Melissa Levy
Executive Director, PAWS Philly
Philadelphia, PA
“I get to do work I love with people who constantly teach me what caring, generosity, and dedication look like. Together, we are making Philadelphia a better place for pets and the people who love them. I couldn’t ask for more!”
We can probably agree that the best job is the one that doesn't feel like a job at all. For Melissa Levy, working as the Executive Director of Philadelphia Animal Welfare Association (PAWS) is exactly that.
Melissa became part of the PAWS family over 15 years ago when she adopted her dog, Rosie, who she credits for directing her to her life’s work.
“She changed my life, and inspired me to see how I could help others. Little did I know, when I reached out to the shelter about volunteering in 2006, that I was about to discover the work I was meant to do. PAWS was just a name at the time - there wasn't yet an organized effort to turn the lifesaving ideas into reality.”
Melissa was working as was working as a communications and marketing consultant at the time, and found herself turning away clients because she was too busy volunteering to build PAWS.
“I realized it was time to fully dedicate myself. It became my full-time job, and has been my mission ever since.”
It shows! Since its founding year in 2006, which happens to be the same year that Melissa began volunteering, there has been a dramatic decrease in Philadelphia's homeless pet population; 48% fewer animals entered the shelter in 2019 than in 2006. Coincidence? We think not.
As Executive Director, Melissa is responsible for upholding the mission of PAWS, which is to make Philly a no-kill city, and obtaining the resources to do so. In addition to the lifesaving work they do, Melissa says PAWS is committed to being an organization the community can trust, and holds itself to the highest standards.
“I get to do work I love with people who constantly teach me what caring, generosity, and dedication look like. Together, we are making Philadelphia a better place for pets and the people who love them. I couldn’t ask for more!”
PAWS is the city’s largest rescue partner for pets with nowhere else to go, and prides itself on providing affordable, basic veterinary care to pets in need.
Our relationship with PAWS began back in 2017 when we were invited to participate in Chef’s Night Out--an annual fundraiser spotlighting top local food vendors-- as Philly's featured coffee brand.
Of course, this year was a little different. Melissa and the team at PAWS needed to pivot in every way to continue rescuing animals, serving pets in the community, raising the necessary funds, all while keeping everyone safe.
Despite challenges of the last year, Melissa says that the city and PAWS team have come together like never before to support our city’s most vulnerable pets.
“Fosters stepped up in a huge way to enable us to keep rescuing animals without filling up. It was incredibly moving to see how our community of supporters was there for us - their donations enabled us to survive and thrive during our most challenging year ever, and ensure that all the progress we've fought for could continue.”
Melissa says she hopes to find time to write about her incredible experiences, and someday she could see herself working to help animals in another place in the world.
“There’s still a lot of work to do. PAWS has been so much a part of me for so long. We are on a mission, doing all we can for the most vulnerable pets in Philadelphia who depend on us. I won't take my eyes off that prize.”