Frequently Asked Questions
Adoption Questions
How much does it cost to adopt a dog from BFK9?
Our adoption fee is $250. This fee covers spay or neuter and immunizations.
How do I adopt a dog from BFK9?
Once you see a dog you are interested in:
- Fill out an adoption questionnaire and email it in
- Set up a meet and greet for the animal you are interested in
- Set up a home visit for the animal you are interested in and a BFK9 volunteer
- Once your adoption is approved, finish the rest of the adoption paperwork, pay the adoption fee, and welcome your new family member home!
How old do I have to be to adopt?
You must be 21 years of age or older to adopt a dog from BFK9
Can a dog be adopted outside of Bethel?
Yes, on occasion. We utilize the help of our rescue partners in Anchorage to help with these types of adoptions. The adoption fee and criteria for adoption maybe different from ours in these situations.
If I am the first one to apply for a dog, will I get him?
No, Bethel Friends of Canines does not adopt dogs out on a first come first serve basis. We want the best possible home for our dogs, therefore we have a screening process for all possible adoptions. We want to make sure that each dog is matched with a perfect family that meets their needs and desires, and vice versa.
Does BFK9 take in dogs from the public?
Yes, we can take in animals from the public. If you cannot care for your dog any longer and need to find a home for them please get in touch with us.
What do I do if I find a loose dog or need to report neglect/cruelty?
If you find a loose dog or need to report a case of neglect/cruelty, please call 907-543-3781. The police department will dispatch the animal control officer or a police officer to come pick up the dog.
What do I do if I can't keep my dog?
Call us at 907-545-3506 or 907-545-0292, if you would like to surrender your dog to the rescue.
Where does Bethel Friends of Canines get their dogs from?
A majority of our dogs come to us from the Bethel Pound. Animals are held at the pound for 4 days and after those 4 days they are then released to BFK9. We also on occasion take in animals from surrounding villages.
Why do you send animals to Anchorage?
Some of our animals don't get any adoption interest while they are with us in Bethel. To seek out more adoption options for them, we send them into Anchorage to our rescue partners to find their forever homes. Some animals stay in Bethel for awhile and some are sent into Anchorage right away. The amount of time they are in Bethel depends on how many foster homes we have open and how many animals are in the Bethel pound needing to be rescued.
I didn't pick up my dog from the pound and now you have it....what now?
Please read all information below and send us an email.
For those that are unfamiliar with the process, when a dog is picked up by BPD, it is allowed to stay 4 days at the pound in hopes that its owner will come to claim it. (Municipal Code 6.04.070) The 4 day hold at the pound is a sufficient amount of time for an owner to find their lost dog. If they are not claimed within those 4 days, the City of Bethel’s policy is to euthanize the dog. Thankfully, they have agreed to work with BFK9 and after the required 4 day hold, BFK9 is allowed to save the dog from being euthanized and the city transfers the dog to BFK9’s care. This is a legal process and the dog becomes BFK9’s “legal property” at that point.
That means after the 4 days at the pound, if a dog does not become BFK9’s property, then it will be killed.
When a previous owner approaches BFK9 and wants a dog returned to them, BFK9’s policy is to have the board approve or deny it. Legally the dog belongs to BKF9 and BFK9’s mission is to provide the best life possible for any animal in their care. The board will consider what is best for the dog’s well-being. BFK9 will not return a dog to a previous owner for a multitude of reasons - i.e., the dog is constantly running loose, the dog is regularly picked up by BPD, the dog looks malnourished, the dog shows signs of abuse or neglect, etc.
If BFK9 returns a dog to a previous owner, there will be fees to pay, as BFK9 has put time, money, and resourses into the dog at that point. BFK9 will charge previous owners $10 a day for every day BFK9 has the dog in our care. BFK9 also wants to ensure all our dogs are healthy, therefore BFK9 vaccinates all dogs in our care. There will be a $20 charge for each set of vaccinations given.
BFK9’s mission is to reduce the pet overpopulation problem and spaying and neutering is a vital key to keeping with our mission. If a dog appears to be unaltered, BFK9 will also charge a $100 fee to the previous owners. BFK9 will work with the previous owner to get the dog scheduled for their spay/neuter and the $100 fee will be applied towards the cost of the spay/neuter. If the previous owner does not get the dog spayed/neutered within 2 months, the $100 will be applied towards a spay/neuter to another dog in our community.
BFK9 is imposing these fees to help encourage more responsible pet ownership. Every dog that BFK9 pulls from the pound takes up a space in one of our foster homes….that means one less dog can be brought into BFK9’s care. That means because we take in a dog that is returned to a previous owner, another dog from the pound or a village might be killed.
While BFK9 does want to work with the community in keeping happy and healthy dogs in Bethel, our main concern is the well-being of each dog under our care. The harsh reality is that if BFK9 did not pull these previously owned dogs, they would be dead. Please help BFK9 with our mission and be responsible pet owners.
Foster Questions
Do you have a central location or kennel?
Not a the moment. BFK9 currently utilizes foster homes for all of our dogs and cats in rescue.
Do BFK9 dogs need foster homes?
Yes! We are always in need of foster homes for dogs and cats! If necessary, BFK9 can supply the foster family with any supplies necessary to care for the foster animals. We also take care of any medical needs of our animals while they are being fostered.
How do I become a foster home?
Visit the foster page, fill out the foster form, and email it in! We are always happy to supply more information or chat to see if fostering is right for you.
Volunteer Questions
What types of activities are there for volunteers?
There are many ways you can volunteer!
BFK9 is in need of:
Dog Walkers
Transporters to the vet, to the airport, etc.
Photographers
Saturday Market Helpers
Bakers
Crafters
If you can help us out please send us an email to bethelfriendsofcanines2011@gmail.com
How much does it cost to adopt a dog from BFK9?
