PAWS Atlanta

Approximately 23% of the animals who come through PAWS Atlanta’s doors are surrendered due to financial hardship.

The loss of a job, sudden medical issues, or a change and housing situation can all prevent people from caring for their animals. Rising housing costs, veterinary expenses, and the cost of pet food are forcing more families into heartbreaking decisions they never wanted to make, like 🐱 Smooches and Moonclaw's previous owner.

Smooches and Moonclaw arrived at PAWS about a month ago when their owner had unexpected financial issues and wasn't able to provide for them anymore. 💔 These 2-year-old calico ladies were very shy at first. They spent a lot of time hiding and were really unsure about the shelter, which is understandable considering they used to be comfortable in a home. However, we've gradually earned their trust. 🥰 They're social in the Cat Cottage and are hoping to find a new home really soon.

This is why programs like our free pet food bank and low-cost vaccine clinic matter so deeply and why expanding affordable support services for pets and families is such an important part of our plan for the future.

🐾 If PAWS Atlanta has ever impacted you, your family, or an animal you love, we hope you will help us continue this work for the next 60 years. ➡️ Donate now to help pets today and for decades to come: givebutter.com/pawsatlanta

Japan has that black cat magic ✨️🐈‍⬛

He's the perfect buddy: playful, cuddly, and social. He loves a good crinkle toy, especially if catnip is involved. He also loves a sweet treat 😋 and is a total sucker for squeeze tube treats. Curling up on the couch with you to binge watch TV 📺️ is also among his favorite activities.

Japan is the 👋 official greeter in his foster home and loves to say hello to everyone he meets. He's down for a few pets, but he can get a little overstimmy with too much affection. He'll make sure let you know with a few little nibbles, and as long as you give him space when he asks for it, he's down to be your bestie.

Japan was adopted a few years ago, but he recently had to come back to PAWS when his owner became ill. Though he's crushing it in his foster home, we'd love for him to get another chance at having his very own crew. ❤️

🐾 Apply to adopt Japan! pawsatlanta.org/cats

Big Papa was left at our shelter gate in 2023. 💔

And now, 3 years later, he’s still waiting for the forever home we know he deserves. We wish more than anything that his person would come along soon, but until that day, Big Papa is safe, loved, and cared for in our foster program. 🥰

Because of our 🐾 Constant Companions, there is no deadline on his happily ever after. No rush. No time limit. Just steady care for as long as he needs.

Monthly donors help provide Big Papa’s foster with the food, toys, and medications he needs to stay comfortable while he waits. They help make sure pets like him are never forgotten, never hurried, and never without the care they deserve.

We need more Constant Companions to help us keep showing up for animals like Big Papa.

✨ Be their constant. Celebrate 60 years of PAWS Atlanta by being one of our 60 new Constant Companions! Join today: https://givebutter.com/constantcompanions

This weekend! 🐾 Join us at Lifecycle Building Center this Saturday to meet adoptable pups, shop sales, and more!

📆 Saturday May 30
⏰️ 9am-3pm (Adoptable dogs from 11am-2pm only!)
📍 1116 Murphy Ave SW

See you there!

Meet Casper! 👻

Just like his namesake, he's more friendly than spooky, and he would love to be your ride or die. He has his favorite PAWS staff members and bribes them with his sad puppy eyes to take him out for a game of fetch. It's all a ruse but we fall for it every time. How can you say no to this face?

Casper is 7 years old and can sometimes seem like an old man, but if you pull out a tennis ball, all bets are off. He's sprinting like an Olympian after every ball you throw. 🥎 There's nothing he loves more than zooming around in our off leash area! Generally, though, Casper is a laidback guy. He's not a fan of waking up in the morning and generally prefers to be all snuggled up.

If you're looking for a pup who will stick by your side, Casper is your man. We would recommend him as a single pet in a home without young kids. Casper is baby and wants it to stay that way. 🥺

🐶 Apply to adopt Casper! His adoption fee is covered by a secret admirer. pawsatlanta.org/dogs

Coming Soon 👀

The Rescue Brew Contest is back for the third year, and it's going to be our most exciting contest yet! Cheers to 60 years 🍻

🐾 What is it? Enter your pet with a photo and short bio. Tell all your friends and family to vote! The winner at the end of the contest will be featured on a limited-edition beer from Fire Maker Brewing Company!

