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. 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.

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. Read on to find your next foster dog!

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!

(updated July 2nd, 2025)

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Not all heroes wear capes – some open their hearts and homes to fostering!

As of June 20th, PAWS is calling on animal lovers citywide to answer the ultimate lifesaving call and help us place 150 pets into foster homes by July 20th! With shelters at capacity and pets in urgent need of a safe place to land, you can be the hero they’ve been waiting for.

Fostering saves lives! By opening your home, you free up shelter space for the next animal in need and help your foster pet prepare for adoption. It’s one of the most direct ways to make an impact – and it might just be your new superpower!

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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 6-7 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!

	URGENT Name: Piper Intake Date: 6/6/25 Age: ~2 years old Weight: 30 lbs Dog Friendly?: No, seeking a pet-free home Cat Friendly?: No, seeking a pet-free home Piper is a special pocket-sized pup in search of an equally special foster home, as soon as possible—see here! She was returned from her adoptive home almost one month ago after experiencing some challenges with coexisting with their resident dog, so she is seeking a pet-free and patient home that can help her feel her best. Piper’s previous adopters described her as a lover of walks, and also said that “she’s so happy all the time!”. She’s full of playful energy and is always up for an adventure where she is able to explore her new environment at her own pace. And then after she’s gotten her zoomies out, she is happy to nap right on top of you as long as you’ll have her! Piper is a very snuggly gal who just wants to be around her people, and her ideal foster home would have someone who has a flexible schedule to be able to be home often—and who is also able to commit to training. She is very smart, treat, and food-motivated, already knows “sit,” “down,” and “come,” and is eager to please and learn even more! Piper is also already crate trained and mostly housebroken. Her favorite things? Peanut butter-filled Kongs and snuggling up with her beloved stuffies—and of course, people! This sweet girl is a delightful mix of sweet and spunky, and she’s learning and growing into the amazing dog she’s meant to be. If you are able to help with this next chapter of Piper’s journey, please email us at foster@phillypaws.org to make a really big impact on a small(ish) pup!
	URGENT Name: Buckie Intake Date: 4/25/25 Age: ~3 years old Weight: 16 lbs Dog Friendly?: No, and seeking a pet-free home Cat Friendly?: Unknown, and seeking a pet-free home Buckie has been back in-kennel for almost two three weeks now, and urgently needs a new foster home—see here! His previous foster was unable to continue caring for him, and we’re looking for a new place for this tiny charmer to land as soon as possible. At just 12 pounds with a sweet face and an even sweeter personality, Buckie has a way of melting hearts wherever he goes. One of his signature moves? A joyful little dance when he’s excited—think happy feet in overdrive! While we expect he’ll settle down once he’s back in a home, his next foster should be ready to support him through an adjustment period that may include some vocalizing and separation distress. A home where someone is around often or works from home would be ideal to keep this pint-sized pup feeling his best, and he has been doing so much better after he has the chance to establish a routine! Buckie has been incredibly friendly with everyone he’s met and would thrive with a patient foster who can help him decompress, continue working on house training, and build confidence being on his own. He is also already being promoted for adoption, and you can view his profile here! If you’re looking for a lovable sidekick with major cuteness credentials, Buckie just might be your guy! Please email us at foster@phillypaws.org to learn more about fostering this adorable little dude!
	Names: Spongebob & Squidward Intake Date: 6/6/25 Ages: ~4 months old Weights: ~20ish lbs, and growing! Dog Friendly?: Yes, have previously lived with other 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 Spongebob & Squidward are looking for a new foster home (together or separately) as soon as possible! These sweet brothers have been settling into their new surroundings with bravery, curiosity, and lots of tail wags! They’ve been making new friends, sharing kisses, and exploring the big, exciting world around them. Squidward recently started a medication for a congenital heart condition—and he’ll need a little extra TLC as we work with our medical team to determine the best plan moving forward. We’re seeking fosters, foster-to-adopt homes, or adopters (Spongebob is already available!) who can provide a loving, supportive space for one or both puppies. If you’re only able to welcome one pup, we ask that you have a friendly resident dog who can help guide them and continue their socialization journey. Spongebob and Squidward are ready to start exploring their neighborhood, but will need support in taking things slow, building positive experiences, and working on training. Puppy experience is a plus, but most important is patience, kindness, and a readiness for the fun (and occasional mess!) that comes with puppyhood. In return, these boys will fill your days with playtime, snuggles, and heart-melting moments—they are really so sweet! Ready to join the puppy party? Please reach out to us at foster@phillypaws.org to learn more about fostering one (or both!) of these precious pups so that they can avoid spending more time back in shelter, and start their summers off on the right paw(s)!

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.

	Foster Sitter Needed from July 23rd through August 5th Name: Kona Intake Date: 12/6/24 Age: ~7.5 years old Weight: 60 lbs Dog Friendly?: Seeking a pet-free home for her short stay Cat Friendly?: Seeking a pet-free home for her short stay Looking to add some extra joy to your home this summer? Kona’s got you (more than) covered! This sweet, snuggly, and always-smiley pup is looking for a sitter from July 23rd through August 5th while her foster is out of town. Kona thrives with people and would love to shine in the spotlight in a pet-free home, ideally where someone is around most of the time so that she can stick to the schedule that she’s been used to in foster care. She’s a well-behaved, housebroken, lovebug who is also food-motivated and full of affection—truly the perfect short-term houseguest. You can also see more of what Kona’s previous sitters had to say about her here! If you’re able to help a sweet girl and fill your days with snuggles, silliness, and smiles, email us at foster@phillypaws.org to learn more about hosting Kona for a couple of weeks!

Upcoming Potential 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!

	Urgent Safety Net Program Candidates – Bonded Pair Names: Nero (dog) & Feather Jones (cat) Intake Date: ASAP – Pending Foster Placement Ages: ~1 year old & ~9 years old Weights: 8 lbs & TBD Dog Friendly?: Nero & Feather Jones are living together, and would likely do okay living with other pets, but would require the ability to separate from any for slow introductions at home initially Cat Friendly?: Nero & Feather Jones are living together, and would likely do okay living with other pets, but would require the ability to separate from any for slow introductions at home initially Meet Nero & Feather Jones, a lovable dynamic duo looking for a temporary foster home through PAWS’ Safety Net Program for about 2-3 months while their owner secures pet-friendly housing. This sweet pair has been together since Nero joined in on the fun a few months ago, and would thrive in a calm, loving home that can keep them together until they can be reunited with their person. Nero is a young pup with a gentle heart and playful spirit! Already crate trained and working on perfecting his potty habits, Nero is generally well-mannered on leash and already knows a few basic commands. Like most puppies, he has bursts of energy and playfulness—especially when squeaky toys are involved!—but is typically pretty easygoing. Nero will do best in a home that can offer him a little patience, continued training, and lots of love! Feather Jones is a mellow, senior queen who brings the cozy, couch-potato energy to this duo. She’s friendly, cuddly, fully litterbox trained, and enjoys scratching away on her cardboard scratchers. She’s also low-maintenance, affectionate, and would happily spend most of the day curled up beside you! If you have room in your home and heart for this sweet pair, you’ll be making a huge difference in keeping them safe and together until they can return home. So please email us at foster@phillypaws.org if you are able to foster Nero & Feather Jones, and we’d love to work on scheduling their intake as soon as possible!

Urgent 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, please check back soon!