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 April 26th, 2024)

 

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!

	Wow… so empty! All our current dogs are in foster care! Check back in later!

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. 

	Name: Luke Wilson Age: ~7 years old Weight: 44 lbs Dog Friendly?: Unknown, would require a dog meet on-site, and the ability to do slow introductions at home Cat Friendly?: Yes, has lived with cats previously Luke Wilson is looking for a foster sitter to take over his care by 5/30! This handsome guy is an incredibly social, and cuddly boy. He’s friendly, house-broken and has basic commands down. Luke is just one of those easy doggos that are a good fit for most homes! His current foster even describes him as the “perfect dog”. Based on his interactions with other dogs, we think he could do well living in a home with other dogs that match his energy. Specifically other doggies that love to romp around and get their goof on, and nap when it’s all over! While we don’t have any information regarding Luke’s history with cats, we think that he could do well with kitties that like playful dogs! If you’re interested in a fun and affectionate companion, Luke Wilson just might be your perfect match!

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! 

	Name: Prince Handsome Intake Date: Intake date TBD Age: ~1-2 years old Weight: 24 lbs Dog Friendly?: Unknown, would require a dog meet on-site, and the ability to do slow introductions at home Cat Friendly?: Yes, has lived with cats previously Appropriately named for his striking looks and fantastic style, Prince Handsome is ready to play! This young pup has boundless energy and loves to zoom about and cuddle. According to his owner, he has lots of experience with kids of all ages and is super friendly. Prince is a pretty smart boy so he really enjoys enrichment puzzles, and activities to keep him busy.He’s looking for a dog savvy foster that’s willing to help him work on some additional training as he occassionally has accidents in the home and can sometimes resource guard toys or high value food. Scheduled upcoming owner surrender. More information to come!
	Name: Gangster & Buttercup *SAFETY NET* Intake Date: 5/4/24 Age:  10 year old & 3 year old  Weight: 45lbs & 50 lbs Dog Friendly?: Yes, would require a dog meet on-site, and the ability to do slow introductions at home Cat Friendly?: No, cat-free home Upcoming possible Safety Net Fosters! Two super sweet and well-behaved larger pups seeking foster placement for 2 months starting on 5/4/24! The owners tentative reclaim date is July 1rst! Both of these sweet pups love kids of all ages and are very gentle-natured. According to they’re owners they are both huge cuddlebugs, who want nothing more to play and be by your side. They’re favorite pass times are sun bathing and taking nice long walks. If you can help these cuties please reach out and let us know! More information to come!
	Name: Papi Intake Date: Intake Date TBD Age: 6 years old  Weight:  Dog Friendly?: Yes, would require a dog meet on-site, and the ability to do slow introductions at home. Cat Friendly?: Unknown, would require slow introductions at home. Papi is described as a friendly and loving guy by his family, but sadly they’re moving and are unable to take him with them. Family is moving and cannot take him. Papi is 6yo and is reportedly dog, cat, and kid friendly. The owner says he’s “very nice, aware, and good around people.” This loving and smart guy knows sit, down, come, and shake paw and lived with dogs, cats, and kids – getting along with all of them well! It sounds like he may be crate trained, but occasionally has accidents. He will need a patient foster up for working on house training. We were also told that he’s generally good on leash, but can pull/zig zag sometimes. He loves walking and running in enclosed open spaces. His owner noted that he needs a lot of mental stimulation and follows him everywhere, so it would be good to be prepared to have this adorable fella as a shadow and also plan to provide plenty of indoor enrichment and routine as he settles into a new environment. Chew toys and bones are his favorite! Papi will be neutered as soon as we’re able to squeeze him in!

Dogs in Need of 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 for May 17-23** Name: Kind Bar Intake Date: 5/3/24 Age: ~2 years old Weight: 37 lbs Dog Friendly?: Yes, but would require a dog meet on-site, and the ability to do slow introductions at home Cat Friendly?: Unknown and would require the ability for slow introductions at home, and separation if needed. UPDATE: Sadly our sweet girl Kind caught kennel cough (started on 5/4). She’s currently on antibiotics and recovering in a cozy foster home! Her foster will be going away for work so she needs a sitter that has a a dog-free space to fully separate resident dogs or a dog-free home (to avoid spreading her cold). Looking for a pal with big beautiful brown eyes and a soft speckled fur? Kind Bar is just the girl for you! This sweetheart is the silliest and floppiest gal you’ll ever meet. She’s estimated to be around 2 years old, but she still looks and very much acts like a puppy with her wiggly clumsy antics. She has a boisterous lively personality and loves to explore everything with her big snoot! Once she’s all tuckered out she likes to plop down near or on her humans and do a big silly sigh before drifting off. Bar is dog friendly, but would still require an on-site meet with other resident dogs. We have no information about her behavior around cats, but with her playful nature we think she’d do well with a cat that has similar energy! This adorable gal tends to be quite the escape artist and is faster than she looks, so she’s searching for a foster home with secure doors, gates or fences so this curious lady doesn’t have too much fun.
	** Foster Sitter Needed for May 24-27** Name: Icy Age: ~9 years old Weight: 64 lbs Dog Friendly?: No Cat Friendly?: No This sweet squishy gal is searching for a sitter that has a pet-free home to avoid stress during her short stay! While Icy is comfortable with being alone, we would love to find a fosters that works from home so Icy has company! Her foster is also open to Icy being watched in their foster home (in Wash Square West area)! If you are able to watch Icy in her foster’s home, she’ll be comfortable alone for longer hours since she’s very used to the environment! If you interested in having a adorable cuddle buddy for a few days let us know! She’s quite the sweetheart.