Jess Thoren always considered herself a dog person. However, while living in a tiny apartment in New York and working long hours at a bank, she knew she couldn’t really accommodate a dog.
So, she settled for a cat. Two cats, actually, named Salt and Pepper.
Salt and Pepper were the first of many rescue kittens that Jess took in but they opened a door of opportunity that she had no idea existed (hint – it’s Kitten BnB).
Jess shared with Love What Matters,
“I wasn’t really aware how big the need for foster homes were when I started. I missed having a pet, but with working long hours, having a tiny apartment, and my love of travel, I figured that adopting one was out of the question.”
As soon as she brought Salt and Pepper home, she fell in love with them and their playful and loving nature.
While Jess wanted to adopt her kittens, she wasn’t sure she was ready. Salt and Pepper were adopted by another family and, while it broke Jess’ heart, it also helped her realise the need for special humans to adopt these helpless kittens.
I’m sure we would all adopt ALL the kitties and puppies if we could, but it’s simply not possible. So Jess did the next best thing.
From banker to professional kitten cuddler
After Salt and Pepper, she continued to request kittens from the shelter. However, knowing she wouldn’t be able to adopt them all, she decided to set up an Instagram account to showcase her sweet foster kitties and help them find their forever families.
The more I got involved in the rescue world, the more I wanted to help, especially once I became aware of how great the need for fostering was. I started my instagram @kittenbnb to help get my kittens adopted. The name came about because we would joke that our kittens were like our little house guests.
I started getting messages from people asking if Kitten BnB was a real place and that gave me the amazing idea…”
Bed, Breakfast and Kittens
Jess and her husband, Erik quit their jobs and moved out of their tiny apartment and into a house in Hoboken, NJ. This would be the new home of Kitten BnB. Jess and Erik run the show, managing the fostering kittens and adoption process and bookings for guests. And, of course, she’s also the main kitten cuddler!
Kitten BnB is designed to not only provide foster kittens with a safe and secure start to life, but also to allow human guests to come for a look, a play, a cuddle and a stay. There are three rooms at Kitten BnB that you can book, each with their own private bathroom. The BnB is located across the river from New York and, as an added bonus, during your downtime, you can play with kittens!
The foster kittens have their own room and there is a designated play area for the human guests to play and cuddle with the kittens. While some human guests are there to adopt, many are not and simply want to have a weekend away that involves kittens.
It’s a win-win for the cats too as they get plenty of exposure to humans and helps them become socialised.
“It makes them even more adoptable and shows people that fostering can be really fun! I think it also demonstrates to people that might be interested in fostering (but are a little nervous) that it’s not as overwhelming as it seems.”
Over the past few years, Jess and Erik have housed over 130 foster kittens. They have yet to adopt their own.
“I often get asked why I haven’t kept one and people tell me that they could never foster because it’d be too hard to give them up. For me, it’s gotten a lot easier to give them up since I’m so heavily involved in the adoption process. It’s still bittersweet because I love all my kittens so much. But getting to know their adopters and giving someone their new best friend fills me up with so much joy.
It’s an amazing feeling to be able to bring so much happiness to another person. There’s nothing better than getting an update about a former foster and seeing how loved and happy they are in their new home. Seeing what was once a shy, scared, and hungry kitten learn to trust, love, and play.
I’m not sure if there is anything more beautiful than that.”
Big kudos to every family who fosters animals – it’s such a big-hearted and beautiful thing to do! Now, who wants to open a Kitten BnB in Australia??
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Note: Kitten BnB is still operating on Instagram but can no longer be booked through AirBnB.
