Why I Foster: Meet Dawn
For Dawn and her family, fostering has become more than opening their home to cats and kittens in need, it’s become a meaningful part of their lives. Over the past five years, they’ve fostered more than 75 animals, helping shy, sick, and vulnerable kittens grow into confident pets ready for loving homes. In this Q&A, Dawn shares how fostering has impacted her family, the moments she’ll never forget, and why she encourages others to give it a try.
1. What made you decide to foster for the first time, and do you remember how you felt the moment your first foster animal arrived home? I have always loved animals and rescue and I used to help train dogs and sit in the cat condos at Houston Humane Society before we had kids. I took a break from volunteering to raise my girls but then during COVID, I decided to start fostering kittens. I have twin girls and they were 5 years old at the time and LOVED having kittens in the house to grow with. We were home a lot, so it was perfect to help raise the kittens during that hard time.
2. Was there a specific animal — or a moment — that made you realize fostering was something you were meant to do? At first I took on "older" kittens that were already 4-5 weeks old and eating on their own and that was so fun and rewarding. But then I was asked to take a friendly momma cat and her kitten and that was the BEST! The kitten was so tiny and the mom was so sweet. It was so rewarding to see the momma cat grow to trust and love us (and then get adopted) and also see sweet Nala (the kitten) grow up into a playful healthy kitten that was adopted at 8 weeks old. I could hold her in the palm of my hand when we first got her, she was so tiny! We had her for 2 months and just loved her!
3. What does fostering mean to you personally? It breaks my heart to see the overcrowding and worsening stray pet population in Houston and it's so hard to help. I find that fostering kittens is a way to get them healthy, socialized and spay them so we can get them into homes and make a difference. It may not be much that I can do, but I hope it is helping overall! Also, seeing a really sick or shy kitten mature into a healthy cat is such a fun experience to be a part of.
4. How do the animals you foster seem to change between day one and the day they go to their forever home? A lot of the kittens are very shy or "spicy" and unsure of humans, loud noises, and big things. We usually start them in a small space like a bathroom and gain their trust and then start to let them venture out. They learn to trust you and let their guard down and then they go wild and play! It's so fun to see them grow into confident kittens that want attention, purr and fall asleep on you, but then wake up and play like crazy. Each has their own little personality, so it's fun to advertise that to potential adopters that are looking for a fun quirk like a lazy, cuddly kitten or the crazy playful one.
5. How do you think the animals you've fostered have changed you as a person? I have watched my girls grow up fostering kittens over the past 5 years and to see them share the same passion for saving animals is so rewarding. I care deeply for animals and want to help as much as I can, and by doing so, I think it's made me more patient and compassionate.
6. What keeps you coming back to foster again and again? I would say that my house gets a little too "normal" after a few months and it's fun to have kittens running around everywhere with energy. Fostering is messy (kittens learning to use the litter box and eating wet and dry food) but it's worth the little messes here and there. The reward of helping kittens grow into confident little cats is so fun to watch.
7. What's the most meaningful thing an animal has ever "told" you without words? I have fostered many "spicy" kittens over the years and they are by far the hardest to help. You have to be very patient and can't move fast around them and must gain their trust slowly. When they reach the confidence to climb on your lap for the first time, or start purring, I know they are telling me that they trust me. Sometimes that takes weeks before it happens, so it's really cool when you see it.
8. How does your household — family, kids, other pets — respond when a new foster comes through the door? Our family LOVES kittens! They do a great job of helping out with cleaning and playing with them and the energy is just higher and different when kittens come home to us! My girls helped bottle feed kittens (when they were 6 years old!), learned so much about the needed responsibilities to raise an animal and even the ups and downs of kittens getting sick and giving them medications, etc. I think it has truly been a rewarding experience for our family! It is sad to see our foster kittens go, but is also fun to know that they are going to be successful in their new homes because they were socialized and ready to be in a home (without being scared, etc.).
9. What does giving an animal a safe, loving temporary home actually do for them — in your experience? It allows them to grow, trust and gain confidence in a new setting. The shelter can be overwhelming and scary for animals, so putting them in a more quiet, safe environment where they eat and rest better. This allows them to come out of their shell and trust and learn to be more open to their surroundings. I've had many animals that lost weight in the shelter but gained so much weight and growth with me in home setting.
10. Have you ever received an update from an adopter that made your whole day? What happened? I actually had a friend adopt 2 kittens that I loved dearly. Like if I could have adopted an animal they would have been a package deal. Our family loved them so much and they were with us for about 1.5 months. I was thrilled when my friend decided to adopt them and I often get pictures and updates and get to see them! It's so awesome! She also taught them to walk on a harness/leash outside, so it's fun to see them out living their best lives!
11. How does it feel to see a foster animal find their forever home? It is amazing! I feel like I've made a positive difference in the animals' lives and made it much easier for them to get adopted. It also makes it easier on the families because the cat is more familiar in a home environment and should settle in better.
12. What would you say to someone who's hesitant to foster because they're afraid of getting too attached? GIVE IT A TRY! Houston Humane Society gives you the resources and opportunities to try fostering at many levels, whether it is a nursing mom and litter, puppies or kittens eating on their own, or adult animals. There have been many times where I am fostering and need a break as well, and when I communicate that to the Houston Humane Society foster group, they are happy to help find new fosters or bring the animals back to the shelter! They can find temporary fosters for when you go on vacation, etc... so they will work hard for you to make the best experiences. Also, they supply you with all the food and materials. It is such a rewarding experience!
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