Checklist for Infection Control in Animal Shelters

A Holistic Approach to Infection Control

Infection control in animal shelters is about far more than cleaning protocols alone. The design of the building itself - from HVAC systems and plumbing infrastructure to facility layout - plays a critical role in limiting the spread of disease among animals, staff, and visitors.

At Design Learned, we take a holistic approach to infection control when designing a new shelter or renovating an animal care facility. Our animal care engineers design facilities so that all building systems work together to support animal health, operational efficiency, and long-term sanitation.

Use the checklist below to assess how well your shelter supports infection prevention.

HVAC Checklist

Proper ventilation and humidity control are some of the most important tools for reducing airborne pathogens and maintaining healthy animal environments. Here are some questions the Design Learned experts often review with our clients:

• Does your facility have multiple smaller independent HVAC zones to allow for increased isolation?

• Does your facility use independent dehumidification to treat humid air within the building?

• Does your facility have exhaust systems properly located and strategically placed throughout the building?

• Do you know which rooms in your facility recirculate air and which ones do not?

• Do you have an animal care-specific air treatment system in place, such as ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI)?

  
  

Well-designed HVAC systems help control odors, reduce airborne disease transmission, and improve recovery conditions for stressed or sick animals. Smaller mechanical zones also provide flexibility during outbreaks by allowing areas to be isolated without impacting the entire shelter.

Plumbing Checklist

Shelter plumbing systems must support aggressive cleaning and sanitation while preventing standing water and contamination buildup. Check out these important considerations:

• Do you have proper drainage systems throughout the shelter?

• Do your dog enclosures include sloped trench drains at the backs of kennels with automatic rinsing systems?

• Do you have adequate cleaning stations with flush fixtures for solid waste disposal, a handwashing sink, and a hose reel in each animal holding location? (Cat areas may only require the sink.)

  
  

Poor drainage can quickly lead to odor issues, bacterial growth, and difficult cleaning conditions. Plumbing systems should be designed specifically for animal care operations rather than adapted from traditional commercial building standards.

Building Design Checklist

Facility layout and circulation patterns can either support or hinder infection control efforts. The Design Learned team understands the impact of these questions:

• Is your shelter laid out in a way that allows for flexible space when needed?

• Do the floors slope properly toward drains in dog enclosures for easier cleaning and better drainage?

• Is your building designed so that staff and visitors do not need to walk through one animal area to reach another?

• