Reader Margie recently sent us the following information:

“[On Thursday] a cat escaped from a trap that hadn’t been properly latched. He had just come from the PAWS clinic for neutering, and I was putting him in my cellar for recovery when he escaped from the unlatched trap.

I last saw him [Thursday] evening near 46th Street (west side) between Hazel and Cedar. I have a trap set in a back yard there (with permission of the owner), but I don’t know if he is still around there. He is not from this area, so he is not attached to a location yet. However, I don’t think he got very far as he probably slept off his anesthesia last night.

He is a brown tabby with some white markings: only a little white on his face around his chin. He is an adolescent: small, sleek and thin (but not skinny). He is ear-tipped, and shaved in the region under his tail. His feeder/trapper tells me that he is very vocal; of course he might be quiet when you see him. He is feral and will not come to anyone.

If you think you’ve seen him, please let me know where and when. I suspect he is still close by.”

Margie’s contact information: margie@mpolitzer.com, 215-726-6636, 267-275-7010 (cell).

This week’s featured dog is Precious, an (approximately) 18-month-old Terrier/Mix who was surrendered to ACCT by her former owner. Precious needs to find an adopter or foster as soon as possible (she only has 48 hours!).

This brindle beauty is mild-mannered and generally well-behaved but was never taught any commands in her previous home. Luckily, she now has a “Pen Pal” who is working to help Precious learn basic commands. It will be great if Precious can find an owner who will continue to work with her on obedience. However, Precious is already an expert at some important aspects of doggie behavior! Miss Precious is an excellent leash walker and is generally very polite when she is meeting new people – children included – even though she is clearly excited to see them! Additionally, Precious is very well-behaved in the car.

Precious weighs under 40 lbs and has adorable floppy ears and a cute little snout! She was recently “fixed” and is hoping to get into her forever home pronto!

The shelter vet staff found a mass under her chin which will require surgery to remove it. While the shelter can perform the surgery, she cannot recover in the stressful shelter and needs a home where she can relax. PLEASE consider bringing Precious home. Email her Pen Pal at marita.blackney@gmail.com or lifesaving@acctphilly.org for more information.

This dog is currently enrolled in the Pen Pal Program at the Animal Care & Control Team (ACCT) of Philadelphia. ACCT is located at 111 W. Hunting Park Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19140. Adoption Hours are Monday-Friday, 1pm-8pm and Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm. Foster Care Hours are 9am-6pm every day. Stop by and save a life!

Check Precious on Youtube: http://youtu.be/6NEsiy5CoGI

Meet Rex, an adorable Staffie/Terrier mix. Poor Rex’s owner was deployed and had no one to take care of this energetic boy. Rex is only 6-12 months old, energetic, active and super friendly. He is a very good boy in his kennel at the shelter but instantly perks up once outside.

He is big and strong and does need some leash and general manners. He did very well in his dog meets and even ignored a dog who was not being very nice to Rex during their meet. He is very playful, loves fetch and toys. He may be a big boy but he’s still very much puppy at heart with typical puppy behaviors.

He showed no interest in cats during cat test but can be re-tested upon a request. Are you looking for your new best bud? Rex will definitely steal your heart! More photos of Rex can be found here.

This dog is located at 111 West Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia and is available for adoption or foster care (dog meet dog required; kids under 13 must meet and no kids under 6). Adoption hours are 1-8 Monday through Friday and 10-5 on weekends. If you are interested in foster care, the hours are 9-6 seven days per week. For more information about ACCT please visit www.acctphilly.org or go directly to the shelter.

This week’s featured cat is Juniper. She’s available for adoption through Project Meow and is currently at Baltimore Pet Shoppe (4532 Baltimore Ave). Juniper’s foster mom sometimes calls her Butterball because she has a bright orange silky coat of fur (a rare color for a female), and also because she loves getting tummy rubs and simply melts if someone scratches her behind her ears.

Juniper was living on a lady’s porch since last summer, and she lost her litter of kittens, so she might seem shy and timid at first. But she warms up immediately when someone shows her love and affection. She can often be found snuggled into the massive folds of fluffy blankets, or cozying up against her new parent.

Juniper would really like to find a permanent home with a mommy or daddy that can welcome her into their family, because she so desperately wants to be a part of one! Please email projectmeowadoptions@gmail.com for an application or stop by Baltimore Pet Shoppe to fill one out (and to meet Juniper!).

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.