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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!
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When you adopt a new best friend from PAWS, you are saving a life that might not have had a chance without your kindness.
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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
Celebrate the last day of kitten week with us! If you missed yesterday’s Kitten Shower Happy Hour, join us tonight from 4-7 at @americansardine for a chance to:
🐱 Meet PAWS foster kittens
🐈 Learn about PAWS’ foster program
🎟️ Get entered to win our raffle when you bring items from our kitten shower wishlist (link in bio) or show online donation receipt
🍻Enjoy happy hour food/drink specials from 4-6 — but we’ll be here to answer all of your burning kitten questions through 7!
We look forward to seeing you there!
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We’d take twenty boxes to the head for Hustle — but we’re hoping he finds his family instead! Our buddy has been waiting longer than any other pup in our care, and he’s going to bring SO much joy to the lucky adopter who takes him home.
A party animal with a heart of gold, Hustle plays hard and snuggles harder. His happy place is draped across your lap or pressed against your leg on the couch! At 5.5 years old, he’s already got lots of experience as a family dog, is already crate and housetrained, and loves to show off his smarts when it comes to puzzle toys and new tricks.
Hustle has an old injury in his leg that causes a limp after lots of activity, but it’s already been checked out by a specialist, and our boy is golden as long as he doesn’t party too hard. Like any clever and fun-loving pup, he’s prone to some cheeky behavior when he doesn’t have an outlet to get his sillies out, so outside time and fun activities are the way to his heart!
This 55 pound lap dog is going to need a new foster or adopter by April 30th, and we’d really like to protect him from the heartbreak of returning to the shelter. If you’d like to add a charming, affectionate, incredibly loving dog to your life, drop us a line about Hustle today!
📦 No PAWS employees were harmed in the making of this video 📦
🐾 Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society📍 2900 Grays Ferry Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19146 (by appointment only) ⭐️ PA License # 06172
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TONIGHT: come hang with us at @carboncopyphilly for Kitten Shower Happy Hour & Quizzo!
Join us starting at 5 to meet PAWS foster kittens, learn about kitten season and PAWS’ foster program, meet fellow animals lovers and members of PAWS’ foster team, and enjoy delicious drinks. At 7, you’ll have a chance to flex your knowledge at kitten quizzo and win fun prizes while you’re at it!
Be sure to bring items from PAWS’ Kitten Shower Wishlist, or proof of your online wishlist donation (found at our #linkinbio) to enter for a chance to win some great prizes! 🎉
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Can you resist a squishy orange boy? We sure can’t! Lloyd has a big personality and a whole lot of love to give. He’s currently recovering wonderfully from eye surgery and is learning the joys of indoor life, but his current fosters can only keep him through Sunday so he needs a foster (or adopter) ASAP!
According to his current fosters, Lloyd his becoming more playful with toys, enjoys Churu treats, and absolutely loves human companionship. Though he can be a little shy and anxious in new surroundings, with some time, he will bond and show his affectionate side with those who are patient and understanding.
Lloyd thrives in a calm environment, so he’d love to join a mellow home with adults or older kids (we haven’t seen him around other pets yet). Email foster@phillypaws.org to foster Lloyd, or apply to adopt him through our #linkinbio!
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Kitten Week wraps up this Friday, but the need for supplies is still going strong!
Our shelves empty fast during kitten season, and we’re counting on you to help us stock important supplies to support the many litters who will be arriving all spring and summer. Think formula, wet food, nursing kits, heating pads — the essentials that help our foster families (and shelter staff!) give every kitten the healthy start they deserve.
There are a few ways you can help ensure we have everything we need to care for them:
📦 Send supplies through our kitten shower wishlist (link in bio).
🎁 Drop supplies at one of our happy hour events this week, 4/17 at Carbon Copy Brewing or 4/18 at American Sardine Bar (bonus: everyone who brings supplies or shows proof of donation will be entered to win our raffle)!
💝 Donate funds towards medicine, care, and supplies via Instagram, Venmo (username @phillypaws), or through our #linkinbio. Through April 18, your gift will be doubled!
If you’ve already given, the kittens say thank you!
