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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!

The Most Important Ways You Can Make An Impact

Adopt

Every adoption from PAWS opens up space for us to save another animal in need.

Adopt Now!

Donate

Your gift of funds or supplies will truly save lives.

Donate Now!

Foster

By opening your home for a few weeks, you’ll change the life of a shelter pet who needs you.

Apply Now!

Volunteer

Volunteers play a central role in every aspect of our work and enable us to save as many lives as we can.

Apply Now!

Join the PAWS Community

Share Your Story

Share your pet’s story and help spread the word about PAWS’ lifesaving efforts. Post your adoption update on social media to inspire others to adopt!

Visit PAWS on Facebook

Attend PAWS Events

From smaller adoption events to our annual Mutt Strut fall festival and Chefs’ Night gala, there’s something for everyone.

See the full calendar

Start a Fundraiser

Create a personalized online fundraising page in minutes to share with friends and raise needed donations for Philadelphia’s animals.

Get Started!

Become A PAWS Partner

Businesses of all kinds play a major role in helping PAWS save lives. Whether you sponsor or host an adoption or fundraising event, donate expertise or supplies, help us reach new audiences to build support, or offer help in another way, you will be serving your community and joining a city-wide effort to make Philadelphia a no-kill city. In return, we can offer branding and promotional opportunities, exposure through our social media channels, and the appreciation of our large and loyal community of supporters.
Become a Partner

Current Partners

Volunteers Welcome!

Share your free time with the animals and help save the lives of pets in need. We’re always looking for volunteers to help in every area of our lifesaving efforts.

Learn More

Become a Foster Parent

Learn More

Make a Gift and Save a Life

Make A One-Time Donation

PAWS is 100% donor-funded. Every animal we save depends on the generosity of our supporters.

Donate

Give Monthly

Make the commitment to be a lifesaver all year long.

Give Monthly

Give Another Way

There are many ways to make a difference for the animals who need you.

Learn More

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.

All Available Dogs
All Available Cats

Join the Conversation

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Apr 26

Open
PAWS’ cat housing remains FULL and fosters are still very much needed! These PAWS cats are our most urgent foster candidates at the shelter, and many more need us. We had to postpone a rescue trip to the city shelter this week because our housing was at capacity, and which means many cats at risk for euthanasia won’t have a safe exit from the shelter. In order to save the cats who are counting on us, we need to make more space at the shelter by finding foster homes for the ones in our care. That’s where you come in! If you’d like to take home a temporary friend and help us save another who needs us, our team is ready to make a match for you. Whether you’re available for 2 weeks or 2 months, a beginner or an expert, there’s a feline friend who can’t wait to meet you! Email foster@phillypaws.org for more info, and learn more about the cats featured in this video at our cats needing foster page (link in bio).

PAWS’ cat housing remains FULL and fosters are still very much needed! These PAWS cats are our most urgent foster candidates at the shelter, and many more need us.

We had to postpone a rescue trip to the city shelter this week because our housing was at capacity, and which means many cats at risk for euthanasia won’t have a safe exit from the shelter. In order to save the cats who are counting on us, we need to make more space at the shelter by finding foster homes for the ones in our care. That’s where you come in!

If you’d like to take home a temporary friend and help us save another who needs us, our team is ready to make a match for you. Whether you’re available for 2 weeks or 2 months, a beginner or an expert, there’s a feline friend who can’t wait to meet you!

Email foster@phillypaws.org for more info, and learn more about the cats featured in this video at our cats needing foster page (link in bio). ...

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Apr 25

Open
Does your cat need to be spayed or neutered? PAWS offers online self-scheduling for affordable spay/neuter surgeries at our clinics, and we have a ton of appointments open for our Northeast location! Surgeries for cats are $70, which includes rabies and distemper vaccinations if needed. Schedule yourself for our Northeast clinic today through our #linkinbio!

Does your cat need to be spayed or neutered? PAWS offers online self-scheduling for affordable spay/neuter surgeries at our clinics, and we have a ton of appointments open for our Northeast location!

Surgeries for cats are $70, which includes rabies and distemper vaccinations if needed. Schedule yourself for our Northeast clinic today through our #linkinbio! ...

