Pet Owner Support

Whether you need veterinary care, food, supplies, transportation, training, temporary housing, or guidance for your pet, PAWS will make every effort to provide support to keep your family together.

Our goal is to explore all of the available options so that surrendering your pet to a shelter is an absolute last resort. We understand the precious bond you share with your pets and what an important role they play in your life. That bond deserves to be protected, regardless of your resources or circumstances, which is why PAWS’ Safety Net support programs exist. We look forward to learning more about your needs and seeing how we can help!

AVAILABLE SERVICES

Affordable Vet Care

Our two clinics offer spay/neuter surgery, treatments for many illnesses and injuries, and preventive care. We aim to be accessible and welcoming to all community members, and our expert medical team provides high-quality care at the lowest possible prices. Discounts are often available for pet owners who need additional financial assistance.

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Pet Food Pantry

Our Pet Food Pantry program provides dog food, cat food, litter, and other supplies to Philadelphia pet owners in need. We partner with community organizations across the city to make these items available to as many people as possible, through large and small events, as well as one-on-one. Please let us know how we can assist you!

request pet food

Temporary Housing: Safety Net Foster Care for cats

We provide temporary foster care for cats whose owners are going through times of transition. If you are a Philadelphia resident and need a safe place for your cat(s) to stay — for a few weeks up to a few months — while you get resettled or tend to a personal issue, please contact us. We want to keep you from having to part with your pets, and make a joyous reunion possible!

Request temporary housing: cats

Temporary Housing: Safety Net Foster Care for dogs

We provide temporary foster care for dogs whose owners are going through times of transition. If you are a Philadelphia resident and need a safe place for your dog to stay — for a few weeks up to a few months — while you get resettled or tend to a personal issue, please contact us. We want to keep you from having to part with your pet, and make a joyous reunion possible!

Request temporary housing: dogs

Counseling & Support

If you’re having trouble with your pet’s behavior or another issue, we may be able to help. Our experienced staff provides one-on-one training, counseling, and referrals for a variety of common challenges. If the issue is related to a medical condition, we can help arrange for you to receive low-cost or discounted vet care at one of PAWS’ clinics.

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Surrender Requests

If your only option is to rehome or surrender your pet, please fill out this form for cats, or this form for dogs. Please note that due to the high volume of requests and limited space in our shelter and foster homes, we cannot assist with every surrender request.

You can also use ReHome – an online matchmaking service that directly connects pet owners with adopters and keeps animals out of shelters.