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Is it just us, or does Jim Gaffigan the dog look exactly like Jim Gaffigan the comedian? Okay, maybe it’s just us—but once you meet him, you’ll agree: he’s got serious funny guy energy. 🐶🎤
Jim is a 4-year-old certified goofball. His favorite party trick? Parading around with a stuffed sword in his mouth—because every top-tier comedian needs a prop. He’s silly, snuggly, and always down for a good time.
His foster says he’s excellent at making new friends (human and canine), has a signature goofy grin, and is an angel at home—unless you count the crime of having too much fun with his toys. He’s been working on his leash manners, but let’s be real: this social butterfly just wants to say hi to everyone.
He doesn’t beg for food (a true gentleman), loves a solid cuddle sesh, and will absolutely win you over with his big heart and even bigger personality.
🎭 Bring this hilarious hunk home and keep the good times rolling! Email adoptions@phillypaws.org to meet Jimbo today.
🐾 Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society📍2900 Grays Ferry Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19146 (by appointment only) ⭐️ PA License # 06172
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They’re cute, they’re cuddly, and they need your help! PAWS is seeking kitten fosters now and throughout the rest of kitten season this spring and summer.
Foster care is where animal lovers like you volunteer to take home and care for a homeless pet (or pets) temporarily. Fosters are the reason we can save as many lives as we do, and they’re especially critical for young kittens who are too small and fragile to survive in the shelter.
Fostering can last from a couple weeks to a couple months, and our foster team can help make you a match depending on your schedule and comfort level. We provide fosters with comprehensive support including medical care for all foster animals, regular communication with our foster team, guidance on any resident pet introductions, and more. We also provide fosters with supplies when needed!
Right now, fosters are most needed for:
🐱Orphaned kittens
🐈⬛ Nursing moms with babies
❤️🩹Kittens with ringworm, shelter colds, or other medical needs
🍼Bottle feeders
By signing up to foster now, you can ensure we’ll have enough homes ready as kittens arrive in the coming weeks and months! All they need is a spare room and lots of love until they’re old enough for adoption. Please join us now at phillypaws.org/foster!
P.S. Can’t foster? You can still help save lives!
📦 Send supplies for our kitten shower through the link in bio.
💝Make a gift to our Kitten Fund! All gifts are being matched this week by the Tringali family this week, up to $5,000. 🎉 Give today at phillypaws.org/kittenweek!
#kittenseason #philadelphia
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🎶 Be Sky’s little babyyy 🎶 Meet all 18.2 pounds of the ever-so-lovely Sky! This chonky gal would love a foster who can slim her down safely, cheer her on, and help her feel her best. Shedding those extra pounds will help keep her joints happy and healthy as she ages. And if we’re being honest, her extra weight makes it hard for her to groom her ladybits (poor girlfriend 🥲), so she’s getting daily wipes to help her stay fresh. She may also need some occasional booty maintenance as she works toward her weight loss goals.
Sky is about 7 years old, already spayed, and will be ready to start adoption promotion soon. She’s currently hanging out in one of our staff offices and loves to rub against legs for affection and roll on her back for belly rubs. Her previous owner did report some possible seizure-like activity at home, though nothing has been confirmed.
Interested in fostering this big gorgeous beauty? Shoot us an email at foster@phillypaws.org!
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Fragile babies like Pierre are among the most vulnerable pets we rescue — especially when illness or injury puts their lives on the line. Through Friday, April 18, all gifts to PAWS’ Kitten Fund are being DOUBLED by the Tringali family to ensure little ones like Pierre have the chance at life they deserve!
This little one has been a fighter from day one. He was just a couple days old when we rescued him from the city shelter with his mother and siblings, only for us to make an alarming discovery when he arrived at PAWS: he’d received a large chest wound from his mother, who’d bitten him during his trip to our clinic.
While it’s upsetting for us humans, animals sometimes engage in this behavior when they sense that one of their babies is unhealthy. Our medical team found no pre-existing health issues, but one things was for certain: Pierre needed immediate care for his wound if he was going to survive.
