Imagine being told that a beloved member of your family may have to leave your home simply because of what kind of animal he is.

That is what my family is facing with Speckles.

Speckles is our rooster, but to my children he is much more than a bird in the backyard. He is their pet, their companion, and part of our family. They have helped care for him, spent time with him, and formed a bond with him that has been incredible to watch.

He has also become deeply important to me.

I live with severe anxiety and panic attacks. During some of my most difficult moments, Speckles’ presence has provided comfort, calm, and something positive to focus on. The wellbeing of my children also plays an enormous role in my own mental health, and the possibility of being forced to remove an animal they love has placed significant additional stress on our family.

Spokane’s current ordinance generally allows roosters only in areas zoned Residential Agriculture. I am not asking the City to eliminate that rule or allow unlimited roosters throughout residential neighborhoods. I am asking for something much narrower:

Please consider an individualized disability-related accommodation allowing our family to keep one rooster — Speckles — at our home.

We take our responsibility to our neighbors seriously. Speckles spends nights and early mornings indoors. We actively manage his noise, containment, cleanliness, and care, and we are willing to continue reasonable measures to minimize his impact on the surrounding neighborhood. At least one of our neighbors has already expressed support for him remaining with us.

We are not asking to operate a farm. We are not asking to keep a flock of roosters. We are asking the City to consider the real circumstances of one animal, one family, and one home before requiring us to give him up.

I have asked the City of Spokane to evaluate a disability-related accommodation request and am obtaining appropriate supporting documentation. While that process continues, I am asking our community to stand with our family and ask the City to give this request a fair, compassionate, and individualized review.

Please sign if you believe Speckles deserves the chance to remain with the family that loves and cares for him.

Your signature does not mean you support allowing roosters everywhere in Spokane. It means you support giving this family’s individual circumstances meaningful consideration before separating them from a beloved animal.