All aboard the foster pet RV

Orpha was now an empty nester. She’d come to Best Friends with a litter of kittens, but they were weaned and she was ready for some “me time.” Enter seasoned foster volunteers Chris and Cori. They had just the spot for Orpha to enjoy a little relaxation.

Back in 2020, the couple began a project that would become a labor of love. They purchased a travel trailer, parked it in the driveway, and remodeled it to create a comfy, safe space for pets who need a temporary place to crash.

Best Friends’ goal is for all shelters nationwide to reach no-kill, and people who step up to foster pets, either with Best Friends or any animal shelter or rescue organization, play a vital part in reaching that goal.

One of the couple’s resident cats, Jane, was not a fan of foster guests, especially dogs, so the caregiving camper was the perfect solution. Jane could enjoy her space, and Cori and Chris could continue to help animals in need. It was a foster win-win.

Chris and Cori were heartbroken when their beloved Jane passed away last year. While her larger-than-life presence is no longer in their home, they have continued to host more pets in need in the trailer that her presence inspired.

The refurbished RV has already housed several foster animals who were also in need of a little revitalizing, including a mom and pups, various cats and dogs, a kitten rescued during the L.A. wildfires, and of course sweet Orpha.

A foster stay in the RV runs about two weeks on average. Sometimes lost pets are included on the guest list. “We get a lot of strays who either come into our yard or that we or our friends find, and we keep them while we try to locate their families,” Cori says. “So it’s nice when we can have the trailer available for occasions like that.”

Because of their busy schedules, Chris and Cori often take breaks between foster animals. But planning for each new guest is something they both enjoy. “The trailer setup is always a blast,” Cori says. “Big bed for a big dog, a few little beds for small pups and for cats. I add hideaway spots, scratchers, and lots of climbing places.” They also keep the cabinets stocked with standard items like food and water bowls and lots of toys.

So what’s a typical day like in the RV, and how do Chris and Cori balance what, in essence, is two households?

The day starts with everyone getting fed — the resident cats, as well as any foster pets in the trailer. Because Cori works from home and the RV is equipped with Wi-Fi, she often spends the day working in the trailer. If the current guest is a dog, she’s available to take them for walks as well as for play and potty breaks. Cori says she enjoys switching up her routine as well as the scenery to keep foster pets company.

[Couple converts RV into foster pet crash pad]

In the evening, it’s time for dinner and more quality time — playing, taking walks, cuddling. Chris and Cori pay close attention to their foster pets’ behavior, so they can provide helpful information to the organizations they foster for as well as to potential adopters. The RV also sports a camera, so they can check in on their charges anytime day or night.

“With Chris staying up late and me waking early, they’re almost never without someone checking in, which gives them a cozy, home-like routine,” Cori says.

Even with their tried-and-true routine, the two have also had a few unplanned guests. Take, for example, the kitten they found in a nest in their tree during the L.A. wildfires. The kitten was wary of people, but Chris and Cori weren’t giving up until he was safe inside, out of the strong winds and smoke. “We finally coaxed him down at night and put him in the trailer,” Cori says.

No one claimed the kitten, so Chris and Cori took him to the vet for a checkup. And just a week later, they found him a home with a cousin in vet school. “Without the trailer, we wouldn’t have had a safe space to rescue, care for, or prepare him for adoption,” Cori says.

[97 kittens, an RV and one lifesaving mission]

In another recent adventure, the RV became “Kitty Hall,” hosting a special cat Chris and Cori respectfully nicknamed The Mayor. This stately “bureaucat” didn’t need to meet any other constituents. He got Chris and Cori’s vote, and they elected to adopt him. Says Cori, “He’s now a trailer graduate and lives full time in our house.”

And then there’s Orpha, who also was recently adopted and now resides in a home of her own.

Even though their trailer never leaves the driveway, Chris and Cori will see plenty more RV adventures in the future. Their dedication to fostering animals in need has helped many dogs and cats on their journey to adoption.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.