Our Mission
ACCT Philly’s mission is to provide shelter, care and life saving efforts for homeless, abandoned, and abused animals and to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Philadelphia, providing a benefit to all of the citizens of the city regardless of race or economic status.
Letter from the Executive Director
For ACCT Philly, and for shelters across the country, 2024 was perhaps the most challenging year in decades.
Across the nation, shelters and rescues took in approximately 6.5 million animals, according to Shelter Animals Count, with 85 percent of community intakes handled by shelters like ours. Despite tireless efforts, more animals entered shelters than left them, forcing many organizations into heartbreaking decisions: whether to exceed the number of animals they could humanely care for, to consider euthanasia, or to turn away animals and people in need.
We took in nearly 19,000 animals - the highest since 2017 - as Philadelphia experienced a 10 percent rise in homelessness. Our dog intake increased by 13 percent compared to 2023. Behind those numbers were thousands of families and individuals facing impossible choices—often having to surrender pets they loved because of housing instability or financial hardship. As the only open-intake animal shelter in Philadelphia, ACCT took them all.
It would be easy to look at those numbers and say this year presented an almost impossible challenge. But that would be short-sighted. In fact, what this year has shown us is just how far we’ve come and how much we can accomplish when a community comes together to care. Despite the difficulties presented by taking in so many animals, nearly 9 out of every 10 animals who came through our doors left alive—thanks to the relentless dedication of our staff, volunteers, fosters, and partners.
But while the numbers may have echoed the past, the care we provide has evolved dramatically. In 2017, staff and volunteers worked incredibly hard under tight constraints. Kennels were split to hold more dogs. Cats waited for adopters in rooms next to barking dogs.
Letter from the Executive Director
Medical resources were extremely limited, and only a portion of the building could be used. Those efforts were heroic and they laid the groundwork for what we’ve built since.
In 2024, dogs have full kennels with space to eat, sleep, and relieve themselves separately. Cats are housed in quiet spaces. We now have use of the entire facility, which has allowed us to vastly improve animal care. And when a critically injured animal like a dog with a stab wound or hit by a car arrives late at night they receive immediate and appropriate pain relief, stabilization at one of our emergency veterinary partners, and a real chance.
This year, we also made critical investments in lifesaving programs and infrastructure: Thanks to a generous grant from Petco Love, we hired an event coordinator and significantly expanded our offsite adoption events, leading to more lives saved. We welcomed a full-time high-volume spay/neuter surgeon. For the first time in ACCT’s history, we now have two full-time veterinarians on staff.
We launched a lifesaving partnership with Doggie Style Pets, resulting in hundreds of adoptions and 100 percent of revenue coming to ACCT to help us help more animals. Foster placements rose by 10 percent, supported by expanded resources made possible through the generosity of donors and foundations such as the Foxwynd Foundation. We onboarded carefully vetted new rescue partners and greatly increased our capacity to provide medical care both onsite and offsite.
And we made important progress on long-overdue facility improvements, particularly around our HVAC system.
We’ve made progress. But we are at a tipping point. Philadelphia is in crisis for people and animals and the only way forward is together.
As a city we need to acknowledge that all animals matter and commit to treating them humanely. That struggling pet owners deserve support, not shame. That every animal deserves compassion, care, and a chance.
If we want to build a city where no animal is left behind, it’s going to take all of us neighbors, donors, volunteers, and advocates—standing up to say: we care.
Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for believing in this work. And thank you for helping us move forward together.
Sarah Barnett
Who We Are
ACCT Philly (Animal Care and Control Team of Philadelphia) is the largest animal care and control provider in the region and the only open-intake animal shelter in Philadelphia, serving the city through a municipal contract. Operating from a 33,000-square-foot, city-owned facility in North Philadelphia, ACCT Philly manages nearly 19,000 animals annually, including dogs, cats, small animals, reptiles, birds, and wildlife. Our organization provides 24/7 field response services, ensuring the safety and well-being of animals and residents across Philadelphia’s 1.5 million population. ACCT’s intake represents 16 percent of all intake by shelter in Pennsylvania.
