SAN DIEGO — If you've ever considered fostering an animal in need, overcrowded local shelters need your help.
In this Zevely Zone, I met two 'Animal All-Star Volunteers' at the San Diego Humane Society.
There are people who really love animals, and then there are Ben and Becca Kennedy! "You're a chunky monkey," said Ben while holding a kitten. The married couple says there's something about the desperate call of a kitty that makes them lick 'their' paws.
"I want to touch all of them and take them all out and take them home with me," said Becca.
San Diego residents Ben and Becca Kennedy share a love for animals that has changed nearly 200 lives through the journey of their relationship. The couple have been fostering together for more than five years across four states, now settled in San Diego.
Ben and Becca have fostered more than 120 animals for San Diego Humane Society many of which have been vulnerable neonate kittens needing round-the-clock care.
Last summer, while Ben and Becca were off celebrating the Pride Festival their Hillcrest home caught on fire.
"All of a sudden our phones were dinging and dinging and dinging and we are on the phone with the firefighter who says I have your animals but everything else is gone," said Ben.
They raced home and even with their belongings in ashes they never stopped fostering cats.
"It was the thing that grounded us strangely enough throughout the whole thing and it was familiar to us," said Becca.
Suddenly, the kitties were comforting them and amid that life-changing moment, a family member suggested the couple that was already engaged get married and said, "Why don't you just do it? I was like okay let's do it and I was like where would we do it ha, ha the Humane Society? Then we were like we should do it at the Humane Society," laughed Becca.
Jackie Noble from the Humane Society helped Ben and Becca plan their wedding because that's what you do for a foster family. "I was like no one has ever asked me that before this is amazing I have to help make it happen for them," said Jackie.
During 'Kitty Season' Jackie told us how important is it to have foster volunteers like Ben and Becca helping out.
"Oh my gosh, we get kittens in every day. Every night they seem to be saving us by taking more and more kittens to bottle feed at home," said Jackie.
Some of those kittens were invited to the big day.
"The best wedding ever," said Becca.
Ben added, "I recommend everyone do it, I think everyone should just elope at the Humane Society."
With loved ones looking on, Ben and Becca tied the knot next to baskets filled with kittens. "It was doing everything we love to do. It was perfect," said Becca.
For the honeymoon? I also heard something about Ben and Becca branching out to foster squirrels. "Yep. We have seven of them right now," said Becca.
Seven squirrels, living in their laundry room made me wonder what if this couple had to choose between their love for animals or each other. "Oh I don't know, you might be breaking up a marriage we would probably just move in here honestly there's room," laughed Ben.
The couple currently has seven foster kittens in their care, the youngest of which was just a week old when Ben and Becca brought them home.
Caring for these vulnerable babies requires a commitment, but one they say is always worth it.
"Sometimes we are handed an animal that has only a small chance of survival. Knowing that we are the reason that they might make it is what gets us through. Watching these babies turn a corner and finally knowing that they are going to be okay makes all of the late nights worth it! There is nothing more rewarding than seeing your fosters thrive. It is an honor to play a role in not only their physical healing but the healing of their spirit. Watching their personalities bloom as they settle into a routine of love and safety is why we keep doing what we do," said Ben and Becca.
If you're interested in volunteering for the San Diego Humane Society and fostering an animal in need, click here.