3 Philly Animal Care Groups Partner For Pet Fostering Campaign

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia's three largest animal care groups are teaming up for a massive pet fostering campaign as the city's animal shelters are at capacity.

ACCT Philly, PAWS, and the Pennsylvania SPCA are looking to sign up 500 new foster parents this summer to save lives by providing temporary homes for pets in need.

Community members can sign up to foster with any of the three organizations online here.

Fosters are needed for dogs and cats of all ages, from bottle babies and litters of kittens who just need a small quiet space to become strong enough for adoption, to dogs and cats who would love a break from the shelter or are recovering from medical treatment.

Basic supplies are provided to fosters, and those who are not in a position to foster are encouraged to donate supplies that other fosters can use.

Every time an animal is placed into a caring foster home, space is freed up at ACCT Philly for another stray or surrendered pet who needs it.

The situation is dire, with kennels intended for one dog having to be split to house two at ACCT Philly, and dozens of animals being dropped off daily.

ACCT Philly, the only open intake animal shelter and animal care and control provider in Philadelphia, is at capacity, and more animals are arriving each day.

Summer is the busiest time of the year for shelters, and foster homes have decreased by 30 percent, leaving the organization with less space for animals in need.

"We rely heavily on foster homes and rescue partners to help with placing our animals, and the decrease in fosters that we and rescues are facing has really hit us hard," Aurora Velazquez, Executive Director of ACCT Philly, said. "We’re excited to be teaming up with PSPCA and PAWS on this new campaign to help save more lives. Whether it’s fostering for ACCT Philly, PAWS or PSPCA, it will enable more of the animals we take in to find loving homes, and help reduce the stress of the animals in our care."

"It is only by coming together that we can ensure every savable animal in Philadelphia has a live outcome," Pennsylvania SPCA CEO Julie Klim said. "The Pennsylvania SPCA, ACCT Philly and PAWS are coming together and asking the citizens of Philadelphia to also come together to step up to foster. Together, we can save so many lives and move toward the day when Philadelphia is a no-kill city."

"Our lifesaving work depends on fosters more than ever. By opening your home for a short time, you can save a life and make room in a shelter for another pet who desperately needs that space,” Melissa Levy, Executive Director of PAWS, said. "Fostering is an incredibly rewarding experience that changes so many lives for the better ‒ the pet you rescue, the one who takes its place, and the families who eventually adopt them."