Fostering Saves Lives

Foster homes are at the heart of PAWS’ ability to save lives. We currently have more animals than we have capacity for, and when you foster one animal we rescue the life of another. With a brief commitment, you can be a hero for dogs, cats, and small pets. We provide supplies and support; you provide love and care!

Learn More

Adopt Gucci Girl

We’re urgently searching for an adopter to provide Gucci Girl with a loving home. At 9 years old, she’s fully house-trained, adores people of all ages, and gets along famously with other mellow pups — just ask her current senior Yorkie foster sibling!

Meet Gucci Girl

8th Annual Philly Loves PAWS: Wednesday, May 15

Join Philadelphia businesses and animal lovers for a day-long, citywide fundraiser championing PAWS’ lifesaving efforts! This year’s event is proudly sponsored by VCA Cat Hospital of Philadelphia and Tito’s Vodka, with over 70 businesses participating across the city.

Join the fun

Adopt Shae

We’ve rescued a lot of pets over the years, and this sweet soul is one of the most gentle, affectionate cats to come through our doors. Four-year-old Shae may have some special needs, but what really sets her apart is her endless capacity for lap cuddles and love.

Meet Shae

Vote for Bailey

Bailey needs your vote! PAWS has a chance to win up to $10K for The Dirty Dogs Contest with Greater Good Charities and Wahl Pets. Help PAWS win vital funds to support our lifesaving mission by casting your vote now through May 31!

Vote now

Meet your new best friend!

Ace
Foster Care

I'm a goofy and lovable senior who is gentle and affectionate with every human I meet!
Kira
Foster Care

I'm a mellow and friendly house panther who is equally happy enjoying affection or doing my own thing!
Cobalt
Foster Care

I'm a goofy and affectionate grandpa who will take every chance I can get to let you know how much I love you!
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!
Cody
Foster Care

I'm a friendly senior couch potato who'd love to spend my golden years snuggling with you!
Boo Boo
Foster Care

I'm a kind, curious, laid-back older gentleman who is ready to charm you with my sweet and outgoing personality!
All Available Dogs
All Available Cats

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

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.

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

04.05.24

It’s Kitten Week at PAWS!


As spring arrives, kitten season begins, bringing an influx of orphaned kittens and new mothers to the city’s shelters. PAWS’ nursery is quickly filling up with litters, and we’re seeking your assistance to support them — and many more who will follow — throughout the warmer months ahead! Help us welcome the little ones by […]
Read More
02.27.24

After 393 days in our care, Coffee Cake is FINALLY home!


At last, the day we’ve been eagerly awaiting has finally arrived! After 393 days in PAWS’ care, we are overjoyed to announce that Coffee Cake, our lovable canine with a heart of gold, has found a family to call her own. Her journey – from the streets, to the city shelter, to PAWS, and finally […]
Read More
View All

39,758 animals saved to date


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.

363,338 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.

146,749 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

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
Pets Served 100 100
More Shelter Statistics

Join us on social media

Yep, Nailah is READY to leave the shelter. She might look grumpy, but she’s really just stressed, scared, and heartsick after losing her home and her favorite human. Nailah is urgently seeking a foster who can care for her through PAWS’ Safety Net Program, which provides temporary housing for pets whose owners are going through times of crisis or hardship. Can you help?

Nailah needs 3-4 months of care, and was described by her owner as being shy in new situations, but affectionate and playful once she’s feeling comfortable. If you’d like to help Nailah or another Safety Net cat feel safe and happy while they wait to be reunited with their owner, please email foster@phillypaws.org!
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Please donate for our upcoming pantry event! We’re currently in need of dry cat and dog food as well as kitty litter. Email allison@phillypaws.org to drop off supplies, or send through either of our wishlists (link in bio)!

If you or someone you know is struggling to feed a family pet, PAWS is co-hosting a Pet Food Pantry with @phillynokill on Saturday, May 18 at FDR Park Community Clubhouse! This pantry is first come first served, and will run from 10am-12pm or as supplies last.
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Y’all, Cody is simply a confection of perfection! It’s bonkers that he’s still on the market, but the silver lining is that we have TONS of intel on what makes this snuggly grandpa such a stellar companion. These are just *few* of our favorite things his fosters have shared about him!

“Cody is very affectionate — he lights up when he sees you, he makes LOTS of puppy dog eye contact and wags his tail nonstop. If he is laying down when you’re approaching him, he rolls over to show his tummy (while maintaining intense and adoring eye contact). He’ll scooch up close to you on the couch and lightly paw you to get you to pet him or look at him, and he’ll cozy up right next to you and fall asleep.”

“Before bed (or his afternoon nap) he jumps up on the couch and waits to be tucked in. A blanket under him, a blanket on top of him, and a pillow under his lil head. Cody sleeps through the entire night downstairs and has never once woken us up. He’s always just happy to see us come down the stairs in the morning!”

“After his morning walk and breakfast, Cody quietly chills downstairs in the living room. I come down and check on him every 2 hours or so, and he’s always happily chillin and wagging his tail and rolling over for bellyrubs. Overall, Cody is happy to just hang out with you, go for walks, relax outside, and sit on the couch and watch TV with you. He is a total sweetheart.”

So don’t delay: if you’re looking for the perfect couch potato cuddle buddy, learn more about adopting Cody today! Email adoptions@phillypaws.org, or find him on our adoptions page (link in bio)!

🐾 Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society📍 2900 Grays Ferry Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19146 (by appointment only) ⭐️ PA License # 06172
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Together, we will make Philadelphia a no-kill city.

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