UPDATE: January 12, 2026 at 5:40 p.m.
SPOKANE, Wash. – SpokAnimal continues to be quarantined as a virus affecting dogs remains active in the facility.
Despite ongoing efforts, no diagnosis has been made yet, according to Dori Peck, Director of SpokAnimal.
The shelter confirmed that they are working with Washington State University to identify the virus. However, it has been determined that it is not parvo.
While some dogs are recovering, others, particularly puppies, are still very ill, Peck said.
Currently, no cats have contracted the virus, according to Peck. She expressed gratitude for the community’s donations, which have been crucial in supporting the facility during this challenging period.
UPDATE: January 7, 2026 at 4:14 p.m.
SpokAnimal remains closed and quarantined with no estimated time for reopening, as the virus remains active in the facility and no diagnoses have been made.
Following veterinarian recommendations, two dogs have been euthanized after contracting the virus.
According to Dori Peck, the director of SpokAnimal, some dogs have recovered after contracting the virus while the conditions of others have remained the same.
Peck noted that there still have been no cats contracting the virus, only dogs. She expressed gratitude to the community for their donations, which have helped support the facility during this difficult time.
UPDATE: December 29 at 5:32 p.m.
SpokAnimal remains closed after 14 dogs showed signs of an respiratory disease that Executive Director Dori Peck says has still not been identified.
Two years ago, another respiratory disease impacted shelters nationwide.
“There was never a complete diagnosis for it,” Peck explained. “It just flew in and we were like, what is this? So it completely blindsided us.”
After that 2023 outbreak, SpokAnimal created some plans and procedures.
“This looks a little bit similar, so we had steps in place,” Peck said.
The puppies with pneumonia are now showing signs of recovery, starting to eat chicken, and the rest of the animals are making small steps toward recovery.
“We hold our ground, right now is what we’re doing,” Peck said.
Treating the 14 symptomatic dogs has cost thousands, but Peck shared some positive news.
“We’re not operating at max capacity, which is really, really good because had this happened probably early October like last time, we would have been at max capacity or beyond,” Peck said.
There are currently only 30 dogs in the shelter.
Peck says right now there is no timeline for when the shelter will reopen, but the clinic and pet food food bank remain operational.
UPDATE: December 28 at 4:05 p.m.
Dori Peck, Executive Director, reported that about 15 out of 30 dogs at the facility are sick.
Despite the illness, Peck said many dogs are rebounding with supportive care and are eating well.
Some puppies have developed pneumonia, and staff are working to save each dog.
Peck assured that the clinic and kennel are in separate buildings, and veterinarians have no concerns about cross-contamination on the campus.
For those who have recently adopted from Spokanimal and are experiencing issues, they are encouraged to contact miracles@spokanimal.org.
UPDATE: December 27, 2025 at 5:21 p.m.
SpokAnimal announced during a recent live stream that their decision to close followed a recommendation from a veterinarian as a respiratory virus has been spreading through the kennel.
The virus is reportedly causing cases of pneumonia in animals, however, SpokAnimal has not yet determined which specific virus it is. Samples have been sent to a laboratory in California for testing.
Antibiotics are currently being used to treat the dogs in their care.
SpokAnimal staff stated that the virus has not transferred to cats, so only dogs will be removed from the kennel at this time.
SPOKANE, Wash. – SpokAnimal has announced they are closing until further notice Saturday.
Exact details on why they are closing were not shared, however, in a statement on social media SpokAnimal said it was due to “unforeseen circumstances.”
”This was not a decision made lightly, and our priority remains the health, safety, and well-being of the animals in our care, as well as our staff and community,” SpokAnimal said.
More information on the closure is anticipated to be shared at a later time.
We will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Article originally published December 27, 2025 at 2:40 p.m.
