Lately, I’ve been getting that itch to get another pet. I have some reservations, however, as I feel like I may not be 100% ready. I talked about this in my post called When is the Right Time to Adopt another Pet? Then I realized that fostering a pet may be an option to consider. I’ve never fostered before, so I’d have to do some homework to see what’s required seriously. Also, what if I get too attached to the pet and don’t want to let them go? Am I ready for this? What about vet care or if there is an emergency?
I have many questions going through my head, and I think I should chill and breathe. The most important benefit I can think of is saving a life. Far too many animals’ lives are at stake. Millions of cats and dogs are homeless on the streets and get euthanized annually due to insufficient shelter space, abandonment, or owner surrender.
Fostering would be a great idea, I think. Putting things in perspective in the grand scheme of things, saving a life far outweighs my concerns, like getting attached.
One could argue that if that were to happen, perhaps it would be fate and that it is meant to be your new family companion, right? After thinking about this and doing a quick search, I found 5 reasons why I believe fostering a pet is a good idea (however, I’m sure there are many more)!
1. Fostering saves lives
According to the World Animal Foundation via ASPCA. “More than 6.3 million animals enter US animal shelters yearly.“ With this in mind, it’s clear that fostering a cat or dog helps to save lives. Fostering physically removes them from harm, the threat of euthanasia, and a real chance of being adopted into a forever home.
2. Fostering can be Self-healing after loss
The second reason I thought of fostering is finding healing after loss. This blog is about moving forward after pet loss and finding new and different ways to incorporate inspiration, joy, and wellness in life. Helping to raise and socialize and have fun with puppies or kittens would bring much joy and fulfillment. Not only would fostering help save lives, but through daily interaction and bonding, I think that would help heal the heart.
3. You can incorporate fun into your daily life
In getting to share your home with a new foster pet, you share time, experiences, and lots of laughs. Over time I think one would be able to find a new furry friend through this experience. Also, when raising and socializing animals to be ready for adoption, there are plenty of silly moments and laughs to experience. Whether that is laughing at the food smashed on their face that they cannot quite lick off their face or the funny things a pet does to entertain themselves as you look on. Fostering brings fulfillment and fun along the way.
4. Pets will know they are loved
With fun and fulfillment comes love. If there is one thing both humans and animals of all kinds crave in this world, aside from food and shelter, it is love. To foster a pet is to show them that real love does exist and to know that there are humans in this world willing and able to show and give love. Just as people experience abuse, animals do too. Whether it’s local kids abusing animals or dogs involved in dog fighting, many animals are not so lucky at avoiding physical and mental abuse. Fostering a pet would provide a brand new experience for many abandoned and abused animals to finally understand that love does exist and they are worthy of having love in their lives. When pets feel loved, they will reciprocate it tenfold.
5. Animals deserve a Happy Ending
Last but not least, every story should have a happy ending. Fostering allows an animal’s journey to have a happy end and a new beginning. As a foster parent, I see two outcomes. One result could be that I could fall in love with my foster pet, adopt them into my home, and live together as part of the family. On the other hand, as intended, a pet parent is eventually found and matched with the foster pet. The dog or cat finally has a forever home and family to go to and spend the rest of their days. In both cases, this would be a happy ending for all involved.
Final Thoughts
So those are my 5 reasons why I think fostering a pet is a good idea. I have a couple of organizations in mind for fostering noted below in the USA/Tri-State area in case you or anyone you know may be interested in fostering too.
Pin Me!
Resources -Fostering/Adopting a Pet
ASPCA Foster Program (Nationwide)
Best Friends of NY -Foster Program (NY/NJ/CT Tri-state Area)
Kitty Kind – Foster Program (NYC area)
Foster Dogs NYC (NYC area)
Petfinder -Adoption (nationwide)
If this post resonated with you or if you are looking to find out additional information about fostering, check out these two video clips below.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIT0ZekvixY
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIq1UZ5JkgQ
Leave a comment
Have you fostered a pet before? Did any of these reasons resonate with you? Would you add anything? Comment and share below.
