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Behind every adoption is a journey of care, compassion, and second chances—and often, that journey begins in a foster home.
At the HBSPCA, our Foster Program provides temporary care for animals who need extra support before they’re ready for adoption. Some are too young for the shelter environment, some need quiet recovery time after surgery, and others simply benefit from the loving attention only a home can offer. For foster families, it’s a way to make a meaningful difference—often in just a few weeks.
Here are three real-life inspired stories of animals who found hope, healing, and love in foster care.
When 11-year-old Maggie arrived at the shelter, she was quiet, gentle, and clearly overwhelmed. With stiff joints and a face full of white hair, she wasn’t the dog that adopters typically rushed to meet—but she still had so much love to give.
Enter Rachel, a long-time foster volunteer who specializes in senior pets.
“I know what people miss out on when they pass over the older animals,” Rachel says. “They’re calm, sweet, and just want to be loved.”
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In Rachel’s home, Maggie blossomed. She had a cozy bed,short strolls in the backyard, and—her favourite—peanut butter snacks. Overtime, her tail wagged more often, and she even gave playful barks atdinnertime.
After a few months of TLC, Maggie met her perfect match: are tired couple looking for a gentle companion. Today, she’s enjoying her golden years in comfort and love—thanks to a foster home that believed in her.
Pepper the rabbit came into HBSPCA care after being surrendered by an owner who could no longer care for him. From the moment he arrived in his foster home, his personality shone through—curious, playful, and very particular about his cardboard boxes.
The Nguyen family, first-time rabbit fosters, quickly learned that rabbits are full of surprises.
“We had no idea how expressive bunnies could be,” said Linh Nguyen. “Pepper had this little routine—he’d do zoomies around the living room every morning and then flop beside the couchlike he ran the place.”
As they got to know Pepper, the family learned how to bunny-proof their space, provide enrichment, and build a bond through quiet patience and treats. They even crafted a little “bunny bungalow” complete with tunnels and cardboard forts.
When Pepper was adopted by a family who had been looking fora solo, easygoing rabbit, saying goodbye was bittersweet. But for the Nguyens, the experience was unforgettable.
“We’re already asking when the next foster bunny will be coming,” Linh said. “We’re hooked.”
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At just three weeks old, Nori the kitten was found alone and underweight, with no mother in sight. Too young to eat or stay warm on her own, she was brought into the HBSPCA Foster Program for round-the-clock care.
Foster volunteer Jesse took Nori in without hesitation.
“Bottle babies are a lot of work—you’re feeding them every few hours, even through the night—but it’s so rewarding to see them grow stronger day by day.”
Nori may have been tiny, but she had a mighty spirit. With Jesse’s care, she gained weight, mastered the bottle, and quickly developed aloud, proud purr. Watching her graduate from bottle to solid food was a milestone moment, and before long, she was chasing toys and climbing everything in sight.
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“She went from a fragile little fluff to this confident, playful ball of energy,” Jesse said. “And knowing I helped her get there? That’s the best part of fostering.”
These stories are just a few examples of the incredible impact foster families have. Fostering not only helps animals prepare for adoption—it also makes space in the shelter for others in need. For many volunteers, the experience is just as transformative for them as it is for the animals.
Whether you’re giving a senior dog a soft place to rest, helping a rabbit learn to trust again, or nursing a newborn kitten back to health, you are saving lives.
