Finding Purpose Through Fostering: A Foster Spotlight for National Foster a Pet Month

June is National Foster a Pet Month, and we’re honored to share the inspiring story of one of our foster families whose journey with Silicon Valley Pet Project (SVPP) highlights the power of love, patience, and purpose.

How It All Started

When their children left home, this foster couple felt the pangs of an empty nest and decided to channel their time and energy into helping animals in need. “A friend told us the shelters were full and that foster families were desperately needed,” they shared. “We agreed to foster—but not adopt.” Of course, their hearts had other plans, and one of their first two fosters became a beloved member of their family.

Their passion for fostering was rekindled in 2022 when life changes left them seeking purpose. “I saw a SVPP flyer and remembered how much I loved helping animals. Especially the kind that SVPP supports.”

The Joy of Fostering

What’s the best part of fostering? “Saving a pet from the shelter and helping them transition to a forever home,” they said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see their trust and confidence grow.”

Why More Families Should Foster

“Shelters can only do so much. A loving home environment helps a pet adjust and flourish,” they explained. “It also lets families experience having a pet without long-term commitment—plus it helps ensure a great match if they do choose to adopt.”

Meet Millie

Their current foster, Millie, is a Pittie-German Shepherd-Husky mix who spent nearly a year in the shelter. “She was timid, anxious, and guarded when she arrived. Slowly, she’s blossomed into a sweet, silly, joyful dog.”

Millie’s transformation is nothing short of incredible. From hiding in her crate and barely eating, she now welcomes the day with tail wags, morning hugs, and shared meals with her ‘little brother.’ She even waits at the door with a toy in her mouth when her foster dad comes home. 

Millie’s foster mom says, “Millie has helped me heal from my own trauma. We comfort each other. It’s like we know what the other needs.”

Lessons Learned

Fostering has taught them the importance of patience and understanding. “Each pet is different, with their own history and needs. The love and care we provide not only helps the pet—it helps us too.”

Fostering isn't always Easy

There are challenges—introductions, unpredictable behavior, potty training, even dealing with rainy days—but for this family, the rewards far outweigh the obstacles. “Every foster is different. But with love, structure, and time, we’ve seen them all transform. We’re so proud to be a part of Millie’s journey—and of every foster we’ve had the honor to care for.”

There is no such thing as a “Foster Failure”

When a special pet fits in perfectly with their foster family, we call this a “Foster Success”! We are happy to report that Millie was recently officially adopted by her foster family!

Celebrating Three Years of Partnership: Capitol Honda’s Ongoing Support for Rescue Pets

 Pictured left to right, SVPP Foster Program Manager, Andrea Lee, SVPP CEO, Melissa Lisbon, Capitol Honda General Manager, Jon Hagan, SVPP Board Member Libby Taylor, SVPP Board Treasurer Maureen Cunningham and in front, Tuttle, beloved Hagan family pet.

At Silicon Valley Pet Project (SVPP), we know that saving lives and finding homes for pets in need takes a village. That’s why we are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of Capitol Honda, whose commitment to animal welfare has made a lasting impact on our mission.

For the past three years, Capitol Honda has been a dedicated partner, helping to fund our rescue efforts and raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption. This year, we are thrilled to celebrate our ongoing collaboration with an incredibly generous $15,000 donation—a gift that will go directly toward rescuing and caring for pets in need.

A Partnership Built on Compassion and Community

Capitol Honda’s support goes beyond financial contributions. Their team has embraced the spirit of rescue, actively promoting adoption and fostering a community that values the well-being of animals. A perfect example of this commitment is Jon Hagan, their General Manager, who not only champions our cause but is also the proud pet parent of Tuttle, a Silicon Valley Pet Project alum! Tuttle, who was overlooked for many months both in the shelter, and while in foster care at SVPP, represents a heartwarming reminder of the life-changing impact of adoption.

General Manager, Jon Hagan with Tuttle

To commemorate this milestone, our SVPP team recently visited Capitol Honda to receive their extraordinary donation, share our gratitude, and, of course, celebrate with Tuttle! Their generosity helps us provide essential medical care, behavioral support, and the love and attention that every rescue pet in our foster program deserves on their journey to a forever home.

Tuttle reunion with SVPP's Foster Program Manager Andrea Lee

Why Partnerships Like This Matter

Nonprofit animal rescues rely on the generosity of businesses and individuals who share our vision of a world where every pet has a loving home. Capitol Honda’s continued support ensures that we can respond to urgent rescue cases, expand our foster network, and advocate for responsible pet ownership throughout Silicon Valley. Their commitment to giving back is a powerful example of how local businesses can make a real difference in their communities.