**Originally posted April 28, 2021. Updated November 2023**
37 Comments
Jon Baily
Hi Kamira, this is a great article and outlines the benefits of fostering very well. If you choose to go down this road I really hope you will share your experiences. All the best Jon @ CPC
Kamira Gayle
Hi Jon,
Thank you so much. I definitely will share my journey 🙂
Cathy Armato
These are all great reasons for fostering a pet. I have fostered a number of dogs and I love doing it! When you foster a shelter pet you save TWO lives; the life of the pet you’re fostering and the life of another pet you make room for at the shelter. You also have the opportunity to help a shelter pet through issues that may be keeping them from getting adopted, like being fearful or needing basic training. Fostering absolutely saves lives. I have two dogs and they enjoy having another dog “visit” them for a few weeks or months, it’s fun!
Love & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Kamira Gayle
Thanks for your encouraging words and insight Cathy. 🙂
Michelle
I agree, fostering a pet is a good idea and reading your 5 reasons also are encouraging. We aren’t ready yet to get another dog (we have our rescue girl who is still settling) but I would be up for fostering (unfortunately, I’d have a battle with my hubby who wants a puppy ~ which goes against all I believe in ~ both our dogs are rescued.)
Kamira Gayle
Michelle,
I understand what you mean. My husband thinks the same way.
Happy-Go-Doodle
What an excellent summary of why to foster a furry friend. The joy we share with pets and the joy they bring to our lives is amazing. If you do adopt, I look forward to reading about your journey.
Kamira Gayle
I will definitely continue to keep you all informed!
Kate
I always love reading articles on reasons to foster pets. And thank you for linking so many good resources. I have been fostering (mostly mama cats and kittens, but one dog also) over the last year and a half. Honestly, it has been an overall wonderful experience (I even have a few articles regarding foster on my blog). I was really debating on if I was ready to adopt a second dog and fostering helped me figure out that my current pup is happier as the only dog in the house. Additionally, I get kitten fever every spring, but don’t think my house is big enough for me to add a new resident cat every year. If you are debating on fostering – I highly recommend. Most shelters/rescues have good resources in place for veterinary care and emergencies. And getting attached is definitely a struggle – I am always sad to see my fosters go. I try to remember that each foster that leaves my house opens up space for another foster to enter. Good luck with your decision to foster!
Kamira Gayle
Kate,
Thank you so much for your insightful comment, especially as a fosterer. It helps give me that extra confidence toward taking that step. However, I will be sure to do my homework and research all my options before diving in. 🙂
Tenacious Little Terrier
I think later down the road we might foster again if we had more space and time. Our current set-up is not great for being able to separate dogs and we’re in a condo so that limits a lot of dogs (due to noise).
Kamira Gayle
I totally understand. I too don’t have a large home however I think it would work well for a kitten/cat. Dogs not so much for the exact same reason you stated. 😉
Beth
You’ve listed some great reasons for fostering! I think it would be a wonderful experience for you and the pet you foster. I know you will do your research before you make a commitment, but I guess it would be important to know what to do in case it isn’t a good fit personality wise. As far as getting too attached, there is usually the option to adopt. And even if not, the happiness that you will have knowing you helped a pet to their forever home will be amazing.
Kamira Gayle
Beth,
Great points! That’s my biggest concern (coming from the heart) that I’d get too attached, however the last organization I volunteered at did have foster with intent to adopt option. I may consider finding an organization that has such an option. Thanks for sharing your perspective.
Stephanie Seger
What a sweet post! I think fostering is a fantastic idea for all the reasons you outlined if you able to. A busy life has always gotten in the way for me and the guilt of not feeling like I would be able to give enough. But you are right, just being able to offer love to that pet is often all it takes to make the biggest difference for him or her. Aaannddd, now I’m crying. 🙂
Kamira Gayle
Stephanie,
Thank you. Oh no!! Didn’t mean to make you teary eyed. Glad the post touched your heart.
