SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. will continue to provide animal control services to the city of Spokane thanks to a two-year contract approved Monday.

The Spokane City Council unanimously approved the deal, which is similar to the contract that expired Dec. 31, but it includes a 5 percent cost increase to the city next year.

SpokAnimal, a nonprofit agency, has said it wants out of the animal control business to become a no-kill shelter. In 2008, the city agreed to contract with Spokane County for animal control, but that partnership was derailed last year after voters rejected a tax that would have expanded the county’s shelter to make room for city animals.

“We owe a great deal of gratitude to SpokAnimal for stepping into the breach and being willing to continue to provide that service,” City Councilman Richard Rush said.