ACCT Pen Pals

The Pen Pals is a life saving program of the Animal Care & Control Team of Philadelphia. Visit our YouTube Channel here: http://www.youtube.com/acctpenpals
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ABOUT THE PEN PAL PROGRAM:
The ACCT Shelter has a number of dogs who have been waiting longer than others for an adoptive home. These dogs are smart, loving, healthy, behaviorally adoptable dogs who, after spending so long in the shelter environment, may not appear as adoptable. These “long term residents” often exhibit depression or kennel stress, hurting their chances at adoption. There are also

many dogs who, due to their breed or presence in the kennel, tend to be overlooked by adopters. The ACCT Life Saving Department’s Pen Pal Program aims to improve the quality of life for these dogs and prioritize their adoption. The Pen Pal Program pairs up dedicated volunteers with their assigned dog for one-on-one socialization and enrichment through obedience training and outings away from the shelter. For example, Pen Pals dogs go on group hikes in the woods, are invited to special off-site activities, and are included in fun photo-shoots by volunteer professional photographers! Potential adopters then work one-on-one with the dog’s Pen Pal volunteer, who knows the animal on a personal level, to make sure the adoption is the right fit for the dog and family. Pen Pal volunteers also act as a support system for the adoptive family, providing post-adoption follow up to help the dog transition successfully into its new home. Since its inception in December 2009, the Pen Pal Program has helped over 1300 dogs find loving foster, adoptive and rescue placement! Check out our photo albums to see the faces of the lives we've saved and updates from their new families!

04/07/2025

Xena may be a little scared right now, but behind those cautious eyes is a gentle, loving soul just waiting to feel safe.

Found as a stray, Xena is currently in ISO at ACCT Philly, doing her best to navigate a world that’s been anything but easy. She moves with quiet caution—but she comes when called, & her sweet demeanor shines through in tender moments of trust.

What Xena needs most is a soft place to land—a kind, patient person who can help her feel secure & show her what it means to be truly loved. If you’ve got a gentle heart & time to spare, Xena is ready to lean in.

📍 Meet Xena at ACCT Philly
📅 Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

*𝘈 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘟𝘦𝘯𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘴 & 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 - Let’s help her trade her ISO bed for a cozy home & a brighter tomorrow.

Can’t adopt Xena, please 𝘚𝘏𝘈𝘙𝘌 this post to help her find her home!

📍ACCT Philly is Located at 111 W. Hunting Park Ave. Philadelphia PA

04/06/2025

It’s time for a wellness update on some of the most resilient pups at ACCT Philly — our friends in the ISO (isolation) rooms who are healing & holding on to hope for a soft place to land.

These 14 sweet souls are recovering from pneumovirus, & while they’re resting & receiving care in quarantine, what they really need is the comfort & healing only a foster, adopter, or rescue partner can provide.

With only 21 ISO kennels, each dog who finds a home opens up space for another in need. Your help truly makes room for more lives to be saved.

Meet our incredible ISO pups waiting for you:
𝙆𝙚𝙣𝙣𝙮, 𝙎𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙩 𝙏𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙝, 𝘿𝙤𝙣, 𝙎𝙤𝙣𝙮𝙖, 𝙈𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚, 𝙎𝙪𝙜𝙖𝙧 𝘿𝙪𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙓𝙚𝙣𝙖, 𝘽𝙡𝙪𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙪, 𝘽𝙖𝙮, 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧, 𝙆𝙞𝙢𝙗𝙤, 𝘽𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙖 𝙂𝙞𝙧𝙡, 𝙏𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙖, & 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙮!

Here’s how you can help:
Adopt or foster – Open your heart & home to a pup in need. You’ll change their life—and yours.
Share this post – You never know who might be their perfect match!
Visit ACCT Philly – Open daily from 10 AM–6 PM.
Email [email protected] – Interested in fostering? We’d love to help you get started.

