Meet your new best friend!
Samantha
Foster Care
I'm a snuggly 9-year-old lap cat whose favorite place in the world is wherever you happen to be!
Greta
Foster Care
I'm a chatty senior known for being a perfect blend of quirky, sassy, and sweet!
Flex
Foster Care
I'm a gentle grandpa with a go-with-the flow temperament and endless love to give!
Donatella
Foster Care
I'm a delightful feline who will steal your heart with my sweet nature and playful spirit!
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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
09.25.23
Seamus: “he’s the light of our lives and we love him so much.”
After losing the only home he’d known, this sweet grandpa got a second chance at love in his golden years! Seamus found himself at the city shelter after his elderly owner moved to an assisted living facility. He was partially blind, very anxious, and suffering from several senior ailments including a severe case of dental […]
07.21.23
Paw It Forward with The Landenberger Family Foundation
Celebrate the love you share with your pets by paying it forward so others can find — or preserve — that same joy. Our pets mean the world to us. They are part of our families and play a profound role in our lives. Now, imagine making all that love possible for another pet and […]
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Calling all fosters: PAWS’ sick cat ward is full! Our tiny friend Chip here is just one of the cats who are in desperate need of some TLC in a home. This fragile baby arrived with several other ailing felines from @acctphilly today, and many more still need our help.
Chip is one of our most urgent medical cases, and is going to need some extra nursing due to his skinny frame and severe cold. Many of our cats are much less intensive though, and just need some rest and easy daily medication to recover from respiratory or eye infections.
No matter your experience level, opening your home to a cat or kitten with a treatable illness will greatly speed up their recovery AND enable us to save another at-risk cat who’s counting on us! If you’d like to help, email foster@phillypaws.org or sign up at phillypaws.org/foster.
This is why we Strut! As our biggest annual fundraiser, the #PAWSMuttStrut helps pets like Chicken Wing and Macaroni all year long – and these little ones really needed it. They were orphaned at just five weeks old after their mother was sadly hit by a car, and were barely old enough to eat on their own. Both puppies suffered from swollen paws, ringworm, and coccidia infections, and Chicken had a severely underdeveloped front leg (so much so that it resembled a tiny chicken wing).
After being stabilized and assessed by PAWS’ medical team, this tiny duo was quickly placed with a loving foster parent who could give them the care and nourishment they needed. Now growing healthy and strong, Chicken Wing and Macaroni have tripled their weight and are showing more of their feisty personalities every day!
Foster mom Lisa shares that both pups have been enjoying outdoor time on warm afternoons in their playpen, wrestling up a storm with each other, and developing their own unique quirks. “They are loving their playpen and really do have a good time in there,” writes Lisa, “Chicken Wing likes to squawk after eating, and Macaroni does a cute little hop when he’s really excited or wants to play.”
If you’d like to ensure we’re ready to welcome more vulnerable pets like Chicken Wing and Macaroni, register for the 17th Annual PAWS Mutt Strut on October 7! You’ll enjoy a scenic walk and fall festival at The Navy Yard with prizes, food, vendors, and family friendly activities whether you have two legs or four. Register today at our #linkinbio!
Would you like to help Peter Plumpkin feel better again? This poor guy is barely eating here at the shelter and needs a foster home ASAP!
Peter was at risk for euthanasia at the city shelter after arriving with a mouth full of painful teeth that needed immediate care. He was rescued by PAWS and got the dental surgery he desperately needed, but he’s having a really hard time with his recovery and will have a much easier time in a nice cozy home!
As you can see, Peter is quite the lovey guy, and he’s always thrilled to have friends stop by to give him affection and head scritches. If you have a quiet space at home where this sweet former stray can enjoy some TLC, please email foster@phillypaws.org to learn more about Peter Plumpkin!
Sasha has been at the emergency vet all night and needs your help! This sweet girl managed to find and ingest a dangerous amount of dark chocolate in her foster home — twice the volume that is considered baseline hazardous— and had to be rushed to @veterinary_emergency_group yesterday evening. Her care team has been inducing vomiting and providing her fluids throughout the night, but we were thrilled to learn this morning that her prognosis is looking good (they shared these pictures of her in the morning)!
