Foster Volunteer Spotlight: Heather Bennett
Heather with Mocha (center) and Milo.
For Heather Bennett, fostering animals started as a volunteer opportunity, but quickly proved to be an experience that would leave a lasting impact on her and her children. Heather’s story not only sheds light on the joys of fostering a diverse range of animals, but also the memorable moments and powerful life lessons.
Q. How did you first get involved with fostering animals, and what inspired you to start?
A. My kids and I first got involved with fostering animals about a year and a half ago. I signed up to foster through the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County after reading about different ways to get involved. I work from home and have kids who love animals and have humongous hearts – it seemed like the perfect fit for us!
Q. Can you share a memorable experience or story from your time fostering with our shelter?
A. This is an easy one: my sweet Milo. Milo is one of the nine dogs rescued from heartbreaking conditions in Mason County after their owner passed away. I saw the email come through asking for fosters, and after reading their story, I had to help. What I saw when I got to the shelter made me so sad yet so happy. Those sweet dogs were heartbroken and scared, but they were in good hands with the amazing team at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County. Milo wouldn’t move on his own and had to be carried into my van, no easy task because he’s a big guy! Once we got home, it took him an hour to let me take him inside the house.
For about three weeks, I sat on my kitchen floor, working on my laptop, with Milo sitting next to me letting him get used to me at his own pace. He took over my 9-year-old’s bedroom. He loved the twin bed and loved it even more when my kids were taking turns sleeping with him at night. That was the thing about Milo; he was scared to wander around the house on his own but perked right up when we went to him.
After those first three weeks, he was a different dog! He loved playing with our two dogs and smiled at our cats, but his favorite thing was being around people. Milo has since been adopted by a wonderful family and they have shared many pictures and stories with me about him.
Milo snuggling in his favorite twin bed.
Q. What types of animals have you fostered, and do you have a favorite kind to work with?
A. I have fostered bunnies, cats, and dogs. I can’t choose a favorite because they have all been so adorable! Bunnies are pretty fun because there is seriously nothing cuter than six teeny tiny bunnies cuddled up with their mama! We did foster a cat, Pearl, who was in danger of losing one of her legs due to an injury. We allowed her a lot of time and space to rest, carried her around in a front pack because that’s awesome, and she was able to keep her leg! She still limps, and I know that because we adopted her, but she is well-loved, safe, and happy.
Heather’s cat, Pearl.
Q. You adopted your foster cat, Pearl! What a heartwarming foster success story! Have you adopted any of your other foster pets?
A. I adopted two of our foster pets because at that time in our life we were ready to add permanent members to our family. Our sweet and wild puppy, Mocha, we adopted after fostering her. We had just lost our beautiful dog Louie a month before and we were beyond sad. Mocha brought us laughs and love, plus our other dog immediately fell in love with her.
Q. What has been the most rewarding aspect of fostering for you?
A. Milo definitely changed me as a foster and as a mother. I am more patient now than I have ever been, and I look at life with a new perspective. Milo taught me to slow down and just be happy with life. My children have learned to be accepting and loving of all types of animals and their personalities, quirks, and injuries. They have learned how to handle them, when to give them space, and when to smother them with kisses and cuddles.
Q. What advice would you give to someone who is considering becoming a foster volunteer?
Talk to your family, including your pets, and make sure you are all prepared. Check out your surroundings and see if you have enough space, foster animals sometimes need their own area. Our foster Milo needed his own room because he was a big boy, Bernese Mountain Dog mix, and he was scared. There will be work involved with fostering, yes supplies are available, but getting your home ready for each animal does take some time. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid to love them. Don’t be afraid to say goodbye. Let yourself ugly cry when they leave but shake it off and get ready for your next foster!
Q. Is there anything else you’d like to share about your fostering journey or experience?
A. I can’t say enough about how much I love the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County. The Foster Department is amazing! There is so much support in person and online. You are treated like a friend. Life has been rough, but being at the shelter brings me peace and happiness I haven’t felt in a long time.
Interested in becoming a volunteer or foster? Check out our opportunities.