Here’s some great news for low-income pet owners. PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society) is now offering free spay/neuter for residents of 19143, 19145, and 19146 who are on any form of public assistance (Access, Medicaid, etc.). This is thanks to funding from PetSmart Charities and the ASPCA. In addition to the spay/neuter surgery, pets also receive rabies and distemper vaccinations if needed, and pre- and post-operative exams.

The goal is to spay/neuter 1,200 animals by the end of November as part of this program, in hopes of reducing the number of animals that end up in Philadelphia shelters or produce unwanted litters.

All services are provided at the PAWS Clinic, located at 2900 Grays Ferry Avenue. You can call 215-298-9680, email clinic [at] phillypaws.org, or stop in to make an appointment. They are open seven days a week.

Since opening in March 2010, the PAWS Clinic has served more than 24,000 rescued and owned pets. “I know we can make an even bigger difference in the community, thanks to this funding,” PAWS executive director Melissa Levy says.

Update (04/09): Mango has been found and reunited with his owner.

Mango, a 1 year old, blond-orange male with yellow eyes, slender face, long legs and tail, is missing from 48th and Warrington. He is very sweet and loving, but shy of people. He had on a cheetah-print blond fur breakaway collar, with a bright yellow tag. He is microchipped.

He has never been outside before – disappeared after moving furniture into the apartment on Thursday night.

If you see this cat, or take it in, please call Karen at 847-331-3864.

This handsome boy is a six-year old boxer/pit bull mix who was surrendered by his previous owners for landlord issues. He is VERY housetrained (read: he holds it for days!) and previously lived with children.

He is a very social boy who loves getting attention and pets but is independent at the same time. He did great during his handling tests and was very appropriate with the dogs he met at the shelter. He didn’t notice the cats during his cat-test, but he would need another cat test once he is a little less stressed out in the shelter.

Hova is a sweet guy who needs a great family to give him a second chance. He recently had the pleasure of going to an off-site event at a park with a volunteer. He had a great time and enjoyed being outside, meeting other people, kids and even a few horses! Hova proved himself to be a great kisser, snuggler and leaner. He clearly loved all the attention he got and would love to have it on a regular basis. While out on the town, Hova practiced some obedience work and showed his incredible ability to focus.

Hova was comfortable in a crate in the car and with some practice, would probably make a pretty good traveling companion. He’s a bit stressed out being outside of the comfortable home he used to know and now being in the shelter. Please come down to ACCT and bring any resident dogs or kids along for a meet and greet for Hova. He is the perfect addition to your family! No really, he is perfect and a volunteer favorite.

This dog is located at 111 West Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia and is available for adoption or foster care. Adoption hours are 1-8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekends. If you are interested in foster care, the hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. seven days per week. For more information about ACCT please visit www.acctphilly.org or go directly to the shelter.

Neighbor Neal is looking for a good home for one of his foster dogs, tentatively named Tyga (Neal and his partner have three other dogs that they have rescued).

Tyga was found by Neal’s neighbors belted to a fence at the rec center across from their house. Tyga is a wonderful dog. His size and big ol’ pittie head scare people, but there is no reason to be scared. He is sweet as pie. He’s been around cats, dogs, chickens, rabbits, and kids by the dozens and does great with all of them. He does get jumpy when excited, so a home with little kids may not be best.

He’s never shown any food aggression, though he is a little food obsessed. He surely went without at times. He really needs some basic obedience and attention. He is crate trained and house trained, though vigilance is necessary.

He is neutered and vaccinated and ready for a home he can call his own. Please consider this guy. He might not be the cutest, but he’s the sweetest. PAWS has been a godsend in Neal’s stray filled house and neighborhood, so he only asks for a donation to them.

Please email Neal at nealsantos1 [at] gmail.com and tell him about yourself.

This week’s featured cat is LiLi. She’s available for adoption through City Kitties.

LiLi showed up on a rescuer’s doorstep a week after a winter blizzard looking half-dead. She was very thin, her paws were burned from road salt, and she was missing clumps of fur all over her body. Once in foster care, her fur grew back, she gained several pounds, and her personality came shining through. She is now a beautiful tuxedo kitty with big, round eyes that make her look like a cartoon character!

Despite her rough start in life, LiLi is affectionate, loving, and playful. She really loves to cuddle and has a funny personality. She enjoys following her humans around, meowing at them occasionally for attention. LiLi is just thrilled to be inside with an endless supply of food, water, and love. LiLi has lived with another kitty in her foster home, but she would prefer to be an only cat. She would make a fantastic companion to someone looking for a single pet to share their days with.

While in foster care, LiLi developed urinary crystals, an issue common to young female cats. Thanks to her special food, she’s all better now and is a happy and healthy kitty! She uses the litterbox like a champ and never has accidents. She will need to be on prescription wet food for the rest of her life. City Kitties will provide 6 month supply of food. Please don’t let this minor medical issue prevent you from adopting this sweet girl! She deserves a forever home and would make an excellent companion for just about anybody.

LiLi is spayed, FIV/FeLV negative, vaccinated (FVRCP and rabies), uses her litterbox, and has been tested/treated for fleas and parasites as needed. To contact City Kitties, visit this page.

A reader, Elizabeth, wrote that someone had abandoned this dog in a vacant yard on their block. Elizabeth has been feeding him since yesterday.

Elizabeth called ACCT, but wants to see if someone considers fostering him. She can’t bring him in because she has a dog-aggressive foster dog at the moment. He seems very friendly.

If you want to foster this pooch or you know whose dog it is, please contact Elizabeth at elizabeth.elzer [at] gmail.com.