PAWS Dog of the Week

By now, you've all probably heard about the city's decision to award its animal control contract to the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA), effective January 1, 2009. The move surprised exactly no one, as it was pretty clear when the city put the contract up for bid—just a couple weeks after it had signed a renewal contract with the Pennsylvania Animal Care & Control Association (PACCA)—that it intended to scrap its relationship with PACCA in favor of PSPCA. There are a lot of questions that can be, and have been, posed about the future of the city's homeless animals. As Stu Bykofsky of the Daily News points out in an article today, what really matters is the animals.

With that in mind, there will be a period of transition as PACCA works with the PSPCA, and we're doing our best to reserve judgment on how the PSPCA will handle its new duties. Specifically, we'll keep an eye on whether the PSPCA truly has put some of its old anti-Pit Bull tendencies behind it. After all, at least according to NBC10, the PSPCA gave up the animal control contract several years ago specifically because the city refused to ban Pitties. As you've probably noticed, that won't fly with us. But we're relieved to say that PAWS will survive, even if PACCA is no more in 2009. PAWS (which had been an extension of PACCA) and its dedicated volunteers will continue to help the city's homeless animals. Exactly what, if any, relationship will exist between PAWS and the PSPCA remains to be seen, but as long as there are cats and dogs that need homes, PAWS will continue trying to find homes for them, and so will we. So with that, on to our Dog of the Week!

Autumn (ID# A06343809)

Autumn is a beautiful 1 to 2 year old girl (she looks like she's part greyhound to us) who has the loving personality to match her stunning looks. She loves to give and receive affection and is a total lapdog, albeit a pretty sizable one. Autumn knows how to sit, and all indications are that she's a pretty trainable dog. She hasn't been tested around other animals, but a pet meet can certainly be arranged to see how she and your current four-legged companion(s) get along.

If you'd like to save Autumn, e-mail Anna at PhillyShelterDogs@gmail.com. The adoption fee for a PAWS dog is $40, plus an $8 city license fee if you live in Philadelphia. The fee includes spaying/neutering, which will be performed before your new companion comes home with you, and microchipping. Also, make note of Autumn's ID number above, and bring it with you when you go to the PAWS shelter, which is located at 111 West Hunting Park Ave (map).

Image via PAWS