In 2021, Rhian and Geoffrey welcomed a new member into their family—a cat adopted from Meant 2B Loved. A year later, they decided to take their love for animals one step further by becoming fosters. Since then, they’ve cared for 32 fosters—24 through to adoption and eight temporary fosters—specializing in young kittens and ferals.
Many assume that saying goodbye on adoption day would be the hardest part, but for Rhian, it’s the most rewarding.
“I have so many wonderful memories from fostering—babies opening their eyes for the first time, littermates racing by at full speed, or falling asleep on the sofa with a tiny baby tucked under my chin, knowing they feel safe for the first time,” she shares. “But the best moments? Handing them over to their excited new family and watching the car drive away. That’s when we cry happy tears because we did it—we got that baby to their forever home!”
That doesn’t mean every step of fostering is easy. Writing bios for kittens up for adoption is one of the most challenging parts of the process for Rhian.
“I want them to be perfect! That bio is their beacon, their sales pitch. They’re relying on me to find their perfect match,” she says. “Then, a little while later, I’ll be in a meet-and-greet, and the applicant describes their dream kitten—and it’s the exact one they came to see. That makes it all worth it.”
Despite the ups and downs, fostering is something Rhian and Geoffrey deeply cherish.
“You get so much in return. Bad day? Snuggle a fluffy baby. Feeling unaccomplished? Raise a kitten and see them graduate to adoption. Want a challenge? Learn how to socialize a feral kitty,” she says. “I’m a disabled person and have my own struggles, but fostering has given me so much joy and hope. It’s something I can do that makes a difference. Plus, kittens are so stinking cute, and they fill my heart with love.”
Even with cats of their own, integrating fosters has been surprisingly easy.
“Kittens actually have very simple needs,” Rhian explains. “They do best in a small space with just a few easy-to-clean essentials. We have a designated ‘kitten room’ where each one gets a minimum of two weeks of quarantine. It’s set up to help them transition—whether they need to learn how to eat solid food, use a litter box, or simply adjust to being in a home.”
Would she recommend fostering? Without a doubt!
“Give it a go! Fostering is temporary, not a lifelong commitment like adoption. M2BL provides everything you need, and you can take breaks whenever you need to. Plus, you’re never alone—there’s an amazing team of support people to guide you every step of the way.”
She also emphasizes that fostering is flexible to fit your lifestyle.
“You can be specific about the type of foster you take on. Whether you want a low-maintenance older buddy, a lively batch of kittens, or the challenge of bottle babies, it’s all about what you enjoy,” she says. “We personally love higher-needs babies, but not everyone does, and that’s okay! Be honest about your comfort level, and if something feels too difficult—or too boring—talk to your support team.”
When asked to pick a favorite fostering memory, Rhian finds it impossible to choose just one.
“I could write a book! One litter arrived at less than 24 hours old, and our resident cat—who had been a mom herself—would snuggle against the camera screen, watching them sleep. Our first litter was full of mischief—one little boy chewed off all his sister’s whiskers before adoption day, so she went to her new home completely bald! And there’s nothing better 
than being curled up on the couch with a pile of sleepy kittens on you.”
But when it comes to a favorite foster story, one little kitten stands out: Fiona.
“In our kitten room, we have a photo of every foster who’s been adopted, and each one has left an impression. But Fiona—oh, she’s special,” Rhian says. “She was part of a feral litter rescued after a rainstorm. They were so filthy and stinky it made us gag. I got overconfident after taming the first two, took off my gloves, and picked up Fiona. She bit my finger and screamed like a banshee!”
With time, love, and a little self-education (thanks to the ‘Kitten Lady’ YouTube channel), Fiona and her siblings became “formerly feral.” Fiona, in particular, was a snuggle bug, rolling around on the heat pad with her legs in the air. But she remained shy with strangers—how do you show someone she’s the best kitten ever when she hides behind the toilet during meet-and-greets? As fate would have it, Rhian and Geoffrey had been considering keeping a foster as a companion for their resident cat—and Fiona was the one who stole their and their cat’s hearts.
Reflecting on her journey, Rhian is incredibly proud to be part of Meant 2B Loved.
“M2BL has built an amazing team of people. From volunteers to adopters to those who donate—even something as small as recycling a bottle can make a difference. We’re so lucky to have such a strong community in the East Kootenays, all working together to help animals in need.”
And Meant 2B Loved is beyond grateful for fosters like Rhian and Geoffrey! We literally couldn’t do what we do without our incredible volunteers, fosters, donors, and supporters.
If you are interested in fostering, apply today on our website.