𝑮𝒐𝒕 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔? 𝑨𝒔𝒌 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚!
• You can learn more about each of these pups at the 𝘈𝘷𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘋𝘰𝘨𝘴 link in our bio.
• Learn more about 𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘧𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨, & 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 at the dedicated links in our bio too!

Let’s make this weekend one of second chances, gentle care, and wagging tails. These pups are ready for the next chapter—could it be with you?

📍ACCT Philly is Located at 111 W. Hunting Park Ave. Philadelphia PA

04/03/2025

Looking for a big-headed goofball with an even bigger heart!

Bonk is a playful, happy giant who came to the shelter after his owner was incarcerated. While he was initially a bit subdued, his true personality now shines bright!

Bonk loves zooming around, wagging his tail with pure joy, & greeting people with enthusiasm (maybe even a few gentle kisses!).

Despite his size, Bonk walks well on a leash—especially with an easy-walk harness—& takes treats gently. He knows “sit” & is eager to please, though he may need a little guidance staying focused.

Bonk thrives on human interaction & would love a home that embraces his playful, affectionate nature. Could you be the one to give Bonk the loving home he deserves?

📍 Meet Bonk at ACCT Philly
📅 Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

*𝘈 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘬 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘴 & 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 - Let’s find him the the safe & loving home he’s looking for.

Can’t adopt Bonk, please 𝘚𝘏𝘈𝘙𝘌 this post to help him find his home!

📍ACCT Philly is Located at 111 W. Hunting Park Ave. Philadelphia PA

04/01/2025

This gentle giant lives up to his name with a heart just as big. Once he knows you’re a friend, get ready for soft snuggles, belly rubs, & a whole lot of love!

Big Tank is:
» Easygoing & polite on leash
» A total cheese lover 🧀
» Housebroken? Very possible!
» Great with handling & gentle with treats
» Social & friendly

He recently rocked an adoption event—hopping right into the car, greeting everyone with a wag, & even sharing a sweet moment with some tiny pups. While now in our ISO rooms recovering from a contagious virus - this chill, lovable boy is still looking for a patient home where he can fully relax, get healthy, & shine!

📍 Meet Big Tank at ACCT Philly
📅 Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

*𝘈 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘉𝘪𝘨 𝘛𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘴 & 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 - Let’s find him the the safe & loving home he’s looking for.

Can’t adopt Big Tank, please 𝘚𝘏𝘈𝘙𝘌 this post to help him find his home!

📍ACCT Philly is Located at 111 W. Hunting Park Ave. Philadelphia PA

03/27/2025

This affectionate, snuggly boy has melted hearts from the moment he arrived at ACCT Philly. Garek has proven to be a perfect gentleman—walking well on a leash, greeting new friends politely, & soaking up all the love he can get.

On a recent day trip to the Schuylkill River Trail, he was the perfect adventure buddy—no barking, no pulling, no reactions to other dogs. He even fell asleep in the car on the way back! At just one year old, he still has some playful puppy energy, but he’s always gentle & well-mannered.

Garek does have a condition called microphthalmia, which gives his eyes a unique look - we think it adds to his adorability! It doesn’t need treatment, but his adopter should monitor for any changes to his vision over time.

Right now, Garek is in isolation recovering from a cold, but he’s still available for adoption! He can’t wait to find his forever home—could that be with you?

Meet him at any day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

*𝘈 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘎𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘬 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘴 & 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 - Let’s find him the the fun-loving home he’s looking for.

Can’t adopt Garek, please 𝘚𝘏𝘈𝘙𝘌 this post to help him find his home!

📍ACCT Philly is Located at 111 W. Hunting Park Ave. Philadelphia PA

03/25/2025

This affectionate gal is looking for a loving home where she can feel safe & cherished.

Despite her rough start—Pumpkin was found running alone on the highway—she’s been nothing but loving, snuggly, & eager to connect with people! She walks with enthusiasm, enjoys meeting other dogs, & loves soaking up all the pets & attention she can get.

