January Foster of the Month: Becky McCraw

Thank you to Becky and her husband, Scott, for making their home a puppy sanctuary that prevents entire litters of puppies from ending up at the Bedford County Pound.

Puppies are at exceptionally high risk of contracting deadly illnesses while in the pound because they have not yet been vaccinated. They also take up valuable kennel space that can lead to older dogs being euthanized before they have a chance at adoption.

In 2011 alone, Becky fostered almost 200 dogs and puppies until they could be transported to Connecticut for adoption through Pawsafe. She also fostered many more more dogs, puppies, and cats until they could go to a longer-term foster or could be adopted locally.

These sounds like daunting numbers for one couple, right? Keep in mind that Becky and Scott care for these animals while both working full time. Becky also serves as Bedford Humane Society’s Board President and our Puppy Foster Coordinator. She attends nearly every event we hold. She maintains extensive custody and medical records for all of her fosters. And she and Scott donate their time selflessly helping to maintain our Headquarters.

Becky visits the pound regularly to intercept any puppy litters that show up there. She also works directly with the public taking in unwanted/unplanned litters of puppies. Under this program, BHS takes ownership of the mother dog and her puppies, caring for them until the puppies are weaned. Becky then gets the mother dog spayed before returning her to her previous owner and the puppies are either adopted locally or transported to Pawsafe for adoption out-of-state. All puppies are also spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped.

And beyond all of this, Becky remains steadily committed to saving every single animal she possibly can. She spends her days and nights worrying over dogs and cats sitting in the pound, at risk of being killed. She assembles more kennels and gives up more of her own living space to accommodate as many as she and Scott can care for. And no matter how many she saves, she is compelled to do more and more. Becky begs me every week to find more foster homes to help. She feels an absolute responsibility for the animals that others throw away.
With dog and cat overpopulation an enormous issue in Bedford City/County, the service that Becky and Scott provide is invaluable to our community. Bedford Humane Society thanks you, Becky and Scott, for your unending service to the people and animals of our community. You are heroes!