SPOKANE, Wash. — As wildfires force residents from their homes across the Spokane area, a local animal shelter is stepping in to care for the pets left behind by evacuating families.
SpokAnimal opened its event center Saturday afternoon to accept dogs and cats from people who can no longer care for their animals during the crisis. The shelter is providing the service at no charge.
“We realized that people were going to be pretty desperate at this point,” said Dori Peck, executive director of SpokAnimal. “I’m just trying to make sure that people are able to go get a hotel and rest, know that their animals are safe here.”
The response has been significant. SpokAnimal has taken in almost 100 dogs and cats from people who evacuated or animals found on the streets. Every room at the facility is now full.
Throughout Saturday, people arrived with donations of food, kennels, blankets and other supplies the shelter needs to properly care for the animals.
“Our community has been beyond generous,” Peck said. “People are coming from southern Idaho, down in the Lewiston area, rescue groups, we work all across the country, and so we all help each other when we are in times of need.”
SpokAnimal is working with emergency veterinary clinics to ensure animals receive proper care if the shelter cannot provide it. The shelter says it will continue taking in as many dogs and cats as possible.
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