Every foster home is a stepping stone to a brighter future. From helping shy pets come out of their shells to giving animals a safe place to heal, fosters play a vital role in every success story. Here, we celebrate the people who open their homes and hearts, turning uncertainty into trust and fear into joy.
Saving lives, one foster at a time
At the Wake County Animal Center, some heroes wear scrubs, and some warm bottles for hungry kittens in the middle of the night. Elle Felkins has done both. By day, Felkins is a clinical project manager for oncology studies at a pharmaceutical company. She began her career as a nurse and later moved into research. Caring for others has always shaped her life.
Longtime foster Kim Leon brings love and care to Wake County dogs
For Kim Leon, loving animals has always come naturally. Long before she ever walked through the doors of the Wake County Animal Center, she was the kind of person who noticed animals, worried about them and wanted to help. “I’ve been an animal lover ever since I was a little kid,” she says simply, as if there were no other way to be.
We’re the stepping stone to forever: Rachel and Trevor’s journey in giving animals a second chance
They’ve built a life around second chances. In Rachel Conway and Trevor Ketterling’s home, every foster leaves a paw print in a special book, proof they were here, loved and mattered. For those who didn’t survive, a small heart rests beside their name.