Get Involved
There are many ways to save a life!
PAWS was founded in 2005 as a small volunteer group with a dream to make Philadelphia a no-kill city where every healthy and treatable pet is guaranteed a home. We have made incredible strides thanks to caring supporters who get involved however they can, whether adopting, fostering, making contributions of time or funds, and so much more. Join our mission and start saving lives!
Join the PAWS Community
Become A PAWS Partner
Current Partners
 
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                             
                            Make a Gift and Save a Life
Find Your Newest Family Member
When you adopt a new best friend from PAWS, you are saving a life that might not have had a chance without your kindness.
Join the Conversation
Follow PAWS on Social Media
Our online community helps save lives and celebrate successes. Keep up to date on ways to help the animals and tag us in your happy adoption updates: you may see your story here!
#phillypaws
						They’re not spooky, just special — and they’re waiting to meet YOU! If you think perfect is boring, now’s your chance to be charmed by a pet as unique as you are. Today through November 14, you can name your own adoption fee for any Perfectly Impurrfect PAWS pet (look for the special marker on their adoption profile). 
These are cats and dogs facing longer stays with PAWS, simply because they have a common medical condition or a special preference for their home – maybe they take daily medication, have a manageable senior condition, or would be happiest in a pet-free or adult household. But while they may be a little different, they’re all treat and no trick — and the joy they bring to your life is pure magic!
PAWS specializes in great matchmaking, and offers support, guidance, and training for adopters as they welcome a new pet into their lives. Visit PAWS’ adoptions page at our #linkinbio to meet our Perfectly Impurrfect pets. A lifetime of love is just a few clicks away!
						
							...
						
					
						His name is Merlin, and yes, he`s absolutely magical! ✨ According to his fosters, this affectionate boy is a sweetheart and snugglebug who`s all about his people and will never be far from your side. He loves pets and belly rubs, and will cuddle next to you any chance he gets – the perfect movie companion and work from home pal! 
Merlin may have mastered the art of the snuggle, but he`s no couch potato. At about 4 years old, he is in his prime and loves to play. He came to us with a couple of health issues (otherwise he would`ve been *too* perfect), so he`s on easy medication and a special diet for diabetes and a condition called pillowfoot. Luckily, mixing his meds in with his wet food once a day keeps Merlin in prime snuggling shape, and he loves his treats and food almost as much as he`ll love you!
Merlin would be a wonderful addition to any mellow household looking for an affecitonate friend to fill your days with love. He`ll go home with a three month care package that includes his medication and special diet, and his adoption fee is also waived through November 9th thanks to our Perfectly Impurrfect adoption promo! Are you ready to make some magic together? Drop us a line about Merlin today! 🪄
						
							...
						
					
Show us your PAWS-o-ween spirit! Do you have a PAWS alum ready to strut their stuff this Halloween? Send a photo of your adopted PAWS pet in costume by October 29, and we’ll feature our favorite looks on our social media on October 31. From spooky to silly, creepy to cute, let’s celebrate the pets who make every day a treat! Please email cory@phillypaws.org with the subject “PAWS-o-ween,” and include your pet’s name, age, costume inspiration, and a high-resolution photo so we can show them off in their best light. ...
						Red Bean Bun needs your help (and so do our other ringworm babies)! This tiny kitten has a big spirit, but her size has us very concerned about her health if she remains at the shelter. Her siblings are nearly twice as big, and we’ve had to separate her to monitor her food intake more closely — which means poor Bean is all by her lonesome 😢
We’d really love to get Bean into a foster home as soon as possible, ideally with her siblings Spider Roll and Sweet Potato (but even solo is better than staying here for too long)! If you’re not sure about taking Bean and her siblings, we also have several other kittens in our ringworm ward who are just as sweet, and just as desperate for love, playtime, and affection. 
Fosters and adopters who open their homes to ringworm kitties can attest that they’re some of the most friendly and loving cats you’ll meet, and all it takes to change a life is a separate space in your home and a few weeks of TLC!
To foster or adopt one or more of our adorable fungal felines, email foster@phillypaws.org with the subject “ringworm kittens”!
Some ringworm fast facts: 
🔹 It’s not a worm — it’s a fungal infection of the skin that usually shows up as small patches of hair loss in pets. 
🔹 It’s a mild infection, but contagious to people and pets, so a separate room for fosters is the best way to prevent it from spreading during treatment.
🔹 It usually takes 4-8 weeks to clear up (and many of these babies are already a few weeks into their treatment)! 
🔹 We have twice weekly “dip days” at our Grays Ferry clinics for ringworm fosters/adopters to drop their kitties off for medicated baths — no need to do it at home!
						
							...
						
