In the animal welfare world, foster caregivers are an invaluable resource in helping rescue countless animals from uncertain fates. Often, pets who come through shelter doors are too young, undersocialized, sick, or injured, making them less than ideal candidates for adoption. These everyday heroes open their hearts and homes to such animals, providing love, specialized care, and stability that can't always be found within a crowded shelter. The Humane Society of Ventura County is lucky to have so many dedicated animal lovers on our foster roster. One such caregiver is Elizabeth, who recently undertook the challenging task of housing eight rambunctious kittens and their hardworking mother, Yvette.

A good Samaritan brought Mama Yvette and her litter to the shelter after they were found in a bush in early August 2025. The eight tiny kittens were just a couple of weeks old at the time, and the entire group was in need of a safe, warm space to settle. Elizabeth, a long-time animal lover and friend of the shelter, stepped up and offered to foster the bunch until they were able to be adopted. She, along with her daughter, Brennan, turned their garage into a kitten oasis for the "Y kittens" and Mama Yvette to flourish. 

Now, we know what you're thinking. Caring for eight kittens seems like a lot of work, and you'd be right! Even with their mama in the home, housing this much kitten energy can be overwhelming without dedication and organization. However, Elizabeth and her family handled the chaos with ease. She even found time to send daily photos and updates to our staff!

"Elizabeth and Brennan are our newest mother-daughter dream team of Foster Caregivers who embody the spirit of service and stewardship above self. They go to extraordinary lengths to ensure our foster animals are healthy, happy and lovingly socialized. Their vigilance and dedication to our tiniest, most fragile population is inspiring and essential to operation. Thanks to amazing people like Elizabeth and Brennan, we can save and serve hundreds of animals yearly," said Cheney, HSVC's Foster Coordinator.

We're so grateful to Elizabeth and her family for graciously caring for Yvette and her tiny fur babies. We're pleased to share that all eight have been adopted into loving homes, and Mama Yvette is now available for adoption too! Stop by the shelter if you are interested in bringing her home. The HSVC is open to visitors Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 4:30 pm, and we are located at 402 Bryant St. in Ojai, CA.

Are you interested in joining our fantastic team of foster caregivers? Whether you're available to long-term foster or just want to give a shelter pet a weekend out of the kennel, we're always looking to expand our foster family! We provide the supplies, all you have to do is provide the love and space! Click the button below to learn more, or reach out to our Foster Coordinator at [email protected].

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