Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) of Bartlesville was started by two individuals who were rescuing abandoned animals in our community. They wanted to make a difference in the lives of animals by taking care of them until new homes could be found. Others soon wanted to help! We obtained our non profit 501 (c) (3) status in 1998 and began our journey by housing a few rescued cats and dogs in a local pet shop and showing dogs on Saturdays from an empty lot in front of a local nursery.
Thanks to supporters we were able to secure a lease in a building in Dewey that was home to 20+ cats/kittens available for adopton. We could not accomodate dogs so they were kept in foster homes which kept our dog rescue/adoption numbers low. In 2004 we were able to purchase a building in Bartlesville with Hwy 75 frontage and a few years later purchased 18 acres of land east of Bartlesville. In 2015 we completed new construction on our land and moved into our current rescue/adoption facility.
ARF's dream of a rescue/adoption sanctuary has turned to reality thanks to supporters, volunteers, fundraising and a lot of work! ARF exists by donations and grants. We do not receive assistance from the city, state or federal government. ARF's mission is to help animals in need to provide care, report abuse and/or neglect, promote spay/neuter, educate on animal welfare and promote adoption. The pets that are never adopted will always have a home at our facility where they will be safe, loved and cared for.
Our new facility is currently home to 40+ cats and kittens in a cage-free environment. Not only is it a sanctuary for them, but for pet lovers too! Even if you are not looking to adopt, it's a great place for pet lovers to visit and socialize with our rescues. In 2017 we have begun construction of our dog adoption area and vet surgery room where we plan to host low-cost spay/neuter clinics for our community. The dog adoption area will contain 13 plus-size kennels with outside runs and play area.
ARF and the Washington County SPCA (WCSPCA) are not related to each other except we have one similar goal - helping animals. These organizations have totally different missions, but we are battling pet overpopulation together! ARF does not have a contract with the city of Bartlesville for impound of animals, but the WCSPCA currently does. Both ARF and the WCSPCA benefit from the work done by each other! It is only through the reduction of animals born that we will we ever be able to reduce the number of animals that need help due to irresponsible pet owners. In 2016 ARF and WCSPCA joined efforts to bring low-cost spay/neuter opportunities to Bartlesville and Bartlesville Spay Neuter Assistance Program (BSNAP) was born!
ARF's is located at 399519 US Hwy 60 (1/2 mile east of Bison) in Bartlesville. Our membership dog park "ARF Park" is a fenced in 5 acres adjacent to our building. Annual "family pack" membershp fee is $50. Our adoption facility is open Monday through Saturdays from 1:00pm - 4:00pm, or by appointment if someone would like to meet an animal considering adoption. We encourage you to stop by for a visit, learn about what we do and volunteer!