Why fostering is good for your health
We all know that fostering cats is a literal life-saving volunteer job that helps so many tiny (but mighty) fur babies. But some might ask, "what's in it for me as the foster?" Besides the obvious opportunities for major social media content, it turns out that being around cats has enormous impacts on our mental and physical health. Below are five reasons that cats are basically tiny, furry doctors.
These purr machines are scientifically proven to be good for your health. Turns out that cat owners have a 30% lower risk of heart attack and stroke compared to non-cat owners. They are also less likely to suffer from stress-related disorders. Exposure to low-frequency sound vibrations, like a cat's purr, can lower blood pressure and stimulate bone growth to speed up healing. What can't these little house panthers do!?
Having a cat is like taking a chill pill. Purring isn’t just good for your physical body. Listening to a cat’s motor humming also reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety. Spending just 10 minutes petting a cat has been found to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. They are basically tiny, fluffy therapists that happen to live in our house.
We know this sounds crazy, but cats can actually lower your risk of allergies and asthma. Contrary to popular belief, owning a cat may actually lower the risk of allergies and asthma. A study found that children who grew up with cats were less likely to develop allergies and asthma later in life. Which is a heck of a way to prevent lifelong sneeze attacks.
Cats are yoga masters that promote mindfulness. We have all watched a cat taking a bath, bending into impossible positions all for the sake of getting clean. Though most of us are not that flexible, we can learn from their zen state-of-mind. Cats have a way of living in the moment and taking things slow, which is a great lesson for us humans to learn. Fostering gives you the chance to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life.
Cats keep you connected. Fostering cats can help you connect with a community of like-minded individuals. And we think the cat-loving community is pretty cool. There are tons of other cat lovers out there, and fostering a cat can help you make new friends and bond over your shared love for felines.
Now that you know what’s in it for you, let's chat quickly about what’s in it for them (besides your amazing company). Providing a temporary home for a rescue kitty means you're giving them the chance to find a loving family that will take care of them for the rest of their lives. And let me tell you, there's no greater feeling than knowing you played a part in helping a cat find their forever home.
So there you have it, folks - fostering cats is good for your mental and physical health. Plus, it's a win-win situation for both you and our feline friends. If you’re ready to get started, just click the button below to become a Felius Foster!