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Seven years ago today, Charlie Thomas Simon was adopted from PAWS’ Old City Adoption Center. When he first arrived at PAWS, he was battling severe asthma and a stomach bug. But that certainly didn’t stop him from winning hearts with his sweet chirps before his future parents even laid eyes on him!

From that first joyful plop into his mom’s lap, Charlie made it clear he had found his people. Over the next five and a half years, he filled their lives with laughter and love - from 3AM zoomies to cross-country adventures between New Jersey and Texas.

Charlie passed away unexpectedly in March 2024, but his spirit and the lessons he left behind live on. He showed his family that the bond we share with animals is every bit as profound as with people - and that the love of a pet like his never fades. ...

From stray to snuggles! When we rescued Buckie, it was clear this little dog had big potential. He had been found as a stray and was doing his best to navigate a world that felt overwhelming —barking nonstop, pulling on his leash, and voicing some strong opinions about other dogs. His anxious energy made everyday life a challenge, but underneath the antics was a friendly, incredibly loving dog who just wanted to belong. With patience, structure, and plenty of TLC, Buckie made big strides in foster care — but we still worried he’d have a difficult time finding an adopter who was ready to meet him where he was.

When Donna and Nancy learned about Buckie, they saw the sweet soul behind the quirks. They were fully prepared for a bumpy transition as he adjusted to yet another life change — but then Buckie surprised us all. “He entered the house for the first time as if he has lived here his entire life,” Donna said. “There was no adjustment period. He is a full-time member of the family. He is about the most affectionate dog I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, and I have had dogs all my life! The care PAWS has given him is so obvious. Thank you for the wonderful gift of Buckie!” ...

A seasoned gentleman. A big ol’ teddy bear. Simply a magnificent beast. Meet Sam Vimes! 9 years young and ready for love, this fabulous senior is the total package.

Sam is a laid back guy who enjoys the finer things in life, like gazing out of the window in his favorite cardboard box and long naps on his crinkle bag. He’s also
a lover of toys and does enjoy the power of the hunt (he’s especially a sucker for feather wands)!
A social butterfly who loves his human friends, Sam would do well with adults and respectful kiddos, and may even be fine with a feline roomie (he says no thanks to dogs though). He eats a special diet and a chewable daily pill to manage his diabetes (no insulin injections!) and will go home with a 3 month care package of his food and medication. Plus, his adoption fee is name-your-price through November 9 as part of PAWS’ Perfectly Impurrfect promo!

Ready to fall in love? Visit our adoptions page or email adoptions@phillypaws.org to learn more about this hunk! ...

👻🎃 Trick or treat yourself to a new feline friend! 🎃👻

Our Perfectly Impurrfect cat adoption event is happening tomorrow (Saturday, November 1) from 11am–5pm at PAWS’ Old City Adoption Center! 🧡 Adoption fees are name-your-price for “Perfectly Impurrfect” pets through November 9, and we’ll have nearly a dozen qualifying cats onsite who will be waiting to charm you.

These are sweet and friendly companions who are facing longer shelter stays just because they’re older, have common medical conditions, or have a special preference for their homes. Swipe through this to see some of our Perfectly Impurrfect stars! Some will be at our event tomorrow, while others are waiting to meet you in foster care.

Whether you visit tomorrow or fall in love from afar, there’s a cat waiting to cast their spell on you. 🪄 Learn more and apply now at our #linkinbio! ...

Happy HOWL-o-ween from the PAWS family! 🎃 Our adopted pets are rocking their spooky season style, and we can’t get enough. If your furry friend is celebrating today too, tell us what they’re dressing up as in the comments! We love seeing our PAWS community get into the spirit 👻 ...

Our neighbors across Philadelphia are facing truly unprecedented hardships. As the federal shutdown continues, SNAP benefits are set to end Saturday, and service providers of all kinds — including shelters that once welcomed humans as well as their pets — are being forced to close.

Every day, we hear from neighbors who can no longer afford food, supplies, or housing — for themselves or for their beloved animals — as well as people who are vulnerable due to their immigration status. Families who have always cared deeply for their pets are now facing impossible choices.

While this is deeply distressing, it only fortifies our commitment to do all we can. If, like us, you feel moved to take action, there are a variety of ways you can join us, and our partners, to make an immediate difference in the lives of people and pets who have nowhere else to turn. Our ability to save lives and keep families together depends on the number of caring and compassionate people who step forward to help, so we urge you to do so if you can.