					
						Are you ready to rock ’n’ roll for a great cause? Join the Young Friends of PAWS for LollaPAWlooza, an afternoon of music, fun, and lifesaving! 
Enjoy live performances from local Philly favorites Miss Olivia, Dan the Movie, and Trumpet Wom, emceed by Philly comedian Hannah Trav — all coming together for a benefit show supporting PAWS. The event takes place at @nikkilopezphilly on Sunday, November 9. (Please note: this event is for guests 21 and older.) Doors open at 1PM, and the show kicks off at 2PM. Purchase your tickets today through our #linkinbio and join the fun!
						
							...
						
					
						Little Girl is a little delight! This pint-sized pup was found outside in a crate before being brought to the city shelter, but she’s now safe with PAWS and more than ready for a fresh start. We’re still getting to know this aptly named sweetie petite-y, but so far she’s shown herself to be a gentle, loving dog who just wants a calm and cozy foster home where she can decompress and have some stability.
Little Girl is more than a little anxious in our kennels, which has translated into a lot of stress-induced barking (we can’t blame her — we’d be stressed out too)! Because we don’t know how much her barking may carry over into a home, fosters should be prepared for some chatter on her end (that means a little extra patience, and thicker walls so neighbors aren’t grumpy)!
Little Girl would do best in a calm, reassuring home without young kids or overly active pets, ideally with someone who’s home most of the day to keep her company. If you can open your heart and home to Little Girl and help her feel safe again, please email foster@phillypaws.org for more information about fostering this 5-6 year old, 13 pound cutie!
						
							...
						
					
						Not spooky, just special! Every pet has their own quirks and charms, and the bond we share with them is just as unique. That’s why starting this Friday, you’ll be able to name your own adoption fee for select “Perfectly Impurrfect” PAWS pets who’ve been waiting for love! These are cats and dogs who’ve spent a bit longer waiting for their match, just because they have a common medical condition or need a quieter home.
From October 24-November 9, the Perfectly Impurrfect promotion will celebrate these pets and help them find the right homes while creating space for more animals still waiting for their chance!
Want to be ready to adopt when the promo begins? Head to phillypaws.org/adopt and get your application in now, then keep an eye out for pets with the “Perfectly Impurrfect” designation on their profile starting this Friday!
						
							...
						
					
						It took a lot of catnip for Oliver to poke out of his hidey hut today! This shy boy is terrified at the shelter and is looking for a foster to show him that everything’s going to be alright. He just lost his home, and is having an understandably hard time after finding himself in such a strange new place.
Oliver was found as a stray kitten a little under a year ago, and while he’s very nervous at the moment, he was a social and affectionate guy with the folks who rescued and cared for him for the first 11 months of his life. 
He’d be very grateful to move to a quiet foster home where he can come out of his shell, and he may even be okay with mellow furry friends once he’s had some decompression time to himself (he’s lived with female cats and calm big dogs and reportedly did fine with them).
If you have a spare space for Oliver (and some extra catnip to share), email foster@phillypaws.org to learn more about this sweet boy!
Ps. Can’t foster, but want to help? We’re running low on hidey huts for nervous friends like Oliver, and our shy cats would be grateful if you’d like to send any from our wishlists (link in bio).
						
							...
						
					
						Do you love a gentle giant? Meet Percy! He’s a big kitty with a mellow, kind-hearted personality. His fosters describe him as a sweet, loyal, affectionate companion who is very low-maintenance and loves lounging on the couch next to his people. He`ll follow you from room to room during the day, and happily curl up in bed with you at night! 
At around 7 years old, this friendly boy enjoys a good play session now and then, but his favorite pastime is simply chilling. He’s had kitty roommates before, and would be fine on his own or with 1-2 mellow companions.
Percy’s journey began on the streets of South Philly, where he was found by a trapper who noticed him moving from colony to colony, reportedly in constant pursuit of the best food (honestly, we can relate). Even now, food remains one of the great loves of Percy’s life, and as a result in the process of trying to shed a few pounds 😅 He eats a special diet to manage his inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and has a happy tummy as long as he sticks to it!
If you`re looking for a mellow and affectionate pal with lots of quirky charm, drop us a line about Percy today! Email adoptions@phillypaws.org, or visit our adoptions page at our #linkinbio.
						
							...
						
					
						Trish would like to speak to a manager about our wet kitten food! Our smallest residents have big opinions and BIG appetites, and we’ve already run through our wet kitten food stores from last week. Trish and her friends would be very grateful for any amount you can send! If you’d like to help, there are a few ways to donate:
🔸Send through our Chewy or Amazon wishlists (link in bio)
🔸Drop off at any PAWS location during open hours
🔸Ship through the retailer of your choice to:
PAWS
2900 Grays Ferry Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19146
If you can’t send supplies, you can also share this post to get the word out, or send funds directly via Instagram, Venmo (username @phillypaws), or through our #linkinbio.
						