Right now, Pumpkin is recovering from a virus in our ISO rooms, but she’s still wagging her tail & ready for her forever people!

She’s a smart girl who knows “sit” & just needs a little patience & TLC to help her feel safe! Pumpkin is ready to be your cozy bestie!

If you’re looking for a fun, affectionate, & adventurous pup, come meet her ACCT Philly any day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

*𝘈 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘗𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘬𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘴 & 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 - Let’s find her the safe forever adventure bud she craves!

Can’t adopt Pumpkin, please 𝘚𝘏𝘈𝘙𝘌 this post to help her find her home!

📍ACCT Philly is Located at 111 W. Hunting Park Ave. Philadelphia PA

03/22/2025

Meet Wolfie, our sweet smushy pal! Even though he’s currently in ISO (isolation) for a doggy virus, that’s not stopping his playful spirit.

This sensitive boy came to ACCT Philly as a stray & was, at first feeling a bit nervous. But once he got a chance to stretch his legs outdoors he shared bursts of energy with his shelter friends—playing with squeaky toys & tug-of-war games.

He truly comes alive in the company of canine pals & has been a helper pup in shelter playgroups. With a patient, loving home (cat-free, please), he’ll continue to blossom into the confident, joyful best friend he’s meant to be.

Could you be the kind heart that helps Wolfie feel safe & loved?

Meet him at ACCT Philly any day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

*𝘈 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘭𝘧𝘪𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘴 & 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 - Let’s find him the cozy forever couch he deserves!

Can’t adopt Wolfie, please 𝘚𝘏𝘈𝘙𝘌 this post to help him find his home!

📍ACCT Philly is Located at 111 W. Hunting Park Ave. Philadelphia PA

03/20/2025

Oshun may be a little unsure in her kennel, but the moment she steps outside, she transforms into the sweetest cuddle bug.

This gentle soul melts into the arms of her trusted friends, gazing up with her soulful eyes that will steal your heart. She walks politely on leash, takes treats ever so gently (even if she’s still figuring them out!), & prefers pets over toys any day.

Right now, Oshun is resting up in ISO recovering from a cold with plenty of cozy naps & TLC. But what she really needs is a loving home where she can truly shine. Could that be with you?

Come meet Oshun at ACCT Philly, any day from 10 AM – 6 PM!

*𝘈 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘖𝘴𝘩𝘶𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘴 & 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 - Let’s find her the loving home she deserves!

Can’t adopt Oshun, please 𝘚𝘏𝘈𝘙𝘌 this post to help her find her someone special!

📍ACCT Philly is Located at 111 W. Hunting Park Ave. Philadelphia PA

03/19/2025

If playing with rope toys were a sport, Asher would take home the gold! 🥇

This fun-loving, playful pup is full of energy & always ready for an adventure. Even though he’s currently in ISO (isolation) for a doggy virus, that’s not slowing him down one bit—he’s still having a blast running around w his pals & showing off his impressive toy skills! Don’t let those grumbles fool ya, it’s just bus way of expressing he’s having a good time!

Sweet Asher isn’t just about play though—he’s also a total lovebug. He’ll greet you with excited tail wags, curious sniffs, & if you talk to him in a baby voice… get ready for full-body wiggles of pure joy! He loves to climb into laps for cuddles & will happily soak up all the love you have to give.

This social pup has lived with small dogs before, enjoys the company of kids & adults, & would thrive in an active home where he can run, explore, & play.

Looking for a hiking buddy, cuddle champion, & toy-loving goofball? Asher is your guy! Come meet him at ACCT Philly, open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM!

*A calm environment where Asher can be kept separate from any resident pets & heal comfortably from his cold is best - let’s help give him the fresh start he deserves!

Can’t adopt Asher, please share this post to help him find his someone special!

📍ACCT Philly is Located at 111 W. Hunting Park Ave. Philadelphia PA

Address

Philadelphia, PA

Telephone

+12673853800

Website

http://www.acctphilly.org/available-dogs/

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