✨ PAWS FOSTER SPOTLIGHT: Meet Mindy!✨

Mindy started as a dog-care volunteer at our Grays Ferry location, and began her journey as a foster in early 2020. During the pandemic, she wanted a 4-legged work-from-home buddy. When there were no dogs available, she asked to foster the friendliest cat...and promptly adopted him within a week. Now known as Otto, he’s been by Mindy’s side as she’s fostered 20(!) cats since then!

Mindy was drawn to PAWS’ Safety Net Program so she could provide a temporary home for pets whose owners were facing hardship, and has also become especially passionate about caring for our diabetic cats. These cats are often overlooked due to their medical needs, even though diabetes care is easier than many realize.

She’s shared how much she loves seeing a cat’s health turn around during treatment (usually insulin therapy), and has come to find that senior cats are more her speed. She’s also shared how glad she is that PAWS provides all medical care for these special fosters so she can continue to open her home to them. Pictured in her spotlight image is her current adoptable foster, diabetic cutie Cupid!

For those deciding whether to foster for the first time, Mindy says, “Don’t worry about not being the perfect home for a foster pet — being in a home at all (even just a room) is much more spacious and less stressful than being in a cage in the shelter.” And “every cage you empty at PAWS becomes available for PAWS to rescue the next animal”. This rings especially true right now: our shelter is currently full, limiting how many pets we can rescue. If you’ve ever thought about fostering, now is the time!

Foster parents like Mindy change lives every day by helping pets transition into homes while recovering from medical issues or big life transitions. Mindy never thought she’d get a cat, but she found her Otto through fostering — and even has an Instagram account, @ottosphillyfosters, to share her journey!

We are profoundly grateful to have Mindy as part of our foster family, and hope her story inspires you as much as it inspired us!

🐾 Ready to transform lives and become a PAWS foster parent? Sign up today through our #linkinbio! ...

If you believe the best things are worth a little wait, Zinnia just might be your perfect match!
This special soul has made incredible strides from her shy beginnings. With each passing day, her confidence blossoms, revealing a playful, curious, and affectionate side that’s simply irresistible.

This petite panther is a big fan of playtime—whether she`s chasing a wand toy with gusto or batting around her favorite ping-pong ball, Zinnia knows how to keep herself entertained. Once the zoomies wear off, she’ll reward her favorite humans with gentle head bonks, sweet purrs, and even a peek at her soft belly 🥰

Zinnia would thrive in a calm, adult-only home where she can be the queen of the castle as your only pet. It may take a little time for her to open up, but once she does, you’ll have a loyal and loving companion for life!

Interested? Email adoptions@phillypaws.org to learn more, or check out 7 year old Zinnia at our adoptions page (link in bio)! ...