							...
						
					
						From game day cuddles to half time naps, Dasher’s ready to be your biggest fan! Our favorite ham has some new glamour shots courtesy of @lovemedophoto and yes, he’s every bit as ✨dashing✨ as he looks!
This ten-years-young pup is the perfect mix of spunky and snuggly. He’s got pep in his step, a heart full of love, and a serious appreciation for the finer things in life — he literally wants to be tucked into a blanket at night! Dasher is a big fan of fetch and outdoor adventures, but he’s also a huge fan of snuggles on the couch (hint: if you pet him the right way, he flops right into your lap)! 
Dasher’s also a total people pup who loves following his humans around and soaking up attention. He’s clever, sweet, and food-motivated (a man who knows what he wants), and he’s already mastered sit, down, drop it, and house training. Once he joins your life, you’ll see just how quickly he makes himself at home — and how much love he has to give.
Dasher’s looking for a mellow, pet-free home where he can be your one and only snuggle buddy, walking companion, and best friend. ❤️
Want to meet him? Email adoptions@phillypaws.org or visit our adoptions page (link in bio)!
🐾 Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society📍 2900 Grays Ferry Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19146 (by appointment only) ⭐️ PA License # 06172
						
							...
						
					
						Calling all Montco pet lovers! Join PAWS today from 12-2 at @glanzmannsubaru to meet adoptable pets like Fluffy (pictured!) and learn about PAWS programs and services. If you can`t adopt but still want to help, we`ll also be collecting essential shelter supplies such as dog and cat food, wet kitten food, cat litter, paper towels, and laundry detergent. Come say hello and meet your new best friend! 🐾 
#SubaruLovesPets #CioccaSubaru #adoptashelterpet #phillypaws
						
							...
						
					
						Did you know one of PAWS’ sweetest cats is waiting to meet you at our Old City location? Kodama is an absolute joy of a tortie who charms every person she encounters! Loving, curious, and endlessly chatty, this 2 year old cutie has opinions on everything and loves to be in the mix with her humans. 
Her last foster shared that she’d be a great work from home sidekick, but if you have to head out, she’ll greet you at the door and see you off when you leave. Once it’s time to relax, she loves TV time on the couch with her people and is an excellent Netflix and chill buddy.
Kodama has a slight head tilt due to an old ear infection, and it honestly just makes her cuter ♥️ She’s tested positive for feline leukemia (FeLV), a virus that weakens a cat’s immune system but doesn’t require any special treatment — just your love and affection. We hope you’ll consider opening your home to this special girl, and would love to answer any questions you have about her!
Come visit Kodama at our adoption center soon, or email adoptions@phillypaws.org to learn more!
						
							...
						
					
						It’s #VetTechAppreciationWeek, and when we say our vet techs do it all, we are NOT kidding! 💪 From drawing blood and monitoring anesthesia to cleaning wounds, giving vaccines, calming nervous pets, and so much more (honestly, too much to list)! Their days are long, their work is demanding — and sometimes pretty gross — and yet they show up with unwavering kindness and heart.
We’re endlessly grateful for everything our vet techs do — whether they’re offering comfort during a scary moment, easing pain, or celebrating a recovery, their care changes lives every day. Thank you, PAWS vet techs, for doing it ALL with love!
Do you have a favorite memory or moment with a PAWS vet tech? We’d love to hear it below! ❤️
						
							...
						
					
						Update: foster found! We have some extra-fragile babies who really need some TLC in a foster home! Seitan, Tofurkey, and Tempeh were abandoned at the shelter and are much skinnier than we’d like them to be. They’re very happy to be safe and well-fed, but they’re having a hard time gaining weight due to some tummy upset, and would benefit tremendously from a quiet and attentive home where they can recover. 
Seitan (all black ears) has us especially concerned: she’s significantly skinnier than her sisters, which puts her at much higher risk of catching a shelter illness that her tiny body can’t fight. She’s receiving fluids and medication to help her get more stable, and is still very curious, bright, and affectionate (as are her sisters)! 
If you feel comfortable administering fluids (or learning how to do so — it’s easier than you might think!) email foster@phillypaws.org to get in touch with our team about these sweet ladies.
						
							...
						
