To foster an animal is a great gift and an act of kindness. They hold a special place in your heart and you change the life of that animal forever.
What exactly does fostering mean? It means bringing a homeless cat into your home, caring for them, providing them with affection and socialization, until a permanent family comes along who will love them forever.
The benefits of fostering are numerous, and not only a wonderful thing for the cat and, but can be beneficial to the one doing the fostering in so many ways!
FOSTERING SAVES LIVES:
Rescues who have no central facility, rely on foster homes to determine how many cats and kittens we can save. Fosters are crucial to help the sick, the injured, the abandoned and the surrendered.
YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE A CAT'S FUTURE:
As a foster, you provide exercise, love and stimulation, which in turn creates a happier, better adjusted cat or kitten. As a foster, you have the chance and opportunity to gain a cat's trust, show them love, provide an environment for them to feel safe, and watch them transform before your eyes.
FOSTERING CAN BE GREAT FOR YOUR FAMILY:
If you have existing pets, introducing a cat can be a great experience for them. Children can benefit from fostering as a way to introduce responsibility, selflessness, a way to educate about animals, and is also a great way to "test" the idea of a permanent cat in the home in the future.
YOU BECOME PART OF A WONDERFUL "COMMUNITY":
Fellow fosters will help guide you through the experience, give ideas, answer questions, and may even become your friends! There is nothing quite like sharing experiences with those who do the same and being part of a community of people who have like passions.
YOU WILL MAKE SOMEONE'S FAMILY COMPLETE:
Imagine the day that your foster finds their perfect home! While certainly, goodbyes can be very tough, knowing that you have saved a life and your foster has found their happy ending is very rewarding. A lot of fosters stay in contact with their adopting families long after the adoption is complete.
DEAR FOSTER MOM:
There I sat, alone and afraid,
You got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love,
And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.
I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold,
That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend,
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.
And just when I thought you'd done all you do,
There came along not one new lesson, but two.
First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go,
I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."
Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss,
Along came a new family, they even have kids!
They took me to their home, forever to stay,
At first I thought you sent me away.
Then that second lesson became perfectly clear,
No matter how far, you will always be near.
And so, Foster Mom, you know I've moved on,
I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.
But I'll never forget what I learned that first day,
You never really give your fosters away.
You gave me these thoughts to remember you by,
We may never meet again, and now I know why.
You'll remember I lived with you for a time,
I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.
