Hand2Paw

07/24/2026

Cheers to Change 2026 was a beautiful reminder of what is possible when a community comes together with a shared purpose. 💙

The evening was filled with celebration, connection, and hope as we reflected on the lives being impacted through Hand2Paw Foundation and looked ahead to all that’s still to come. Every conversation, every donation, every partnership, and every guest in the room played a part in making the night a success.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended, gave generously, volunteered, and cheered on our mission. Your support helps us continue creating opportunities for young adults while strengthening the bond between people and pets in our community.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible sponsors for making this evening possible:
🐾 MWI Animal Health
🐾 C.A.R.E.
🐾 Penny Ellison
🐾 VRS
🐾 IDEXX USA 🇺🇸
🐾 Bond Vet
🐾 Sheila & Chuck Sacco

A special thank you to Undercurrent Sound Healing for generously donating an amazing raffle prize and helping make the evening even more memorable for our guests.

📸 Photos by: Aqsa R Photos

🎶 Thank you DJ madison

To everyone who made this event possible — our sponsors, partners, volunteers, donors, vendors, and guests—thank you for believing in our mission and investing in the future of our young adults. We couldn’t do this without you!

Here’s to creating more opportunities, strengthening our community, and changing lives together. 💙🐾

07/21/2026

Meet Razzmatazz!💕
At just 2 years old, Razzmatazz, the Bengal mix, has already had quite the journey. Once a Philly neighborhood street cat, he wandered inside the Hand2Paw office and decided the indoor life was much more his style, and he hasn’t looked back since! Razz is still figuring out what it means to be a house cat and has some very clear opinions about personal space😳. He’s happiest with people who respect his boundaries, pay attention to his body language, and let him choose when and how he wants affection. When he’s in the mood, though, he’s incredibly sweet🥰. He loves curling up in laps, enjoying a tasty serving of wet food, and spending hours lounging in the window, watching the world go by. Like many cats who spent time outdoors, Razz communicates honestly. If he’s uncomfortable or overstimulated, he isn’t shy about using his teeth or claws to let you know. Because of this, he’d do best in a home with children 12 and older, or with experienced, cat-savvy kids who understand how to respect feline boundaries. Razz hasn’t been around other animals while in our care. If he’s joining a home with other pets, he’ll need plenty of decompression time and slow, thoughtful introductions to help him settle in. If you’re looking for a cat with a big personality, charm, attitude, and you’re willing to earn his trust on his terms, Razzmatazz just might be your perfect match.♥️

If you are interested in adopting Razzmatazz please fill out an application at:
https://waitingonafriendanimalrescue.org/apply-to-adopt/

07/21/2026

✨ We are incredibly grateful to the Patricia Kind Family Foundation Partners Fund for investing in Hand2Paw through a multi-year general operating grant.

Flexible funding like this is transformational. It allows us to strengthen our operations, invest in our team, and build the organizational capacity needed to deepen our impact for years to come.
Because of partners like the Patricia Kind Foundation Partners Fund, we can continue equipping young people impacted by trauma and inequity with the skills, confidence, and paid experiences that open doors to meaningful careers in animal care, while creating brighter futures for shelter animals and the communities we serve.

Thank you for believing in our mission and recognizing that sustainable impact begins with strong organizations. Together, we’re building a future where both people and animals thrive. 💙🐾

07/17/2026

🐾 On Wednesday, our Summer Pawspurr interns spent the day volunteering and learning about the incredible work being done at ACCT Philly! ❤️

A huge thank you to Kacey for giving our interns an inside look at the shelter and sharing more about ACCT’s mission. After the tour, our interns made enrichment for the dogs and had the chance to hand them out in the kennels. Watching the dogs relax, sniff, and enjoy their special snacks was definitely a highlight of the day! 🦴🐶

Before visiting, our interns also created portraits of ACCT’s adoptable dogs to help them stand out and catch the eyes of potential adopters. Every little bit of advocacy can make a difference for animals waiting for their forever homes. 🎨💙

Thank you, ACCT Philly, for welcoming us and giving our interns such a meaningful hands-on learning experience.

