I’ve long known the ups and downs of a litter of foster kittens. It’s largely a trade-off. In the beginning, you lose sleep for the warm satisfaction of knowing those bottles are filling hungry little bellies. Within a couple of weeks, you are losing time (lots and lots of time) cleaning up the incredible mess kittens make as they learn …

Faylene is available for adoption at the MRFRS in Salisbury, Mass. I encourage everyone I know to foster — even if they’re dead set on adopting. Not only does fostering provide an invaluable service to rescue groups and the shelters who depend on them (not to mention the pets themselves), it’s a great way to learn about your own needs …