SCRAPS will ‘cut the leash’ on new animal clinic Friday

The Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service will officially open its new in-house veterinary clinic Friday at 11:30 a.m.

Spokane County Commissioner Mary Kuney will “cut the leash” to the clinic that will provide health care to the nearly 10,000 animals housed at SCRAPS every year.

“Our vet and vet tech will work together with SCRAPS volunteers to provide much needed medical support in the care, treatment and sterilization of SCRAPS animals,” said Nancy Hill, SCRAPS executive director, in a news release. “We are really looking forward to having a streamlined process, faster diagnosis of illnesses and quicker treatment of the animals here at the shelter.”

SCRAPS will no longer need to seek medical care for its animals at area clinics, the news release said.

The clinic will provide sterilization of shelter animals before they are adopted and to unsocialized and feral cats entering the Community Cat program. It will offer low-cost vaccinations and microchips, as well as promote pet licensing to the public. The clinic will also provide emergency triage for injured or sick animals and exams of animals that have been subject to cruelty, including necropsies and witness testimony.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals provided a grant to purchase the start-up equipment, and a bequeath to the SCRAPS Hope Foundation paid for the interior remodel.

Dr. Kim Tanguay will be the new veterinarian, and Ashley Sherman is the licensed veterinary technician.

SCRAPS is at 6815 E. Trent Ave. For more information, call SCRAPS at (509) 477-2532.