Feeling a bit isolated and unemployed, Scott Moriarty was just trying to survive the winter holidays in New York City when Zara entered his life.

Moriarty, who had never fostered an animal before, welcomed the 7-year-old black cat after a friend encouraged him to do so at a Thanksgiving gathering. Zara’s previous owner was ill and unable to care for her, and Moriarty intended to help find her a new permanent home. However, the video graphic artist quickly became a “failed” foster after just two nights with the loving, purring, and magnificent cat.

“I texted the foster organization saying, ‘Is it normal to cry 20 times in three days?’” remarked Moriarty, 34, to YSL News.

Foster homes play a crucial role in the animal rescue landscape as they provide safe and loving environments for formerly stray cats and dogs while they await adoption, according to Jennie Anne Simson, a rescue and foster coordinator who facilitated Zara’s move to Moriarty’s home. With many shelters at capacity, they often can’t accommodate new animals, and that’s where foster homes come in, offering crucial support by caring for tens of thousands of pets each year. Grassroots rescue groups throughout the U.S. work alongside shelters to bring animals off the street, provide safety, and help alleviate the overcrowding in kennel facilities.

“Foster fails” occur when a temporary foster decides to permanently adopt the animal instead of letting it go. According to rescue groups, these situations are uncommon, but they usually happen for positive reasons. Sometimes people unexpectedly connect with a pet, despite their original intention to find it a new home, as explained by Simson, who assists in rescuing cats through Brooklyn Animal Action.

‘Something went very well’

Foster fails often happen when a strong bond develops between the human and the animal, which can be intensified by the animal’s precarious situation, Simson shared.

“There are cats that might take a while to warm up to their new environment, and getting to know them can be very rewarding,” Simson explained to YSL News.

In Brooklyn’s Flatbush area, Simson released Zara from her carrier in Moriarty’s bathroom on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. While she never expected Zara to become a foster fail, she noticed Moriarty’s emotional struggle to conceal his teary eyes.

“When I tell people I foster failed, they often ask, ‘Did something go wrong?'” Moriarty recounted during a phone call with Zara napping beside him on the couch. “I explain, ‘No, something went exceptionally well.'”

Animals are often placed in foster homes when shelters have no available space, or they face emergencies or abandonment. Pets that have a history of trauma, are not suitable around other animals, or have significant health issues benefit greatly from having devoted foster parents.

According to Meghan Hyatt, a foster mom who currently has six dogs, foster fails frequently occur after spending quality nurturing time with the animal, particularly if the pet has medical conditions that make it harder to adopt out.

‘He’s my baby, that’s my boy’

In Nokesville, Virginia, Hyatt has a mix of “tiny” and “large” dogs, young and old, and spends around $100 each month on food.

Of the six dogs, only one, a Redbone Coonhound named Imogene, was intentionally adopted nine years ago. The other three—terrier-Chihuahua mix Violet, Mastiff-Labrador Hank, and black Lab Ryder—are foster fails. Additionally, two dogs, Chihuahua Dustin and black Lab Midnight, are current fosters.

Since 2019, Hyatt, along with her husband and two sons, has successfully fostered over 40 dogs. Throughout her journey, she has witnessed dogs suffering from neglect and injuries, including one with bullets embedded in its body.

“We’ve encountered dogs who have undergone terrible experiences,” Hyatt, 44, told YSL News. “Yet, they give so much of themselves without demanding much in return. They simply crave companionship and their basic needs met.”

The Hyatt’s journey of foster failing began with Hank, a huge 8-year-old Mastiff-Labrador mix. Although sporty families in northern Virginia showed initial interest in him, they hesitated after discovering his laid-back nature. Initially, Hyatt anticipated that finding a home for a young terrier-Chihuahua mix named Violet would be straightforward; her husband advertised the dog, but for six months, no one showed interest as per the foster organization.

And then there’s Ryder, the black Lab.

“I have this unique connection with him, he’s my baby, that’s my boy,” Hyatt declared. “I love all my dogs, but Ryder holds a special place in my heart.”

After losing another black Labrador months prior to taking Ryder in, Hyatt made a concerted effort not to get too emotionally attached. However, Ryder arrived during March 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and required heartworm treatment that caused him significant discomfort in one of his paws. One night, Hyatt lay on the hardwood floor beside him, providing comfort as Ryder struggled to sleep.

“You can’t help but bond with them all, but Ryder just hit home for us. He was our comfort during the tough times of COVID,” Hyatt expressed. “He was affectionate and snuggly.”

Should I consider fostering a dog or cat?

If you enjoy the company of dogs or cats, fostering is definitely worth considering, Simson suggested, noting a significant backlog of cats in Brooklyn needing rescue. In northern Virginia, Hyatt mentioned there is a “constant demand for dog fosters,” with multiple requests appearing weekly via foster agencies and community social media posts seeking temporary homes.

“We’re always in need of more fosters,” Simson remarked.

It’s nearly impossible to avoid forming an attachment to a foster animal, so immersing yourself in that bond is encouraged, Hyatt advised. Regular communication with the fostering agency is vital, as they will remind you of your important role in providing temporary homes to several animals in need, Simson added. Additionally, consider that keeping one dog or cat permanently might hinder your ability to care for another that may require a “no-other-animals” situation, Simson warned.

“Being a safe haven for them until they find their forever family is a privilege,” Hyatt reflected. “While you do miss their presence, you’re giving the joy of having a pet to many other families.”