Our team of nearly 100 dedicated employees - 70 percent of whom are members of AFSME DC 33 Local 488 - works tirelessly to support the community—helping residents keep their pets, assisting with lost or stray animals, and providing essential medical care, enrichment, and spay/neuter services. We also facilitate foster placements, adoptions, and transfers to rescue partners or wildlife rehabilitators. Additionally, we respond to a variety of public concerns, from injured or aggressive wildlife to pets left outside without proper shelter in extreme weather conditions.
At ACCT Philly, we are dedicated to serving both animals and the community, ensuring a compassionate and equitable approach to animal welfare in Philadelphia.
2024 Animal Statistics
427 puppies.
Intake
10,724
Cats
Including 6,635 adults and 4,089 kittens. g critters, farm animals and one very large alligator.
Outcomes
Dogs
Including 2,351 adoptions and 2,120 rescue placements.
Cats
Including 4,037 adoptions 3,382 rescue placements.
Other
Including 54 adoptions and 633 rescue placements.
Shelter Intake Trends: A Steady Rise
From 2022 to 2024, the cost of rent in Philadelphia rose by 14 percent, contributing to increased housing instability for many residents. There was a 10 percent increase in homelessness. As a result, housing insecurity remained one of the leading reasons pet owners were forced to surrender their animals to the shelter.
Dog Population
This ongoing challenge was reflected in our rising intake numbers. Dog intake increased by 13 percent, from 6,065 in 2023 to 6,880 in 2024. This surge placed additional strain on already limited shelter resources, especially during the peak months. Despite these pressures, the dedication of our staff, volunteers, partners, and community made a significant impact. An impressive 86 percent of dogs who entered the shelter found live outcomes, a testament to the resilience and compassion of everyone involved.
Intake of Dogs by Month 2019-2024
Cat Population
Cat intake rose modestly, from 10,625 in 2023 to 10,724 in 2024. The number of neonatal kittens remained consistently high, creating annual surges in shelter demand during the busy summer months.
In spite of these ongoing challenges, the collective efforts of our staff, volunteers, rescue partners, and community ensured 86 percent of cats received live outcomes. A special thanks goes to our newer out-of-state rescue partners, who took van loads of cats and kittens, helping us manage the influx and find homes more quickly.
We’re especially proud of the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee our dedicated overnight foster team whose commitment ensured not a single neonatal kitten received after hours was euthanized due to lack of placement. Their compassionate, around-theclock care helped us weather another intense kitten season with hope and heart.
Intake of Cats by Month 2019-2024
“Love, safety, and a fresh start — ACCT makes that possible.”
Training and Development
In 2024, ACCT Philly was honored to receive a two-year, $330,000 grant through the Pennsylvania State Grant Program marking the first time in our organization’s history that we have received such significant state funding. This grant, designated for workforce development and improvements to our storage capacity, has allowed us to invest in our team and enhance the quality of care we provide to Philadelphia’s homeless animals.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Representatives Jordan Harris (pictured above left), Morgan Cephas, and Jose Giral, as well as to Board members Max Tuttleman, Marsha Perelman and Representative Joe Hohenstein. Their support was instrumental in securing this funding, and we are deeply appreciative of their commitment to our mission.
Thanks to this grant, we have made meaningful advancements in staff training and professional development - with many more in progress - including:
Compassion Fatigue Training: All staff participated in training designed to support emotional well-being and resilience in the workplace.
AtDove Veterinary Training Modules: Staff now have access to personalized learning plans and a wide range of tutorials, enabling them to strengthen core competencies and explore new areas of interest in veterinary care.
Advanced Medical Training: Medical staff received external training to enhance surgical skills, boosting our efficiency in conjunction with the addition of a high-volume surgeon.
Animal Handling Workshops: In partnership with Humane Innovations, we hosted multi-day training sessions for both animal care staff and officers, focusing on best practices in safe and humane animal handling tailored to the departments receiving the training.
This investment in our team is already yielding measurable benefits, and we look forward to continued growth and improved outcomes for the animals and community we serve.
