PAWS Downtown Adoption Center

I adopted THE PERFECT cat from PAWS in Old City! Even though she was wandering the streets in Philly, she has the sweetest personality, was spayed, microchipped, and fully vaccinated/​de-​wormed by PAWS. Cat had a small case of ear mites and they sent me home with medication (all free). For $ 50 adoption fee you really can’t go wrong. With the adoption, you also have access to take the pet back to their vet for free if you notice any health issues, get 30 days of free pet insurance and a certificate for free exam at the vet down the road.
Staff was very helpful and the process was easy. I applied to adopt via email (fill out a 2 page form on their website) and I was approved the next day!
Center is small and has about 40 cats and 2 dogs at any given time. They also sell cat/​dog toys and some food at very reasonable prices.

Great place to volunteer. The dogs are great to run with. The staff is very helpful. I volunteer with monster miles to run or walk with the dogs that are rescued and ready for adoption. They have a great selections of cats to adopt as well. They have a strict screening process for adopting a pet. It’s great place to volunteer.

Who could give a non profit animal shelter less then 5 stars?
This place is great! You go in and play and interact with the cats! Find the one you like and bring them home!
We donate a lot to this place since my husband is allergic to cats and I love cats. So on days I’m stressed or upset, he would take me and let me play with cats for a good long time.
Makes me very happy when I see animals being well taken care of.
Bring a lin roller if you plan to go. I got cat hair all over me every time I go!

Did you know that PAWS accepts gently used blankets and pillows for their pets? Neither did I until I called them! I’ve been trying to get rid of some extra things around my house and I wasn’t sure what I could do with extra bedding. I felt bad just throwing it out. A quick google search recommended giving my linens to an animal shelter and PAWS was the winner. I quickly ran out of there after my drop-​off so that I didn’t end up adopting 10 puppies, but the employee was so nice. I’m definitely on board with their mission, too. Stop in and make a donation or adopt a loving pet!

I have nothing but praise for PAWS! I went to the Olde City location last Monday;t he staff were friendly and very helpful. My initial plan was to wait until the «Clear The Shelters» even this past Saturday, and had been told over the telephone that the sooner I got my application in, the better chance I had of having it approved before the event. When I arrived, my application was reviewed and approved on the spot; I think it was because I had it already completed, plus copies of my other cats’ medical records and proof of residence.
I didn’t see any kittens that interested me there, so went online and looked at the ones being fostered. I found four kittens that I liked, and after contacting the people who were fostering them, I chose an adorable 3-​month-​old gray tabby and white male kitten. His foster parent and I talked on the phone and set up a meeting for Wednesday at the Grays Ferry location where she worked. The paperwork was completed, and I brought my kitten home! We’ll be returning for
Some people feel that the detailed application is too personal, but PAWS only has the animals’ welfare in mind, and wants to make sure that they will be going to loving homes for life.

I wanted to love this place based on the reviews. I used to volunteer at the humane society and I respect their efforts. I walked in ready to adopt a cat, it was finally the right time for me after Getting over the loss of our previous cat who lived a nice full life. I was not expecting to be interrogated, judged, and put through an application that made me feel like I was applying to the CIA. They called our previous home owner because the house wasn’t in my name yet. I was yelled at for trying to get close to the cats in the cages. I asked what I could do to hold them and they said nothing if they are in a cage. This experience was meant to be because we ended up adopting from another humane society and couldn’t be happier.

I adopted a cat from this PAWS location a few months ago, and can’t say enough good things about them! My husband and I showed up at the adoption center one Saturday, about an hour before closing time. The staff asked us to fill out an adoption application, which they promised to review while we met some of the cats. This involved exploring 3 rooms full of cats, who are all just sort of hanging out.
We fell in love with one of the cats, and were really happy to hear that we could take her home that day! The adoption application was pretty detailed and included a background check, so I was impressed at how fast the staff reviewed it. A friendly staff member (unfortunately, I forgot her name) also interviewed us to make sure we actually knew how to care for a cat. She also went through their conditions for adoption, gave us some information about the PAWS veterinary clinic, etc.
All of their adoptable cats are already spayed/​neutered and microchipped, which is awesome. You also get a free 30 days of pet insurance, and a little bag of dry cat food. They have a little shop in the adoption center, which meant that we could buy the essentials (crate, litterbox, dishes, etc.) right there instead of making a trip to the pet store and returning later for our cat.
I love that PAWS tries to match people with the *right* pet, one that you’re actually prepared to care for. My childhood dog was adopted from a different rescue organization, and they didn’t put nearly as much effort into matching us with a pet. The PAWS staff asked lots of questions about our lifestyle, and steered us away from animals we couldn’t care for (e.g., a cat who didn’t like being alone and needed a buddy at home). They helped us find the perfect cat: affectionate but not too needy, playful but not destructive, and ok with being an only pet.
They also take measures to ensure the animals are always cared for. Adopters sign a contract promising to return their pets to PAWS– not a different shelter– in the event that they need to surrender them, for example. They also make you promise not to declaw your cat, which I can definitely appreciate.
This has been a very long review, but I *did* tell you that I can’t say enough good things. I love the work that PAWS does, and will definitely encourage others to adopt from them.

