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3X the lifesaving: All gifts triple matched today for Giving Tuesday!

This Giving Tuesday, every gift to PAWS will go THREE TIMES AS FAR — our biggest match ever! With the city shelter at capacity and thousands of animals depending on us, this is a rare and powerful chance to make a difference. Give today to help us maximize this incredible opportunity and save lives!

SAVE LIVES 3X

Wanted: Foster homes for the holidays!

If you’re staying in town this season and would like to host an adorable four-legged guest, PAWS is seeking short and long-term fosters now through the New Year! Help by pet sitting (usually for 3-7 days) for other PAWS foster parents who are traveling, or commit to fostering a pet until they find their family (a few weeks to a few months) if you won’t need a sitter during the holidays.

foster this holiday

Adopt Philly Phil

Philly Phil is a playful and energetic pup bursting with potential as an amazing companion for an active adopter! He thrives on learning new tricks, adores his toys, and might even enjoy a dog buddy to help burn off some of his boundless energy. One thing is certain: his curiosity and goofy nature will keep you laughing.

Meet Philly Phil

Adopt Passie

Looking for top-notch rodent control? Meet Passie, a five-star professional hunter ready for the job! Passie is part of our Working Cat Program and is eager to patrol your property. She would thrive in a country setting where she can stay stimulated and active. If you have space for a dedicated mouser, Passie is your perfect match!

Meet Passie

PAWS is Hiring: Join our team!

Join PAWS for a meaningful career in animal welfare! Work alongside passionate animal lovers and help us fulfill our mission of saving lives and building a better future for Philadelphia’s pets and people.

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Meet your new best friend!

Hephaestus

Foster Care

I'm a gentle soul who thrives on cozy couch cuddles, scritches and head rubs, and charms everyone with my endearing tiny chirps!

Meet Me >

Lucy

Foster Care

I love being the center of attention in any room, and I even enjoy belly rubs (it's not a trap, I swear!).

Meet Me >

Maisy from Minneapolis

Foster Care

If you're on the hunt for a real-life teddy bear, I'm your pup! I'm full of playful energy but also incredibly cuddly and affectionate once I feel at ease with you.

Meet Me >

Choco Taco

Foster Care

I'm a sweet treat who just wants to relax, befriend everyone I meet, and be near my people where I'm happiest!

Meet Me >

Dr. Tom

Foster Care

I'm an expert birdwatcher and devoted companion who loves to be near my people and even enjoys rocking snazzy bow-ties at home!

Meet Me >

All Available Dogs

All Available Cats

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.

Support Our Lifesaving Efforts

Donate Today

Make a one-time gift or commit to monthly support. Give in honor or memory of someone special.

Donate

Create a Fundraiser

Raise support from family and friends for your birthday, in honor of your pet, or for any occasion.

Get Started

More ways to give

Donate needed supplies, provide for the animals in your planned giving, plan an event, and more.

Learn More

Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinics

Keeping pets and families together through low-cost basic veterinary services. Our clinics in Grays Ferry and the Northeast serve tens of thousands of pets every year whose caretakers may not afford care elsewhere.

Get Care

Recent News

11.21.24

From Heartbreak to Happiness: Cobalt’s Long Journey Home

When Pat and Heidi came across a photo of Cobalt on Facebook in March 2024, they did a double take. The dog in the photo looked strikingly similar to their beloved Black Lab/Great Dane mix, Moe, who had passed away just months earlier. Moe had been the center of their universe for over 12 years, […]

10.24.24

The Sweet Story of Butter Pecan’s Adoption: Philly’s Own Patty Jackson Finds Love Again

For many Philadelphians, Patty Jackson is a familiar voice — the beloved DJ of WDAS (105.3FM) who’s been a fixture in the city’s music scene for decades. But this summer, her voice has taken on a new sweetness as she recounts her journey of adopting a furry friend, Butter Pecan, through PAWS. The summer of […]

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41,174 animals saved

We rescue animals, primarily from the city shelter, almost daily with a focus on the most vulnerable: adult dogs, kittens, cats recovering from illnesses, and small animals. Once safe at PAWS, they receive everything they need to become ready for adoption, then are matched with loving homes.

178,607 volunteer hours served

PAWS’ dedicated and caring volunteers are essential in every aspect of our lifesaving efforts.

379,939 clinic patients served

Our low-cost Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinics prevent pet homelessness and provide a needed resource in our community, enabling loving pet owners to care for and keep their dogs and cats as family.

154,154 spay/neuters performed

PAWS provides low-cost spay/neuter surgery for owned pets, rescues and community cats to prevent the birth of unwanted litters. Our efforts are working: since our clinics opened their doors, the number of homeless animals entering Philadelphia’s city shelter has declined year over year.

PAWS Partners

Our lifesaving work is possible with the meaningful support of business and community partners.

See our Partners

Current Partners

Annamaet Petfoods

Banfield Foundation

TD Bank

95.7 BenFM

Petfinder Foundation

Best Friends

PAWS' impact grows as our services expand & progress continues

By rescuing, rehabilitating, and finding loving adopters for homeless animals with nowhere else to go, and providing affordable vet care and other services so pets can stay in their homes where they are loved, PAWS provides a vital and growing safety net for Philadelphia's most vulnerable cats and dogs. The pandemic has prompted a shift toward more intensive, individualized care for more complex needs.