Please support your local shelters however you can, and if you’re thinking about adding a furry friend to your family, remember to adopt, don’t shop. 🐾🏡

07/15/2026

Join us for a FREE Humane Education Workshop and learn how to understand the body language of dogs, cats, and critters! We'll cover how animals communicate, how to recognize signs of stress, fear, and comfort, and how to interact with dogs and cats in safe, healthy, and respectful ways.

Whether you're a pet parent, an animal lover, or just interested in learning more about animal behavior, this workshop is open to the public and everyone is welcome!

All participants must be between the ages of 15-24.

🎁 Bonus: The first 10 participants to sign up will receive a gift card and FREE SEPTA passes!

📍The workshop will take place in North Philadelphia. The exact location will be shared with registered participants once we reach capacity.

Reserve your spot today and come learn how to better understand the animals in your community and beyond! 🐾💙

You ever wondered what a wagging tail, twitching ears, or a slow blink really means? Join us for a fun workshop on animal body language!

07/14/2026

We’re proud to recognize the The Nelson Foundation for its generous investment in Hand2Paw.

Their support is helping us expand opportunities for young people to discover purpose, build confidence, and prepare for careers in animal welfare, while ensuring more shelter animals receive compassionate care along the way.

Investments like this fuel innovation, strengthen our programs, and allow us to meet the growing needs of the youth and communities we serve.

To the Nelson Foundation—thank you for believing in the power of the human-animal bond to transform lives. Your partnership is helping create brighter futures for both people and animals, and we are honored to have you alongside us.

💙🐾

07/13/2026

Have you ever wondered what your pet trying to tell you?

Join us for a FREE Humane Education Workshop and learn how to understand the body language of dogs, cats, and critters! We'll cover how animals communicate, how to recognize signs of stress, fear, and comfort, and how to interact with dogs and cats in safe, healthy, and respectful ways.

Whether you're a pet parent, an animal lover, or just interested in learning more about animal behavior, this workshop is open to the public and everyone is welcome!

All participants must be between the ages of 15-24.

🎁 Bonus: The first 10 participants to sign up will receive a gift card and FREE SEPTA passes!

📍The workshop will take place in North Philadelphia. The exact location will be shared with registered participants once we reach capacity.

Reserve your spot today and come learn how to better understand the animals in your community and beyond! 🐾💙

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hand2paw-understanding-animal-body-language-tickets-1993699398570?aff=oddtdtcreator

07/10/2026

Every pet family deserves access to support when they need it.

Hand2Paw has launched a new Community Resource Request Form to make it easier for pet owners to connect with helpful resources.

Here’s how it works:
🐾 Tell us what support you need.
🐾 Receive an automatic email with available community resources.
🐾 Our team will review your request and follow up within 5 business days if additional support may be available.

Visit the Resources page on our website or click the link in our bio to submit your request.
Because helping pets starts with supporting the people who love them. 💙

PetsAndPeople PhiladelphiaPets

07/10/2026

Have you ever wondered what your pet trying to tell you?

Join us for a FREE Humane Education Workshop and learn how to understand the body language of dogs, cats, and critters! We'll cover how animals communicate, how to recognize signs of stress, fear, and comfort, and how to interact with dogs and cats in safe, healthy, and respectful ways.

Whether you're a pet parent, an animal lover, or just interested in learning more about animal behavior, this workshop is open to the public and everyone is welcome!

🎁 Bonus: The first 10 participants to sign up will receive a gift card and FREE SEPTA passes!

📍The workshop will take place in North Philadelphia. The exact location will be shared with registered participants once we reach capacity.

Reserve your spot today and come learn how to better understand the animals in your community and beyond! 🐾💙

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hand2paw-understanding-animal-body-language-tickets-1993699398570?aff=oddtdtcreator

07/10/2026

🎉 Exciting news! We’ve been awarded a grant from Philadelphia Foundation!

This generous support will allow us to deepen our work within our local community. We’re
honored to partner with Philadelphia Foundation to create positive change and provide
essential services to those who need it most. Together, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive Greater Philadelphia!