Building Improvements
Thanks to the unwavering support of our donors and support from the City of Philadelphia, 2024 was a transformative year for our shelter. Together, we made critical upgrades that directly enhance the health, safety, and comfort of both our animals and the dedicated staff who care for them. The improvements made in 2024 will go a long way in increasing efficiency across daily operations and ensure long-term sustainability for years to come.
Key improvements this year:
Hygiene & Functionality
Installed sinks in high-use areas: kennels, medical hallway, triage room, nursery, and staff locker rooms.
Sealed floors in the loading dock, laundry room, medical hallway, and more to improve sanitation and reduce odors.
Air Quality Enhancements
Upgraded ductwork and replaced multiple doors to improve airflow and disease control.
Progressed 70 percent through a full HVAC overhaul, guided by expert recommendations.
Isolation & Specialized Care
Built new walls to separate isolation spaces, minimizing disease transmission and noise.
Began construction of a dedicated triage area and an overnight parvo isolation room.
Outdoor Safety
Improved fencing in play ya socialization.
These upgrades may be behind th daily care quality and disease pre the animals.
Expanded Foster Program
In 2024, ACCT Philly increased its foster placement by 10 percent compared to 2023, placing 2,662 animals including dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens into foster homes. As our foster program continues to grow, it plays a vital role in saving lives by relieving shelter overcrowding and providing care for animals who are too young, sick, or stressed to thrive in a shelter environment.
Foster homes give these animals a chance to heal, grow, and prepare for adoption while making space at the shelter for others in need. Every animal placed in foster not only receives individualized attention and care but also opens up a space in the shelter for another life to be saved. Whether it’s for a night, a few weeks, or several months, fostering changes lives.
Short-Term Fostering: From one night to a couple of weeks.
Long-Term Fostering: Ongoing care until the animal is adopted.
Day Trips: A simple outing can reduce stress and increase adoptability.
No matter how much time you can give, fostering offers comfort, exposure, and a second chance to animals who need it most. We’re grateful to every foster caregiver for being part of this lifesaving work.
Lifesaving Partnerships
In 2024, more than 6,000 animals were transferred from ACCT Philly to 180 trusted local rescue partners through our Life Saving Department. With the help of our Love Local Partners we ensured urgent cases received the medical care and behavioral support they needed outside the shelter.
From breed-specific rescues to wildlife rehab centers, these partners play a crucial role in reducing overcrowding and giving animals a second chance. In 2024, ACCT Philly welcomed 60 new Love Local Partners and continued to build relationships with long standing rescue partners.
Many of these organizations also play a vital role in shelter diversion by helping Philadelphia pets find placement with a rescue before entering ACCT Philly. Surrender prevention and diversion programs such as the ACCT Philly Help Desk, City of Elderly Love’s Lets Stay Home Fund and Citizens for a No Kill Philadelphia Connect With a Rescue program provide critical support for those faced with the difficult decision of rehoming their pet.
Together, with our partners, we are building a stronger, more compassionate safety net for animals in need across our region.
Doggie Style Pets Partnership
Since 2014, locally owned and operated Doggie Style Pets has remained committed to supporting shelter animals while providing pet owners with high-quality supplies. In 2024, this mission took a leap forward through a lifesaving partnership with ACCT Philly.
Each of the 11 stores throughout Philadelphia as well as two New Jersey locations host two ACCT Philly dogs looking for a home. These dogs are housed in rooms built for dogs in the store, and receive daily care from dedicated store staff and enjoy regular walks and interaction with volunteers and visitors. This environment not only offers them valuable socialization but also significantly increases their visibility and that of ACCT Philly to potential adopters. Store staff process all adoptions, and ACCT Philly receives 100 percent of the adoptions fees.
At a time when kennel space is at a premium and rescue partners are also bursting at the seams, this partnership has had a lifesaving and lifechanging impact on local dogs in need. The additional volunteer opportunities provided to the community provide an easy way to have a meaningful impact, and raise awareness about the importance of supporting local dogs in need. In 2024, more than 300 dogs were adopted through the partnership, with additional stores planned to open in 2025.
