Foster parents pour their hearts into caring for the tiniest, most fragile lives — and sometimes, despite everything, those lives slip away. At Esther Neonatal Kitten Alliance, we want to say this clearly: You are not alone. You are not a failure. And your love mattered.

Here are our favorite self-care tips for foster parents during kitten season.

Opening your home to foster kittens is one of the most impactful, life-saving things you can do — but like anything new, it comes with a learning curve. Whether you're bottle-feeding newborns or socializing shy weaned kittens, it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed at first.