Free People Features Adoptable Animals From PAWS

Simba, one of the dogs adoptable from PAWS featured in the Free People shoot

Local nonprofit PAWS has teamed up with Free People, a high-end clothing store owned by Philadelphia-based Urban Outfitters, Inc, for an advertising campaign designed to encourage adoption.

Free People is currently featuring photos of dogs currently up for adoption at Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in their FP Pet Project. Dogs of all shapes and sizes (all of who are adoptable from the PAWS adoption center) are models for Free People’s collection of pet apparel, accessories and toys.

“Free People reached out to us asking if we’d be interested in participating in a photo shoot with some of our animals,” said PAWS Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator Allison Lamond.

“The opportunity is one that we were really excited about. We are able to reach some people who may have not come to our website on their own,” Lamond added. She added that while none of the animals had been adopted yet, they did have a lot of interest about the dogs.

According to Sophie Breirley, creative merchandising director at Free People,  many of the women who work at Free People volunteer at the PAWS shelter.

“With our offices based in Philly, we were excited to bring awareness to the amazing work they do, as well as the larger message of the importance of adopting and fostering,” Brierley said.  She added that they hope to feature each of the dogs until they are adopted.