Why I Foster: Meet Stacey
When Stacey Bowen began volunteering at Houston Humane Society, she knew fostering was something she wanted to try. What started with one energetic group of kittens quickly grew into a passion for helping vulnerable pets prepare for adoption. Today, Stacey specializes in fostering shy and "spicy" kittens, giving them the time, patience, and love they need to gain confidence before finding their forever families. She shares how fostering has changed her life, why every goodbye is worth it, and the incredible impact a foster home can have on an animal's future.
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? Fostering was something I had wanted to do for a while, but the timing had never felt quite right. After I started volunteering at Houston Humane Society—walking dogs and spending time with the cats—I finally decided I was ready. I was so excited to bring our first foster kittens home. I set them up in our bathroom, thinking it would be the perfect contained space for kittens who only needed to gain a little weight. It turned out they were the four most rambunctious kittens I had ever met! Every time I went in to play with them, they climbed all over me. One kitten even loved sitting on my head—and she did it all the time. We only had that first group for a week, and I’ll admit it felt a little overwhelming. I wasn’t sure whether I could foster again. But within a week or two, Bree (Foster Manager) showed me three tiny kittens who were almost weaned from the bottle but still needed a few feedings each day. While this group was less active, their needs were greater and I realized that each group of fosters came with their own challenges, but I started to get into a grove with fostering and haven’t looked back since!
2. Was there a specific animal — or a moment — that made you realize fostering was something you were meant to do?When I was fostering that group of nearly weaned kittens, one of them began losing weight and seemed less interested in eating than the other two. Houston Humane Society helped me learn different ways to encourage her to eat more often and support healthy weight gain. When she turned the corner and started gaining weight, I realized that fostering can literally mean the difference between life and death for these kittens and I knew that I wanted to do what I could to help these little ones.
3. What does fostering mean to you personally? My absolute favorite part of fostering is watching kittens meet their new families and seeing the excitement in their adopters’ eyes. It is incredibly meaningful to know that I played a part in helping each kitten find a forever home. It is always bittersweet—I cry every time—but I also know that each adoption makes room for me to welcome another kitten who needs a little extra time or help before they can find their forever home.
4. How do the animals you foster seem to change between day one and the day they go to their forever home? I especially love fostering kittens who are spicy, shy, or fearful. Watching them grow in confidence from the day they arrive to the day they leave for their forever homes is a powerful reminder of why foster homes matter. Some kittens simply need a little extra socialization with people and other cats before they are ready to thrive with their new families.
5. How do you think the animals you've fostered have changed you as a person? Fostering reminds me to slow down and be present. When I am watching or playing with my foster kittens, nothing else matters in that moment.
6. What keeps you coming back to foster again and again? Meeting the families who adopt my fosters is what keeps me coming back. I love seeing the excitement on meet-and-greet day, when adopters see their new kitten for the first time. The updates I receive afterward are just as special. Seeing these babies grow up loved and cared for in their forever homes reminds me exactly why I do this.
7. How does your household — family, kids, other pets — respond when a new foster comes through the door? I have two male “foster fails” from Houston Humane Society, and they adore every foster kitten who comes through our door. They welcome them right away, play with them, and teach them the joy of afternoon snuggle naps. They also do a lot of the important work of helping kittens feel comfortable around other cats and people. By showing the kittens they do not need to be afraid, they help them begin to trust.
8. What does giving an animal a safe, loving temporary home actually do for them — in your experience? For the spicy kittens I often foster, a temporary home gives them a safe space to grow, build confidence, and learn to trust. Kittens who may be too scared to interact with potential adopters in a shelter can become more comfortable with people in a foster home. Even kittens who simply need time to gain weight before they are ready for adoption benefit from experiencing a home environment first, which can make the transition to their forever family much smoother.
9. Have you ever received an update from an adopter that made your whole day? What happened? Every single update I receive from an adopter makes my day. Each kitten keeps a little piece of my heart, and seeing them thrive in their new homes makes fostering so worthwhile. My hope is that families who adopt from foster homes continue to send updates from time to time. It may feel like a simple photo or quick message, but to a foster family, it means we get to watch our fosters grow up.
10. How does it feel to see a foster animal find their forever home? Seeing a foster animal find their forever home is one of the most rewarding parts of fostering. It has taught me that there truly is a home for every animal, no matter their personality. I have fostered very scared, spicy kittens and wondered whether the right family would ever come along. Then suddenly, a potential adopter appears, and everything clicks.
11. What would you say to someone who's hesitant to foster because they're afraid of getting too attached? The attachment is the important part. Foster animals need to know they are loved, safe, and cared for—that is what helps them grow into confident companions. Saying goodbye can be hard, but it also means they have found their forever family and you can help the next animal who needs you.
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