Our medical team sprang into action to clean, seal, and bandage Pierre’s wound, stabilize his body temperature, and nourish him with formula. His journey was just getting started through, so one of our amazing vets took Pierre home to ensure he had the round-the-clock care he needed.
Now, we were heartened to learn that this small but mighty baby had plenty of fight in him! Pierre took to each of his bottle feedings with gusto, and healed at a remarkable rate thanks the diligent wound care he received with Dr. Leslee.
Thanks to the Tringali family’s generous $5K match, your support now will have double the impact to ensure we’re ready to say YES to sick, injured, and vulnerable kittens who will need us in the year to come. To have your gift matched, give before midnight on April 18th via Instagram, Venmo (username @phillypaws), or through our #linkinbio. Please give today to double your impact! 💛
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If watching this video of Ferdinand feels like a warm, relaxing hug, just imagine how blissed out you’d be having him at home with you every day. ✨
This handsome moo cow (those spots!) entered our care back in January and has truly blossomed with the help of his foster parent. Ferdinand is the perfect balance of affectionate and independent. He loves snuggling beside you and is always down for a cozy couch nap, but he’s just as happy doing his own thing. That said, Ferdinand feels most at peace when he’s curled up beside you or nestled into a warm pile of clothes or blankets. When he’s ready for affection, he’ll gently lean his head against you, asking for pets. He’s even known for the occasional nighttime “must sleep on chest” kind of slumber.
Ferdinand has also been busy perfecting the art of culinary support as a sous-chef: he loves hopping up on a stool in his foster’s kitchen to supervise the cooking process! And let us not forget his other favorite activity: playing with a simple ball of string. So pure. 🥹
Sweet Ferdie was surrendered through no fault of his own after experiencing extra stress from being declawed. 😔 Declawing can cause sudden and unnecessary anxiety for cats, and in Ferdinand’s case, it led to some weight gain and urinary obstacles.
The positive news though? Since moving into foster care, Ferdie has had zero litterbox troubles and went from a fluffy 16.5 pounds down to a much healthier 14 pounds. Now, he’s feeling better than ever! He takes a tiny bit of Gabapentin to ease any potential foot pain and takes it beautifully in his meals. With this in mind, he would benefit from an experienced adult-only home as the only kitty to ensure his space stays as low-stress and laid-back as possible.
At only two years old, Ferdinand has been through a lot of change and is ready for a home where he’ll be cherished like the sweet, gentle king he is. If you’re ready to turn your home into a cozy zen den with him by your side, email adoptions@phillypaws.org to learn more about this special boy.
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Kitten cuddles and happy hour vibes await: join us this week at our Kitten Shower Happy Hours! Attendees can look forward to learning about fostering, meeting adorable foster kittens, winning raffle prizes, and mingling with fellow animal lovers!
Be sure to bring items from PAWS’ Kitten Shower Wishlist, or proof of your online wishlist donation (found at our #linkinbio) to enter for a chance to win some great prizes. Details below!
Thursday, April 17, 5-8pm: Kitten Quizzo and Happy Hour at @carboncopyphilly (West). The event kicks off at 5pm, with kitten Quizzo starting promptly at 7pm. Be sure to bring your A-squad of animal lovers!
Friday, April 18, 4-7pm: Kitten Shower Happy Hour at @americansardine. Happy hour specials will be running from 4-6, but we’ll be here to answer all of your burning kitten questions through 7! (And yes, we may have a few furry friends join us as well…😻)
P.S.. If your weeknights are booked up, don’t forget that you can stop by our foster open house between 11am-2pm today at PAWS’ Old City Adoption Center!
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You might remember this lovely looker, Quartz, from when we posted her a few weeks back (she kinda broke the internet, how could she not?) 🐈 👑
This 12-year-old golden girl is what Calico Queen dreams are made of: affectionate, gentle, calm, and downright adorable. Quartz was originally found as a stray after she waltzed into an elementary school, clearly ready to start her next chapter. Now, she’s looking for a new home where she can share all the love she has to give.
