on Wednesday, February 8 at 6pm through our #linkinbio.
#getyourrescueon #fosteringsaveslives #phillypawsfoster #phillypaws
In case you missed the game, James is here with a reenactment! 🦅💥
This friendly boy won big and found his forever home at our Old City Adoption Center this weekend 🎉 If you’re looking to add a new member to your team, check out our adoptions page to see who’s waiting to meet you (link in bio)!
#itsaphillything #flyeaglesfly #eaglesnation #phillypaws
Please join us in thanking our interns from @germantownfriends for their invaluable assistance this month!
We are not always in the position to take interns, but the stars aligned and Addison, Momoko and Mackenzie joined our team for the month of January!
They all worked really hard to help us start off 2023 on the right foot. We were so lucky to have their support at our Grays Ferry and Old City locations, and we wish them the best of luck for the rest of their school year and beyond!
Try to resist Mr. Chubba Chubba's cheeks, we dare you! 😭
A cuddle bug through and through, Chubba Chubba likes to be with his people.
Chubba Chubba’s human tragically passed away in a fire, leaving him and six other cats behind, so he could potentially live with other social and independent cats.
Mr. Chubba Chubba eats a special diet to manage his kidney disease, but he's as friendly and robust as ever and can't wait to fill your home with love!
Learn more about Mr. Chubba Chubba at the link in our bio!
#phillypaws #phillypawsfoster #fostercats #fosteringsaveslives #phillycats
Looking for a new brunch date? How about 2? Meet Bryce & Harper! These two adorable piggies will greet you with the cutest sniffs and squeals, especially if you have some lettuce! 🥬
Bryce & Harper were found as strays and are still getting used to being handled, but their foster says in recent weeks they’ve really come out of their shell. Walk up to their cage and they’ll come running over to say hello. Bryce loves to cuddle up while lounging on the couch. Harper is a little more shy, but has been showing more of his personality recently.
You can follow their adventures @philly.paws.foster , or visit our small animal adoptions page to see them and all of our other available piggies! #linkinbio
Dog fosters are urgently needed, and you can help! @acctphilly’s kennels are completely full right now, and our ability to save at-risk dogs from the city shelter is directly tied to the number of fosters who can open their homes. Fostering is an incredibly rewarding experience, and spending even a couple of weeks in a home can have enormous health and behavior benefits for homeless dogs!
PAWS can make a foster match for just about any type of household (although pet-free adult homes are especially needed!) and we’ll provide you with all the support you’ll need for your new friend, including:
🏥 Medical care at our clinics
🐶 One-on-one behavior and training support
🐾 Supplies like collars, leashes, and crates
📝 Adoption screening
💻 Advice and support through our foster community page
Whether you’re ready to foster a dog in two days, two weeks, or two months, our foster team would love to get you started! If you’d like to help us save lives and can take in a canine companion in need, visit our #linkinbio to sign up to foster or sign up for our online foster info session!
#getyourrescueon #fosteringsaveslives #dogsofphilly #phillypaws #phillypawsfoster