Adopt

Meet your new best friend!

When you adopt from PAWS, you are truly saving a life. Every time an animal finds a home, it opens up a space in our no-kill facilities to save the next homeless pet in need. Read more important info about adopting here.

Our Most Urgent Animals

Barbie Dreamhouse

Foster Care

Barbie’s my name, abd being your future dreamboat is my game! I’m a gentle house hippo who loves nothing more than playing with toys, soaking up attention, and even hanging with other pups.

Meet Me >

Meeyo

Foster Care

I’m the full royal package: 20 pounds of charm, sass, and silly — and I prefer to be the only dog king in your home!

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 >

Johnny Cash

Foster Care

"Hey there, I'm Johnny Cash" — a sweet, squishy homebody. If you need a relaxation coach for naps, toy time, and guilt-free TV binges, I’m your guy!

Meet Me >

Andre

Foster Care

I'm a gentle and mellow senior who loves to rock a bow tie and gets along with dogs and cats!

Meet Me >

Lady Zinnia

Foster Care

I’m a shy but sweet little panther who’s learning to blossom into my playful, affectionate self! With patience and love, I'll reward you with head bonks, zoomies, and plenty of purrs once I feel at home.

Meet Me >

More Featured Pets

Perfectly Impurrfect Adoption Promotion

Name your fee adoptions from October 24 - November 9

Not spooky, just special! Because of individual needs, many animals face longer shelter stays due to simple daily meditation routines, manageable age-related conditions, preferences for being the only pet, or socialization needs.

From October 24- November 9, Perfectly Impurrfect aims to celebrate these cats and dogs, match them with the right adopters, and create space for more animals who are waiting for the same chance! Qualifying Perfectly Impurrfect pets are marked with a logo and an asterisk next to their name.

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All available cats

Get ready to meet your match! Browse all cats in need of loving homes.

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All available dogs

Get ready to meet your match! Browse all dogs in need of loving homes.

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All available small animals

Get ready to meet your match! Browse all small animals in need of loving homes.

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Adoption Applications

Cat Adoption Application

Your new family member is waiting! Get started by completing the adoption form online for cats and kittens.

Go To Application

Dog Adoption Application

Ready to welcome a new canine family member? Complete your adoption form online to get started.

Go To Application

Small Animal Adoption Application

A tiny new companion is ready to join your household! Complete your adoption form online to get started.

Go To Application

Adoption Fees

Adult cat (6 months of age and older): $75
Kitten (under 6 months of age): $125, or $200 when you adopt a pair
Small adult dog (under 25 lbs): $275
Large adult dog (older than 1 year): $150
Puppy (under 12 months of age): $300
Small animal (guinea pig, hamster, gerbil, rabbit): $25

(Fees listed above do not include PA sales tax.)

More Info

Adoption Locations

PAWS’ Old City Adoption Center is open! It is housing cats and small animals only, and approved adopters with appointments will be prioritized. Walk-ins are welcome as space permits. Adoptions for other cats and all dogs are taking place by appointment through foster homes or at PAWS’ Grays Ferry shelter. PAWS cats are also available for adoption by appointment at the PetSmart Adoption Center at 1415 Washington Avenue! The Northeast Adoption Center is still temporarily closed for browsing.

Adoption Process

We look forward to helping you adopt a pet! Read about our process, what is included in adoption fees, and how to meet available animals.

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

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How long does the adoption process take?

We are processing applications as quickly as we can: sometimes the volume outstrips our capacity, so we thank you in advance for your patience and understanding! If you haven’t heard from our team in over a week and are still interested in adopting, please feel free to follow up by emailing adoptions@phillypaws.org.

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Should I fill out a new application for each pet I am interested in?

No, please only submit one application per adopter/household. You can check our website and social media pages regularly to see when new pets are posted. If there is a new pet that interests you, please email adoptions@phillypaws.org with your full name that was listed on your application, the name and ID# of the pet you’re interested in, and a bit about what drew you to them. Our team will then update your application.

If we can’t match you with the first pet you apply for and you do not hear from us, feel free to follow up with us by emailing adoptions@phillypaws.org if there are other pets you are interested in. We will keep your application for 3 months in case other pets interest you. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding!

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How can I adopt an animal who’s been overlooked and needs me the most?

Please browse our Most Urgent Animals to find out who needs you! Some have special medical or behavioral needs, and others have simply been waiting a long time.

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Can you hold an animal for me until I am ready to adopt?

PAWS is not able to hold animals for potential adopters: every day we hold an animal is a day we cannot save another in danger.

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Can you offer advice on dog and cat care?

Find lots of useful resources here on bringing home a new pet, common behavior issues, pet care advice, and more.

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I can’t adopt. Can I come in just to spend time with animals?

You are welcome to visit our Old City Adoption Center to spend time with the cats and guinea pigs housed there. Our Northeast Adoption Center remains closed for browsing.

To spend time with our pets, you can also consider fostering – taking a cat, dog, or guinea pig into your home temporarily while they find permanent adoptive placement.

We do ask that you refrain from petting or putting fingers in the kennels while you are browsing. We require potential adopters to wear gloves between meeting different pets.

Your new best friend is waiting.

Get Started