Meet the Fosters who make lifesaving fun
Our foster care providers play an essential role in our lifesaving work in a variety of ways, from giving around-the-clock care to bottle baby kittens, to providing a much-needed break from the shelter environment for pets who need it. This National Animal Foster Appreciation Week, we’re recognizing our fosters for opening their homes to the pets in our care and loving them as if they were their own pets.
Have you thought about becoming a foster? Check out our Q and A below with some of our fantastic current fosters to learn about their experiences.
Megan Guggisberg
How long have you been fostering?
I’ve been fostering since February of 2021.
What first inspired you to become a foster provider?
I moved to Richmond in 2021 and really missed having a dog around. I grew up on a farm, and the change from having animals around and being in the country to being in a new city and living by myself was a big change. My aunt, Nancy, inspired me to consider fostering; she’s adopted two dogs from a shelter and has shown what a difference a safe home can make for a dog.
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened while fostering?
Definitely the beagle/Basset Hound mix I fostered — Delilah — catching a rabbit’s trail and letting the whole neighborhood know. I could not believe how loud of a howl her little lungs could produce. It cracked me up!
Were you a cat person or a dog person when you first began fostering? Has that changed?
I would definitely consider myself more of a dog person, but I have always loved cats, as well. What I love about fostering dogs is that they get me out of the house and allow an opportunity to make conversation with people in the neighborhood. Fostering cats is definitely great for when I’m feeling more introverted or the weather is bad.
What’s your favorite thing about fostering?
I love seeing the animals really, truly blossom in a home environment. Every time I’ve picked an animal up from the shelter, they are wary about what’s happening, but within a few days of being at home and realizing they are safe and loved, they really allow their personalities to shine. It’s amazing. When they go back to the shelter, it’s definitely hard to let go, but I know they’ll be adopted so quickly to their forever homes. In the words of Michael Scott, “No question about it, I am ready to get hurt again.”
Renai Bowers
How long have you been fostering?
I have been fostering for various organizations since 2017.
What first inspired you to become a foster provider?
Many of my dogs have lived in foster care. I always felt so grateful for the fosters loving on my babies before I found them, and I wanted to give back in the same way.
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened while fostering?
Watching my last foster, Dandelion’s, little personality come out was definitely the funniest. She came to me after a recent bladder surgery and was also pretty underweight. She went from a tiny, sleepy, very subdued little dog to a firecracker. She started having morning zoomies and many bossy loud opinions, and she’d stop every stranger on the street to try and scratch her back (her favorite). She also learned how to take her diaper off if left unattended for a single moment. Lots of laughs with that little dog!
Were you a cat person or a dog person when you first began fostering? Has that changed?
Dog person and I’m still a crazy dog lady!
What’s your favorite thing about fostering?
My favorite thing about fostering is watching their personalities unfold. Watching them decompress from their old life or from the shelter and blossom and show their true personalities is the best feeling.
Amanda Myrick
How long have you been fostering?
I have been fostering with the Richmond SPCA for a year now. Prior to that I fostered at other shelters for about two years.
What first inspired you to become a foster provider?
My love for cats!
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened while fostering?
Watching my dog fall in love with every kitten has been so sweet, unexpected, funny and lovely. She is not a fan of dogs but absolutely adores kittens.
Were you a cat person or a dog person when you first began fostering? Has that changed?
I have always been a cat person, but my partner was a self-proclaimed dog person and has completely switched sides to cats!
What’s your favorite thing about fostering?
Seeing the animals’ personalities grow and change over time, and seeing them overcome social and/or health obstacles. The second best thing is watching them get to their forever homes. We have gotten many family members and friends to adopt, and we love getting update photos.
Kaitlyn Kitchen
How long have you been fostering?
I started fostering in October of 2022!
What first inspired you to become a foster provider?
I have grown up with pets my entire life, and coming straight out of college and into a new city I found myself feeling very alone. I wasn’t quite ready to commit to a pet of my own, but found that fostering was a great way for me to love on some furry friends that needed love the most, without overcommitting myself.
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened while fostering?
I have so many funny photos and videos, but the funniest thing recently has been with my current foster. She gets super hangry, and the other night while I was trying to feed her, she quite literally climbed up me to take the can of wet food out of my hand and eat from it instead of her bowl!
Were you a cat person or a dog person when you first began fostering? Has that changed?
As both a foster and a volunteer, I’m more of a cat person while fostering and a dog person while volunteering.
What’s your favorite thing about fostering?
I often get a lot of the mystery medical cats/kitties, so watching their condition improve and being able to see their before and after is so fulfilling. I also have lots of friends who have adopted the kitties I foster, so I’m constantly getting to watch them grow, even if they’re not with me. Getting to experience so many different personalities from fosters is so refreshing as well. Last but not least, the love and appreciation I feel from Jenna, Mark and Kelsey. No matter what happens, they are always so supportive and make you feel appreciated.