Paws is a great way to get involved in volunteer work in Philly. They are always in need of foster parents for young kittens too.

My boyfriend and I adopted our first cat, a 6 month old calico, from PAWS almost a year ago today. We had a great experience and wouldn’t hesitate to continue to support PAWS.
Pros
— Extremely friendly and helpful staff
— They took our personalities into account and suggested the very kitten that we adopted. She’s a perfect match for us.
— A week after we adopted her, we realized she had a bit of a cold. We were able to see a vet and were given meds free of charge the same day we called.
— They gave a spot on assessment of her personalty (She is definitely «most spirited» and does not like other cats)
— The neuter/​spaying/​vaccinations were already taken care of for us which made things extremely easy
Cons
— Parking in old city can be sort of difficult depending on when you go. We didn’t take public transportation because we knew we were likely going to adopting and didn’t want to subject our new friend to the MFL

So i just adopted my first pet, well actually pets, from PAWS and i have to say it was a really great experience. I was very nervous about how everything was going to go, but the really helpful staff pointed us in the right direction.
First they got us in touch with a friend of ours who was fostering a pair of cat brothers until they were big enough to adopt. I was a huge fan of this because it meant they were not in a population of cats. I get nervous about they contracting some illness that is bound to happen when a lot of animals are in the same place (im thinking of pre-​schools and how often kids get sick). So our friend helped walk us through the adoption process and all was really smooth. We got our two new cats neutered on the day we officially adopted them, everything went perfectly and now my girlfriend and i are happy «parents» of two lovely kittens. I highly recommend adopting through PAWS since it helps out so many parties in need.

I’ve come to the conclusion that nothing in life is more difficult than wanting a cat my entire life and growing up with two parents who are both severely allergic to them. Fortunately, when I got my own apartment, I started making plans to bring a cat into my life and give them a «fur-​ever» home. After a few visits to the PAWS adoption center to play with some of their cats, I decided they’d be the ones from whom I would adopt my soon-​to-​be furry companion. The adoption center always welcomes visitors with open arms, even if you are not planning to adopt; though the cats who play well with other cats live in rooms together and the ones who don’t live in cages. The center only keeps one or two dogs onsite, so the ratio of cats to dogs is definitely much higher on the cat end. PAWS does not put pets on hold, though I filled out the adoption paperwork about a month before I came in to adopt my cat, and once I was notified that I had been approved and that my apartment’s pet policy had been confirmed, I was all set, but the only thing missing was a cat. Finally, on April 19, 2014, I set foot in the PAWS adoption center to find the perfect cat. When I mentioned I was looking for a fairly young cat who would do well in a small apartment (mine is 400 sq. ft.) who was affectionate and likes to cuddle, the shelter staff suggested a cat named Chalk. Her estimated age was 4 – 6 years old so that threw me off, but they assured me that was only an estimate and that the age was to be taken with a grain of salt because the amount of tartar buildup on the cat’s teeth is what they use as their criterion. After spending a bit of time with this kitty, I decided to take her home. I signed the agreement, bought a carrier, and was sent off with a small bag of cat food with my kitty in tow. I have since renamed her Beaker, but I am glad to report she is happily adjusting to her new home. I would HIGHLY recommend PAWS to anyone who is looking to adopt a cat; the staff is so helpful, friendly, and will assist you in finding one who will make a wonderful addition to your home and your life.
Thank you PAWS (from me AND Beaker!)

I am a huge animal lover, but sadly my apartment is not pet-​friendly; so I come down to PAWS to pet all the dogs and cats to get my fix. They take excellent care of their animals, and they don’t make you jump through hoops to enter a room with a dog like some shelters do. As soon as I move into a pet-​friendly apartment, I will gladly adopt a pet from here!

