Ever since I can remember, I have been fostering kittens for the local animal shelter. We’ve had litters of up to five kittens, we’ve had bottle babies, and we’ve brought mommies and their kitties into our house before. We’ve fostered puppies, but kittens will always hold a special place in our hearts (and homes). Fostering has changed me and my perspective of life in so many ways. Fostering shelter pets is beneficial to every party involved: animals, shelter and fosterers alike. While you may not be with them for their entire life span, you have helped them tremendously, and they’ve helped you, too.

Fostering provides extra places in the animal shelter to make room for other animals.

Animal shelters only have so much room for these animals, so if even one pet gets taken out of their unit, it’s saving one more.

You’re saving a life.

Unfortunately, shelter animals can carry infections and colds, and these get spread like wildfire between the animals. By bringing them to your home, you are saving them from getting these infections.

You’re giving a cutie - or multiple cuties - a home, even if it is just temporary.

Shelter pets need to be exposed to humans on a deeper level than just being fed by them twice a day. Sometimes they will become distant as a result of this, and this will make it harder for them to get adopted.

You’ll help the shelter get to know the pet’s personality, which will help greatly when trying to find the perfect home for this animal.

If the dog you are fostering is very playful, the shelter will make sure to explain that to anyone looking to adopt said pet. If your foster kitty prefers to just chill all day, the organization you are fostering from will make sure that this is noted.

If you’re not sure if you are ready to adopt a pet just yet, fostering is a perfect plan for you!

You get the full experience of caring for, feeding, cleaning after and loving a pet without an actual commitment, so if you’re not sure if you can handle an animal right now, this is the perfect test run.

Your foster will have an easier transition into their forever home.

Your dog/cat already went through the process of getting accustomed to a new home, so they will feel more comfortable in their new owner’s home faster than they did before.

If you have any pets at home, this will be a good thing for both your pets and your foster pet(s).

Your pets are benefiting because they are getting new friends, and the foster pets are benefiting because they are learning how to be comfortable with other animals. Again, this will raise their chances of getting adopted :)

Regardless of whether or not you already have pets at home, your foster pets will make you indescribably happy.

Whether it’s that they are perfect cuddle buddies, or just the fact that you are saving their life, fostering pets will change you - in a paw-sitive way!