2025 MUTT STRUT PHOTO ALBUMS:

2025 Mutt Strut – Pawtrait Pop-Up Photos
2025 Mutt Strut – Katie McMenamin Photos
2025 Mutt Strut – Edo Photos

Over 750 dog lovers and their furry friends gathered on Saturday, October 4 at the Navy Yard to celebrate the 19th Annual PAWS Mutt Strut — Philadelphia’s biggest fall festival for dogs and the people who love them. With more than $135,000 raised, this year’s event was a resounding success, and served as a wonderful opportunity to bring animal lovers together from across the city. Proceeds benefit the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care, whose mission is to make Philadelphia a city where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.

Attendees enjoyed a beautiful fall day as hundreds of dogs strutted through the festival grounds in their Halloween costumes. Nearly 70 vendors and booths offered something for everyone — from local shopping and live entertainment to food trucks and a beer garden hosted by Dock Street Brewery. Pups had plenty of ways to join the fun too, with dog-friendly games and activities like paw print painting, professional portraits, and the fan-favorite lure course. The celebration was made possible thanks to the incredible dedication of sponsors, PAWS staff, and 145 volunteers whose hard work ensured a smooth, joyful experience for all.

Funds raised at the Mutt Strut will support PAWS’ lifesaving programs, including low-cost veterinary care for community pets and the rescue and adoption of homeless animals. With alarmingly high numbers of stray and surrendered pets entering the city shelter each day, loving adoptive homes provide the critical space that makes lifesaving possible. Dogs like Johnny Cash (below) are waiting for their perfect match. Now 2.5 years old, Johnny is a resilient pup who has made incredible progress in foster care after suffering multiple injuries. Once scared and shut down, he has blossomed into a playful, affectionate companion who loves snacking on treats and earning praise from his people. Johnny is searching for a calm, patient home where he can continue to build confidence and be loved for the gentle, loyal dog has become.

Funds raised at the Mutt Strut will also support PAWS’ Safety Net programs, which provide crucial assistance to Philadelphia pet owners. When Ira (below) temporarily lost his pet-friendly housing, PAWS offered an alternative to surrendering his beloved cat, Cassius. Through our Safety Net Foster Program, Cassius stayed safe and cared for in a loving foster home until Ira was ready to welcome him back. This initiative prevents pets from entering shelters and serves as a lifeline for families who just need time and resources to get through a difficult period. After several weeks apart, Ira and Cassius were joyfully reunited — and are now happy at home together, where they belong.

PAWS is 100% donor-funded, so as the organization continues providing the resources Philadelphia pet owners need, while also rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals who enter shelters and have nowhere else to go, fundraising initiatives like the Mutt Strut play a vital role. It was not just a memorable day, but one that will continue positively impacting animals and people in need for the year to come.

“The success of this year’s Mutt Strut shows what’s possible when our community comes together for a shared purpose,” says Allison Lamond, Community Outreach and Volunteer Manager. “We’re so grateful to the volunteers, sponsors, vendors, and attendees whose compassion and dedication made the day such a success. This support helps PAWS move closer to a Philadelphia where every savable pet is guaranteed a home, and every pet owner has the resources they need to keep their beloved companions safe, happy and healthy.”

For more information about PAWS’ affordable veterinary care, rescue efforts, and how to get involved by adopting, fostering, donating, or volunteering, please visit: www.phillypaws.org.