Dogs In Need of Foster Care

Thank you so much for fostering and saving a life!

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 November 17th, 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: Big Bertha Intake Date: 11/2/25 Age: ~6 years old Weight: 61.5 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 Big Bertha is a lovable lady with an even bigger heart! As her name might suggest, she is currently on a weight loss journey to help her feel her best, and will also have a dental surgery done in a couple of days to help ensure that she’s as comfortable and pain-free as possible. And while she’s been handling everything like a champ, kennel life has been a bit stressful for Big Bertha—so we’re hoping to find a foster home where she can unwind, build confidence, and show us more of her true personality! Bertha is a sweet, social girl who adores spending time with people and relaxing by your side. Once she feels settled, she loves some playtime and will happily join in on some toy fun! She’s shown some sensitivity around her head (possibly due to her ouchy mouth), so she’ll do best in a calm, patient home that can take things slow and respect her boundaries as she learns to trust. This lovely lady has thrived during her time getting to be a coworker in offices— snoozing beside staff, greeting visitors, and showing off her playful side. So we are really hoping that Bertha will blossom in a quiet, consistent home where she can feel safe and loved—especially during her recovery. Could you be the one to give this sweet girl the cozy, understanding foster home she deserves? Please email us at foster@phillypaws.org for more information about giving Big Bertha some very well-deserved TLC when she is needing it most!
	Name: Kane Intake Date: 11/1/25 Age: ~2 years old Weight: 14.5 lbs Dog Friendly?: Unknown, and would require the ability to separate from any resident pets for slow introductions at home Cat Friendly?: Yes, previously lived with cats, and would require the ability to separate from any resident pets for slow introductions at home Kane is an adorable, poodley-doodley young guy who’s playful, affectionate, and smart—he already knows sit, down, stay, and come! He loves toys, enjoys walks, and bonds quickly with his people. Right now Kane is having a hard time managing his excitement both inside and outside, so he’ll do best with a foster who can provide structure, consistency, and positive reinforcement. We’re ideally looking for a calm home in a quiet neighborhood where he can decompress from shelter life, focus on training, and establish a steady routine. A yard would be a big plus to help with exercise and house training while he continues to learn the ropes. If you can give this sweet, energetic boy the space and guidance he needs to relax and thrive, please email us at foster@phillypaws.org!

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.

	Looking for a sitter from Nov. 25 – Nov. 30th Name: Bette Davis Intake Date: 11/10/25 Age: ~4 years old Weight: ~7.8 lbs (looking to gain some weight!) 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 Bette Davis is a tiny ball of fuzz, energy, and pure love who’s hoping to spend Thanksgiving week in a cozy foster home! She’s a scruffy little angel with a gentle heart and so much affection to give. Curious, attentive, and wildly charming, she loves making eye contact, following her people around, and soaking up all the attention she can get. She’s social, sweet, and absolutely adores humans — truly the kind of pup who makes everyone she meets fall a little bit in love. If you’re around for the holiday and can open your home to this little sweetheart from 11/25–11/30, email foster@phillypaws.org to learn more about sitting Bette Davis!
	Looking for a sitter from Nov. 24th – Nov. 29th Name: Ozzy Osbourne Intake Date: 11/4/25 Age: ~1 years old Weight: ~7.8 lbs Dog/cat friendly: No, looking for pet-free home Ozzy is a snuggly, people-loving butterball who’s looking for a calm, pet-free home to relax in over Thanksgiving. He’s affectionate, smart, and happiest when he’s curled up right beside you. He’s fully housetrained with zero accidents, settles quickly in his crate or playpen after a minute of whining, and isn’t destructive around the house — he’ll happily de-stuff a toy but doesn’t eat the pieces. Ozzy needs to be the only pet in the home, as he’s reactive to other animals and does best in a quiet, low-distraction environment. Walks can be tricky if other dogs are around, so he’s been learning to use a DoggieLawn on the deck for easier bathroom breaks. He also has mild allergies that require simple morning ear drops, which he handles well. You’re welcome to stay at his foster’s apartment in Rittenhouse, or his foster can bring him (and all of his supplies) to you — whatever makes it easiest. The goal is simply to make sure this little angel meatball has a safe, cozy place to land while his foster is away. If you can help Ozzy for the Thanksgiving holiday, please email foster@phillypaws.org — he’d be so grateful for a soft place to land!

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.

	Foster Transfer Needed & Holiday Foster Sitter Needed from November 27th to November 30th Name: Barbie Dreamhouse Intake Date: 7/11/25 Age: ~3 years old Weight: ~71 lbs, and on a weight loss journey! Dog Friendly?: Yes, and would require the ability to separate from any resident pets for slow introductions at home Cat Friendly?: No, and seeking a cat-free home You already know and love this beautiful sentient meatball, and now you have the chance to enjoy all of her wiggles and smiles for yourself, and foster Barbie Dreamhouse! Barbie is currently living in South Philly, and she has been finding it a little bit too dense and foot traffic-y for her liking, and would really appreciate moving somewhere that is a bit quieter where she can ideally have her own yard until she is adopted. She is looking for a foster transfer to a more ideal environment, as well as a holiday sitter from November 27th to November 30th—and see her adoption profile here to fall even more in love! Barbie Dreamhouse’s favorite activities are; carrying a toy on walks (or wherever she goes), leaning in for pets, and being the center of attention. A triple threat! She has also done well meeting other dogs that match her energy, but is looking for a cat-free home. If you can give this happy hippo a comfy spot to relax short or longer term, please email us at foster@phillypaws.org to learn more about helping out!

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!

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