Dedication to Generosity
In 2024, generous contributions from individuals and our Board of Directors totaled more than $1.2 million. Our corporate and foundation partners also played a pivotal role in advancing our work helping us improve outcomes for thousands of animals and strengthen our impact across the city.
Spring Point Partners Life of Riley
Spring Point Partners Life of Riley has been a partner of ACCT Philly since 2019, providing funding and additional support that has allowed us to expand and improve our surrender prevention efforts, as well as strengthen our infrastructure enabling us to better serve the community.
Irving and Phyllis Millstein Foundation for Animal Welfare
The Irving and Phyllis Millstein Foundation for Animal Welfare has made a significant impact for animals through its support over recent years. At the end of 2023, the Foundation granted an additional $40,000 for no-cost vaccines and microchips for pets of owners facing financial hardships. The first clinic was held in October and helped hundreds of owned pets. In 2024, the Foundation provided a grant of $90,000 to renovate our laundry room and purchase new laundry machines. With so many animals in our care, we go through more than 1,000 pounds of laundry a week, and this renovation will have an impact for years to come.
Petco Love
National nonprofit organization Petco Love partners with more than 4,000 animal welfare organizations – like ours – nationwide, and in 2024 provided ACCT Philly with a generous lifesaving investment of $100,000. This investment enabled ACCT Philly to hire an events coordinator to increase capacity for offsite adoption opportunities and offsite cat adoption centers as well as increased outreach to attract adopters.
Foxwynd Foundation
We are honored to have been among the first grantees of the Foxwynd Foundation. The $70,000 grant focused on saving lives by expanding our foster and rescue placement programs. The grant provided behavioral, medical, and other support that allowed more dogs to be placed in foster care and grants to our rescue partners that allowed them to take in more hard-to-place dogs.
Dedication to Generosity
Bissell Pet Foundation
The Bissell Pet Foundation supports animal shelters and pets nationwide, and we greatly appreciate their collaboration as a long time ACCT supporter. Their contributions include emergency grant funding for ACCT, organizing third-party assistance, and sponsoring ACCT in various Empty the Shelters initiatives that found homes for more than 1,000 animals. This year their support expanded to providing high volume high quality spay and neuter surgeons, which enabled ACCT to increase the shelter’s spay or neuter capacity and in turn, the number of trap-neuter-return services to the community.
PetSmart Charities
PetSmart Charities has remained a steadfast supporter of ACCT Philly over the years, consistently offering substantial funding to bolster our adoption and lifesaving initiatives. In addition to a generous grant, they co-hosted ACCT’s first ever Adopt-a-Palooza which featured their 11 millionth adoption. They have also facilitated connections to new rescue partners, resulting in a monthly cat transport initiative that has found nearly 600 cats homes since 2023.
Special Thanks
We are also very grateful to the support we received from the 15/10 Foundation, MuttNation Foundation, and all of the staff at Philadelphia Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital (PASE), the University of Pennsylvania Shelter Animal Medicine Program and Philadoptables. A special thank you to 6ABC, NBC10, Fox29 and CBS3 for their help in spreading the word about our work and many animals needing homes, and the wonderful photographers of WIPA Philadelphia who provided so many great photos for this report.
Volunteer Spotlight
ACCT Philly continues to thrive thanks to the unwavering dedication of our incredible volunteer team. In 2024, we welcomed 239 new volunteers, adding to the hundreds of active individuals who work tirelessly to enhance the lives of the 200+ animals in our care at any given time.
This past year, volunteers contributed an astounding 17,429 hours of service supporting every corner of shelter operations. From walking dogs and socializing cats to tackling mountains of laundry to ensure clean bedding, their efforts keep the shelter running smoothly and compassionately.
Beyond daily care, volunteers play a crucial role in getting animals adopted. They provide authentic photos, heartwarming videos, and personal insights that bring out each animal’s unique personality, helping them connect with potential adopters. Volunteers also lend their talents in administration, communications, and development—proving invaluable behind the scenes.
We are endlessly grateful for the compassion, time, and energy our volunteers give so generously. ACCT Philly wouldn’t be the same without them.