2010

7154

2012

16160

2014

26188

2016

36510

2018

40455

2020

33840

2021

34528

2023

34801

More Shelter Statistics

Join us on social media

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Dec 3

Open

Poor Westbrook is really going through it 🥺 Can you help this special boy feel safe again? He just had dental surgery on top of being absolutely terrified at the shelter, and he’s back to spending his days tucked into his hidey hut. None of our foster leads have panned out since we last posted him, and he’s urgently seeking a cat-savvy home where he can heal, decompress, and hopefully show us what he needs to thrive!

Westbrook was adopted very young and spent his whole life in a home, but never fully warmed up to human companionship. He can coexist peacefully with his humans, he’s just more of a hands-off guy who prefers to lounge in the sun and do his own thing (he also doesn’t mind sharing space with other respectful cats).

This sensitive 5 year old is looking for a childfree home while we try to get him through some socialization bootcamp and learn more about him. If you’ve got some cat savviness and can give this guy space to decompress without too much pressure, please reach out at foster@phillypaws.org! ...

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Dec 2

Open

Tomorrow! Get into the holiday spirit with Young Friends of PAWS and Young Involved Philadelphia (@yiphilly) at our yappy hour on Tuesday, December 3rd! Bring your pup and join us at @crafthallphilly’s indoor puppy porch in Northern Liberties from 6–8 PM for a fun & festive evening ⛄️

Snap a pic of your furry friend with Santa Paws, enjoy $5 Mainstay Beer specials, create your own ornament, and explore our pet-themed holiday market with local vendors like @twocatsandadogco, @melmosdog, @taillicious_treats, @fletchandpipco, @skflynndesign, @rebecca.tait, and @milosway2024.

Plus, everyone who brings wishlist items to donate will receive free tickets to our raffle! And, if you’re one of the first 5 people to bring an item, you will receive a FREE Mainstay beer! Don’t miss out on the fun ❄️ We hope to see you there! ...

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Dec 2

Open

Our holiday wish this year? That more pets like Bear experience the warmth, safety, and comfort of a loving family. As a fellow animal lover, we know you agree — so we’re thrilled to share that through midnight tomorrow, a generous group of donors is ✨TRIPLE-matching✨ all gifts, up to $75,000! That means every $1 donated will become $3 for Bear and other animals who are counting on us. 🐶🐱🐹

This friendly pup was abandoned outside the city shelter with a potentially cancerous wound on his paw. He found safe haven at PAWS, and wagged his tail through his entire exam when he arrived! Now under the care of our medical team while we await the results of his biopsy, Bear can start the next chapter of his journey filled with hope, healing, and unconditional love ❤️

This is our biggest match to date, and the need has never been greater! Your support is essential to carrying our mission forward into 2025 — enabling us to rescue vulnerable animals with nowhere else to turn, and to help pet owners keep their companions at home where they are loved. Please give today to make 🌟3X🌟 the difference and help us transform lives in the year to come!

Donate now via Instagram, Venmo (username @phillypaws), or through our #linkinbio! ...

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Dec 2

Open

How stinkin` cute are Sheia & Cocoa? This bonded brother and sister are ten years young and every bit as sweet as their names promise. Whether they’re curling up on your lap, making biscuits on your belly, or following you around for a little extra attention, these two thrive on affection and really know how to make you feel loved!

If you’re looking for a pair of social, lovable kitties who are always ready for a snuggle session, Sheia & Cocoa are your perfect match. They’ll be the ones following you around, giving you those big, soulful eyes, and asking for pets nonstop (and trust us, you`ll want to give them all the scritches). 🐾💕

Sheia and Cocoa would be thrilled to join a home with adults or older kiddos, and are waiting to meet you at PAWS` Old City Adoption Center. Drop us a line at adoptions@phillypaws.org to learn more! ...

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Together, we will make Philadelphia a no-kill city.

Get Involved

3X the lifesaving: All gifts triple matched today for Giving Tuesday!

Wanted: Foster homes for the holidays!

Adopt Philly Phil

Adopt Passie

PAWS is Hiring: Join our team!

Meet your new best friend!

Hephaestus

Foster Care

Lucy

Foster Care

Maisy from Minneapolis

Foster Care

Choco Taco

Foster Care

Dr. Tom

Foster Care

PAWS is the city's largest rescue partner.

Support Our Lifesaving Efforts

Donate Today

Create a Fundraiser

More ways to give

Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinics

Recent News

From Heartbreak to Happiness: Cobalt’s Long Journey Home

The Sweet Story of Butter Pecan’s Adoption: Philly’s Own Patty Jackson Finds Love Again

41,174 animals saved

178,607 volunteer hours served

379,939 clinic patients served

154,154 spay/neuters performed

PAWS Partners

Our lifesaving work is possible with the meaningful support of business and community partners.

Current Partners

PAWS' impact grows as our services expand & progress continues

Join us on social media

Stay up-to-date on lives saved and happy beginnings or maybe even find your new best friend!

#phillypaws

Together, we will make Philadelphia a no-kill city.