July 2025
Meet Naomi & Family
Naomi and her family began their foster journey in early 2020, after losing the last of their elderly cats in 2019. Naomi wanted her kids to experience having kittens in the home, since they had only ever lived with senior kitties. Over the past five years, they’ve taken in not only litters of kittens, but cats with neurological injuries and undersocialized cats of all ages.
Above: After living with older cats, Naomi’s family started fostering little ones! Toulouse (first photo) was part of a litter from 2024, Domino and Bandit (second photo) were fostered in 2023.
The Challenge of Charlie
Most recently, Naomi and her family looked after a particularly complex behavioral case. Charlie, a one-year-old brown tabby, was very defensive and scared of people, as if expecting to be treated badly. Naomi quickly identifies this as the biggest foster challenge they’ve had. In fact, she wasn’t sure they would ever win him over.
“Charlie had a hard time interacting with people the first few weeks,” Naomi recorded in Charlie’s Foster Care notes. “It was strange to have a cat like that after all those attention-loving kitties!”
It took over four months of patience, care, and crafting behavior plans with SAFe’s Foster Manager, but Charlie finally settled in and began trusting people. It turns out he is a playful and very affectionate–if cautious–cat who just needed someone to give him a chance.
“It was really amazing to see Charlie figure out that people can be great after all!” Naomi says.
Not only did Charlie open up–he developed a unique bond with each family member. For Naomi’s youngest, Charlie would climb to the top of the basement stairs and meow when they came home from school. He also became especially attached to one of Naomi’s older children, whom he came to see as a very worthy playmate.
Now, thanks to the love and care of his fosters, Charlie is ready to be adopted by a family of his own!
Advice to Future Fosters
With over 30 foster graduates to their name, Naomi and her family have learned a lot about what goes into raising and socializing cats.
“Definitely make sure that you have time to give to the cats, but also know that they will need space,” Naomi recommends. “Finding a great balance is key. Pack in lots of patience, especially with older cats that are more set in their ways.”
Naomi also wants fosters to know that part of the process is being able to let go when the time comes.
“Try not to get too attached–which is really hard sometimes when they are extra cute!” She says. “Know that this is a temporary roommate, who you are helping on their journey to their forever home. It’s such a great thing to do if you are able.”
Naomi and her family definitely have a way with cats, and Charlie’s case has really highlighted the level of care and attention they provide along with a willingness to learn. We love how everyone in the family listens, approaches the cats without judgment, and communicates safety and compassion. They truly are a safe haven for rescue kitties! ❤️
