Animal control in question

Pets picked up in the city of Spokane are welcome at Spokane County’s shelter, but not if city leaders won’t pay a fair share, county commissioners said Tuesday.

County leaders have been researching the idea of regionalizing their animal control system because the city of Spokane’s contract with SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. expires Dec. 1. Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services already handles animal control for the unincorporated county and Spokane Valley.

“It would be good for the people and pets in this county to have a one-stop shop,” said Nancy Hill, director of SCRAPS, which would double in size if it provided service for the city.

But Spokane leaders are divided about the future of animal control.

City Councilman Brad Stark is pushing for the partnership, while Mayor Dennis Hession has questioned joining SCRAPS at a time of tight budgets.

“It’s just that I find their system is too expensive for us,” Hession said.

SpokAnimal warned the city months ago that it no longer wants to do animal control. The agency has indicated it is willing to continue on a month-to-month basis until the city finds a solution, but it’s asking for $38,000 a month – up from the $17,000 a month the city pays now, Stark said.

A county study says it would cost about $1.3 million a year for the city to combine with SCRAPS. Stark said some of that money, possibly $300,000, would be refunded through licensing fees.

Hession said one option is building a new city shelter and starting an animal control department that would be paid mostly through higher licensing fees.

A preliminary report from the mayor’s office suggests raising licenses to mimic city of Seattle prices. A spayed or neutered cat’s license would increase from $8 to $15. A spayed or neutered dog license would increase from $13 to $35. Rates for unaltered pets would not change.

Hession said most of the cost of animal control should be paid by pet owners. County leaders say about 60 percent of SCRAPS’ costs are paid by taxpayers.

Commissioners said if regionalization is to move ahead, the city will have to make the next step.

Stark says it’s confusing to residents to continue operating two animal control systems in one county.

“The situation is right at this time to move forward with a regional solution,” he said.