If it doesn’t feel like vacation without your puppy or kitty, Spokane’s got you, as more and more local businesses, restaurants and hotels are becoming pet-friendly. Memorialize the moment by heading to Riverfront Park from on Dec. 9 to snap a pic of YOUR PET MEETING SANTA (book at time at riverparksquare.com). Or venture over to KITTY CANTINA, a cat café in North Spokane, where you can both enjoy a drink and pet a cat — every animal lover’s dream.

Next, take your pet on a shopping trip to PRAIRIE DOG MERCANTILE, whose two locations focus on providing environmentally conscious treats, food, toys and even cat furniture. “I love how community-focused we are,” says Operations Manager Dakota Eckenroth. “We want consumers to make the best choice for their pet.” You can also venture over to URBAN CANINE (also with two locations) to check out even more high-quality pet products, including toys, treats, supplements, CBD oil and more.

Spokane is a city for foodies, so you should definitely check out some pet-friendly eateries. At BARK! A RESCUE PUB, you can hang out with some adoptable cats and dogs and enjoy delicious food, whether it’s during brunch, lunch or dinner. Out in Liberty Lake, TRUE LEGENDS GRILL, a casual sports bar and grill, offers American eats, pool tables, video games and live music. When they bring you a drink on their heated patio, they’ll have a bowl of water for your pet, too. After dinner, sample some craft beer at COMMUNITY PINT, where dogs are always welcome and you’ll have your choice among 24 rotating taps as well as a variety of bottled seltzer, cider and growlers to go.

You’ll need to book one of Spokane’s many pet-friendly hotels, like HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS (downtown and Spokane Valley, both pet-friendly) or Tru by Hilton in Spokane Valley, where you can also take your fur baby out for a stroll along the nearby Centennial Trail, where you’ll be surrounded by all that natural Inland Northwest beauty we’re sure you and your pets will love.