Find Your Forever Friend: Philadelphia Animal Shelters

Famous for its cheesesteaks, Rocky, and brotherly love, Philadelphia stands out as a city dedicated to helping stray animals. According to Philly Paws statistics, fewer pets are becoming homeless in the area, which is tail-wagging news to animal lovers. However, the work doesn't stop there. There is still a lot to be done, and helping out these city animal shelters can mean the good life for a helpless animal.

Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

2900 Grays Ferry Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19146 

A non-profit organization, The Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), is dedicated to rescuing homeless pets in the city of brotherly love. Through its rescue, adoption, foster care, and low-cost spay/neuter services, it has dramatically reduced its homeless pet population, achieving an impressive 86% save rate. 

PAWS is also dedicated to making Philly a no-kill city. It relies on the compassion of its volunteers and offers a variety of volunteer programs. It is open to volunteer opportunities such as direct animal care, non-animal care tasks, foster care, and dog training. It focuses on dogs and cats, but you can inquire about adopting other small animals.

Learn more about Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)

ACCT Philly

111 W. Hunting Park Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19140 

Animal Care and Control Team of Philadelphia, or ACCT Philly for short, is the largest animal shelter facility north of the city. It handles around 18,000 animals, which includes dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and other small animals each year. Its mission is to provide shelter, care, and life-saving efforts for homeless, abandoned, and abused animals. It also offers animal control services, including low-cost spay/neuter, food pantry, wildlife assistance, and many others.

Learn more about ACCT Philly

Street Tails Animal Rescue (STAR)

Liberties Walk, 1030 N 2nd Street, Suite 40, Philadelphia, PA 19123 

Founded in 2001 by Lindsay Condefer, Street Tails Animal Rescue (STAR) aims to save one dog at a time. It is a no-kill shelter run by only two full-time staff members who rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome dogs. They offer volunteer opportunities for dog walking, socializing, and support while hosting fundraising events. This Philadelphia city animal shelter prioritizes care for all canines, regardless of age, breed, and special needs.

Learn more about Street Tails Animal Rescue (STAR)

Morris Animal Refuge

1242 Lombard St, Philadelphia, PA 19147-1118 

Holding the distinction of being America's first animal shelter, Morris Animal Refuge was founded in 1874. It has since impacted pet homelessness, resulting in a 98% save rate. It has a focus on adoption, education, and high-quality care for homeless and abandoned pets in the city. They also provide adoption centers and preventative and protective care. They actively host community outreach programs to educate the public about responsible pet ownership.

Learn more about Morris Animal Refuge

Pennsylvania SPCA

350 E. Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134 

Established in 1867, the Pennsylvania SPCA (PSPCA) is the foundation of animal welfare in Philly and the entire state of Pennsylvania. It is the largest animal welfare organization and the second oldest in the nation. The SPCA's mission is to rescue animals from cruelty and neglect, provide medical and behavioral rehabilitation, and find them forever-loving homes. It also offers humane law enforcement, a shelter hospital, low-cost veterinary services, humane education, and behavior and enrichment programs.

Learn more about Pennsylvania SPCA

Green Street Rescue

2713 W. Girard, Philadelphia, PA 19130 

The purrfect example of feline fanaticism, Green Street Rescue is Philadelphia's haven for stray cats. It is a non-profit city animal shelter that aims to rescue strays and find forever-loving homes for them. They actively engage in rescue, TNRM (Trap-Neuter-Return management), foster care, and adoption efforts. They also have Philly's first-ever cat cafe, Lee Cat Cafe, where cat lovers can enjoy drinks while socializing with adoptable cats. 

Learn more about Green Street Rescue

Wet Nose Rescue

14425 Bustleton Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19116

Fighting for dogs and puppies slated for euthanasia or neglect, Wet Nose Rescue is located in Southampton, Pennsylvania, but its adoption center is in Philadelphia. They "work hard to help those who are unable to help themselves." Founded in 2008, it is 100% foster-based rescue, which means they do not kennel the dogs there. They keep them in local foster homes, which allows them to socialize with their families. Wet Nose Rescue regularly holds pet fairs that feature rescues, vendors, rescue groups, animal clinics, and more.

Learn more about Wet Nose Rescue

Fishtails Animal Rescue

233 E. Girard Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19125

With the belief that every animal deserves a fighting chance, Fishtails Animal Rescue is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating at-risk, stray, and shelter animals. They take in "unadoptable" animals, more specifically cats, from high-volume shelters. They do this to care for them medically and then send them to foster care until they can find their forever homes. They have founded the Fishtails Fighting Chance Fund to help distressed pet owners with financial assistance in times of dire medical emergencies.

Learn more about Fishtails Animal Rescue

Familiar Hearts Animal Society

Philadelphia, PA 

Not only does Familiar Hearts Animal Society advocate for helping abandoned pets, but it also works hard to stop pet abandonment. It has a network of kind-hearted supporters who assist it in finding veterinary and behavioral care for homeless animals. They then find them foster care and eventually, loving homes. Familiar Hearts Animal Society is also active in educating pet owners about the resources available to help them provide for their furry companions. You may want to contact them through their website directly to get their exact address. 

Learn more about Familiar Hearts Animal Society