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Apr 24

Open
Update: foster found! Shoshana is 14 years old 💔 This sweet girl deserves the world, and is looking for a foster to help keep her golden years golden. Can you help? Even though she’s experienced a lot of loss lately, Shoshana is endlessly kind and trusting. She lost her home of many years when her owner became too ill to care for her, and then lost her second adoptive home due to a lack of pet friendly housing. Given what a wonderful dog she is, we’re certain her previous owners were as heartbroken as she was. Shosh loves people of all ages, has previously lived well with two cats, and could likely be a match for more low-key dog-friendly dogs as well after slow introductions. She reportedly loves to eat and watch TV, and was even described as a “people person” in the form of a dog (we absolutely agree)! Shoshana has some extensive dental care coming up, and would love to already be settled in a home for her recovery. If you’d like to help this gentle soul, please email foster@phillypaws.org for more info 🩷

Update: foster found!
Shoshana is 14 years old 💔 This sweet girl deserves the world, and is looking for a foster to help keep her golden years golden. Can you help?

Even though she’s experienced a lot of loss lately, Shoshana is endlessly kind and trusting. She lost her home of many years when her owner became too ill to care for her, and then lost her second adoptive home due to a lack of pet friendly housing. Given what a wonderful dog she is, we’re certain her previous owners were as heartbroken as she was.

Shosh loves people of all ages, has previously lived well with two cats, and could likely be a match for more low-key dog-friendly dogs as well after slow introductions. She reportedly loves to eat and watch TV, and was even described as a “people person” in the form of a dog (we absolutely agree)!

Shoshana has some extensive dental care coming up, and would love to already be settled in a home for her recovery. If you’d like to help this gentle soul, please email foster@phillypaws.org for more info 🩷 ...

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Apr 22

Open
It’s Volunteer Appreciation Week! Please join us in thanking the amazing community of animal lovers who make our work possible 👏 We’re grateful for our volunteers every day, but love having an extra reason to celebrate their compassion and dedication. In 2023, PAWS' volunteers gave over 21,000 hours of their time to Philly's most vulnerable animals, and they're already outdoing themselves in 2024 by supporting us daily in SO many ways! 🐶 Dog care (outside time, exercise and enrichment, skill building) 🐈 Cat care (socialization, feeding and cleaning, enrichment) 🧼 Shelter essentials (laundry, dishes, cage cleaning and prep) 👋 Events (info tables, dog and cat handling, sharing our mission) 🚗 Transport (driving pets and supplies between shelter locations, pet pantry deliveries to events and clients) 🐾 Adoption and foster support (processing applications, matchmaking, managing adoption bios) 🏠 Foster care (taking home and caring for a shelter pet until they're adopted) 📱 Social media (drafting posts, sharing stories, answering messages) 💻 Voicemail and admin support (transcribing voicemails, answering emails, data entry, processing volunteer applications) ….You get the idea! Whether they're volunteering in-person or remotely, once a day or once a week, for the first time or the hundreth, volunteers' time and compassion makes a tremendous difference every day in the lives of the animals who depend on us. From all of us at PAWS and the animals whose lives you change, THANK YOU volunteers!

It’s Volunteer Appreciation Week! Please join us in thanking the amazing community of animal lovers who make our work possible 👏

We’re grateful for our volunteers every day, but love having an extra reason to celebrate their compassion and dedication. In 2023, PAWS` volunteers gave over 21,000 hours of their time to Philly`s most vulnerable animals, and they`re already outdoing themselves in 2024 by supporting us daily in SO many ways!

🐶 Dog care (outside time, exercise and enrichment, skill building)
🐈 Cat care (socialization, feeding and cleaning, enrichment)
🧼 Shelter essentials (laundry, dishes, cage cleaning and prep)
👋 Events (info tables, dog and cat handling, sharing our mission)
🚗 Transport (driving pets and supplies between shelter locations, pet pantry deliveries to events and clients)
🐾 Adoption and foster support (processing applications, matchmaking, managing adoption bios)
🏠 Foster care (taking home and caring for a shelter pet until they`re adopted)
📱 Social media (drafting posts, sharing stories, answering messages)
💻 Voicemail and admin support (transcribing voicemails, answering emails, data entry, processing volunteer applications)

….You get the idea! Whether they`re volunteering in-person or remotely, once a day or once a week, for the first time or the hundreth, volunteers` time and compassion makes a tremendous difference every day in the lives of the animals who depend on us. From all of us at PAWS and the animals whose lives you change, THANK YOU volunteers! ...