					
						It’s #NationalFeralCatDay! Did you know PAWS has spayed and neutered over 1,150 feral and community cats in 2025 alone? These are just a couple of the feral feline friends we`ve snipped who are now back to happily living outside without adding new kittens to the population!
More feral facts:
🐾 Trap-Neuter-Return, or TNR, is the process of humanely trapping outdoor community cats for spay/neuter surgery and then returning them to their outdoor home.
🐾 TNR is the only proven humane way to reduce the outdoor cat population, which includes feral cats who`ve had little-to-no human contact, indoor/outdoor pet cats, and friendly stray cats who`ve adapted to the outdoors.
🐾 Whether they`re feral or not, all cats who spend time outdoors should be spayed/neutered and vaccinated through TNR.
🐾 If you see an outdoor cat missing the tip of their left ear, this means they’ve already been TNR’d. It’s a quick way to identify cats who’ve been cared for so they’re not accidentally trapped again!
🐾 Hundreds of feral cat trappers around the city are dedicating their spare hours to TNR work, as well as feeding and managing feral colonies. This work is done on their own time (and often their own dime), and we’re incredibly grateful to Philly’s amazing feral cat caretakers!
Are you a community cat caretaker? PAWS has TNR vouchers for cats located in Philadelphia and can schedule surgeries for trappers by appointment! Email gfclinic@phillypaws.org to schedule with our Grays Ferry location, or neclinic@phillypaws.org for our Northeast location.
						
							...
						
					
						Melon is a 40-pound ray of sunshine who’s looking for a foster home! ☀️🐾 This peppy goofball is around 8 months old and still very much in her puppy era — curious, affectionate, and always ready to party. She greets every day (and every person!) with tail wags and enthusiasm, and her playful spirit is 100% contagious.
Melon’s had a successful dog meet at PAWS and would do well in a foster home with a confident dog friend who can match her happy-go-lucky energy (though it’s not a requirement). She’s also a total lovebug who adores snuggles once she’s had her playtime fix!
As a younger gal, Melon is still learning the ropes (house training included!), but is an incredibly fast learner when treats are involved and has already mastered her sits. With some structure and guidance, she’s going to blossom into an amazing companion (and is already well on her way to being one)!
If you’d like to give this sweet treat a place to learn, grow, and shine, email foster@phillypaws.org to learn more about Melon!
						
							...
						
					
						Join us for a special adoption event as part of National Adoption Week at PetSmart!
As proud recipients of the @petsmartcharities Adoption Prep grant, we’re excited to take part in National Adoption Week at PetSmart Broad & Washington. Stop by on Saturday, October 25 between 12 to 2pm to meet adoptable dogs and cats, take advantage of exclusive savings on PetSmart products for adopters, and learn how you can support our lifesaving mission. Visit phillypaws.org/adopt to apply and get approved ahead of the event!
Not looking to adopt? You can still make a difference by shopping for wishlist items to donate to PAWS in store!
						
							...
						
					
						Kenshi loves to burrow under his hidey hut 🥹 The only thing he’d love more? A foster home with you ♥️ 
This sweet boy is completely blind, and was trying to survive outside before a Good Samaritan brought the shelter. He’s still healing from several wounds he sustained during his time as a stray, but is so happy to have a warm, soft bed to burrow under and feel safe. 
After all he’s been through, Kenshi would be so grateful to recoup in a foster home and enjoy some much-deserved pampering (and lots of beds and blankies to burrow under, of course). He’s around 2 years old, and is very trusting and affectionate in spite of being in a strange place. We don’t know how he feels about other pets, so he’d need his own separate space for very slow intros if you have other fur friends at home. 
Our foster team would love to tell you all about this gentle soul, so please reach out to foster@phillypaws.org if you’d like to learn more!
						
							...
						
					
						Morning squeaks and wheaks with Orzo and Gnocchi (watch with sound)! These two little baby beans are our newest bundles of guinea pig joy. They’re around a month old and are in foster care with their sweet mama, Cannellini. We are aiming to place Orzo and Gnocchi together, since guinea pigs greatly benefit from having a buddy to prevent loneliness (you’d also have the option of adopting Cannellini, though it’s not required)! They do all get along very well and love chattering at one another.
Interested? Read on for more info about this sweet family, follow their foster page @akadrwill, or visit our small animals adoptions page to apply (link in bio)!
Gnocchi has shown the heart of an adventurer from the day she arrived! She loves exploring new places, especially by way of zoomies after breakfast or when rooting around for dinner snacks. She loves chattering away with her sister and would do great anywhere she can get some good playtime in.
Orzo is a little more on the shy side, but still bursting with energy – as she will happily demonstrate by popcorning around any time food is involved, or just because she’s excited to be here – Orzo loves to watch everything that’s going on before following her sister’s lead.
Cannellini (mom) is full of personality and loves to have someone in the room with her to have dinner with (she will literally holler to get your attention and then calm down and start snacking as soon as she sees it’s a familiar face bringing food). She’s been away from pigs her age for a couple months, so it might take a little bit to get her used to other “adults” again, but she adapts to any situation with pluck and aplomb!
						
							...
						
					
 
		 
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
                                       
               
               
              