Sasha is being discharged this morning, and could really use your support. Your gift of any amount will ensure this special pup has everything she needs as she recovers, and ensure we have enough emergency funding for the next pet who needs us. You can give via Instagram, Venmo (username @phillypaws), or through our #linkinbio.
Ps. Don’t worry, Sasha’s foster has been wonderful and very diligent, but even the best behaved pups can be very crafty about getting into mischief!
What’s better than a cozy couch on a rainy day? A cuddlebug like Venice to share it with! This wiggly sweetheart is brimming with love and affection and simply adores every human she meets 🥰
At 6 years old, Venice fully embraces her inner couch potato and will happily spend her day napping by your side (or with her head on your lap). She still enjoys the occasional bout of zoomies, but most of her enthusiasm is reserved for full-body tail wags when she’s excited to see you (which is all time)!
Venice is housetrained, kid friendly, and very well-behaved when home alone. She prefers to have all the tummy rubs to herself (this girl LOVES tummy rubs), so she’ll be happiest as the only pet in her home. If you’re ready to fill your life with all the snuggles you could ask for, Venice is waiting to meet you!
Fall has arrived, and the #PAWSMuttStrut is just around the corner on October 7🍁🐾 To celebrate, @annamaetpetfoods is matching all Mutt Strut donations up to $2,500, so you’ll have twice the impact if you register and start fundraising today!
Now in its 17th year, the PAWS Mutt Strut is a fall festival that brings together animal lovers for a fun-filled day of activities, games, food, and more, all to raise lifesaving funds for Philadelphia`s homeless pets. Every dollar goes directly to PAWS to save and serve the pets and people who need us most, so register today at pawsmuttstrut.org!
Roger and Riley are breaking our hearts and really need a home! These brothers have spent two thirds of their lives at the shelter in our ringworm isolation ward. That’s 60 days living in a cage, 60 days watching every other kitten leave, and 60 days without naps in the sun or regular snuggles with a human.
We do all we can to give them the affection and play time they deserve, but it can’t compare to the warmth and love of a home. Roger and Riley are desperate to leave the shelter with a foster or adopter who will spoil them like they deserve! They likely have just a few weeks left of treatment, and would be so thrilled to spend them with you. Even a spare bathroom would be a huge upgrade for them!
We’d love to tell you all about these sweet little goofballs, so please reach out to foster@phillypaws.org if you’re interested in taking Roger and Riley home for a few weeks — or for life!
Babies are arriving by the arm full, and we need kitten food and paper towels to keep up! Kitten season is still going strong, and with so many little ones to feed and clean up after, we’re running through supplies much faster than usual. Our smallest residents would be incredibly grateful for any kitten food or paper towels you can send!
There are a few ways to send items:
🔸Send through our Chewy or Amazon wishlists (link in bio)
🔸Drop off at any PAWS location during open hours (see phillypaws.org/locations)
🔸Ship through the retailer of your choice to: PAWS 2900 Grays Ferry Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19146
If you`re looking for a talkative, energetic playmate and bird-watching expert then Lux is the cat for you! This adorable tabby is looking for a foster or adopter so she doesn’t have to return to the shelter. Her current fosters can only keep her until October, but they have so many great things to say about her!
Lux is a curious lady who loves to be around her people and stalk cat toys from the secret depths of empty boxes. As any dignified cat she likes face to face greetings and loves to hop up on a couch or chair for a good nose to nose boop. Her mornings always start with lots of chirps and purring and leg rubs, which are quickly followed by a deep desire for playtime. Afternoons are spent napping in a quiet spot, and she`ll even curl up with you if you`re very still and don`t disturb her beauty rest!
Lux is a sensitive girl who’d love to join a more mellow and quiet home. Our team would love to tell you all about this lovely lady, so email foster@phillypaws.org to learn more about fostering Lux, or learn more about adopting her at phillypaws.org/adopt (link in bio)!
