From Photographer to Foster: How it Began
I thought I was just helping by taking photos of rescue animals.
I didn’t realize I was one “yes” away from turning my home into a kitten Airbnb.
I’m a pet portrait photographer, and a few years ago I started working with Janet, founder of Second Chance Animal Rescue. My goal was simple: create photos that showed each rescue pet at their very best and helped them get adopted.
But something amazing kept happening.
Every time Janet posted one of our photos, the animal would be adopted within days—sometimes even sooner. It felt like magic.
I looked forward to every session. My studio would fill with playful kittens and exuberant dogs, and it was pure joy.
When “No” Turned Into “Yes”
Janet had asked me a few times if I would consider fostering. I always said no.
Life felt too chaotic. I already had a crotchety older dog and a cat who is absolutely convinced she runs the house. Adding another animal—even temporarily—felt like too much.
Then one day, Janet mentioned a tiny tuxedo kitten who needed a little extra TLC.
And without overthinking it, I said:
“Of course I’ll take him.”
My First Foster Kitten
I set up our upstairs bathroom as a quiet space for my first foster kitten. The plan was to let him settle in for a few days before introducing him to the rest of the household.
His rescue name was Blackbeard. I called him Magic.
He lasted exactly one night in that bathroom.
By the next day, Magic had made it very clear he had no intention of staying contained. Within hours, he had taken over the house—and somehow, he fit right in.
Big personality. Fearless. Completely irresistible.
I had a feeling my first foster might turn into my first foster fail.
Everyone loved him—especially my sister-in-law, who met him and immediately said,
“He’s mine.”
The “Kitten Taj Mahal”
After Magic, I said yes again—this time to a family of six kittens.
By then, things had escalated.
I transformed an empty bedroom into what is now known as the Kitten Taj Mahal—a dedicated space for fostering kittens.
Since that first “yes,” more than 30 foster kittens have come through my home.
And I know there will be many more.
How Do You Let Them Go?
People ask me this all the time:
“How can you foster kittens and then give them up?”
The truth is, it’s easier than you might think—because the families who adopt them are incredible.
Every adopter I’ve met has been loving, excited, and ready to give these kittens amazing homes.
I like to think of myself as a matchmaker—helping each rescue kitten find exactly where they belong.
Why Fostering Matters
Sometimes I wonder if I’m doing enough.
But then I remind myself: fostering saves lives.
Every kitten I take in opens up space for another animal in need. Every foster pet adopted means another rescue pet gets a second chance.
I may not be able to save them all—but I am as many as I can.
And that matters.