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Apr 22

Open
Just hours left to have your gift doubled for fragile kittens like Dottie! This sweet kitten was at risk for euthanasia after arriving at the city shelter with a severe case of cerebellar hypoplasia. This condition prevents balance and motor coordination from developing, and Dottie could barely walk without falling down. One of PAWS’ wonderful vet techs decided to foster her so she could get the special care she needed to start building his strength and improving his mobility. Dottie has a long road ahead of her, but is making slow but steady progress every day! If you’d like to help Dottie and other fragile kittens grow healthy and strong, please consider making a gift to PAWS’ Kitten Fund! Through midnight tonight, every dollar you give will be DOUBLED to save twice as many lives 🐈🐈 Give via Instagram, Venmo (username @phillypaws), or through our #linkinbio!

Just hours left to have your gift doubled for fragile kittens like Dottie! This sweet kitten was at risk for euthanasia after arriving at the city shelter with a severe case of cerebellar hypoplasia. This condition prevents balance and motor coordination from developing, and Dottie could barely walk without falling down.

One of PAWS’ wonderful vet techs decided to foster her so she could get the special care she needed to start building his strength and improving his mobility. Dottie has a long road ahead of her, but is making slow but steady progress every day!

If you’d like to help Dottie and other fragile kittens grow healthy and strong, please consider making a gift to PAWS’ Kitten Fund! Through midnight tonight, every dollar you give will be DOUBLED to save twice as many lives 🐈🐈

Give via Instagram, Venmo (username @phillypaws), or through our #linkinbio! ...

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Apr 21

Open
It’s the last day of kitten week, which means it’s also the last day to have your gift DOUBLED for PAWS’ Kitten Care Fund! As some of the most fragile animals we rescue, kittens often require above-and-beyond care and medical treatment due to illness, injury, or failure to thrive. Your gift of any amount will ensure we are ready for the little ones who will be counting on us. Because the need is so great, all gifts to our Kitten Care Fund are being generously matched by the Tringali Family, up to $5,000! The Tringalis are PAWS adopters and animal lovers who are committed to helping all pets in need — we are so grateful for all of their support, and for this wonderful opportunity. Please give today to double your impact! You can make your gift via Instagram, Venmo (username @phillypaws), or through our #linkinbio.

It’s the last day of kitten week, which means it’s also the last day to have your gift DOUBLED for PAWS’ Kitten Care Fund!

As some of the most fragile animals we rescue, kittens often require above-and-beyond care and medical treatment due to illness, injury, or failure to thrive. Your gift of any amount will ensure we are ready for the little ones who will be counting on us. Because the need is so great, all gifts to our Kitten Care Fund are being generously matched by the Tringali Family, up to $5,000!

The Tringalis are PAWS adopters and animal lovers who are committed to helping all pets in need — we are so grateful for all of their support, and for this wonderful opportunity. Please give today to double your impact!

You can make your gift via Instagram, Venmo (username @phillypaws), or through our #linkinbio. ...

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Apr 20

Open
Do you love kittens? Are you interested in fostering but want to learn more? Stop by for one of our foster care open house events this weekend! Join us today from 11-2 at PAWS' Grays Ferry Shelter, or tomorrow from 11-2 at PAWS' Old City Adoption Center 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 or donate virtually for a chance to win our travel-themed raffle, which includes flight vouchers, PAWS swag, and an AirBnb gift card! Learn more at our #linkinbio!

Do you love kittens? Are you interested in fostering but want to learn more? Stop by for one of our foster care open house events this weekend! Join us today from 11-2 at PAWS` Grays Ferry Shelter, or tomorrow from 11-2 at PAWS` Old City Adoption Center 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 or donate virtually for a chance to win our travel-themed raffle, which includes flight vouchers, PAWS swag, and an AirBnb gift card!

Learn more at our #linkinbio! ...

