The Calming Effect of Cats
It is actually being proven that the sound of a cat purring is good for human health. Stroking a purring cat reduces human stress levels it helps to calm us. Cats can also have a positive effect on heart rate and blood pressure.
Teaching Children Empathy
Learning to understand emotions is an important life skill and lots of animals help teach children this through respect and nurturing. By understanding what your cat wants and needs from behaviours teaches your children empathy and to understand emotions by imagining how their pet feels. This can help children interact with peers and allows them to take ownership of their own feelings and emotions.
A Listening Ear & Companionship
Allowing children, the opportunity to confide in animals can be great emotional support sounding board and can encourage the confidence to talk and be open about feelings. This can help support children through their school years as well as take steps to recover from trauma.
Responsibility & Accountability
Having animals is a big responsibility! While a family pet is ultimately the adult's responsibility, parents or carers can assign them specific duties related to cat care, such as feeding or grooming. This allows children to understand the responsibilities of looking after something that relies on them.
Reduce Pet Allergies & Asthma
Being around animals can help children reduce the risk of allergies and asthma as they get older! Being around cats and our fur from an early age helps your little ones become immune to allergies and other illnesses.
Children With Complex Needs & Cats
If you have a child with autism, for example, having a cat can improve social skills and anxiety. There has been lots of research and studies into children with autism having cats as pets and how this has had a positive impact. Animal therapy has been proven on many occasions to be a great way to connect with children.
If you own a cat or cats and are contemplating fostering a child then get in touch today! Pets can bring a sense of calm and provide a great source of companionship to a young person in care.
Not sure if you meet all the requirements? Give us a call on 0800 023 4561 and we can answer any questions you have.
Foster Care Requirements
- Be over 21 years old (there’s no upper age limit)
- Have a spare bedroom but you don’t need to own your own house
- Be a British Citizen or have indefinite leave to remain
- Generally, you’ll need to be able to foster full-time, but there are a few exceptions
- Plenty of patience, energy, resilience and commitment
Are you thinking of fostering?
Download the FCA’s complete beginner’s guide to fostering a child. Find out more on how to foster a child and the process involved.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
By Phone
Call a member of our friendly fostering team and they'll be able to answer all your questions