At 12th Street Catering, our 12th Street for Good initiative is guided by a simple belief: communities are built on acts of kindness. Each month, we highlight a local partner whose mission reflects our shared values of care, connection, and compassion. This month, we are proud to feature our longtime partner: the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). For the past 20 years their work has transformed lives across the city—not only for pets in need, but also for the people who love and care for them.
PAWS was founded in 2006 by a group of dedicated volunteers with one bold goal: to improve the odds for Philadelphia’s most vulnerable animals. At the time, only 11% of animals entering the city’s animal control shelter were making it out alive. Determined to offer a better path, PAWS stepped in, providing veterinary care, shelter, and support to animals in crisis, while also equipping pet owners with the tools to keep their companions safe and by their sides.
Nearly two decades later, the change is undeniable. Thanks to PAWS’ leadership and community-first mindset, the city’s save rate has soared to 86%. This remarkable shift means thousands of lives are saved each year, speaking to the strength of a network rooted in the belief that every animal deserves the chance to thrive.
Today, PAWS is Philadelphia’s largest rescue partner and the region’s leading provider of low-cost veterinary care for owned pets. They operate three locations across the city: an adoption center in Old City, and two bustling veterinary clinics in Grays Ferry and Northeast Philly. “We don’t just provide safe haven for the homeless animals that need support through our adoption, foster and medical services,” Corey Topel, Communications Manager at PAWS, shared with us. “We also make sure that pet owners have the resources they need to keep their beloved pets at home.”
What sets PAWS apart from its animal rescue foundation counterparts is its holistic approach to animal welfare. Through a range of safety net services, PAWS helps pet owners facing financial or housing insecurity continue caring for their pets. Support might come in the form of free pet food, temporary foster placements during times of transition, or access to affordable veterinary services.
Each year, their veterinary clinics serve thousands of owned pets offering wellness exams, spay/neuter procedures, vaccinations, and treatment for illness or injury. Services are priced with accessibility in mind. PAWS also assists smaller local rescue groups by providing much-needed medical care, expanding their impact across the region.
Whatever the circumstance, PAWS meets people with compassion and respect. “We recognize that pets are a core part of our families…also recognize that times are tough, and a lot of people are up against difficult things,” Corey shared. “We want to always ensure that whatever is going on in someone's personal life, they have resources readily available to them to make sure that they're able to keep their pets at home with them where they belong.”
Every summer, PAWS invites the community to come together for Paw It Forward—a heartfelt campaign that celebrates the love we share with our pets and helps ensure others can experience that same bond. This year’s campaign runs from July 22nd to 24th, though donations are already being accepted. Each gift directly supports essential services like pet food assistance, foster care, and low-cost veterinary care—keeping pets where they belong: with the families who love them.
Supporters who contribute at the Good Neighbor level ($500 or more) will receive an invitation to the Paw It Forward Summer Soirée, an intimate gathering on Thursday, August 14th at a beautiful private venue in Center City.
But this event isn’t about fundraising—it’s about gratitude. As Corey explained, “We just really wanted the opportunity to bring folks together and not have it be a fundraising event—just have it be rooted in gratitude. Thank you for supporting us. Thank you for helping keep pet owners with their pets. And thank you for helping us provide the resources they need.”
Guests will enjoy seasonal hors d'oeuvres from the 12th Street team, sip craft cocktails, and connect with fellow animal lovers in a setting filled with warmth, not asks. And yes, a few four-legged friends are likely to be part of the celebration.
There are many ways to get involved with PAWS. Donations of any size make a difference, but if you prefer to give your time, PAWS has a vibrant, welcoming volunteer community. Volunteers help walk dogs, comfort cats, assist at events, organize supplies, answer phones, create content, and more. Whether you’re a student, a retiree, or somewhere in between, there’s a role to match your skills and schedule.
Fostering or adopting is another powerful way to support PAWS’ work. Many of the animals in their care simply need time, love, and a safe space to shine. Opening your home—even temporarily—can be life-changing for both of you.
Not ready to foster or volunteer? You can still help by spreading the word. Sharing PAWS’ campaigns or adoptable pets on social media brings their message to new eyes and hearts.
At 12th Street Catering, we believe in the power of gathering—not just to share a meal, but to create connection, celebrate community, and make people feel at home. That’s why our partnership with PAWS is so important to us. Their mission to keep pets with the families who love them and to extend compassion to every corner of our city aligns deeply with our own values. It’s a collaboration rooted in shared values, and we’re proud to play a small role in supporting their work.
Over the years, supporting events like the Summer Soirée has come to feel like more than a collaboration; it feels like family. The PAWS team brings warmth, integrity, and a tireless commitment to their work, and it’s an honor to stand them through 12th Street for Good.
To donate to Paw It Forward, visit: https://secure.phillypaws.org/campaign/paw-it-forward-2025/c699819
To learn more about PAWS’ programs, volunteer opportunities, or adoptable pets, visit: https://www.phillypaws.org
Stay tuned for next month’s 12th Street for Good spotlight as we continue celebrating the organizations making our Philly family stronger, kinder, and more connected.
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