The Best Shelter is a Compassionate Community – and Our Amazing Fosters!

A recent quote from Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society, resonated with me. She said, "Best Friends has been championing the belief that the best shelter is a compassionate community."  We agree! Our rescue model works because of the amazing foster families who support our mission.  Please meet one here.  We interviewed Kim Hadley, a kitten foster who has been fostering kittens as part of a healing journey after the loss her cat, Jack.  

Kim Hadley's triplets times two!

How did you become connected with SVPP?

I found SVPP on Facebook when I was looking into adopting a cat in early 2020. I was immediately attracted to this particular rescue group because all of the animals had a story. SVPP did a great job of being transparent and honest about each animal's health history, challenges, triumphs, and a team behind them that cared – a lot.

What inspired you to start fostering?

I became particularly interested in fostering after we lost our 7-year-old cat, Jack, to cancer earlier this year.  He was an exceptional member of our family, and I found joy in the idea of fostering kittens while I was knee-deep in the grief and sadness that followed after losing him. I have four young children, and there is no doubt that they were deeply affected by Jack's passing as well. It is important to me to give them healthy ways to cope with big emotions, and I thought being a part of raising kittens and getting them ready for their forever homes would be a positive and healing experience.

 

What was your first fostering experience like?

We got our first litter of three kittens when they were just 8-days-old. I knew that I would be taking on weeks of bottle feeding, including the middle of the night feeds – and it was both exciting and scary! They were so helpless but adorable, and it didn't take long for my kids and me to fall in love entirely.  I quickly learned that there is much more to fostering than just feeding and cuddling sweet, tiny kittens. You'll be scheduling supply pick-ups, monitoring weight gain, trimming tiny nails, driving to veterinary appointments, doing extra laundry, dishes, and so much more. It is a commitment, but it is so worth it. You not only get to enjoy the babies, but you get to meet wonderful, passionate, kind people. You get to give these kittens a great start to life so that they can become amazing companions – a best friend, a source of joy and happiness to someone, like Jack was to us.

 

What’s been the most challenging and most joyful?
The most challenging part has been seeing how many cats (and other animals) come into our county shelter – how many need foster and forever homes. It's hard not to want to help them all; to want to do more, take in more, make a bigger difference. It's an emotional roller coaster; I think it's important to know the reality, even if it's harsh. At the same time, the most joyful part, besides the kitten cuddles, purrs, and shenanigans, seeing their personalities blossom and become healthy, well-adjusted cats, has been knowing that I am helping in some small way. Even if it's just a few litters or a couple of adults per year, a few weeks of my life can change the course of their entire life.
 

Is fostering something you would recommend to others?

Absolutely, and without hesitation. I truly believe it is one of the greatest experiences you can have. The more people who can show how doable it is, the more foster homes there will be. I'm a mom to 3-year-old triplets and a 6-year-old and have found it to not only be manageable, but a fantastic experience for our whole family.  The people you will meet have big hearts and want you to be successful, so don't be afraid to ask questions or help. There will likely be some difficult losses, but there will be many more big wins. Remember, a few weeks of your life can mean the difference for the rest of theirs.

Karen Zamel is a long-time SVPP volunteer and a member of the communications team.