I have always loved animals. They have brought an incredible amount of joy to my life, so after losing two of my own pets, I found myself looking for a way to channel the love I had for them into something meaningful. That search led me to fostering.

I realized there were animals in our community who needed a safe place, a little extra love and someone willing to help them along the way. Fostering felt like a way I could make a difference, one animal at a time.

My only obstacle was getting my husband to say yes! Thankfully, it didn’t take too much convincing. As it turns out, he loves our fosters just as much as I do.

I started fostering with Asheville Humane Society in January, and it has become one of the greatest joys of my life. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to foster eight cats, each at a different stage of life, from tiny kittens to a sweet 15-year-old.

Every foster has brought something different into our home, and each one has left a little piece of their story with us.

One of the unexpected joys has been seeing how much happiness our foster pets have brought to the people around us too. Some of our neighbors love coming over to play with the kittens, and two of our neighbors, CeCe and Penelope Manogue, have even become our professional cat sitters!

Those interactions have been meaningful for the cats too. Having the opportunity to meet different people, children and our dog has provided valuable socialization and helped them become more comfortable and confident. I like to think that all the love, attention and exposure help prepare them for their eventual forever homes.

And then came our foster-fail moment. We fell completely in love with three kittens from the same litter — Oona, Mojo-Jojo and Nova — and ended up adopting all three.

Actually, our German shepherd, Meeka, made the decision before we did. She fell in love with the kittens from the beginning. She had already decided they were staying. So, yes, we became a foster family of three permanent additions!

But even after becoming a foster fail, I still believe there is something incredibly special about helping an animal find the family that is meant for them. Saying goodbye can be hard, but I remind myself that I’m not saying goodbye to their story; I’m helping them begin the next chapter. Fostering is so meaningful.

According to Caroline Dougherty, senior manager of communications and marketing for Asheville Humane Society, fostering is an essential part of the organization’s ability to care for animals in our community.

As the only open-intake shelter in Buncombe County, Asheville Humane Society serves animals from many different circumstances, including strays, lost and found pets, and owner surrenders. The organization also works closely with Buncombe County Animal Control and Asheville Animal Services.

Some animals especially depend on foster homes. Puppies and kittens, particularly young animals who require around-the-clock care, often cannot spend the night in the shelter. Animals who need medical care also benefit from being able to rest, recover and receive one-on-one attention in a home environment.

And fostering doesn’t require you to have everything figured out.

Asheville Humane Society provides foster families with the supplies and training they need, including food, bedding, toys, litter and litter boxes, medications and more. Foster families typically care for an animal for at least two weeks, but the organization works with families to accommodate different schedules.

Fosters also have access to a dedicated foster team for questions and concerns, as well as a 24-hour emergency helpline. Veterinary care is provided by Asheville Humane Society’s medical team.

Every foster home helps create space at the shelter for another animal in need.

Fostering has taught me that making a difference doesn’t always require doing something huge. Sometimes it means opening a spare room. Sometimes it means caring for a tiny kitten in the middle of the night or giving an older animal a quiet, comfortable place to rest. Or loving an animal enough to let them go to the family that is waiting for them.

If fostering has ever crossed your mind, I hope you’ll consider taking that first step. You get to help a vulnerable animal heal, learn to trust and become ready for a forever home. And knowing that you may be helping that animal become someone’s beloved pet makes every moment worthwhile.

Fostering literally saves lives.

To learn more, go to ashevillehumane.org.