We recently connected with Cayla Pennington and have shared our conversation below.
Cayla, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I think purpose isn’t something you’re handed—it’s something you discover when you step outside of what’s expected and follow what truly lights you up inside.
Growing up, I found a special kind of peace in animals. I wasn’t allowed to have cats because of my family’s allergies (and my own), but that didn’t stop me from sneaking next door to play with my neighbor’s kitten, Joey. From the time he was tiny, I’d sit with him, fascinated by his little world, wishing I could bring that joy into my own home.
Even without a cat, my life was always filled with animals—birds, dogs, bunnies, snakes, turtles—and I spent my childhood rescuing little injured creatures, doing what I could with what I had. Animals were my safe place, my calling, even before I knew it.
As I got older, I would watch YouTubers who fostered animals and dream about doing the same. It felt far away—something for “later”—especially because my allergies kept me on the sidelines. But everything changed when I started allergy shots. It sounds dramatic, but those shots gave me a new life. They gave me a chance to finally live the dream I had carried in my heart for so long.
When I moved into my own place and found myself with time, space, and freedom, I knew it was time. I dove deep—watching every video, reading every article, taking every step seriously. I signed up with the Chesapeake Humane Society and soon completed Foster Kitten 101 and 102.
Then came the email that changed everything: Would I foster a mama cat and her baby?
I said yes—and Mama Ellis and her son York came into my life. They were sweet, easy, and full of love. Watching them trust me, watching them heal and grow—it made all my fears fall away. I realized I wasn’t just helping them. They were helping me, too.
Soon after, I got my second group: the Dusty Kittens. They were tiny five-week-olds, full of mischief and wonder. Learning to make kitten gruel, bottle-feeding, midnight check-ins—it was overwhelming at first, but somehow, it also felt natural. Like I had finally found the place where I was meant to be.
Since then, I have opened my home and heart to as many kittens as I can, giving them a safe start and finding them families. Every single one has left a paw print on my heart. Fostering has become my purpose—a way to spread love, healing, and hope in a world that needs more of it. It’s made me more compassionate, more patient, more alive. And it’s only the beginning.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m deeply passionate about fostering kittens, particularly newborns and young ones who require around-the-clock care. Fostering has become both a calling and a commitment in my life — something I pour my heart, time, and energy into every day.
Many people imagine fostering kittens as simply playing with adorable, fluffy babies all day. While there are incredible, heartwarming moments, the truth is far more complicated. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Fostering takes a tremendous amount of patience, dedication, and emotional resilience — especially when it comes to bottle babies and neonatal kittens.
It means countless sleepless nights, setting alarms every two to three hours to feed and care for fragile little lives. It means cleaning up endless messes, bottle-feeding stubborn kittens who sometimes refuse to eat, giving medications, and dealing with unexpected medical emergencies. There are moments of pure frustration when things aren’t going right, and devastating heartbreak when, despite all efforts, a kitten doesn’t make it. Those losses hurt more than words can explain — and yet, we continue, because every little life matters.
Despite the challenges, fostering is incredibly rewarding. Watching a tiny kitten, who once fit in the palm of your hand, grow strong, healthy, and full of life because of the love and care you gave them is indescribable. Knowing that you played a part in giving them a second chance—and eventually seeing them find their perfect forever home—makes every hard moment completely worth it. Fostering has shaped who I am today: it’s taught me compassion, patience, and the incredible impact one person can have when they open their heart.
Right now, I am focused on expanding my fostering efforts, taking in more kittens as I continue building partnerships with local rescues. I also aim to educate others about the realities of fostering, hoping to inspire more people to get involved. In the future, I hope to create resources, guides, and maybe even hands-on workshops for new fosters to help prepare them for the journey — the good, the hard, and the beautiful.
Fostering is not easy, but it’s full of purpose. And there is no better feeling than knowing you made a difference in a tiny life that otherwise might not have had a chance.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three qualities have been absolutely essential in my journey — not just in fostering kittens, but in every area of my life: patience, resilience, and the willingness to keep learning.
Patience has been crucial. When fostering, you can’t rush a scared kitten into trusting you or force a sick baby to heal overnight. Progress is slow, and sometimes invisible day to day. It’s the same in life — whether you’re building a career, growing a relationship, or chasing a dream. My advice for anyone early in their journey is to accept that growth is a slow process. Celebrate the small wins. Be patient with yourself and with the process. Nothing truly meaningful happens overnight.
Resilience has been equally important. In fostering, there are heartbreaking moments—kittens that don’t survive despite every effort, days where exhaustion or frustration feels overwhelming. In life, too, setbacks are inevitable. You have to allow yourself to grieve, to get frustrated — but you also have to get back up. My advice: Don’t let failure define you. Let it fuel you. Resilience isn’t about pretending things don’t hurt; it’s about continuing anyway because you believe the journey is worth it.
A commitment to constant learning has also shaped my path. When I started fostering, I thought I knew a lot — and then I realized there was still so much to learn, from bottle-feeding techniques to recognizing early signs of illness. Staying open-minded and willing to learn, even when you think you already “know enough,” is what keeps you growing. My advice: Stay humble. Stay curious. Ask questions, seek advice, research, experiment. The more you learn, the better you’ll serve not just your passions, but yourself.
Whether it’s fostering, starting a business, or simply chasing a personal goal, these three qualities have made all the difference for me — and I believe they can make all the difference for anyone brave enough to chase a dream.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I’m dealing with stubborn bottle kittens — the ones who refuse to latch, squirm away, or simply won’t eat no matter how hard I try — it can be incredibly overwhelming. In those moments, the most important thing I do is pause and breathe. I remind myself that getting frustrated doesn’t help the kitten and it doesn’t help me. Sometimes stepping away for just a minute or two — setting the kitten down safely, taking a few deep breaths, and resetting my mindset — makes all the difference.
Another strategy I rely on is problem-solving instead of panicking. When a kitten won’t eat, I try to think like a detective instead of letting emotions take over. Are they too cold? Too tired? Is the nipple too big or too fast? Could the formula temperature be off? Approaching the situation calmly and methodically helps me find solutions faster, and it keeps me from feeling completely helpless.
I’ve also learned that asking for help is powerful. Whether it’s reaching out to a mentor, a rescue group, or an online fostering community, having support and advice from others who’ve been through it can make you feel less alone and give you fresh ideas.
My biggest piece of advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed — whether it’s with kittens or anything else — is don’t let a tough moment define the whole experience. It’s okay to struggle. It’s okay to need a break. Progress doesn’t always look perfect. Be patient with the kitten, and just as importantly, be patient with yourself. You’re learning. You’re helping. And that matters more than any single difficult moment.
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