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Apr 20

Open
When we find ourselves in desperate need of cat fosters on the same day a new @taylorswift album drops, there’s only one thing left to be done! 😺🎶 In honor of the ultimate cat lady, we’re celebrating #NationalCatLadyDay with a Swifty-themed roundup of PAWS felines who most urgently need foster homes. With our cat housing full to capacity, we’re looking for fosters of all experience levels to take home a feline friend so we can rescue even more who are counting on us! In order of appearance: 🖤Mickey & Jagger: “The Tortured Poets Department” 🩶Nemo: “I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)” 🤍Felvis: “End Game” 🖤Arlo: “I Knew You Were Trouble” 🩶Ashton: “Out Of The Woods” 🤍Señor: “Anti-Hero” 🖤Sunny Bunny: “Shake It Off” 🩶Kairo: “Soon You’ll Get Better” 🤍Skipper: “Love Story” 🖤Ryan O’Ray: “Wildest Dreams” Read more at our cats needing foster page (link in bio), or email foster@phillypaws.org to learn more!

When we find ourselves in desperate need of cat fosters on the same day a new @taylorswift album drops, there’s only one thing left to be done! 😺🎶

In honor of the ultimate cat lady, we’re celebrating #NationalCatLadyDay with a Swifty-themed roundup of PAWS felines who most urgently need foster homes. With our cat housing full to capacity, we’re looking for fosters of all experience levels to take home a feline friend so we can rescue even more who are counting on us!

In order of appearance:

🖤Mickey & Jagger: “The Tortured Poets Department”
🩶Nemo: “I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)”
🤍Felvis: “End Game”
🖤Arlo: “I Knew You Were Trouble”
🩶Ashton: “Out Of The Woods”
🤍Señor: “Anti-Hero”
🖤Sunny Bunny: “Shake It Off”
🩶Kairo: “Soon You’ll Get Better”
🤍Skipper: “Love Story”
🖤Ryan O’Ray: “Wildest Dreams”

Read more at our cats needing foster page (link in bio), or email foster@phillypaws.org to learn more! ...

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Apr 19

Open
TONIGHT: Celebrate #NationalCatLadyDay with PAWS at our Kitten Shower Happy Hour! Join us from 4-7 at @americansardine for a chance to chat with members of PAWS’ foster team, learn more about our foster program, mingle with fellow animal lovers, and meet some adorable PAWS kittens! Plus, event attendees who bring kitten shower supplies or show proof of their online wishlist donation will be entered in our travel-themed raffle, which includes airline vouchers, an Airbnb gift card, and PAWS swag. We hope to see you tonight! DATE: Friday, April 19 TIME: 4-7pm (bar happy hour runs from 4-6) WHERE: American Sardine Bar, 1800 Federal Street

TONIGHT: Celebrate #NationalCatLadyDay with PAWS at our Kitten Shower Happy Hour! Join us from 4-7 at @americansardine for a chance to chat with members of PAWS’ foster team, learn more about our foster program, mingle with fellow animal lovers, and meet some adorable PAWS kittens!

Plus, event attendees who bring kitten shower supplies or show proof of their online wishlist donation will be entered in our travel-themed raffle, which includes airline vouchers, an Airbnb gift card, and PAWS swag. We hope to see you tonight!

DATE: Friday, April 19
TIME: 4-7pm (bar happy hour runs from 4-6)
WHERE: American Sardine Bar, 1800 Federal Street ...

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Apr 18

Open
Update: foster found! Urgent: Kairo has a bad shelter cold, and is also at risk of diabetic complications if he can’t find a foster home soon! This sweet boy ended up at the shelter after losing his home, and his diabetes needs to be regulated with insulin shots every 12 hours. Unfortunately, he’s currently only able to get one shot per day due to our operating hours at the shelter. We’re very worried about his health if his schedule is off for too long, and are working to place him in a foster home ASAP. Kairo is very kind and gentle, and will reward you with lots of gentle purrs of you give him some pets. His mobility isn’t amazing at the moment due to how overweight he is, and he’d love to shed some pounds at your place! Insulin is very easy to administer, and PAWS will provide you with all the supplies and guidance you need to set this lovely gentleman up for success (we can also help with follow-up diagnostics at our clinic to make sure Kairo is getting the optimum amount of insulin for his needs). If you’d like to help Kairo feel better again, please email foster@phillypaws.org for more info!

Update: foster found!
Urgent: Kairo has a bad shelter cold, and is also at risk of diabetic complications if he can’t find a foster home soon!