Our adoption fee is $250. This fee covers spay or neuter and immunizations.
How do I adopt a dog from BFK9?
Once you see a dog you are interested in:
- Fill out an adoption questionnaire and email it in
- Set up a meet and greet for the animal you are interested in
- Set up a home visit for the animal you are interested in and a BFK9 volunteer
- Once your adoption is approved, finish the rest of the adoption paperwork, pay the adoption fee, and welcome your new family member home!
How old do I have to be to adopt?
You must be 21 years of age or older to adopt a dog from BFK9
Can a dog be adopted outside of Bethel?
Yes, on occasion. We utilize the help of our rescue partners in Anchorage to help with these types of adoptions. The adoption fee and criteria for adoption maybe different from ours in these situations.
If I am the first one to apply for a dog, will I get him?
No, Bethel Friends of Canines does not adopt dogs out on a first come first serve basis. We want the best possible home for our dogs, therefore we have a screening process for all possible adoptions. We want to make sure that each dog is matched with a perfect family that meets their needs and desires, and vice versa.
Does BFK9 take in dogs from the public?
Yes, we can take in animals from the public. If you cannot care for your dog any longer and need to find a home for them please get in touch with us.
What do I do if I find a loose dog or need to report neglect/cruelty?
If you find a loose dog or need to report a case of neglect/cruelty, please call 907-543-3781. The police department will dispatch the animal control officer or a police officer to come pick up the dog.
What do I do if I can't keep my dog?
Call us at 907-545-3506 or 907-545-0292, if you would like to surrender your dog to the rescue.
Where does Bethel Friends of Canines get their dogs from?
A majority of our dogs come to us from the Bethel Pound. Animals are held at the pound for 4 days and after those 4 days they are then released to BFK9. We also on occasion take in animals from surrounding villages.
Why do you send animals to Anchorage?
Some of our animals don't get any adoption interest while they are with us in Bethel. To seek out more adoption options for them, we send them into Anchorage to our rescue partners to find their forever homes. Some animals stay in Bethel for awhile and some are sent into Anchorage right away. The amount of time they are in Bethel depends on how many foster homes we have open and how many animals are in the Bethel pound needing to be rescued.
I didn't pick up my dog from the pound and now you have it....what now?
Please read all information below and send us an email.
For those that are unfamiliar with the process, when a dog is picked up by BPD, it is allowed to stay 4 days at the pound in hopes that its owner will come to claim it. (Municipal Code 6.04.070) The 4 day hold at the pound is a sufficient amount of time for an owner to find their lost dog. If they are not claimed within those 4 days, the City of Bethel’s policy is to euthanize the dog. Thankfully, they have agreed to work with BFK9 and after the required 4 day hold, BFK9 is allowed to save the dog from being euthanized and the city transfers the dog to BFK9’s care. This is a legal process and the dog becomes BFK9’s “legal property” at that point.
That means after the 4 days at the pound, if a dog does not become BFK9’s property, then it will be killed.
When a previous owner approaches BFK9 and wants a dog returned to them, BFK9’s policy is to have the board approve or deny it. Legally the dog belongs to BKF9 and BFK9’s mission is to provide the best life possible for any animal in their care. The board will consider what is best for the dog’s well-being. BFK9 will not return a dog to a previous owner for a multitude of reasons - i.e., the dog is constantly running loose, the dog is regularly picked up by BPD, the dog looks malnourished, the dog shows signs of abuse or neglect, etc.
If BFK9 returns a dog to a previous owner, there will be fees to pay, as BFK9 has put time, money, and resourses into the dog at that point. BFK9 will charge previous owners $10 a day for every day BFK9 has the dog in our care. BFK9 also wants to ensure all our dogs are healthy, therefore BFK9 vaccinates all dogs in our care. There will be a $20 charge for each set of vaccinations given.
BFK9’s mission is to reduce the pet overpopulation problem and spaying and neutering is a vital key to keeping with our mission. If a dog appears to be unaltered, BFK9 will also charge a $100 fee to the previous owners. BFK9 will work with the previous owner to get the dog scheduled for their spay/neuter and the $100 fee will be applied towards the cost of the spay/neuter. If the previous owner does not get the dog spayed/neutered within 2 months, the $100 will be applied towards a spay/neuter to another dog in our community.
BFK9 is imposing these fees to help encourage more responsible pet ownership. Every dog that BFK9 pulls from the pound takes up a space in one of our foster homes….that means one less dog can be brought into BFK9’s care. That means because we take in a dog that is returned to a previous owner, another dog from the pound or a village might be killed.
While BFK9 does want to work with the community in keeping happy and healthy dogs in Bethel, our main concern is the well-being of each dog under our care. The harsh reality is that if BFK9 did not pull these previously owned dogs, they would be dead. Please help BFK9 with our mission and be responsible pet owners.
Foster Questions
Do you have a central location or kennel?
Not a the moment. BFK9 currently utilizes foster homes for all of our dogs and cats in rescue.
Do BFK9 dogs need foster homes?
Yes! We are always in need of foster homes for dogs and cats! If necessary, BFK9 can supply the foster family with any supplies necessary to care for the foster animals. We also take care of any medical needs of our animals while they are being fostered.
How do I become a foster home?
Visit the foster page, fill out the foster form, and email it in! We are always happy to supply more information or chat to see if fostering is right for you.
Volunteer Questions
What types of activities are there for volunteers?
There are many ways you can volunteer!
BFK9 is in need of:
Dog Walkers
Transporters to the vet, to the airport, etc.
Photographers
Saturday Market Helpers
Bakers
Crafters
If you can help us out please send us an email to bethelfriendsofcanines2011@gmail.com