by BETHEL, Alaska — When devastating floods swept through several remote Alaskan villages earlier this month, hundreds of residents were airlifted to safety. But many were forced to make a heartbreaking decision — leaving their beloved pets behind.
Now, an animal rescue group in western Alaska has stepped in, saving at least 180 dogs — and even a turtle — from the flood-ravaged communities cut off from the rest of the state.
Remote Villages, Isolated Animals
The effort was led by Bethel Friends of Canines (BFK9), a nonprofit animal rescue founded in 2011 that typically takes in around 500 animals each year. Based in Bethel — a key regional hub with no road access to most nearby villages — the group has faced enormous logistical challenges.
“The hardest part is that you can’t just drive out and save these dogs,” said Jenna Stewart, BFK9’s director of development. “We are thankful to have so many pilots and airlines that help us. Without them, this wouldn’t be possible.”
The flooding came after the remnants of Typhoon Halong brought high surf and powerful winds, inundating several coastal villages along Alaska’s western shore. Many residents were forced to evacuate without their pets, leaving rescuers scrambling to reach them by plane in the days that followed.
A Community Effort — and a Spiderman Backpack Rescue
In Kipnuk, one of the hardest-hit villages, a group of teachers and residents helped gather dogs for the rescue flights. Some had no kennels, using whatever they could find.
“The first dogs they sent to us arrived in a plastic tote, and a couple of puppies were carried in a Spiderman backpack,” Stewart recalled. “They had nothing else to hold these dogs, but they knew they had to get them to safety.”
BFK9 has since coordinated multiple airlifts, transporting animals to Bethel, where they’re being cared for and reunited with owners whenever possible.
The Nonprofit’s First Turtle Rescue
While nearly all rescues have involved dogs, Stewart said the group also saved a red-eared slider turtle — a classroom pet from one of the flooded villages.
“The turtle is now in Bethel with a local veterinarian,” she said, noting it was the group’s first-ever turtle rescue.
Although BFK9 primarily works with dogs, they occasionally rescue cats, though felines are rare in Alaska’s rural villages — only about three to five each year.
Reuniting Families and Finding Foster Homes
Once animals arrive in Bethel, the organization works tirelessly to reunite them with their families.
“These villages are small,” Stewart said. “Usually everyone knows everyone’s dog.”
If ownership isn’t immediately clear, BFK9 posts photos of the rescued pets on Facebook, allowing residents to identify them. For animals whose families remain displaced, foster homes have stepped in to provide temporary care.
Ongoing Rescues and National Support
As of Friday, BFK9 volunteers were still receiving new reports of stranded dogs in the region.
“A lot of these dogs left out there are the scared ones,” Stewart said. “They are so confused and are hiding. This ordeal is far from over.”
The organization is now partnering with several other rescue groups — including Humane World of Animals, Best Friends Animal Rescue, and The August Fund in Anchorage — to coordinate care, transport, and temporary housing for the displaced animals.
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The nonprofit has also received donations and messages of support from across Alaska and the lower 48 states.
“Bethel Friends of Canines has an incredible village,” Stewart said. “We’re doing great things, but we couldn’t do it without all the people helping us.”
As cleanup continues in the flooded communities, BFK9 remains on standby for additional rescue missions — determined to ensure that no animal is left behind.
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