Volunteer Spotlight
Transport Team
Thanks to our dedicated network of Transport Volunteers, thousands of animals took their freedom ride from the shelter to a new beginning. From dogs and kittens to lizards and even goats, creatures of all kinds were given a second chance. These volunteers play a vital role in relieving shelter overcrowding freeing up kennels the moment a rescue placement is confirmed. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has generously donated their time, energy, and fuel to help save lives.
Thanksgiving Eve Turndown
Our annual event was a big success. Volunteers ensured every animal had a warm bed and full belly to get into the holiday spirit. They came prepared with homemade treats, fresh blankets, lavender spray, new toys and tons of love. The night was a hit and our social media story on the event even hit 30k views.
Expanding Our Reach
Growth in Offsite Adoptions
In 2024, with generous support from Petco Love, ACCT Philly expanded its lifesaving efforts by introducing a dedicated Offsite Event Coordinator position.
This position was created to increase offsite adoption opportunities and help more animals find loving homes beyond the shelter. Since its launch, ACCT Philly has significantly expanded the frequency and reach of adoption events not only at the King of Prussia PetSmart but at additional store locations throughout the region. These monthly events have boosted community engagement, raised awareness of our work, and most importantly, led to numerous successful adoptions for both shelter and foster animals.
Offsite Volunteer Network
In 2024, our partnership with PetSmart Charities continued to play a vital role in expanding our reach and finding loving homes for our animals. Thanks to this collaboration, our cats have remained a presence in the PetSmart in-store adoption center at King of Prussia, where they receive exceptional care and exposure. This opportunity wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated team of offsite volunteers, who provide twice-daily care, assist with adoptions outside of events, and handle transportation to and from the center.
Our volunteer impact also shines online. Several key social media accounts that support ACCT Philly are run entirely by volunteers. The Lost and Found Animals of Philadelphia –
Powered by ACCT Philly page remains a crucial tool for reuniting lost pets with their families. The ACCT Philly At Risk Cats page continues to spotlight urgent cases, giving cats in critical need a better chance at rescue or adoption. And our volunteer-created ACCT Philly Instagram account now engages more than 46,000 followers, sharing adoptable animals, success stories, and updates on our work.
From in-store care to social media advocacy, our offsite volunteers are essential to extending our mission beyond the shelter walls—and their impact is felt every day.
One in three animals that entered ACCT in 2024 was transferred to a rescue partner.
Trap, Neuter, Return, Repeat
While Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) remains one of the most effective strategies for managing the population of unowned cats in Philadelphia, it is not funded through our contract with the City and instead relies entirely on the generosity of donors. After recovery at ACCT Philly, these cats are released back to their caretakers, helping to humanely reduce the outdoor cat population. In 2024, 1,254 cats were TNR’d through ACCT Philly, a 73 percent increase compared to 2023.
In addition to TNR, ACCT Philly also practices Return-to-Field for healthy, unowned cats brought into the shelter. Unless there are concerns for a cat’s safety or they are unfit for life outdoors, we spay or neuter the cat and return them to the location where they were found. This increasingly common practice not only helps preserve limited space in our shelter for cats who truly need care and socialization, but also avoids the accidental intake and rehoming of cats who have loving homes with indoor and outdoor access or informal caregivers.
In 2024, more than 1,500 cats were returned to the field through this compassionate and community-centered approach furthering our mission to serve both animals and the neighborhoods they live in.
Over 4,000 cats were adopted in 2024.
Protecting Pets in the Community
In October 2024, ACCT Philly launched its very first community vaccine clinic and it was a resounding success. As such events are not part of ACCT’s contract with the city, they only made possible by the generous support of donors, such as The Irving and Phyllis Millstein Foundation for Animal Welfare along with the dedication of our incredible volunteers and staff, the event provided free vaccines and microchips to nearly 400 pets in need.
Both dogs and cats received essential vaccinations and permanent identification via microchipping, helping to ensure their safety, health, and reunification if ever lost. This clinic represents an important step in our ongoing commitment to keeping pets healthy and with the families who love them.