🐾 The Details
The contest runs June 26 - July 18.
Entry is $20 and includes 5 votes.
Each vote is $1 with a minimum purchase of 5.
Your pet doesn't need to be a PAWS pet to enter, though we love to see our alum in the running!
All pets are welcome: cats, dogs, birds, snakes, you name it.

We can't wait to see your pets! All funds raised benefit the animals of PAWS Atlanta. 🐱 🐶

Al Gresham waited for a home for a year...

He was found outside by a friend of PAWS and was affectionate from day one. They knew he wasn’t meant to be an outside cat, so they brought him to us. Al spent his first few months at PAWS in our vet clinic. He was FIV positive and struggling with a skin condition we couldn’t identify.

We hoped time in a foster home would help him heal, but despite loving the constant attention and snuggles, he still struggled with lesions and hair loss. 💔 From January to October of 2025, Al had constant outbreaks of sores and lesions. We tried everything and eventually took him to a specialist for help. It turns out, he had both a bacterial infection and a type of worm, and, because of his FIV, his little body couldn’t fight both at the same time.

After only a few weeks of medication, his sores were almost completely gone! 👏 He became more lively and playful, finally feeling like himself! The best part? In February of this year, someone submitted an application to meet Al! They had seen him on social media and couldn’t stop thinking about him. 👀

They went to his foster’s home to meet him, and it was love at first sight! These days, he goes by “Big Al” and he’s living the life he deserved all along. He loves Temptations treats and especially loves his dad, though he’ll still take snuggles from basically anyone!

We are officially sitting at ➡️ $346,443 raised toward PAWS Atlanta’s $1 million anniversary campaign goal. Every donation made is already helping animals like Al get the care they need and find the homes the deserve.

✨️ Our next milestone is $500,000 by June 13, and we are getting closer every day.

If PAWS Atlanta has ever impacted you, your family, or an animal you love, we hope you will help us continue building second chances for animals who need a little extra time and support. ❤️

🐾 Donate or become a monthly donor today: givebutter.com/pawsatlanta

If your dog sits nicely on leash, like Cora, this workshop might not be for you. BUT, if your dog barks, lunges, pulls toward other dogs, or generally loses their mind when they see other people or animals on your walks...this workshop was made for you! ✨️

Leash reactivity can be stressful for both you and your dog. Walking your pup late at night or super early in the morning doesn't feel sustainable, and it can be hard to know what else to try. We can help!

Join us this 🐾 Saturday, May 30, for our next 🎓️ PAWS University workshop: Peaceful Leash. Our Trainer and Behavior Consultant, MarLee, will teach skills for both you and your dog to help you work toward a much calmer walk for each of you.

🐶 Register now: https://givebutter.com/pawsumay

Patty Cake prefers, above all else, to be snug as a bug in a rug. 🥰 Her foster says she loves to cuddle and constantly wants pets and hugs. Taking naps on the couch with her people is one of her favorite activities, and if that's not an option she prefers to be in her dog bed curled up with a stuffed toy.

Patty Cake also LOVES long walks. 🚶‍♀️‍➡️ She likes to check everything out and really stop and smell the roses. She doesn't need to go fast, but she does need to go full detective mode to make sure the neighborhood is safe. 🕵️‍♀️ It's a public service, really.

Her other favorite things include car rides, soft treats, and learning new tricks. Patty Cake is a smart lady and loves to show you just how smart. She's fully potty trained and is very well-behaved in her foster home. 💯

Patty Cake would like to be the only pet in her home. She's open to older kids, as she plays very gently but she is a bit strong so adults would be best for walks. She's been waiting a long time for a home and, at 5 years old, is more than ready to find her forever family. ❤️

🐾 Link in bio to apply to adopt Patty Cake