Her foster mom says she’s a total sweetheart—Quartz loves to cuddle up on cozy blankets and be by your side, soaking in the calm. If you have a flexible schedule and appreciate quiet companionship with a big-hearted cat, Quartz is your gal.
She does require a little daily care: she’s on medication for a seizure disorder and a twice-daily thyroid gel (just a quick dab in her ear!). Both are well-managed, and she takes her meds like a champ. Bonus: she’ll go home with a three-month supply to make the transition easy.
Quartz still has plenty of cozy, cuddly energy to share and will truly shine in a pet-free home where she can bask in all the attention and love she deserves. Let Quartz steal your heart…you won’t believe how you ever lived without her.
Reach out to us today at adoptions@phillypaws.org ❤️
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Do you love kittens? Are you interested in fostering but want to learn more? Stop by our foster open houses at our Old City Adoption Center this weekend! Join us today or tomorrow between 11-2 for a chance to:
👥 Chat with PAWS` staff, have your questions answered, and learn more about PAWS` foster program and how you can get involved.
🐈⬛ Meet kittens who are part of PAWS` foster program!
🎁 Drop off kitten shower supplies for a chance to win our raffle, or send items through our wishlist (link in bio) and show your receipt)!
🍪 Enjoy treats from our friends at @batterandcrumbs!
Learn more at our #linkinbio 🐾
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Kitten season has arrived! Help us prepare by sending a kitten shower gift for kitten week. Between supply kits for our foster parents and in-shelter kitten care, we go through tons of wet food, formula, and other necessities that keep growing babies healthy and nourished. There are a few ways you can help ensure we have everything we need to care for them:
📦 Send supplies through our kitten shower wishlist (link in bio).
🎁 Drop supplies at one of our happy hour events this week, 4/17 at Carbon Copy Brewing or 4/18 at American Sardine Bar (bonus: everyone who brings supplies or shows proof of donation will be entered to win our raffle)!
💝 Donate funds towards medicine, care, and supplies via Instagram, Venmo (username @phillypaws), or through our #linkinbio. Through April 18, your gift will be doubled!
The babies say thank you, and so do we!
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Kitten week kicks off today! 😸 Spring marks the start of kitten season, which means hundreds of orphaned babies as well as mothers with newborns will arrive at the city’s shelters throughout the warmer months. PAWS’ nursery is already filling up with a constant flow of litters, and we need your help!
To make sure we’re ready to welcome the little ones, we’re throwing a kitten shower and foster recruitment drive today through April 18. Whether by fostering, donating supplies, or attending one of our kitten week events, there are so many ways to get involved!
🎁 Send a kitten shower gift through our wishlist (link in bio)!
🐾 Join our foster team: sign up through the foster link in our bio.
❤️🩹 Donate to PAWS’ Kitten Fund: through April 18, your gift will be doubled by the Tringali family up to $5,000! Give today via Instagram, Venmo (username @phillypaws), or through our #linkinbio.
🐈 Join us for our in-person events in the coming week, including a foster open house at our Old City Adoption Center this Saturday and Sunday, and kitten shower happy hours at @carboncopy (4/17) and @americansardine (4/18). Find more info at the Kitten Week link in our bio!
🐈⬛ Register for our foster orientation at PAWS’ Grays Ferry location (or attend virtually!) on April 30. Reserve your spot at the link in bio.
Follow along this week, and remember that while this event runs through April 18, the need for fosters, supplies, and donations lasts all spring and summer long!
#kittenseason #philadelphia #catlovers #philly #phillysupportphilly
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Okay, all silly doggo memes aside, we’re truly baffled that Kona is still available for adoption. 🤔
At 6 years old, she’s house-trained, well-mannered, and has years of experience as a beloved companion. She is a total couch queen who loves to snuggle and adores her humans. She’s dog-social and open to having a canine buddy at home, but prefers a "no-new friends" approach when it comes to unfamiliar dogs on walks. She`s currently living it up with her foster parents, who recently shared with us:
"It is an absolute joy to watch Kona. She is just the sweetest soul. We absolutely fell in love with her on the first day. Kona is just about as close to perfection as you can get in a pup. She had zero issues transitioning to the new environment. She jumped up on the couch with me, and it was as if she had lived with us for years. She would split time between the couch, the floor, and her gigantic tent/bed that travels with her. She was content to pretty much relax for most of the day. When it`s time for bed, she hops right in and makes herself comfortable right smack in the middle of us. And she loooooves to be under the covers. She would scooch around until she found just the right spot to cover her little snout."