This sweet boy ended up at the shelter after losing his home, and his diabetes needs to be regulated with insulin shots every 12 hours. Unfortunately, he’s currently only able to get one shot per day due to our operating hours at the shelter. We’re very worried about his health if his schedule is off for too long, and are working to place him in a foster home ASAP.

Kairo is very kind and gentle, and will reward you with lots of gentle purrs of you give him some pets. His mobility isn’t amazing at the moment due to how overweight he is, and he’d love to shed some pounds at your place!

Insulin is very easy to administer, and PAWS will provide you with all the supplies and guidance you need to set this lovely gentleman up for success (we can also help with follow-up diagnostics at our clinic to make sure Kairo is getting the optimum amount of insulin for his needs). If you’d like to help Kairo feel better again, please email foster@phillypaws.org for more info! ...

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Apr 18

Open
We're expecting: please help us stock up on supplies for kitten season! Our kitten shower runs through this weekend, but the need for food, formula, and other necessities will last all spring and summer long as shelters are flooded with fragile babies. You can make sure we're prepared by sending supplies or dropping them off at one of our kitten events this weekend! 📦 Send supplies through our kitten shower wishlist (link in bio)! 🎁 Drop supplies at one of our in-person events this weekend (bonus: everyone who brings supplies or shows proof of donation will be entered to win our vacation/travel raffle prize)! 💝 Donate funds towards medicine, care, and supplies before 4/21 to have your gift doubled! Give via Instagram, Venmo (username @phillypaws), or through our bio link. Thank you for helping us keep our tiniest rescues healthy and nourished!

We`re expecting: please help us stock up on supplies for kitten season! Our kitten shower runs through this weekend, but the need for food, formula, and other necessities will last all spring and summer long as shelters are flooded with fragile babies. You can make sure we`re prepared by sending supplies or dropping them off at one of our kitten events this weekend!

📦 Send supplies through our kitten shower wishlist (link in bio)!

🎁 Drop supplies at one of our in-person events this weekend (bonus: everyone who brings supplies or shows proof of donation will be entered to win our vacation/travel raffle prize)!

💝 Donate funds towards medicine, care, and supplies before 4/21 to have your gift doubled! Give via Instagram, Venmo (username @phillypaws), or through our bio link.

Thank you for helping us keep our tiniest rescues healthy and nourished! ...

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Apr 17

Open
Take a break from scrolling and enjoy a serotonin boost from Cody!✨This lovable senior really knows how to savor life’s sweet moments, and he’ll make sure you remember to enjoy them too 🥰 From blanket forts on the couch, to sunshine strolls through the neighborhood, to morning cuddles in bed, every day with Cody is like a mini-vacation waiting to happen! In true grandpa fashion, Cody is all about that couch potato life and prefers quieter neighborhoods to busy downtown apartments. And at 10.5 years old, his house manners are impeccable! He’d be happiest having your love to himself at the only pet, but may be open another large mellow dog friend. If you’re looking to add a big snuggly teddy bear to your life, email adoptions@phillypaws.org to learn more about our pal Cody, or find him on our adoptions page (link in bio)!

Take a break from scrolling and enjoy a serotonin boost from Cody!✨This lovable senior really knows how to savor life’s sweet moments, and he’ll make sure you remember to enjoy them too 🥰 From blanket forts on the couch, to sunshine strolls through the neighborhood, to morning cuddles in bed, every day with Cody is like a mini-vacation waiting to happen!

In true grandpa fashion, Cody is all about that couch potato life and prefers quieter neighborhoods to busy downtown apartments. And at 10.5 years old, his house manners are impeccable! He’d be happiest having your love to himself at the only pet, but may be open another large mellow dog friend.

If you’re looking to add a big snuggly teddy bear to your life, email adoptions@phillypaws.org to learn more about our pal Cody, or find him on our adoptions page (link in bio)! ...

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Apr 17

Open
Have you signed up for tonight's live online foster orientation? Join us at 6 for a chance to get to know PAWS' foster program, learn how to care for young kittens and bottle feeders, and get to meet some adorable tiny friends! Sign up today at phillypaws.org/orientation (link in bio).

Have you signed up for tonight`s live online foster orientation? Join us at 6 for a chance to get to know PAWS` foster program, learn how to care for young kittens and bottle feeders, and get to meet some adorable tiny friends! Sign up today at phillypaws.org/orientation (link in bio). ...

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