Join us at all levels of rescue. Every little bit helps!  We are a proud PAWS Partner - a unique distinction offered to companies who provide ongoing support.  We are the only pet care service in Philadelphia recognized with this honor.

Unfortunately, not all monsters are as lucky as the monsters featured on this site.  PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society) is working to save Philadelphia’s homeless, abandoned, and unwanted animals. PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a city in which every healthy and treatable pet is guaranteed a home.

From 2005 through 2008, PAWS raised the save rate at the city shelter  which took in approximately 30,000 animals each year  from 11% to 60%. PAWS remains dedicated to saving the city’s most vulnerable animals. Through its adoption locations, special events, and foster care network, PAWS finds loving homes for thousands of animals each year.  In early 2010 they opened their new Wellness Clinic in Grays Ferry, which is set to spay and neuter 12,000 pets annually.  They offer low cost spay and neuters, vaccinations and general veterinary check ups. 

There are four ways you can help to save lives:  Adopt, Donate, Volunteer, Foster.

ADOPT:  Adoption directly saves lives.  Cats and dogs of all shapes, breeds, temperaments and ages are available today for adoption right here in Center City.  Save a life!

PAWS Adoption Center

Mon-Sat: 11 am to 7 pm

Sun: 11 am to 6 pm

100 N. 2nd Street (at Arch)

Philadelphia, PA 19106, Ph: 215-238-9901

PSPCA/ACCT

Monday - Friday, 1:00 PM until 8:00 PM

Saturday - Sunday, 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM

350 E. Erie Avenue

Philadelphia PA, Ph: 267-385-3800

DONATE:  Donating doesn’t always involve writing a check, although PAWS, ACCT, & other area shelters really need financial support.  They’re also in need of things that you probably have lying around the house right now.   Check out their Wish List below:

1. ✦Old Towels & Blankets to be used as bedding (Fleece preferred)
   

2. ✦Old Newspapers
   

3. ✦Bleach & Laundry Detergent
   

4. ✦Paper Towels
   

5. ✦Kong Brand Dog Toys (only Kong Brand.  No raw hides please!)
   

6. ✦Canned Kitten Food
   

7. ✦Cat and Kitten Toys
   

8. ✦New and Used Dog Crates (all sizes)
   

9. ✦New and Used Carriers and Varied Kennels (all sizes)
   

10. ✦KMR Kitten and Puppy Formula
    

Should you want to make a donation to PAWS see www.phillypaws.org

VOLUNTEER:  Do you have some spare time in your schedule?  There are some amazing monsters at PAWS & ACCT who could really use some extra attention.  I know you’re thinking,  “Extra time?  Yeah right!”  I’m the same way!   Despite this, I find that volunteering is so uplifting, it actually feels like soul work or something - it gives me more energy!  I find the time to volunteer because I NEED to volunteer. 

Volunteering for PAWS is extremely varied!  Perhaps you’d like to hang out at PetSmart and be an adoption facilitator?  Or cuddle and socialize puppies?  Hang out with the felines?  Walk dogs & give them a much needed sense of fresh air and grass under their paws?  Get bubbly while giving dogs baths?  Clean kennels?  Help paint walls at the shelter?  Do laundry?  There’s something for everyone.  

See here for more info on volunteering at the PAWS Adoption Center (Old City) or Wellness Clinic (Grays Ferry): http://phillypaws.org/Volunteer/default.asp

For more information on volunteering at ACCT/PSPCA:  http://philadoptables.org/VOLUNTEER.html

Are you a runner?   You can also learn more about running with our running group, The Monster Milers as we take PAWS dogs for jogs as they wait for their forever home.  It’s a great way to make your miles count.  

FOSTER:  “Thousands of animals who are too young or too sick to be adopted arrive at PAWS each year. Temporary foster care gives them a chance at life, something the shelter cannot offer. The need for foster care is great throughout the year, but it is particularly urgent during “kitten season,” April through September, when hundreds of cats and kittens can arrive at the shelters in Philly on any given day.” - PAWS

Fostering pets actually saves TWO lives.  Due to limited shelter space, fostering a dog or cat saves his/her life AND the pet that can be moved into their kennel/cage.  It’s a win/win situation.   If you have a bit of extra space, a bit of love (OK, a lot of LOVE!) and food - you can help save lives.  PAWS covers all medical expenses.  You’re only responsible for food, toys and bedding.  (Did I mention love?)  The shelter is extremely high-stress for the pets, and many pets physically fade away while waiting for a home.  Fostering helps socialize the pets, get them healthy, and find them forever homes, while freeing up space for other pets in in the shelter. 

It’s deeply rewarding to save a pet through fostering.  Saying “goodbye” is always bittersweet, but you can rest assured knowing you found a home for one more of Philly’s homeless monsters.  We’ve written a great set of articles on Fostering Kittens.

To learn more about fostering for PAWS visit their foster information page:  http://phillypaws.org/Foster/default.asp

© 2005-2011 The Monster Minders

215-925-1119

info@TheMonsterMinders.com