We’re participating in the myWalgreens donation program! You can donate your myWalgreens cash rewards to PAWS through November 30.
Earn unlimited 1% Walgreens Cash rewards when you shop at @walgreens, then choose how much to donate. Whether you’d like to contribute $1, $5, or more of your rewards, you’ll be making a big difference. It really adds up!
To learn more about the myWalgreens program visit walgreens.com/mywalgreens.
Cheryld is 16 pounds of perfection! If her adorable face doesn’t win you over, her hilarious personality surely will. She’d love to find a foster to hang with while she looks for her forever home!
At 11 years old, Cher is a very well-mannered lady who is all about living her best life in her golden years: walks, naps, bridge, canasta, mahjong, you name it, she’s there! But don’t worry, despite the number on her birthday cards, she still absolutely adores being held like a baby.
Cheryld is also a fan of impromptu karaoke sessions, singing the song of her people with adorable howls whenever the mood strikes! We think it’s cute as heck, but neighbors may disagree if you have thin walls.
This golden girl was actually found as a stray with another dog, but her buddy turned out to be microchipped and belonged to a single-dog home — the owners had no clue who Cheryld was, which leads us to believe they befriended each other during their time on the streets 🥹 Her pal was reunited with his family (who wasn’t in the market for a second pet), but it’s safe to assume Cher wouldn’t mind a dog friend in her foster home!
Cheryld would be thrilled to leave the shelter with you, so email foster@phillypaws.org for more info on this cutie!
The #PAWSMuttStrut is just two weeks away! Did you know every Mutt Strut registration comes with a customizable fundraising page? You`ll have a chance to win fun prizes as you reach different milestones!
🐾 $150 - Limited edition PAWS Mutt Strut t-shirt
🐾 $300 - PAWS fanny pack (kitten not included)
🐾 $750 - PAWS pullover sweatshirt
🐾 $1,250 - $100 gift card
Plus, you`ll be in the running to win top fundraising prizes like a party at @queenrookcafe, a brewery tour for 10 with @triplebottombrewing, or a Philly night out at @charlie_was and @philorch. All that on top of the dozens of amazing raffle prizes you`ll have a chance to win at the event!
Gifts are still being matched by @cioccasubaruofphiladelphia, so register now at pawsmuttstrut.org to double your fundraising, then join us for a dog-tastic fall festival on October 7!
Urgent: socialization foster needed ASAP! Disco Inferno (tabby mix) & Boogie Wonderland (Siamese mix) just arrived at PAWS, but we’re hoping their stay will be short. *Our post previously mentioned that they have ringworm, but they’ve since tested negative!*
These shy babies started their young lives as strays, and Disco is also showing signs of cerebellar hypoplasia (a condition affecting balance and coordination). These sisters are at a crucial stage of their socialization, and they need to find a foster home as soon as possible or risk missing the window where they can learn to trust humans.
If you`d like to learn more about helping these cuties, please email foster@phillypaws.org!
Our @sidepaws medical fund is almost empty! Please consider making a #FiveDollarFriday gift to provide subsidized care at PAWS for dogs served by this vital community organization.
Roxanne and Gracie (pictured) were spayed and vaccinated at PAWS through our Side Paws partnership, but many more dogs need our help!
Give today via Instagram, or at phillypaws.org/sidepaws.
@sidepaws is a small grassroots outreach group dedicated to improving the quality of life for dogs that spend much or all of their lives outside. They provide supplemental pet food, rehoming assistance, improved housing and bedding, and also coordinate veterinary care to keep our community`s dogs healthy.
As Side Paws` largest veterinary partner, PAWS has created a fund at our clinic to provide subsidized medical care for dogs served by Side Paws. Your donation will provide preventative care like vaccines and flea treatment, spay/neuter surgeries, and diagnostics and treatment for illness such as skin discomfort, eye and ear infections, and other common allments.
We are grateful for the important service Side Paws provides to Philly`s dogs, and for your support in ensuring they can continue improving lives!