Join Us in Saying Thank You!

We want to extend our heartfelt THANK YOU to Capitol Honda for their incredible generosity and for believing in our mission. Partnerships like this not only provide vital resources but also inspire others to get involved, whether through adoption, fostering, volunteering, or donations.

This year, as SVPP celebrates our ten year anniversary, we are incredibly excited to also celebrate three years of lifesaving impact partnering with Capital Honda. We look ahead to even more success in the future!

Celebrating Ten Years of Saving Lives: Major Tom's Story

This year, as SVPP celebrates a decade of life-saving work, we're reflecting on the stories of our early rescued pets.

In early 2015, SVPP began its rescue operations during kitten season, focusing on orphaned kittens like Major Tom and his siblings, who were abandoned in the community.

Thanks to the love and dedication of our early supporters and passionate volunteers, we were able to rescue Major Tom and his siblings. They were placed in an experienced foster home where they could grow healthy, happy and well socialized. Kittens like Major Tom represent the most vulnerable animals flooding our shelters nationwide.  Major Tom, now lovingly known as POTUS, found his forever home and is thriving on the East Coast alongside his brother, another SVPP alum.  His adopters share that he's truly living the good life!  Major Tom's journey embodies everything SVPP stand for:  compassion, commitment, and the belief that every pet deserves a chance at a happy life, no matter their age or circumstances. Since rescuing Major Tom and his siblings, SVPP has helped save the lives of over 2,000 pets in need, from kittens to senior pets, some with chronic conditions.  Each rescue is a reminder of how far we've come - and how much more we can achieve with your support. As we celebrate 10 years of impact, we invite you to join us in honoring Major Tom's legacy and ensuring a bright future for even more pets.   🐾 Share your SVPP story.  Have you fostered, adopted, or supported SVPP?  We'd love to hear how you've been a part of our journey! 🐾 Make a gift to celebrate 10 years of saving Lives.  Your donation will help us continue this life-saving work for years to come.

Why Fostering Makes a Difference: Lessons from a High School Foster Parent

One of the first things we tell people interested in animal rescue is, “We need foster parents!” We remind them that we can’t rescue pets from our local shelters without an open foster home ready to take on the responsibility of caring for a pet—sometimes for many months.

We are incredibly grateful to all of our volunteer foster parents for their compassion and willingness to help. This month, we’re excited to profile one of our repeat foster parents, Ameya, a high school sophomore. She and her mother have fostered for us in the past, and we wanted to learn more about Ameya’s experience. She is currently fostering two kittens, Katara and Sokka.

Ameya and her mom, Preetha with foster kittens

1 - How did you first learn about fostering a pet?

“I wanted a pet, but we used to travel often as a family and knew we could not keep a pet. We googled and found out about being a temporary home for shelter pets. We started with rabbits, fostered a dog with SVPP and then have been fostering kittens and cats for the past 1 year.”

2 - What is your favorite aspect of fostering a pet?

“I observed and learned so much about these animals, like behavior and health issues. It is a challenge to figure out what makes each animal tick. Some are food oriented and others playtime oriented. Each animal has his/her distinct likes, dislikes, and personality. We also gained a lot of satisfaction when these fur babies found their forever homes. The most beautiful aspect of sharing our homes with these homeless pets is to watch them decompress and blossom into happy pets.”

3 - Why do you think other families should consider fostering a pet in need?

“During the pandemic lockdown, many of us felt so suffocated being locked up in our homes. Imagine these animals being left in small spaces with very limited positive human interactions. I remember volunteering at the San Jose Animal Shelter to walk the dogs one Saturday. Volunteers had a list of dogs that got a 10-20min playtime. The sad faces and whining as we locked the dog back in his/her cell till today haunts me. There were just not enough volunteers to walk all the dogs that are surrendered. The SVPP foster dog I had cared for would look forward to her daily hour-long walks. It definitely also made me healthier. I would do my school reading with her at night. She would listen and sometimes fall asleep on my lap. Now the foster cats are my study buddies at night. It makes my day. I feel happier and less lonely in my study room when everyone else has gone to bed. By sharing my peaceful home with a homeless pet, I am doing my part instead of just complaining. Instead of buying from a breeder, fostering a pet from pet rescues and shelters relieves these over stressed organizations. 

I feel fostering helps people understand the needs of the pet they plan to commit to. People get pets on a whim or as gifts sometimes. Puppies and kittens are cute. Some forget it’s like getting a toddler for another decade. When you foster, you get an idea about the responsibilities involved with keeping a pet. This includes vacation time and veterinary bills. Fostering gives you time to see if owning a pet suits your lifestyle. You can always say you are not able to manage and stop after a successful adoption. Just imagine, if you do fall in love with your foster pet, being a foster failure would be a proud badge to wear.”

