Feline Matchmakers receives $1,000 grant after placing 100 cats in foster homes during national challenge

Wilmington, NC (WWAY) — Feline Matchmakers received a $1,000 grant from Best Friends Animal Society after helping place 100 cats into foster homes during a nationwide foster initiative.

The Wilmington-based rescue was recognized for its participation in the Foster Forward Challenge, a national campaign aimed at increasing the number of shelter pets placed in temporary foster homes while awaiting adoption.

The challenge ran from June 1 through June 30. According to Best Friends Animal Society, more than 150 organizations participated, helping place more than 20,100 shelter pets into foster homes during the month. That marked an increase of about 5,000 pets, or 35%, compared with June 2025.

Feline Matchmakers said it placed 100 cats into foster homes during the challenge.

The $1,000 grant will support the organization’s ongoing foster program and other efforts to care for cats awaiting adoption.

“What a wonderful month! Not only did more pets go into foster homes, but several members of our community opened their homes and became part of our work to save more cats,” Feline Matchmakers President Faith McNitt said in a statement. “We learned so much by participating in the Foster Forward Challenge, including what is possible here in the Wilmington area when we give people more opportunities to say yes to fostering. Receiving a grant from Best Friends means we can keep this incredible momentum going!”

Best Friends Animal Society said foster homes provide pets with a temporary place to stay outside of a shelter, allowing animals to adjust to a home environment while freeing shelter space for other pets. The organization said foster programs can increase adoption rates by 20 percentage points or more.

During the challenge, participating organizations tested strategies to recruit more foster volunteers and place pets with greater needs into foster care.

“We’re so proud to recognize Feline Matchmakers for their successful completion of the Foster Forward Challenge,” Whitney Bollinger, director of strategy and network operations for Best Friends Animal Society, said in a statement. “Today, more pets are sleeping on couches in homes where they belong because Feline Matchmakers tried a new foster practice and got the Wilmington community involved in lifesaving.”