PAWS celebrated two major milestones on Saturday, October 3, as nearly 1,000 animal lovers and their four-legged friends gathered at the Navy Yard for the 20^th Annual PAWS Mutt Strut, raising over $145,000 in the event’s highest-grossing year to date.

For two decades, the Mutt Strut has brought Philadelphia’s animal loving community together in support of pets in need, and this year’s record-breaking event was a fitting celebration of its 20^th anniversary. Proceeds benefit Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care, and its mission to make Philadelphia a city where every savable pet is guaranteed a home, and pet owners have the resources they need to keep their family whole.

Animal lovers of all ages came out to enjoy a beautiful fall day, as hundreds of dogs strutted through the festival grounds in their Halloween best. 40 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. Younger attendees joined in the fun with family-friendly activities, while pups took center stage with paw print painting, professional pet portraits, the fan-favorite lure course, and plenty more.

The celebration was made possible by the incredible dedication of PAWS’ sponsors, staff, and 140 volunteers, whose hard work brought this milestone event to life and made the day a wonderful celebration for the entire community.

Funds raised at the Mutt Strut will support PAWS’ lifesaving programs, including affordable veterinary care for community pets and the rescue and adoption of homeless animals. With high numbers of stray and surrendered pets continuing to enter the city shelter, PAWS provides a lifeline for animals who need extra time, medical care, and a safe place to land.

Dogs like Bubba (above) are at the heart of PAWS’ work. The 2-year-old pup arrived at PAWS from the city shelter and was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, along with an injured cornea that affected his vision. Despite his medical challenges, Bubba has been all wiggles from day one. Now thriving in foster care, he is house trained, crate trained, and happiest when surrounded by people. Bubba is searching for a family ready to embrace his goofy, good-boy energy, continue his care, and love him exactly as he is.

Funds raised at the Mutt Strut will also support PAWS’ Safety Net programs. When Khalil lost his housing and began living in a shelter, his greatest concern was keeping his beloved cat, Slippers (above), safe until he found a new home. Through PAWS’ Safety Net Foster Program, Slippers spent several months in foster care while Khalil worked to secure stable housing. The program provides temporary care for pets whose families are navigating housing insecurity, medical crises, domestic violence, and other major life transitions, keeping families together when they need it most. When Khalil moved into his new home, he and Slippers were joyfully reunited.

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.

“This year’s Mutt Strut was our most successful yet, and what a meaningful way to celebrate 20 years of this incredible event,” says Allison Lamond, community outreach and volunteer manager. “Raising a record-breaking $145,000 is a powerful reflection of what’s possible when our community comes together for a shared purpose. We’re incredibly grateful to the volunteers, sponsors, vendors, and attendees who made this milestone Mutt Strut one we’ll never forget.”

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.