I adopted my cat Spooky here about a year ago and we have continued to visit regularly because we live about a block away and try to buy all of Spooky’s food here to continue to support the PAWS mission. Spooky (known as Cali Girl in the adoption center but that was too boring of a name for a calico so we changed it) was living in this no-​kill shelter for 8 months without being adopted. It was clear that they think about the needs of the cat in the center because Spooky had been in the social housing but wasn’t comfortable there so they brought her out into an individual cage. Because she had been there so long they offered a ‘name your own price’ adoption fee but I felt like she had overstayed her welcome so I paid the reasonable $ 50 adoption fee anyway.
The staff was very serious about screening to make sure we were good candidates for adoption and even called our landlord to make sure we were allowed to have a cat in our apartment. Fortunately we passed the test and our year with Spooky has been amazing! Their description of her personality was true and it was important for us to give her time to get comfortable in our home and get over the stress of living with so many other cats.
The one thing I will say about PAWS it they do not seem to pay attention to what flavors of kibbles they stock and every time we go buy a new bag from them it seems like we get a different flavor (same brand, same type). This isn’t really a problem but our cat is a little picky about food and usually takes a day or two to adjust to the new flavor. So if your cat is very particular, make sure you check the package to make sure you get the same flavor every time. But I still love PAWS!

:) I like animals, and they are a no-​kill shelter that has just adopted out their 10,000^th animal!!! Congratulations, PAWS and all the little pets that have been adopted and their human families!
I occasionally stop by this location to donate items, and this place is pretty clean and the volunteers are friendly. Also, the cats are sooooo cute.

What a nice shelter! My boyfriend and I stopped in here this afternoon to check out their cats. Didn’t realize they had a couple dogs, too. The dogs were super friendly and excited to see people and the cats were all very well cared for. You could tell that the staff really cares about them. There’s two large rooms where the cats can play and interact with people, so I’m assuming they all get rotated out so they’re not just sitting inside cages all day. What a nice place. They also have pet food, toys and other gifts. I highly recommend popping by next time you’re looking for a new addition to your home.

There’s the current and there’s those who swim against it. I believe most people go through their daily lives without giving much thought to the thousands of abandoned, rejected, and even euthanized animals in our country. I believe most people give some peripheral thought to the overpopulation of dogs and cats but fail to become invested in their stories. Take one step in PAWS, and it’s near impossible not to become invested.
PAWS swims upstream, a no-​kill shelter in Philadelphia, which no one could argue is the most pet-​friendly place. The amount of neglect, abuse, and abandonment in Philadelphia is tragic, but thanks to a small, dedicated staff and a loving group of volunteers, PAWS powers against the current. They welcome browsers, volunteers, and of course potential adopters.
PAWS is an animal adoption center, but it’s also a house full of stories. Each and every animal here has a story to tell, and that story is unfinished. It may be that you’re a main character in the chapters to come…
As for the one or two negative reviews on here. Please disregard. Notice that this business is not named «PAWS rescue center.» It is an «Adoption Center.» For animals in need of care, there are other institutions, namely animal control or veterinarians. PAWS is operated by a small staff with very limited space, so it is unfair to expect them to be able to take animals off the street from whoever calls or stops by. Trust me, no one cares more about animals than the staffs of shelters like these, but there are financial and material limitations. So, please don’t heed the few uninformed criticisms below.
PAWS is also something of a destination, if you ask me. If you’re visiting Philadelphia, or happen to be a local spending the day in Old City, share a little time with the animals at the Adoption Center on 2^nd and Arch. You won’t regret it.

The people at PAWS are great. They love animals and are really serious about making sure you love them as well. I enjoy visiting the cats at this location even though I am not ready to take on a second one yet. The staff and volunteers are understanding of that and do not pressure you to adopt. The animals are adorable so they make their own case for you going home with you.

I love this place!
This is where I got my two cats Holly and Madison. They are so sweet and adventurous and fill my life with so much joy and laughter. They are wonderful cats and while I know they are very special and unique, there are many cats who are similarly adorable and loving. They have some dogs too! Come over to add a member to your family :)

I got my PAWS kitty through a foster parent! I saw the ad on craigslist for cuddliest cat in the world, so me and my boyfriend went off to check him out.
He is super adorable, colored like a cow, and likes to play with candy wrappers. I was really excited to take him home and hug him all the time.
Wellllll, the little fucker loves my boyfriend and hates me. :(He bites and scratches me constantly, and cuddles up with my boyfriend and sleeps between us so I can’t even spoon!
I mean, I’m happy we got a fiv negative, disease free, fixed, cute as hell kitty… but he hates me.
Maybe it’s because we named him Lars Von Trier.

Something new has finally come to a vacant corner in the artsy part of Old City. is it another art gallery? no. Another swank bar and restaurant? even better! because now you can walk into this corner spot and play with… PUPPIES! Sorry I’m a dog lover.
P.A.W.S. (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society) has finally opened an adoption center of it’s own. So not only can you go in and play with a dog, you might just find a new friend to take home. can’t bring one into your house? they can always use volunteers, even if it’s just taking a dog on a walk to the nearest park (on the corner of 2^nd and Market).
Oh, and don’t worry cat lovers. they have kitties too!