Jan with foster kittens Rey, Finn, Poe and Kylo.

At the ASPCA, thousands of animals across our programs are impacted by our foster caregivers each year. Simply put, fostering saves lives. It’s a critical step in many animals’ journeys to find a loving homes, and also creates space in the shelter for more animals to receive the lifesaving care they need. Each and every foster caregiver plays a key role in keeping our animals safe, happy and healthy.

This year for National Animal Foster Appreciation week, we’re shining a light on one of our incredible foster caregivers in Los Angeles, Jan Okabe-Wong. Jan, a licensed clinical psychologist, is a dedicated kitten foster who specializes in kittens with ringworm or behavior needs.

The summer before Jan moved out of her mother’s house for graduate school, her mother’s friend was operating a cat rescue out of her home and asked Jan and her mother to temporarily help foster some bottle babies.

“I grew up with pet cats, but floofy Bob from that litter became the first cat I adopted on my own,” explained Jan. “I knew I wanted to foster again once I had the space and time to do so.”

In 2019, Jan had purchased a home and had felt like it was the perfect time to try fostering. So, when she attended CatCon that year, she made her way to the ASPCA booth and signed up to start fostering.

“I got my first litter of four kittens, and I was hooked,” she said.

With her first foster litter, Jan found that our staff checked in frequently and helped guide her through upper respiratory infection (URI) treatment for the kittens after some turned up with mild URIs.

Jan’s first litter of ASPCA fosters known as “the Peppers”: Bell, Ancho, Cherry and Ghost.

“I also called the 24/7 hotline a few times due to concerns about their symptoms and was provided with additional suggestions and reassurance,” Jan told us. “They were also good about finding another foster for the kittens to transfer to so that I could go on my planned vacation a few weeks later. I appreciate that the ASPCA will ask about your needs like how long you can keep the kittens, ages you’re open to fostering and types of presenting issues and will match you with fosters that fit with that. Over time I was gradually able to expand my experience more and more and become more confident taking in a wider variety of kitties!”

Ready to help more specialized kittens, Jan took our virtual training to become a Lion Tamer foster. Lion Tamer fosters are those who focus on undersocialized kittens who are still becoming comfortable with new people and novel situations.

“Some of my first Lion Tamer fosters were in late 2020,” explained Jan. “The two kittens made progress quickly and it was very rewarding to see them start to enjoy being pet and held.”

Jan with one of her first shy fosters, Simba.

In March 2021, our staff asked Jan to foster a feral cat, Judy, who was immediately pending amputation for an injury.

We provided Jan with a large kennel to set up in her second bathroom as Judy was not supposed to jump or move around much.

“Since Judy was feral and in some pain from her surgery, she didn’t want any contact with me, and I had to accept that about her,” said Jan. “I checked on her occasionally via a camera and went in only to clean her litter box and replace her food.”

Left, feral cat, Judy in Jan’s home. Right, Judy with her BFF George a few weeks after being released back into her neighborhood.

Ten days later, Judy was healed enough to be released back into her neighborhood.

“After her return, the ASPCA staff who were familiar with her before said they noticed a big difference in Judy seeming more comfortable and affectionate with them,” remembered Jan. “This was one of the most unique fostering experiences I’ve had and am extremely grateful to Judy for hanging in there with me, and for the team for giving me the opportunity.”

While Jan made the effort to help kittens and cats with behavior needs, she hadn’t planned on volunteering with ringworm kittens.

Last summer, one of Jan’s foster kittens was diagnosed with ringworm at his vaccine appointment.

“The ASPCA staff asked me if I wanted to have the kittens transferred to a different foster home in case I was uncomfortable with ringworm treatment,” explained Jan. “After they explained the treatment protocol, I agreed that I could do the baths and medication.”

Jan’s first ringworm kittens: Waltz, Tango, Salsa and Samba.

Jan had previously been hesitant to take ringworm fosters because she didn’t want to worry about bringing ringworm into her house and having it spread to her other cats and future fosters.

“But in this case, the ringworm spores were already in my house! So, bring on the challenge! I would have to learn how to sanitize away the ringworm anyway,” said Jan. “Ringworm baths can be physically challenging – it gets hot and sweaty when you’re wrapped up in PPE and wrangling wet cats – but I actually find it less stressful compared to certain medical cases in which I worry constantly about monitoring kittens for dehydration and malnourishment.”

Ringworm kittens Dougie, Moonwalk and Macarena.

“I also like fostering ringworm kittens because I know a lot of people don’t feel comfortable doing so, and these kitties really need somewhere to stay,” Jan added. “I became the ringworm foster lady and ended up doing ringworm treatment for 11 kitties from five litters in 2023 and am back at it again this summer!”

While there are some challenges when it comes to kitten fostering – in Jan’s case it’s having to go slow and not pet and cuddle undersocialized cats or ringworm kittens – our fosters report that the good always outweighs the bad, and Jan is no exception.

“The most rewarding part is seeing the transformation from sick and/or shy babies into healthy and relaxed kitties ready for adoption,” she said. “I love when I get photos of my former fosters being spoiled and happy in their new homes!”

Jan also loves being around so many cats all the time. In fact, she’s lost count of how many she has fostered.

“I have three of my own cats, but with fostering I’ve had the chance to love and enjoy so many more cats than I ever could take care of on my own for their whole lifetimes,” she explained.

Snuggly litter of six: Maple, Pumpkin, Caramel, Apple, Cranberry and Chestnut. Jan adopted all of them out directly and still receives photo updates of them.

Our staff in Los Angeles couldn’t be more grateful to Jan for all the cats and kittens she has nurtured over the years.

“Jan’s dedication not only to save the lives of these vulnerable kittens, but also shaping their future, turning helpless kittens into cherished family members is so appreciated,” said Hella Tyler, Senior Manager of Foster Care in Los Angeles.

Of the countless kittens Jan has fostered for us, she officially adopted one.

“My Noodle was in the foster program since a few weeks old and was transferred to me at 7 months old,” she told us. “The foster team tried many different treatments but when they determined her sinus condition was antibiotic resistant, I decided to keep her. She reminds me of a cat I had growing up who would sneeze on all our stuff. I wanted to provide her with a home where she could be accepted fully for her “boogery” self. She is still a little goopy weirdo, and we love her!”

Noodle now helps socialize Jan’s foster cats and kittens.

Left, Noodle while in foster care at 7 months old. Right, Noodle playing with foster cat, Viola.

We are so thankful for the unwavering support of our amazing foster caregivers who continue to move our work forward.

“Kitten fosters are unsung heroes who offer love and a second chance to the smallest, most vulnerable lives,” said Hella. “Without them, so many stories would end before they even begin, and we are forever grateful.” 

Jan’s current foster cats. Left, Abalone, nicknamed Abby. Right, Scallop on the counter, Abby in the sink and Oyster on the floor.

And while we have an incredible group of fosters in Los Angeles, we are always in need of more.

This National Animal Foster Appreciation Week, we’re asking our supporters to consider becoming a foster caregiver and helping us change the lives of animals in need by temporarily opening their homes and becoming foster caregivers.

“Fostering is such a rewarding experience,” shared Jan. “And the ASPCA will work with your availability and interest. Regarding ringworm and behavior needs kittens, it may seem intimidating at first, but it’s actually not that difficult and the team will support you the whole way through!”

If Jan has inspired you to start fostering, you can sign up to be an ASPCA foster caregiver for cats and dogs in New York City, Los Angeles (cats only), Asheville, North Carolina or Columbus, Ohio. If you live outside of these areas, you can still help by signing up to foster for your local shelter or with our friends at Animal Care Centers of NYC.