Cara’s Furry Foster Adventures: A Tale of Love and Resilience

Hello, Furry Friends!

Meet Cara, our fabulous foster pawrent who began her journey during a chilly winter storm in Austin, Texas, back in February 2022. Since then, Cara has fostered 17 pets! Count em, 17!! How incredible. Of course each was showered with love, care, and a second chance at life. Her story is all about the joys and challenges of fostering and how it’s changed her life in the best ways possible.

How It All Started

Cara's love for animals started early. “I volunteered at the humane society during high school back in Ohio and have been a dog lover my whole life,” she shares. The animal crisis in Texas inspired her to take action. “I couldn’t imagine sitting idly by while the need is so great,” she explains. This passion led her to open her home to pets in need, starting with a plea for two-week fosters during a big winter storm. That first foster ended up staying until adoption, and Cara hasn’t stopped fostering since.

The Waggly Challenges, each dog is an adventure.

Fostering comes with its unique set of challenges. “It’s been 2.5 years of revolving personalities, needs, abilities, skills, etc. Every dog is a new adventure and requires a different routine from you and your household,” Cara says. The emotional toll can be heavy, especially when fostering long-stay dogs. “Emotionally, it’s heartbreaking to love a dog who is constantly overlooked,” she admits. Despite the challenges, Cara remains dedicated to her role as an advocate for these pets.

Paw-some Rewards, The rewards of fostering.

For Cara, the rewards of fostering far outweigh the challenges. “Everything is rewarding, truly! Watching a dog come out of their shell and try again, despite how burned they’ve been in the past, is a lesson in resilience I take into my own life,” she shares. Fostering has also provided Cara with a sense of purpose and community. “It’s humbling to think my willingness to overcome small inconveniences has saved 17 lives – talk about low risk, high reward!” she adds.

Meet Bo: A Tail of Triumph

One of Cara’s most memorable fosters is Bo, a kelpie mix from a rural south Texas shelter. Bo was extremely shut down and suddenly couldn’t walk due to a tick-borne illness. “Watching him walk again, then eventually run, play, cuddle, sleep soundly, and play fetch is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen in my life,” Cara recalls. Bo found his forever home, sharing acres of land with his new family and bringing joy to their lives.

Life-Changing Paws-itivity, could fostering change your life?

Fostering has profoundly impacted Cara’s life, particularly her mental health. “If you, like me, struggle with how cruel life can be for some and feel worthless to make a change, try fostering. It may just change your life,” she advises. Fostering has given Cara a sense of purpose and fulfillment, knowing she’s making a difference in the lives of these pets.

Tips for New Fur-sters (okay okay that pun is a stretch, Tips for new FOSTERS)

Cara encourages anyone considering fostering to give it a try. “Pick a personality/size/age that works for you and your resident pets. Develop a routine and stick to it (crate training is a life saver!). Get connected with your fellow fosters for support,” she recommends. According to Cara, the first foster is always the hardest, but it gets easier with time and experience.

Join the Furry Foster Family, are you ready?

Cara’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact fostering can have on both pets and people. If you’re considering fostering, take the leap and make a difference. Join Cara and many others in giving pets a second chance at life. Share your foster stories with us and become part of the foster pawrent community.

Conclusion

Fostering is more than just a temporary home for pets in need; it’s a journey of love, resilience, and transformation. Cara’s story is just one example of the countless lives changed through fostering. Be inspired, take action, and experience the rewards of fostering for yourself.

Are you ready to start fostering? Has Cara's story inspired you? It sure inspired me to do more and advocate for fostering harder! Stay tuned for more stories like Cara's!

#FosterLove #PetObsessedPeople