4 - What lessons have you learned about fostering? 

“Jane Goodall said “You cannot share your life with a dog … or a cat, and not know perfectly well that animals have personalities and minds and feelings.” I learned that animals have boundaries. I learned to respect these boundaries. Every day is a new start. Many times, the animals take their own time to trust us. There is no fixed formula. We have to try different ways yet know when to give them their space. That is quite a fine line. When they do trust us, they give love back in abundance. We become their pack. Till then, we need to be patient and forgiving (for the little scratches, hisses or maybe even bites). They do not have any other way to communicate their feelings.”

5 - Tell us about your current foster kittens.

“Sokka and Katara are named after the 2 main sibling characters in Avatar, the Last Airbender. Both of them love to play with the ball (or anything that rolls away with a push. Like pencils and woolen balls). Chasing a wand is one of their favorite pastimes. While left alone, they love to watch running water in the backyard or just observe the world past them through the window. They love to purr and sleep with us at night. A bonded pair.

Katara is very curious, smart and loves cuddles. She has a beautiful heart shape marking on her torso. She is quite active. She will happily sit on your lap while you watch a movie.

Sokka is very protective, quiet and aloof. He loves to sit alone and observe the people around him. Yet, when he wants, he will walk up to you just for pets and cuddles. All on his terms. When he is done, he will walk away to his corner. He gets jealous if his sister gets all the cuddles. He gives licks as you sleep.”

6 - What Challenges have you faced as a foster?

"The hardest part is to say goodbye to your loving foster as they move onto their next chapter. The best way to get over it for me is get a cup of bubble tea and request for a new foster pet. "

Interested in fostering a pet in need?

Please refer to our website and complete a feline or dog foster application to get the process started!

Penny’s Friends: Champions of SVPP’s Lifesaving Mission

During July, our wonderful partners at Penny’s Friends are holding their annual donation drive. Discover the passion behind Penny’s Friends and their incredible support for SVPP.

Tell us about Penny's Friends Project and its mission.
“Penny’s Friends is an annual donation drive held throughout the month of July, dedicated to collecting supplies for a local cat and dog rescue. This initiative honors the memory of our beloved dog, Penny Lane, who passed away on December 9, 2022. Our goal is to celebrate Penny’s legacy by supporting shelter pets and the organizations that work tirelessly to save their lives.”

How does Penny's Friends Project support Silicon Valley Pet Project (SVPP)?
“We've partnered with SVPP to compile a list of essential supplies needed for their rescue and foster efforts. These items are made available on an Amazon wishlist, which we promote throughout the month of July. We invite everyone to contribute by donating items from this list, helping us support shelter pets and the dedicated organizations that care for them.”

What motivated Penny's Friends Project to partner with SVPP?
“Since 2019, I've been volunteering with SVPP in various roles. When we launched Penny’s Friends, it was a natural decision to collaborate with them.”

How do these programs directly impact the animals and foster parents within the SVPP community?
“By gathering needed items directly from SVPP, we ensure that our donations precisely match their current needs.”

How can the community get involved with Penny's Friends Project and support its efforts to help SVPP?
“Help us spread the word and consider donating if you can! Stay updated on our initiatives by following us on Instagram and Facebook.”

What are the future goals and plans for Penny's Friends Project in its ongoing support of SVPP?
“As we enter the second year of Penny’s Friends, our priority is building a strong and dedicated community for our donation drive. Looking ahead, we aspire to sponsor vaccination events in the future.”

What has been the most rewarding aspect of being involved with Penny's Friends Project for you personally?
“Witnessing Penny’s legacy endure and positively impact the lives of shelter pets is truly rewarding.”

What message would you like to share with readers who are considering getting involved with Penny's Friends Project or SVPP?
“We aim to support rescue organizations by providing items tailored to their specific needs. This ensures that everything donated by the public is necessary and will be put to good use.”

How can people donate or contribute to Penny's Friends Project to further support SVPP's mission?
“To contribute to Penny's Friends and support SVPP's mission, you can donate items needed by SVPP throughout the month of July. Visit our Amazon Wishlist page at http://tinyurl.com/pennysfriends. You can also find the link on our Instagram and Facebook accounts. Thank you for your support!”

