As spring arrives, kitten season begins, bringing an influx of orphaned kittens and new mothers to the city’s shelters. PAWS’ nursery is quickly filling up with litters, and we’re seeking your assistance to support them — and many more who will follow — throughout the warmer months ahead!

Help us welcome the little ones by joining us for “Kitten Week” from Friday, April 11 through Friday, April 18. We’re hosting a donation drive and a wide-range of events with a special focus on fostering. This focus comes in response to the urgent reality that the number of at-risk kittens and cats far exceeds the capacity of our shelter and current foster homes. As a result, PAWS is actively recruiting new fosters to ensure we can meet this growing need!

Check out a variety of fun ways to get involved and support PAWS during Kitten Week:

Join our Foster Team

Foster parents are the reason we can save as many lives as we do, and they are essential for young kittens, who are too small and fragile to survive in the shelter. By signing up to foster now, you’ll ensure enough homes will be ready as kittens arrive in the coming weeks and months. Our foster team can match you with orphaned siblings or singletons, bottle-feeders, or a mom with babies — based on your comfort level, experience, and preferences.

Send Vital Kitten Supplies

Between in-shelter kitten care and supply kits for our foster parents, we go through tons of formula, wet food, and other necessities that keep growing babies heathy and nourished. You can help make sure we have everything we need to care for them by sending kitten supplies through our Kitten Shower Wishlist,  Chewy Wishlist, or Amazon Wishlist. (We’ll need donations throughout kitten season and all year long, so please bookmark these pages for later!)

Attend our Kitten Week Foster Open Houses at PAC in Old City

Stop by our foster open houses at our Old City Adoption Center on Saturday, April 12 from 11am-2pm and Sunday, April 13 from 11-am-2pm. Attendees can learn about fostering, enjoy treats provided by Batter & Crumb, and meet adoptable cats. Drop off a donation from our Kitten Wishlist and get entered to win raffle prizes!

Attend our Kitten Shower Happy Hour & Cat Quizzo at Carbon Copy

Join PAWS at Carbon Copy West on Thursday, April 17 from 5-8pm for “Kitten Shower Happy Hour & Cat Quizzo!” Enjoy a fun and informative evening where you can learn about fostering, mingle with fellow animal lovers, and win exciting raffle prizes. To be entered into the raffle, attendees are encouraged to bring items from PAWS’ Kitten Shower Wishlist. Plus, don’t miss Cat Quizzo, which kicks off promptly at 7pm —be sure to arrive on time with your A-squad of cat lovers!

Attend our Kitten Shower Happy Hour at American Sardine Bar

Join PAWS at American Sardine Bar on Friday, April 18 from 4-7pm for “Kitten Shower Happy Hour!” Attendees can look forward to learning about fostering, meeting adorable foster kittens, winning raffle prizes, and mingling with fellow animal lovers! To be entered into the raffle, attendees are encouraged to bring items from PAWS’ Kitten Shower Wishlist.

Join our Kitten Foster Orientation In-person or online

This year, we’re making it easier than ever to get started fostering! Join our Kitten Foster Orientation on Wednesday, April 30 at 6pm at our Grays Ferry clinic. (Rather join from the comfort of home? Don’t worry, we’ll be live-streaming so you can join virtually, too!) You’ll learn all about our foster program and how to care for young kittens, and then you’ll be able to start fostering as soon as you’re ready. Plus, you’ll meet some tiny and adorable friends! Register here. 

During Kitten Week only: Make a gift, have it DOUBLED!

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.  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, between April 11 – April 18!

The Tringalis are PAWS adopters and dedicated 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! Your gift of any amount will ensure we are ready for the little ones who will be counting on us this year.