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1. Where can I find information about the Borough leash law?

You can find in-depth information on the Borough leash law in the Borough's Code of Ordinance Title 6, Chapter 6.35. Code 6.35.010 explains the leash and restraint areas. There is a shortcut to the Animal Protection Code on the homepage of Animal Protection's website .

2. What should I do if my pet is missing?

If you are missing your pet, contact the Animal Shelter at 907-228-6660 as soon as possible to file a Lost Report.

By calling, you will be able to find out if your pet may have been brought to the shelter by a third party, impounded by an animal protection officer, or if the shelter has received a report of a found animal matching your pet's description.

The shelter maintains a list of animals that are reported as lost and found, and staff attempt to identify potential matches based on the callers' descriptions. You may also consider putting flyers in your neighborhood, placing an ad in the newspaper, posting on sites like SitNews, calling the radio station, etc., about your lost pet.

We also ask that you contact the shelter when you find a pet you have reported as lost, so that we know to stop looking for him/her.

3. What should I do if I find a lost pet?

If you find a pet that you believe is lost, contact the Animal Shelter at 907-228-6660 as soon as possible to file a Found Report. We will attempt to identify potential matches with missing reports received by the shelter. You may also have other legal obligations to attempt to locate the owner before keeping the animal.

Found pets may be brought to the Animal Shelter, or an animal protection officer can pick up a found pet during regular business hours. There is no charge for turning in a found pet to the shelter.

4. I'm going on vacation and am leaving my pet(s) with a pet-sitter or family member. Is there anything I should know?

Here are a few helpful tips when leaving your pets with a pet sitter or family member:

• Make sure your pets are wearing a form of identification (dogs should be wearing their borough dog license).
• Leave a copy of your pets' vaccination records with your pet sitter or family member.
• Ask your pet sitter or family member to always walk your dog on a leash.
• Remind your pet sitter or family member to call the Animal Shelter if your pet is missing or if they bite someone.
• Before leaving town, contact the Animal Shelter and leave your sitter's and pet’s information with the staff, so that if your pet is brought into the shelter or impounded, they can easily be identified and your pet sitter or family member notified. You can also download our Pet Sitter Form online.
  
  Be aware that some pets can become depressed or confused when you leave and may run away or become lost when trying to find you.
  
  Licensing your pet and having your pet sitter walk your dogs on a leash can help ensure that they are safe and sound when you return home.

5. What should I do if I or my child has been bitten by an animal?

If the animal belongs to you:

1. Seek medical care if needed.
2. Call the Animal Shelter and report when you were bitten and which animal bit you.
3. By state law, the animal will need to be quarantined to observe for signs of rabies for ten days.

If the dog, cat or ferret belongs to someone else:

1. Seek medical care if needed.
2. If possible, get the owner's name, phone number, and address, as well as the animal's name and description.
3. Call the Animal Shelter and report when you were bitten and (if known) the owner's and animal's information.

It is important to report bites as soon as possible. Instructions for reporting emergencies (including all bites) after hours are available on the shelter's voice mail.

6. What should I do if my pet bites a person (myself, a family member, a friend, or a stranger)?

1. Call the Animal Shelter and report when the bite occurred, which animal did the biting, and who was bitten. All animal bites are required by law to be reported to Animal Protection.
2. By state law, the animal will need to be quarantined to observe for signs of rabies.
   
   It is important to report bites as soon as possible. Instructions for reporting emergencies (including all bites) after hours are available on the shelter's voicemail.

7. How do I borrow a Live Trap to catch a cat (or dog) on my property?

Live traps for cats and dogs are available at the Animal Shelter and are loaned out on a first-come, first-served basis. Traps may be set only between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. and must be monitored by the user at all times. Traps may generally be used to trap up to one animal per day. Borrowers of traps are required to follow these and all other guidelines for use (available at the shelter) and assume full liability for the use of the traps. A trap may be borrowed for up to 3 days, but we ask that users return the trap as soon as they are finished with it so the trap can be made available to others.

8. I am interested in adopting a pet from the Animal Shelter. What do I need to do?

We are happy to hear that you are considering adopting one of our special pets! Please call the Animal Shelter at 907-228-6660 for more information about adoption!

9. Can I adopt a pet from the Animal Shelter if I do not live in Ketchikan?

Yes! For more information about our adoption policies, please contact the shelter at 907-228-6660.

10. Why am I required to wash my hands between each animal when petting them?

Washing your hands protects the animals against the spread of disease. Please wash your hands in the restroom upstairs or the restroom downstairs, or in the washroom downstairs. Make sure you wash your hands every time you touch an animal in a different kennel or cage. The best way to clean your hands between handling animals is to use soap and water.

11. I had a notice left on my door. What do I do now?

The notice will explain why the Animal Protection Officer called on your residence; such as a report was given to the department about a barking dog, animal bite, animal welfare, dog running at large, etc. At the bottom of the notice you will find the officer's number who left the notice. Call the shelter at 907-228-6660 and ask to be transferred to that officer for more information regarding your notice.

12. When does my dog license expire?

All Borough dog licenses expire one, two or three years from the date that they were purchased (see fee list below).
Out of area licenses are not valid.
All dogs over the age of 4 months need a current license.
License fees:
UNALTERED DOG: $50
SPAYED/NEUTERED: $15 (1 YEAR)
SPAYED/NEUTERED: $27 (2 YEARS)
SPAYED/NEUTERED: $39 (3 YEARS)
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS LICENSE: $100
ADA SERVICE DOG, SENIOR OWNER: ONE FREE PER PERSON PER YEAR
KETCHIKAN POLICE DEPARTMENT, ALASKA STATE TROOPERS, SEARCH & RESCUE DOG: FREE
DUPLICATE LICENSE: $5
CAT LICENSE, LIFETIME: $25
30 DAY TRANSFER OF LICENSE: $5

13. Does my pet need a rabies vaccination?

Please contact a vet for more information about your animal's rabies vaccination protocol.

14. What is the definition of "animal restraint" of dogs in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough?

"Restraint" means under the immediate and constant physical control of a responsible person by leash or under the immediate and constant verbal control of a responsible person and obedient to that person's commands, or on the premises of the owner or responsible person.

This definition; along with other information on animal regulations in the Borough, can be found in Title 6 of the Borough Code. This code is linked on the left hand side of the screen on the Animal Protection Department section of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough web page.

15. Where are the leash your dog areas in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough?

The areas in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough that require residents and visitors to leash their dog(s) can be found on the Animal Protection Department section of the Borough website. The information is listed in Title 6 of the Borough Code. This link can be found on the front page of the Animal Protection section on the left hand side of the page.