Welcome to Bowe’s Buddies

A message from our founder, Beth Bodden Felker

Hi there, friend!

Thank you so much for visiting Bowe’s Buddies—our little corner of the world where compassion, second chances, and heartwarming transformations come together to make magic happen.

If this is your first time here, welcome! I hope you’ll take a moment to explore the site, learn more about our mission, and get to know the incredible animals and humans who make Bowe’s Buddies possible. Whether you’re a longtime animal lover, a seasoned foster, or someone just starting to learn how much of a difference fostering can make, you belong here.

Bowe with the Snow

At the heart of our organization is one very special cat: Bowe. His journey is the reason Bowe’s Buddies exists today.

Bowe was born into uncertainty. In July 2020, his mother was taken into a local shelter—sick, scared, and pregnant. She gave birth to seven kittens in shelter care, but sadly, only two made it long enough to find foster placement: Bowe and his sister Peach. Peach was adopted quickly, but Bowe, born with a rare condition called Radial Hypoplasia, needed something more. He needed someone who could see past his physical differences to the bright, resilient soul within.

That someone was me.

Bowe came to me as a foster, but he never left. He became my family, my inspiration, and the heartbeat behind our mission. And now, through Bowe’s Buddies, we get to do for countless animals what I got to do for him—give them a real chance.

Since 1994, I’ve fostered hundreds of animals. Each one has left a pawprint on my heart. And yet, this dream—to create a nonprofit that truly supports foster families and animals needing that extra bit of care—felt out of reach for many years. But with determination, an incredible team, and a whole lot of heart, Bowe’s Buddies became real.

We now proudly partner with the Allen Animal Shelter to recruit, train, and support foster volunteers. Our mission is simple but powerful: give animals the time and care they need to thrive so they’re not left behind due to space or medical needs. Instead of being forgotten, they’re loved, nurtured, and set on the path to a forever home—just like Bowe.

The best part is that Bowe still plays a role every day. He welcomes new fosters, offers comfort to the scared ones, and reminds us with every nuzzle and purr that second chances matter. That they work. That they save lives.

So from the bottom of my heart—thank you. Thank you for stopping by. Thank you for caring. And thank you for believing, like we do, that every animal deserves a chance to be someone’s everything.

If you ever have questions, want to share a foster story, or are ready to get involved, don’t hesitate to reach out. Bowe and I would love to hear from you.

With gratitude,

Beth Bodden Felker

Founder, Bowe’s Buddies

Bowe’s Buddies is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting animals just like Bowe: those who need extra care, time, and compassion to thrive. We partner with the Allen Animal Shelter to support foster volunteers who provide temporary homes for cats and dogs in need.

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