We are deeply grateful to the Foundation and everyone who helped make this event possible. Their support is helping us build a healthier, more compassionate community— one pet at a time.
Responding with Compassion
What began as a call for emergency services turned into something no one expected. In early December, the Philadelphia Fire Department responded to a report of a deceased individual at a local residence. Upon arrival, they discovered an overwhelming situation: an estimated 30–50 cats living inside the home. Recognizing the urgent need for help, they contacted our team.
Our Animal Protection Officers responded quickly and we arrived on scene to begin the delicate process of securing the animals. They safely recovered 33 cats and transported them to our shelter, where each one received medical care and a fresh start.
This situation is a solemn reminder that behind every door can be a story more complex than it appears. While we remain focused on the health and future of these cats, we also extend our deepest compassion to the family during their time of loss. Thanks to our caring community of supporters, we can respond swiftly and humanely when animals and people need it most.
Merlot’s Little Miracles
Merlot’s story is heartbreaking and one we encounter too often. This sweet girl was surrendered to a local veterinary hospital after experiencing life-threatening complications during labor. After delivering nine puppies on her own, one became stuck, requiring an emergency surgery to save both Merlot and her remaining unborn pups. Thanks to swift veterinary intervention, Merlot and all 11 of her puppies survived but a crowded shelter was no place for a fragile new family.
Our team immediately put out a call for help, and one of our dedicated local rescue partners stepped up without hesitation. As conversations unfolded with Merlot’s original owner, it became clear this was an accidental litter and they were open to doing the right thing. With support and compassion, we ensured the father dog was neutered, and once her puppies were weaned and she was spayed, Merlot went to a loving home. Her journey is a powerful reminder that community collaboration, access to resources, and education are key in breaking the cycle of backyard breeding and saving lives.
In 2024 there was a ten percent increase in the number of pets placed into foster care.
How to Help Volunteer
At ACCT Philly, volunteers are the heartbeat of our mission. There are so many ways to get involved each one making a meaningful impact. Whether it’s transporting animals to rescue partners, walking do at the shelter, or joining our Runners Club to give hig energy pups the exercise they crave, every action counts. Volunteers can also lend a hand behind the scenes by folding laundry to ensure animals have warm, clean bedding, or by creating engaging trea and toys through our Foodies Club. Some provide administrative support or help with offsite events an vaccine clinics, making it possible for us to reach ev more members of the community. The opportunities help are as diverse as the animals we serve, and thanks to the compassion and commitment of our volunteers, thousands of pets receive the care, comfort, and enrichment they need each year. No matter your schedule or skill set, there’s a way to get involved and it starts with you.
Foster
Fostering saves lives and it doesn’t always require a long-term commitment. While we’re always in need of fosters who can care for animals until they’re adopted, we also rely on short-term fosters for a variety of critical needs. Even a few days outside the shelter can provide much-needed relief and comfort for an animal. This includes pets awaiting transport to one of our rescue partners during monthly trips giving them a chance to rest and decompress before continuing their journey. And if you’re not local, fostering through one of ACCT Philly’s rescue partners is another meaningful way to help. However you choose to foster, you're opening the door to a second chance.
How to Help
Donate
Your generosity powers every life we save. Donations help fund vital medical care, adoption and foster programs, and placement efforts that give animals a second chance. Every contribution—no matter the size directly supports the animals who need us most, from critically ill kittens to senior dogs searching for a soft place to land.
There are many ways to give: on our website, by check, through your donor-advised fund, or as a gift of stock. Some supporters choose to make recurring monthly gifts, providing steady, reliable support we can count on year-round. You can also leave a legacy of compassion by including ACCT Philly in your will or estate plan, ensuring that your commitment to animals continues for generations to come. However you choose to give, your support makes all the difference for the animals, and for the people who love them.
Spread the Word
Help us spread the word about ACCT Philly and the lifesaving work we do every day for Philadelphia’s most vulnerable animals. Sharing our mission with friends, family, and your social media followers can make a powerful difference more people knowing about ACCT means more adoptions, more fosters, more donations, and more happy endings. Every post, conversation, or mention helps bring hope to animals in need.