Would you like to save a pet from heartache and save an owner from losing their best friend? These very sweet 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 just a few months, you`ll help us open shelter space for pets who truly have nowhere to go, and help a family remain intact. Email foster@phillypaws.org for more info!
In order of appearance:
🐾 Marcus, a shy but sweet senior who needs a foster transfer from his current foster home by September 30. He should only need a few more weeks of foster care!
🐾 MaiMai, a lovable 2 years old who loves to play with his favorite stuffed toy and snuggle up on the couch with humans! He needs a home until mid-December.
🐾 Indiana, a handsome 2 year old who’s very nervous at the shelter, but was described by his owner as an affectionate, playful, confident guy who`s easy to pick up and has lived with kids! He’s looking for a home through November 1.
🐾 Bonded sisters Pumpkin (black and white) and Piper (black) are 10 and 4 years old, respectively. Both love snuggles, wet food treats, and playing with their favorite toys!
Raise your paws if you just found a foster home! Freddy and his sister arrived with upper respiratory infections and were thrilled to leave with a foster the very next day. Sick cats and kittens are able to beat their illnesses much more quickly once they leave the shelter, so foster parents have an enormous impact on their recovery!
Freddy and his sister found a foster home quickly, but the adults in our sick cat ward are having a harder time and could really use your help. If you have a space in your home for a sniffly feline friend, email foster@phillypaws.org to get started!
Mommy Salami is an absolute ham! This wiggly, cuddly, happy girl is looking for a foster home ASAP. She’s currently with a temporary foster who has upcoming travel, and she would LOVE to avoid coming back to the shelter.
Her current short term foster has nothing but rave reviews to share — Salami has settled very quickly into home life, sleeps well through the night, and is a “Velcro dog” who just wants to be close to you. At about five years old, she’s a mellow lady with some spunk to exude, and a very playful spirit!
Mommy Salami has proven herself to be a very polite houseguest, and would love nothing more than to continue thriving in foster care before heading into her adoptive home. If you’re a fan of soft jowls and gentle kisses, email foster@phillypaws.org to learn more about Mommy Salami!
Cora is a sassy little dumpling! If you like your spice level set to medium, this queen is waiting to meet you at our Old City adoption center.
A modern lady who values her independence and personal boundaries, Cora loves affection and sets her own terms for how she enjoys it. She might bop you on the hand if you get too familiar, but she’s a loyal friend who will always support your outfit choices and never let you text your ex. Pop by our Old City location to give this lady some chin scratches, or learn more about 5 year old Cora at our adoptions page (link in bio)!
Wanted: sick kitty fosters! Our medical ward is full of under-the-weather felines who are hoping to recover with you. Most of them arrived today on our latest rescue run from the city shelter, where space is critically low and medical cases are at a higher risk for euthanasia.
Many more sick and injured cats need our help, but in order to save them, we have to find foster homes for our current feline residents. That’s where animal lovers like you come in!
By taking home one of these congested cuties, you’ll be helping them get well more quickly, AND enable us to save another at-risk cat who’s counting on us! Most of them are being treated for upper respiratory infections, and just need a couple weeks of basic medication.
If you have a pet-free space in your home for one of these sweet friends to crash, our foster team would love to get you started! Email foster@phillypaws.org to learn more (and be sure to watch to the end for some kitten cuteness)!
Have you registered for the #PAWSMuttStrut? It’s the best day of the year and PAWS’ biggest fundraiser! Join today and have double the impact when you fundraise: all Mutt Strut donations are being matched by @cioccasubaruofphiladelphia, up to $5,000!
The fun takes place on October 7 at The Navy Yard, when animal lovers come together for a dog walk and fall festival benefitting Philadelphia’s most vulnerable pets. Every dollar raised goes directly to PAWS to help us save pets like Cheryl! This lovable senior was found as a stray with skin and dental issues, but now she`s safe at PAWS and getting the care she needs to start her next chapter.
Register and help PAWS save more lives at pawsmuttstrut.org (link in bio)! Kids under 12 and dogs join for free 🐾