We’re proud to announce that in 2025, volunteer fosters Hita and Garret hosted a record-breaking 41 cats and kittens in their home! This brings their lifetime total to 100. Garret and Hita began fostering as a way to spend more time with kittens, but quickly added more value to their lives than they could’ve foreseen. We connected with the pair to learn a little more about their experience and history fostering with Cat Adoption Team.
CAT: How long have you been involved in fostering at CAT?
Fresh Loaves Foster: 2.5 years
CAT: Why did you start fostering?
Hita: Initially, I just wanted to hang out with kittens. But it quickly became a way for me to help and advocate for all cats and kittens looking for their forever home.
Garret: And I started fostering because my girlfriend was doing it. But I quickly got sucked in by how rewarding the experience is.
CAT: What do you like best about fostering with CAT?
Fresh Loaves Foster: CAT provides so many incredible resources for their foster parents. Basics like sponsored food and medical care go a long way in easing the burden on us foster parents and make it accessible for all who would like to foster. But even more helpful are the people. When you foster with CAT, you gain access to an incredible community of cat lovers who are so incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. Any time we have an issue with one of our foster cats, no matter what the issue is, there’s guaranteed to be someone who’s experienced it before and is willing to help in any way possible.
CAT: When the foster department sends requests for help, how do you make a selection?
Fresh Loaves Foster: We tend to gravitate towards the cats with medical issues or that need socialization because we know that not everyone is trained to take those cats. Sometimes it’s just as simple as who’s been on the waitlist the longest. And then every once in a while, as a treat, we’ll ask to foster some fun kittens.
CAT: Tell us about some of the challenges you’ve faced with foster cats.
Fresh Loaves Foster: The medical and socialization cats are often inherently challenging. Nothing in life prepares you for having to give a pill or administer a vaccine to a cat that won’t let you get near it. Even the extremely friendly ones can do things like refuse to eat or pull out their own feeding tube! Every cat is different, and sometimes it requires a lot of patience and trial and error before you figure out the best way to care for a particular cat. Overcoming these challenges makes fostering really rewarding!
CAT: Best piece of advice for someone interested in fostering?
Fresh Loaves Foster: If you’re interested, learn more and try it! It can seem daunting, but if you have extra love to give and a little extra space (even just a spare bathroom) you could be an amazing foster. Plus, there are lots of “easy” cats that need to go to foster, too, so you can get your feet wet first before deciding if you’re ready to dive in with someone more challenging.
CAT: Do you have a favorite foster story to share?
Hita: My favorite is the story of Octavia and Clarke. They were dropped off at CAT taped into a cardboard box as their previous owners were moving and couldn’t take them with. The bonded pair got into a fight and had to be separated. I took them in as we have 2 foster rooms so we could slowly reintroduce them. Within about 30 minutes of getting home, both of them wouldn’t stop crying for the other. I took an educated risk to reintroduce them sooner and they couldn’t have been happier. I happened to talk to my co-worker about the duo and showed them pictures. They were smitten with the pair. The only barrier was that their partner had a cat allergy. Nevertheless their family came to meet Octavia and Clarke just to hang out with them and it was instant love for everyone. There was no way those cats were going to a different home. Octavia and Clarke settled right into their new home. They love to be in the cuddle puddle, are the perfect gaming partners, and are patient with the littlest member of the family. Happy to say, the partner found an effective way to manage their allergies – and it’s good they did as Octavia and Clarke love to sleep on or by them!
Garret: Maribelle, probably the shyest cat we’ve ever fostered. It took an entire month of working with her multiple times a day everyday before we could get her to even just come out from hiding when we were in the room. We were worried that it would take a long time for her to get adopted, but thankfully the first person who came to meet her ended up being the perfect adopter! Maribelle is now living her best life as a total cuddlebug!
Complacency doesn’t exist here: Garret and Hita recently sent foster cat Ilana home to a loving family. This scrappy former street cat was their 3rd high-needs cat to spend time with the couple in 2026. Through their patience and compassion, Ilana learned to trust humans, lean into chin scratches, and gain confidence that her next meal isn’t far away. To follow along with Hita and Garret’s foster journey, head over to their Instagram foster account: @freshloavesfoster.