Resources on how to help are below, and you can find links and more details about each opportunity at our #linkinbio.

📦 Contribute food, supplies, or funds to our Pet Food Pantry, which thousands of pet owners rely on for support. Right now, donations are being matched, up to $5,000!

🏡 Offer a temporary home through our Safety Net Program for a pet whose owner needs time to get resettled, and make a joyous reunion possible. phillypaws.org/foster

🐶🐱 Adopt or foster a homeless pet, so we can fill their space by rescuing another whose life hangs in the balance.

🤝 Support our partners, who work tirelessly to provide food and other essential services to people throughout the city — despite budget cuts, funding freezes, and great uncertainty.

As the need for support surges, let’s all come together to help families stay together, ensure vulnerable pets and people have what they need, and lift up our partners who offer support in countless other ways. ...

Cupid and Andre are both getting into the Halloween spirit for #NationalCatDay! These two spooky heartthrobs are living it up in foster care together, but they don’t need to be adopted as a pair (unless you’ve always wanted to take home a pirate-vampire duo)! Their adoption fees are name-your-price through November 9 for PAWS’ Perfectly Impurrfect promo, *and* they’ll each go home with a 3 month care package of their medications.

🏴‍☠️ Pirate Andre is here to swashbuckle your heart, not your treasure! He’s a sweet, thoughtful companion who loves people, calm vibes, and the occasional feather wand duel. Andre’s in remission from diabetes thanks to a special diet and is currently managing asthma with medication. He’s an easy-going 10 year old fella who’d do best in a peaceful home where he can lounge, birdwatch, and collect chin scratches in style.

🧛 Vampire Cupid might look like a creature of the night, but don’t be fooled — this gentle guy is all heart. This 10-year-old diabetic gentleman takes his insulin like a champ and has blossomed into a playful, affectionate companion whose favorite pastimes include getting brushed, greeting guests, and tapping you gently for more pets. His diabetes care is easy-peasy and just part of his daily routine of naps, cuddles, and general charm.

See more of Andre and Cupid adventures on Instagram at @ottosphillyfosters, or read all about them at our adoptions page! ...

Say hello to Missy! When you meet this gentle 11-year-old, you can tell right away she’s a cat who’s known love — and has plenty left to give.

This affectionate lady adores being near her people, whether she’s playing a game that brings out her inner hunter or simply lounging nearby, keeping an eye on things and bringing warmth wherever she goes.

Missy was raised by a wonderful person who adored her. They spent their days together, often hanging on a gated front porch in the evenings, and for years she was the queen of the neighborhood — greeting everyone who passed by and soaking up every bit of attention. When her beloved person passed away, a kind family member took over her care until they, too, passed, and now she’s being fostered by caring neighbors while she looks for a new family through PAWS.

Through it all, Missy has remained steady, loving, and full of heart. She’s looking for a quiet home (teens or older) where she can be your one and only pet. In return, she’ll give you loyalty, affection, and the sweet companionship of a lifelong friend ♥️

Through November 9, you can name Missy’s adoption fee thanks to our Perfectly Impurrfect promo. Learn more at our adoptions page, or email adoptions@phillypaws.org to get in touch with our team about Missy today! You can also follow her adventures in foster care at @thewaystation43. ...

We recently learned that this year’s Mutt Strut brought an unforgettable moment: a wedding proposal! Bruce, a four-year-old Frenchie, had front row seats as his dad, David, popped the question to his mom, Erin. David knew the Mutt Strut was the perfect setting for their next big chapter together. “I had multiple big plans to pop the question, but none of them felt right,” he shared. “A little photo op with our Bruce and the beautiful weather... it just felt right!”

Both work at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, the Mutt Strut’s Big Dog sponsor, and even met there, making the day feel serendipitous. The couple has known each other for over a year and their bond with Bruce made the moment even more special. “Erin and Bruce mean everything to me,” David said. “So if I was going to propose, I knew Bruce had to be there, too.”

A huge thank you to @livecasinophl for helping make the day possible and to @pawtraitpopup for beautifully capturing the big moment Congratulations to David, Erin, and Bruce! May your love continue to grow for years to come. ...