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Spokane council approves county animal-services interlocal and emergency animal-control ordinance
Summary
The Spokane City Council unanimously approved a 2026—2030 interlocal agreement with Spokane County for animal care and control and passed Emergency Ordinance C36803 amending animal-control sections; the contract includes new notification and euthanasia-policy posting requirements, the council said.
The Spokane City Council on Thursday approved an interlocal agreement with Spokane County to provide animal care and control services from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2030, and passed an emergency ordinance amending animal-control regulations.
Council member Cathcart, who led negotiations, said the agreement requires the provider (referred to in the meeting record as "Scraps," as transcribed) to post an euthanasia policy and to notify the city if euthanasia is proposed because of inadequate capacity, a step Cathcart said would increase transparency and allow for possible adoption interventions. "The ILA will require that Scraps post the euthanasia policy," Cathcart said, and that notification to the city could enable an animal to be adopted rather than euthanized.
An exchange in the meeting record also notes the county has requested a change to a 2023 council ordinance that restricted euthanasia for space; Cathcart said the county made clear during negotiations that it wanted that measure removed. Cathcart said the ordinance change would be effective only while the county contract is in place and that future councils could pursue alternatives if a new provider became available.
A city representative told the council the administration had sought an outside independent assessment of animal services, which identified areas for improvement and helped shape the current agreement. Council members who spoke during the discussion — including Dillon and Kelsoff — expressed support for the ILA while acknowledging it reflects compromise.
Emergency Ordinance C36803, described in the meeting as "relating to animal control regulations amending section 10.740.01 and 10.110 and declaring an emergency," was introduced by the clerk with no public comment and passed by a 7-0 vote.
The council recorded the consent agenda vote that included the interlocal agreements and the ordinance as unanimous. The meeting minutes show the vote as "That passes 7 0." The council adjourned after the votes and wished attendees a happy holiday.
