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 March 16th, 2025)

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Urgent 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!

	Name: Bumpy Intake Date: 3/4/25 Age: ~2 years old Weight: 46 lbs Dog Friendly?: Yes, has previously lived with dogs, and would require the ability to separate from any resident dogs for slow introductions at home Cat Friendly?: Yes (read more below), and would require the ability to separate from any resident cats for slow introductions at home Meet Bumpy, a lovable 46-pound lapdog who’s got a heart as big as her paws! Named after the charming dinosaur from Jurassic Park, she is just as sweet and playful as her namesake. Bumpy is a lover of all people, and will be sure to bring joy to your life, especially if you’re a fan of snuggles—since she is ready to curl or nuzzle up with anyone who will give her attention. Right now she is a bit nervous during this time of transition, so she would especially love a quieter foster home where she can decompress and get into a new routine to help her learn the ropes. Bumpy’s calm, gentle nature makes her the perfect companion to all. She has a history of getting along well with other dogs around her size (like her sister TriSarahtops who is also in our care, and featured next to her), and reportedly lived with some cats that she mostly ignored, but may have chased from time to time. Bumpy also doesn’t have too much experience with walks or house training in her previous home, so she will need continued patience in foster care while working on building her confidence—and a big bonus would be access to a yard so that she can get more comfortable with spending time on leash at her own pace. In addition to being mellow, Bumpy has a playful side too after she has a chance to open up! She’s all about shredding stuffed toys to bits (so we can help make sure you’ve got plenty on hand to keep her entertained), and she may try to sneak a snack if there’s food within reach. Her previous family describes her as having “the calmest disposition” and says that being around her is “relaxing and soothing.” Bumpy is truly one of a kind—a “dino-mite” dog who’s just waiting for the right foster family to give her the love and care she deserves. If you’re able to host this loving lady, please email us at foster@phillypaws.org for more information about fostering Bumpy!
	Name: TriSarahtops Intake Date: 3/4/25 Age: ~2 years old Weight: 40.4 lbs Dog Friendly?: Yes, has previously lived with dogs, and would require the ability to separate from any resident dogs for slow introductions at home Cat Friendly?: No Meet TriSarahtops, Bumpy’s slightly more extroverted and playful sister, with a zest for life and a heart full of love! Named after the iconic three-horned dinosaur, this sweet lady thrives on snuggles, and has playful spirit too. If you’re looking for a dog who loves attention and can make you smile, this is your girl—who even has an utterly adorable smile to make sure that you know when she’s happy! TriSarahtops is always ready for some playtime and will happily keep up with people of all ages. She’s got a lot of enthusiasm after she has a chance to decompress, open up, and show off her personality, and whether she’s chasing after toys or shredding them to bits, TriSarahtops knows how to have fun. Just like her sister Bumpy, she does well spending time and playing with other dogs, and loves being surrounded by people. She was reported to have a history of chasing the cats that she lived with previously, so for now while we learn more we would prefer that she go to a cat-free home. TriSarahtops also doesn’t have too much experience with walks or house training from her time spent in her former home, so she will need continued patience in foster care while working on building her confidence—and a big bonus would be access to a yard so that she can get more comfortable with spending time on leash at her own pace. She’s so soulful, affectionate, and always up for many cuddles after a long day of all of her favorites. If you’re looking for a dog who will be sure to keep you feeling loved and entertained at all times, TriSarahtops is ready to steal your heart with her playful charm and “dino-mite” energy, so please email us at foster@phillypaws.org to chat more about her!
	Name: Jim Gaffigan Intake Date: 3/13/25 Age: ~5 years old Weight: 22lbs Dog Friendly?: Yes, would require the ability to separate from any resident dogs for slow introductions at home. Cat Friendly?: Uknown, and would require the ability to separate from any resident cats for slow introductions at home. More info coming soon!

	Name: Stevie Nicks Intake Date: 3//25 Age: ~24years old Weight: 10 lbs Dog Friendly?: Yes, would require the ability to separate from any resident dogs for slow introductions at home Cat Friendly?:Uknown, and would require the ability to separate from any resident cats for slow introductions at home. More info coming soon!
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Upcoming Scheduled 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 Foster Needed through ~June 2025** Name: Blue Sapphire Intake Date: ASAP – Urgent & Pending Foster Interest Age: ~10 years old Weight: ~50 lbs Dog Friendly?: Yes, has previously lived with other large dogs, and would require the ability to separate from any resident dogs for slow introductions at home Cat Friendly?: Yes, has previous experience around cats, would require the ability to separate from any resident cats for slow introductions at home Blue Sapphire is still urgently looking for a temporary foster home for the next few months while her owner works to secure pet-friendly housing. She’s a sweet, loyal companion who just needs a safe place to stay in the meantime through our Safety Net Program. If you’re interested in helping out, please email us at foster@phillypaws.org for more information about fostering Blue Sapphire! She is described as loving, well-behaved, and a little sassy—and she’ll give you the funniest “how rude” look if you wake her up! Although she has lived with dogs and cats before, Blue Sapphire may prefer a pet-free home where she can shine in the spotlight. She’s also gentle around people of all ages, including children! Blue Sapphire loves all toys (especially ones that make sounds!), and enjoys both short and long walks—she’s just happy to be outside and hanging out with you. For time inside she is described as well-mannered when free-roaming, and she really enjoys being near her people as much as possible. For commands she already knows, “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “back off.” Blue Sapphire has some minor skin issues that will need continued care and monitoring, but she’s already set up with medicated shampoo, mousse, and a special diet to help her heal. Her owner describes her as “very loyal and lovable”—she’s just looking for a temporary home where she can feel safe and loved until they’re reunited, so please let us know if that could be yours!

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, 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. 

	**Seeking a foster transfer by 3/22/25** Name: Humble Intake Date: 1/28/25 Age: ~3 years old Weight: 10 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 Part muppet, part Pixar character, and 100% original and never before seen, Humble is playful, ridiculously cute, and marches to the beat of his own drum. And after over one month of being in the shelter, he is still very urgently in search of a foster home that is able to give him a comfortable spot to hang out in until he’s adopted. You can also see him show off his (pre-shave) playfulness here, and his dance moves here! He loves his people with his whole heart and mostly means well, he just needs a little coaching on how to be a proper gentleman! Humble is still learning to feel comfortable with handling, so he’d thrive with a patient person (or people) who can read his cues and help him continue building trust. He is also looking for a dog-savvy, adult-only home where his quirks will be appreciated. He’s got opinions (especially about neighbor noise—expect some colorful commentary while he figures out his feelings), and he’s still working on being comfortable spending time solo. But with the right family, we know he’ll gain confidence and embrace his independence! If you’re ready to see Humble’s soft, snuggly sweetness and playful spirit shine through, please email us at foster@phillypaws.org to chat more about this special pup!