Our dogs in need of foster care are listed below. Every time an animal leaves for foster care, it opens a space in our shelters to save another in need. You are truly changing lives: not just for these dog, but also for others whose lives depend on a spot at PAWS.

If you are new to fostering with PAWS, please apply here to get started.

For foster meets with dogs at our shelter (2900 Grays Ferry Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19146), the expectation is that you will meet the dog and take them home the same day, so please come prepared!

• All members of your household and resident dogs should be present for the foster meet. If for any reason this is not doable, please email the foster team to talk it through.
• We will provide you with a sample of what the dog has been eating in the shelter, but fosters will provide dog food long-term. We can lend out any other supplies you may need including a leash, martingale collar, harness, crate, pee pads, and toys/enrichment items.

Please email foster@phillypaws.org if you have any questions, or see anyone that you think could be a good fit and are interested in scheduling a meet and pick up with!

For a refresher on PAWS’s foster policies and procedures, view our online orientation.

If you are not able to foster at this time, many of our healthy in-kennel dogs are eligible (and very grateful) for day trips or short-term foster placements as a shelter break. If you are interested, please email us to chat more about what that may look like!

Read on to find your next foster dog!

(updated October 15th, 2025)

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Dogs Currently at the Shelter

These dogs are currently in our kennels at the PAWS Grays Ferry location (2900 Grays Ferry Avenue).

We are a small facility with only about 8 kennel spaces available at one time, so we really rely on foster parents to help us open up kennels so that we can save more dogs!

	Name: Perla Intake Date: 10/8/25 Age: ~9 months old Weight: 45.8 lbs Dog Friendly?: Previously lived with other large breed dogs, and would require the ability to separate from any resident pets for slow introductions at home Cat Friendly?: Unknown, and would require the ability to separate from any resident pets for slow introductions at home Perla’s family could no longer care for her, and this loving, playful young pup is now looking for a foster home through PAWS. Perla has been described as incredibly affectionate, outgoing, and full of life. She loves to play with a ball, give kisses, and soak up attention from everyone she meets. She’s great with people, including kids (though she can get a little excited with small children when greeting them), and she’s friendly and social with other dogs—she used to romp around the yard with her two pit bull buddies and even shares her toys with them! Perla is potty trained, not destructive, and has good house manners. When left alone, she may whine briefly before settling down with her toys until her people return. She’s a smart girl who knows “sit,” “come,” and “stay,” and she loves treats, carrots, cucumbers, and peanut butter. Her favorite hobbies include car rides, playing fetch, and watching “Dog TV,” where she’ll bark happily at dogs on the screen. If you can open your home to this affectionate young dog and help her start her next chapter, please email foster@phillypaws.org for more information about fostering Perla!
	Name: Little Girl Intake Date: 10/9/25 Age: ~6 years old Weight: 13.6 lbs Dog Friendly?: Unknown, and would require the ability to separate from any resident pets for slow introductions at home Cat Friendly?: Unknown, and would require the ability to separate from any resident pets for slow introductions at home Little Girl was found outside in a crate before being brought to the city shelter — but she’s now safe with PAWS and ready for a fresh start. We’re still getting to know her, both medically and behaviorally, but so far she’s shown herself to be a gentle, loving dog who just wants a calm, cozy home to decompress and feel safe again.  She’s currently being treated for a urinary tract infection and will need to be spayed once she’s cleared, so she just needs a quiet place to rest and recover while she gets back to full health. Little Girl has been a bit vocal while onsite, likely due to stress, so we’re looking for a foster who can provide a calm, reassuring environment and help her adjust to home life while monitoring for any signs of separation distress. She’d do best in a quiet home without young kids or overly active pets, with someone who’s home most of the day to keep her company. We’re also looking for someone with morning availability who can bring her to the Foster Walk-In Clinic for rechecks as needed as well as her future spay appointment. If you can open your home to Little Girl and help her start her next chapter with comfort and care, please email foster@phillypaws.org for more information about fostering her.
	Name: Melon Intake Date: 10/12/25 Age: ~10-11 months old Weight: 40.6 lbs Dog Friendly?: Yes, and would require the ability to separate from any resident pets for slow introductions at home Cat Friendly?: Unknown, and would require the ability to separate from any resident pets for slow introductions at home Melon is a sweet, goofy, high-energy pup looking for a foster home to help her learn and grow. At around ~10-11 months old, she’s still very much a puppy—full of enthusiasm, curiosity, and love! Melon has had a successful dog meet onsite and we believe she would do well in a foster home with an adult large dog who can match her puppy energy. She’s not yet fully house-trained and will benefit from continued guidance and consistency as she grows and learns. We’re looking for a foster who can provide structure, exercise, and positive training to help her succeed. She’ll thrive in a home that’s patient, active, and ready to show her what good dog manners look like! If you can open your home to Melon while she learns and grows, please email foster@phillypaws.org for more information.

Upcoming Intakes

Due to our limited kennel capacity, we cannot intake every surrender request. The dogs listed below may either be an upcoming owner surrender appointment, or a dog at ACCT Philly we are hoping to rescue. Lining up a potential foster home prior to their arrival can help them avoid staying at the shelter altogether!

Name: Toast Intake Date: Pending foster interest! Age: senior ~7-10 years old Weight: 12 lbs Dog Friendly?: Yes, and would require the ability to separate from any resident pets for slow introductions at home Cat Friendly?: Yes, previously lived with, and would require the ability to separate from any resident pets for slow introductions at home Sweet senior Toast may soon be looking for a foster home. His owner is no longer able to care for him due to financial and mental health challenges, and we’re hoping to line up a foster so he has a safe place to land once PAWS intakes him. Toast is a friendly, social Yorkie-poo who has lived happily with cats (see the adorable picture on the side!) and spent lots of time around dogs of all sizes, including at doggy daycare. He gets along well with other dogs but prefers to be the center of his human’s attention. He’s also done great with older kids and has been gentle and patient with younger ones who approach calmly. His owner describes him as a dog park referee who used to step in when play got too rowdy, a foodie who really loves pizza crust, and a softie whose favorite toy is a plush unicorn. Toast does experience some stress when left alone — he’ll stand by the door and vocalize, but he’s not destructive. He’s used to having company most of the time, so a foster who’s home often would be ideal while we help him transition and feel secure. If you might be able to open your home to Toast and give him a safe place to land, please email foster@phillypaws.org for more information.

Dogs in Need of a Foster Sitter

These dogs are currently in foster homes, and looking for a short term foster sitter to help keep them out of the shelter.

	No one at the moment, but please check back soon!

Dogs in Need of a Foster Transfer

These dogs are currently in foster homes, and looking for a new foster home to help keep them out of the shelter.

	No one at the moment, but please check back soon!