This week marks the fourth anniversary of PAWS’ Safety Net Foster Program. Created in 2022, this vital program provides temporary foster care for pets whose devoted owners are determined to keep them, but need a safe place for them to stay during a period of transition. Hope, shown above, is one of those pets. When her mom Audraya was facing a loss of housing and couldn’t find pet-friendly options, she also faced losing her best friend. Luckily, she reached out to PAWS for support and found a lifeline for Hope through our Safety Net foster program.

During her stay in a temporary PAWS foster home, Hope didn’t just have a safe and comfortable place to land, she also received the senior medical support she needed, including a dental procedure that transformed her quality of life. While Hope healed and waited in foster care, our team stayed closely connected with her owner, sharing updates and working toward a happy reunion. This past January, their long-awaited reunion finally became a reality, and Hope was right back where she belongs: with her mom! The smiles on both their faces say it all.

This is what PAWS’ Safety Net Foster Program makes possible. It keeps families together, prevents unnecessary surrenders, and ensures pets have a safe place to land during life’s most challenging moments. We are incredibly grateful to the dedicated Safety Net foster parents who open their hearts homes to pets like Hope. This program simply would not be possible without them.

Many of our fellow Philadelphians are navigating housing instability and other hardships. You can help preserve a precious bond and make more reunions like Hope’s possible by becoming a Safety Net foster today. PAWS provides all supplies and medical care. Learn more and get started at phillypaws.org/foster.