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10 Factors to Consider When Designing a New Shelter

Writer's picture: Hannah Skidmore, MBAHannah Skidmore, MBA

There are many things to consider when designing a new animal shelter. It can be overwhelming for Executive Directors to ensure they address everything. During the design phase of a project, Executive Directors must think about anything and everything that may affect the new shelter.  


Critical Factors to Consider 


Here is our list of some of the most important factors to consider when designing a new animal shelter.


  1. Consider flexibility in animal spaces and public service/program offerings.

  2. Mitigate odor, disease, and noise as much as possible.

  3. Think about the animals’ experience in the shelter from start to finish.

  4. Think about the staff experience in the shelter in their day-to-day schedule.

  5. Consider which operational requirements may inform portions of the floor plan.

  6. Think about the public’s experience in the shelter.

  7. Determine animal-specific guidelines that should be used and how they will affect the design.

  8. Determine the community needs.

  9. Determine the vision for your new animal shelter.

  10. Consider how your operations may change in a new shelter.


These factors deeply affect the design of an animal shelter, and these are just a small portion of the factors that will affect a shelter’s design.  Note that some factors require a holistic approach to design and a deep understanding of shelter operations and philosophies. 


Animal Care Building Design Experts


Because there are many considerations, you must ensure you have a design professional with ample shelter design experience. A design professional who has completed one or two animal shelters is not an expert in animal care design.  


At DLI, we have over 30 years of animal care experience and have designed hundreds of animal care facilities across the United States and Canada. Our Building Design and Engineering Experts can help you consider factors you may otherwise not have considered during the shelter's design. 


Call us at 860-889-7078 or schedule a consultation online to discuss your animal shelter today.








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