Meet the Women Who Have Fostered Over 1,000 Dogs and Cats – and Have No Plans to Stop Anytime Soon! (VIDEO)

What is pet fostering? It means helping an animal in need. Sadly, there are around 70 million homeless dogs and cats in the U.S., only a small fraction of which ever find their way to a sanctuary and an even smaller portion end up adopted. Fostering animals helps reduce overcrowding in the shelters and opens up space for another animal to be saved.  Sometimes, shelters foster out animals who are sick or undergoing heartworm treatment. A foster home provides a safe, calm environment to heal in. Whatever the case may be, one thing is for certain: fostering saves lives!

Katie and Marianna, the sisters in the above video from The Orphan Pet, have fostered more than 1,000 dogs and cats in the last fifteen years. Yep, you read that right! Their journey started with just fostering dogs, mainly puppies, but in 2009 they opened their doors to cats as well. Once their foster animals are ready to be adopted, The Orphan Pet helps get them adopted into a forever home!

When asked if they miss the animals after they are adopted permanently, Katie and Marianna said that it’s hard to see them go but when they see the photos of their former fosters enjoying their new home, they know it was all worth it. These senior sisters are proof that we can all make a difference! You can play an important part in ending pet homelessness by fostering dogs and cats, click here to learn more.