Behind the Scenes with Manly Candles: A Father-Son Team Crafting Candles and Supporting Animal Welfare

In honor of Father’s Day, we had the pleasure of chatting with the father-son duo behind Manly Candles (father, Lance and son, Ridge), a local favorite known for their unique, handcrafted candles. In this interview, we delve into their creative process, their commitment to animal rescue, and their heart-warming support for Silicon Valley Pet Project (SVPP). Thank you Manly Candles for all you do to support SVPP's mission! 

What inspired the creation of Manly Candles?  How did your journey begin?  

“It originally started when Ridge was little and I used to take him into the soap stores to kill time while his mom was shopping.  We would walk around and smell all the soaps, candles, and bath bombs. About a year and a half ago, we were having a funny conversation on the way to school one morning and got on the topic of manly scented things. We started laughing about over-the-top manly scents like sawdust and gasoline.  I forgot all about it, but Ridge keeps a notebook of funny things and interesting ideas and about 6 months later he came home with the logo that he had designed in class, so we decided to make a few candles and see what happened.”

What is special about Manly Candles? 

“It’s special for us because it gives us something fun to do together and also allows us to give back to the animals we love by supporting the SVPP with whatever profits we make.”

Tell us about the “Manly” men.  

“I was a technical recruiter for 25 years and now work primarily as an artist specializing in oxidized copper.  I use that copper to make special one-of-a-kind pieces, from wall art and clocks, to guitars and ukuleles.  I have a few guitars in restaurants and bars around the world as well as museum exhibits.  Ridge just finished 8th grade and will be heading to Archbishop Mitty for high school. He enjoys video games, learning to play the trumpet, and making candles of course.”

What is the most rewarding aspect of running Manly Candles? 

“Getting to spend more quality time with each other and making something that we know has an impact on our community.”

How did your partnership with Silicon Valley Pet Project (SVPP) come about, and what inspired you to support the mission of SVPP?  

“We knew that we wanted to support animal rescue, so we did some research on the local organizations and felt like SVPP was the right fit, and by supporting SVPP we could support the larger bay area.  We really liked that SVPP rescues special needs and elderly animals.

Have there been any memorable moments or experiences from your collaboration with SVPP that you'd like to share?  

“We have had two events with SVPP - a puppy play date where we brought in a few candles to show and sell. We were able to meet a lot of good people like Kevin with Coffee Companions and several of the SVPP volunteers.  We also recently did our first candle making class with 10 people at Pup Plaza and it was a ton of fun.”

What impact do you hope to make through your support of SVPP, both for the organization and for the animals they serve?  

“We just hope to help in whatever way we can.  Obviously we would love to sell a ton of candles so we can continue to provide some financial support.”

Are there any future plans or initiatives in the works for Manly Candles? 

“Since we primarily sell our candles in our Etsy shop online, we hope to spend a little time this summer looking for a couple of local shops to carry our natural soy whisky glass candles and beeswax melts.”

We'd love to hear about your own pets! 

“We currently have one dog, a four year old Labrodoodle named Lucky who is super cute and goofy.”

Finding April: A Tale of Overlooked Love and Loyalty

High school memories often stir up a mix of emotions, especially for those of us who didn't quite fit in with the "cool kids" or conform to the latest trends. It's a feeling of being overlooked, not quite meeting the standards set by others.

In the world of animal welfare, this sentiment echoes loudly in the faces of rescue dogs like April. She represents the countless pups who have been passed over time and again. While others clamor for the trendiest breeds like Doodles or Goldens, dogs like April quietly await their chance at a forever home.

SVPP's journey with April began over two years ago when we rescued her from the Santa Clara County shelter. Despite her warm disposition towards people, April faced a slew of health issues, including skin and ear problems stemming from allergies. It took months of dedicated care to finally manage her condition effectively.

Today, April is a picture of health and happiness, her allergies under control thanks to a carefully tailored regimen of food and medication. Yet, despite her transformation, adoption interest remains elusive. April embodies the essence of a perfect companion – easy-going, affectionate, and utterly drama-free. She revels in simple pleasures: leisurely walks, playtime with toys, and, of course, mealtime.

April isn't the flashy cheerleader type; she's the quiet, unassuming soul who would have found a home long ago if she were a different breed. Instead, she patiently awaits someone who sees beyond appearances – someone who values loyalty, companionship, and the unique bond she offers.

This April, our sole focus is finding her the loving family she deserves. She's just one example of countless shelter dogs overlooked for more "glamorous" counterparts. We believe there's a perfect match out there, someone who understands the immeasurable joy of welcoming a grateful, easy-going companion like April into their lives.

So, if you're reading this and feel that tug at your heartstrings, please consider opening your home to April. She's been waiting patiently, and we know her forever family is out there, ready to embrace her with open arms. #AdoptApril