Why I Foster: Meet Edimara
For many animals, a foster home is the bridge between uncertainty and a bright future. Edimara and her family have opened their hearts and home to countless pets in need since they became Houston Humane Society fosters in 2023, helping the pets heal, build confidence, and prepare for life with a loving family.
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've always had an endless love for animals because they represent something the world seems to be losing: unconditional love and loyalty. My first foster was a senior Chihuahua who was scheduled to be euthanized simply because of her age. That broke my heart. I immediately went to pick her up from the shelter. She arrived trembling constantly and refused to eat for days. Little by little, she learned to trust us and eventually started sleeping right next to me every night. Later, we discovered she had heartworms, and together we went through a long and difficult treatment. She became part of our family forever. In the end, we adopted her, and she helped raise dozens of foster kittens that came through our home. She lovingly groomed them and cared for them as if they were her own babies. Editor's note: The Chihuahua mentioned in this story was not fostered through Houston Humane Society.
2. Was there a specific animal — or a moment — that made you realize fostering was something you were meant to do? Yes. A dog we called Rocket (known as Murdock at the shelter) changed everything for me. He had spent more than a year in a shelter, was deeply depressed, taking high doses of medication for anxiety and stress, and was beginning to lose his eyesight. When he arrived, he seemed to have lost all hope. But little by little, surrounded by love, patience, and stability, he transformed into a joyful, playful, hilarious dog who made us laugh every day. Watching him rediscover happiness showed me the true power of fostering and convinced me that our home will always have room for these four-legged angels.
3. What does fostering mean to you personally? To me, fostering is an act of pure love. It means offering a safe place where an animal can heal, learn to trust again, and prepare for the life they deserve. It's my way of giving back and making a small difference in the world. And believe me, we receive much more than we give. They remind us every day that happiness often comes from the simplest things, like living fully in the present moment.
4. How do the animals you foster seem to change between day one and the day they go to their forever home? Many arrive frightened, confused, and unsure of whom they can trust. Some have experienced abandonment, neglect, abuse, or simply the stress of shelter life. Over time, they begin to trust again. Their personalities emerge, and they learn how to play, relax, and enjoy life. The transformation is often incredible to witness.
5. How do you think the animals you've fostered have changed you as a person? They have taught me patience, compassion, resilience, and gratitude. The truth is that we receive far more than we give. People often think we are rescuing them, but they rescue us too. Their unconditional love, loyalty, funny personalities, and ability to live fully in the moment bring joy and healing into our home every day. They are the best therapy we could ever ask for. In the end, we are the ones being cared for by these four-legged angels.
6. What keeps you coming back to foster again and again? Knowing that every animal who finds a forever home creates space for another life to be saved. If I could, I would help them all. Fostering allows me to provide safety, healing, recovery, and happiness to animals who have often known very little of those things. They are pure love and deserve every opportunity to live the best life possible.
7. What's the most meaningful thing an animal has ever "told" you without words? That love heals. I've seen it in the eyes of every foster I've welcomed into my home. Without saying a single word, they taught me that trust can be rebuilt, wounds can heal, and sometimes all a broken heart needs is patience, kindness, and a safe place to belong. In many ways, they also helped me heal some of my own emotional wounds.
8. How does your household — family, kids, other pets — respond when a new foster comes through the door? Everyone gets excited. Fostering has become part of who we are as a family. Our resident dogs and cats often help newcomers adjust and feel welcome. We all look forward to meeting each new temporary resident. My dream is to someday have more space—and more time—so I can help even more animals.
9. What does giving an animal a safe, loving temporary home actually do for them — in your experience? It changes everything. A loving home allows them to recover from the stress of shelter life or from abuse and neglect they may have experienced. Once they finally feel safe, their true personalities begin to shine. Animals who seemed fearful, withdrawn, or emotionally broken often become affectionate, playful, confident, and full of life.
10. Have you ever received an update from an adopter that made your whole day? What happened? Many times. I regularly receive emails, photos, and updates about our beloved former fosters. The most recent update was about Bruce. He is doing wonderfully and even got to enjoy a beach vacation with his family. Every time I receive those messages, I cry. Seeing an animal thrive in their forever home and knowing how loved they are reminds me exactly why fostering matters.
11. How does it feel to see a foster animal find their forever home? It's bittersweet. Of course we miss them, but the happiness far outweighs the sadness. Knowing that an animal has finally found the love, security, and family they deserve makes every goodbye worthwhile.
12. What would you say to someone who's hesitant to foster because they're afraid of getting too attached? Getting attached isn't a problem—it's the goal. Love is what helps these animals heal. Yes, saying goodbye can be difficult, but the joy of knowing they found the family they were always meant to have is worth every tear. The love you give them changes their life forever, and I promise they will change yours too.
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