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 16th, 2025)

—

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!

—

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 and here! She was returned from her adoptive home over a 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 thrilled 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 initially as she is getting into a routine—and who is also able to commit to training too. Piper is very smart, treat, and food-motivated, already knows “sit,” “down,” and “come,” and is eager to please and learn even more! She 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 very big impact on a small(ish) pup!
	URGENT Name: Squidward Intake Date: 6/6/25 Age: ~4 months old Weight: ~20ish lbs, and growing! Dog Friendly?: Yes, has 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 Squidward is still looking urgently for a new foster home to call his own! This sweet boy is now in-kennel by himself after his brother Spongebob recently left for foster care, and would love to head home with a foster family as soon as possible. This pup was previously in foster care for one week and settled into his new surroundings with bravery, curiosity, and lots of tail wags! He was previously living with his brother Spongebob (and five other siblings), and for his socialization would love to have another spunky dog sibling that he can play and wrestle with to his heart’s content—and snuggle with too. Squidward is currently taking 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 for him. Because of this he is not yet neutered, and is still working on completing his vaccine series—which will be done soon! We’re seeking fosters or foster-to-adopt homes who can provide a loving and supportive space for Squidward during this chapter. 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, this boy will be sure to fill your days with playtime, snuggles, and heart-melting moments—he is really so sweet! Ready to join in on the the puppy party? Please reach out to us at foster@phillypaws.org to learn more about fostering (or adopting) Squidward!
	Name: Freya Intake Date: 6/21/25 Age: ~1.5 years old 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 Freya is a sweet and spirited pup with a true zest for life, who is urgently on the search for a new foster home by this as soon as possible! Joyful, affectionate, and always up for an adventure (or a cozy cuddle on the couch), she has blossomed into a playful companion who brings fun wherever she goes. Whether Freya is racing around the yard or tossing her toys in the air during a solo game of fetch, she is the life of the party—and her enthusiasm is contagious! Freya’s previous fosters were no longer able to continue caring for her (due to no fault of her own), but have so many rave reviews, and would love for her to head into another foster home that can enjoy her as much as they have. They describe Freya as a “true delight,” and smart, eager to please, and incredibly food-motivated—making her an excellent training buddy. As a younger girl she’s still learning how to channel her excitement in appropriate ways at times, so a patient and consistent foster home will help her thrive while we start the search for her forever home again. And on walks, Freya loves to explore, sniff, and hop after birds and squirrels. However, right now she is still learning on being totally comfortable with going to the bathroom while out and about, and mostly uses her dedicated spots in her fosters’ yard. Despite her sometimes energetic side, Freya is a total snugglebug at heart. She loves curling up with her people at the end of the day and finds comfort in being close. A true lapdog! Her routine in her current foster home includes morning naps while her foster works from home, afternoon playtime, and peaceful nights sleeping in her own bed. She’s also crate trained and does well when left alone for shorter periods. If you’re able to host a bright, bouncy, and loving companion who will keep you smiling and melt into your lap at the end of the day, Freya would love to come home with you. Please email us foster@phillypaws.org if you’re able to help by fostering this sweet little lady!
	Name: Barbie Dreamhouse Intake Date: 7/11/25 Age: ~3 years old Weight: 84.5 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 Need we say more about (this) Barbie Dreamhouse? This oh so happy lady to PAWS arrived from the city shelter after being found as a stray, and would love to head into foster care with you as soon as possible! We are still learning more about Barbie Dreamhouse each day, but she is such a wiggly, waggy, and smiley delight, who is already showing off her goofy personality to everyone she meets. Her finder described her as; fun, friendly, playful, a good listener, and well-behaved walker on leash too! She also did well around her finder’s children, and would make an excellent companion to anyone looking to welcome home almost 85 lbs of pure love—who is also looking to get her summer shred going! Barbie Dreamhouse is ready to trade her plastic digs for a real life dream foster home, so please email us at foster@phillypaws.org if you are able to help by hosting this house-hippo-in-training!

Urgent 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—ideally in a home with not so many stairs, and also not too many to get outside (or back inside). 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 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 Candidate Names: Weezy Intake Date: ASAP, or before 7/17 Ages: ~3 year old Weights: ~60 lbs Dog Friendly?: Yes, and would require the ability to separate from any for slow introductions at home initially Cat Friendly?: No Weezy’s loving owner is recovering from surgery and wants to make sure his “best friend” has a safe, comfortable place to stay while he heals. We’re looking for a Safety Net foster for Weezy through August 31, with the possibility of an earlier return if all goes well. Weezy is a total sweetheart who, according to his owner, “gets along with everyone”—people and pups alike. In the summer, he’s a regular at Pennypack Park, where he goes three times a day for his favorite activity: swimming and playing with his dog friends! He’s also got a silly streak—he loves to roll down hills (and might sneak a bite of grass on the way down). While his owner mentioned possible mobility issues, Weezy has no trouble with stairs. He’s the kind of dog who takes cues from his canine companions—he used to be a little unsure about stairs, but after watching other dogs, he figured it out and hasn’t looked back. This playful, friendly boy just needs a soft spot to land while his person gets back on their feet. If you can give Weezy a loving temporary home, email foster@phillypaws.org for more information!

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!