The Dash Kitten Crew
Fostering is a fabulous idea. It is a great idea for anyone who can’t take on a pet full-time isn’t it. You provide the most important thing a cat can have – LOVE.
I think people worry about being foster fail, but I always say. No you won’t because by giving back the animal you have, you re making room for another life to be save, and lived with love too 🙂
Fostering is a WIN WIN every time and your post hits every single spot!!
Kamira Gayle
Thank you Marjorie!
The Daily Pip
You are absolutely right fostering saves lives! I have fostered a bunch over the years. Sometimes I kept the animals and other times not. It’s really hard to bring them back to the shelter – but so worth it when they get a new home. I bet you will know when you are ready! Keep us posted.
Kamira Gayle
I will keep you posted for sure. Thank you.
Sadie
These are all great reasons. As someone who volunteers with a feral cat rescue, I am truly grateful to you for considering fostering. The cats that are taken in need socializing and to learn to trust. Fosters are ESSENTIAL. Great post!
Kamira Gayle
Sadie,
Coming from you I thank you kindly for the kind words. It means a lot. Thank you.:D
Paroma
We have fostered 6 dogs till date by partnering with several SF based rescues. Fostering helps relieve the kennel stress and gives dogs/pets a fresh lease of life. A great way to find out if you are ready for adoption too!
Kamira Gayle
Paroma,
Thanks for sharing your personal input. That actually helps me be more confident to try fostering first. 😉
Bryn Nowell
Fostering can be hugely beneficial for the animal and humans! If you find that you are unable to care for a cat or in a lot of cases, kittens that require feeding at shorter intervals, or a dog, don’t forget about the tiny critters too! Our local shelter has guinea pig, hamster, bird, rabbit, rats, and mice that can be fostered who are a little easier to contain.
The other bonus is “being able to use your own network to help the animal find a forever home.” Posting on your own social channels with friends and showing photos and stories that feature their unique personality is a reason why one of the folks in your circle may open their home to a new pet. Which means, you can visit if you’ve fallen in love but can’t commit to a new pet at the moment.
Kamira Gayle
Bryn,
Great points about fostering other critters and sharing within my own network too. Great idea.
Sweet Purrfections
I know many people who’ve fostered dogs and/or cats and they love it. I get so emotionally attached to animals, I’m sure I would be a “foster fail.”
Kamira Gayle
Paula,
I know what you mean…that’s my only concern. 🙁 However, I’m really thinking to fight the fear and go for it! Can’t go wrong saving a life right?
Irene McHugh
Five fabulous reasons. Sounds like you’ve really put a lot of thought into this process, which I’m sure will be appreciated by whatever organizations you may decide to work with.
Kamira Gayle
Irene,
Thank you!
Dolly the Doxie
As someone who has a cat and a dog as the result of their owner’s passing I’m a huge supporter of fosters. At 62 years old I know that I’ll never adopt another puppy, or dog or cat. But, I really hope I get the chance to foster an animal when the ones I have are gone, so that I can give another pet a chance, but not risk it’s future if something happens to me. Great post thanks! Sandra and Dolly
Kamira Gayle
Sandra,
Thank you for sharing your insight! Good point. 🙂
Robin
Fostering a pet is a great idea! It is the best of both worlds for someone who isn’t sure that they can commit to a pet long term. Being in a foster home rather than a shelter does a lot of good for the pets involved.
Kamira Gayle
Robin,
😀
Shayla
The rescue scene is in desperate need of fosters! I know we had to stop pulling rescues as often because we had no foster homes willing anymore! It’s hard work, and so rewarding!
Kamira Gayle
Shayla,
Thanks for your insight!
priyanshu
I get so emotionally attached to animals, I’m sure I would be a “foster fail.”