We also had Sean’s parents watch her for a day, and they were impressed by how well-behaved and affectionate she was, even with strangers. Kona is pure joy—loving, sweet, and truly one of the good ones. It`s hard to believe she hasn`t been adopted yet. I`ll always remember her beautiful eyes, and I’ll keep sending good thoughts until she finds the perfect home. She truly deserves it!"
Please, do yourself a favor and bring Kona into your world...you won`t remember life before her! Learn more about our sweet Kona girl by emailing adoptions@phillypaws.org ❤️
🐾 Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society📍2900 Grays Ferry Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19146 (by appointment only) ⭐️ PA License # 06172
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We’re expecting! 🍼 Warmer weather means that shelters will soon be flooded with kittens and nursing moms with nowhere to turn. Help us welcome the little ones by joining us for “Kitten Week” from Friday, April 11 through Friday, April 18!
PAWS is hosting a donation drive and a wide-range of events with a special focus on recruiting new foster parents so we can save more tiny lives. Read more at our #linkinbio, and be sure to mark your calendars for our upcoming events!
🐾 Saturday, April 12 & Sunday, April 13, 11am-2pm: Foster Care Open House at PAWS’ Old City Adoption Center
🐾 Thursday, April 17, 5-8pm: Kitten Quizzo and Happy Hour at @carboncopyphilly
🐾 Friday, April 18, 4-7pm: Kitten Shower Happy Hour at @americansardine
Follow along this week, and remember that while this event runs through April 18,, the need for fosters, supplies, and donations lasts all spring and summer long!
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‼️VERY IMPORTANT PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Barbie and Penelope are simply better together!‼️
These two soul siblings arrived today and are looking for a foster home willing to welcome them both. They spent some time hanging out in our office, and two-year-old Barbie (🐶) loved being the center of attention—full of perk and play! Meanwhile, one-year-old Penelope (🐱) was the yin to this duo’s yang, cozying up in her bed and focusing on snuggles.
Their cuteness is almost too much to bear… So, who’s the lucky foster (or adopter!) ready to bring this dynamic duo home?
📧 Email foster@phillypaws.org to learn more!
🐾 Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society📍2900 Grays Ferry Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19146 (by appointment only) ⭐️ PA License # 06172
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There are so many ways to spoil yourself (and your pet) for #PhillyLovesPAWS day! On Wednesday, May 14, businesses and restaurants around the city are donating a portion of what you spend to PAWS, including a variety of fantastic local retailers, restaurants, and service providers.
Get ready to enjoy food and drinks, shopping, pet services, and more from dozens of partners around Philly including:
@bennascafe
@creationsbycoppola
@fergiespub
@goodsvintage
@shopkinboutique
@philarecx
pitstopdog
@plantsetc
@SacredViceBrewing
@sallyspawspaw
@sitandspinrecords
@southphillybikes
@thenewwavecafe
@walkthiswayllc
@10thstreethardware
@3rdstreethardware
Explore our full list of partners at our #linkinbio!
Special thanks to our wonderful sponsors @hamiltonlaneinc for making this special day possible 🐾
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A rare orange lady? No wonder her name is Fancy! 🧡✨ This 2 year old cutie is recovering from some dental issues and is feeling very nervous at the shelter. If you have some space and love to spare, she’d be very grateful to finish recuperating in a foster home with you!
She just has two little vampire fangs left after having most of her teeth removed, but her mouth is still feeling very painful due to inflammation. Fancy has been shy with us so far, but she has some very sweet purrs to share when you take some time to let her know you’re a friend.
She’s on a couple of medications to help with her recovery, and would really benefit from some TLC time in foster care ASAP (we strongly suspect she’d prefer to be the only pet). If you can help, please email foster@phillypaws.org to learn more!
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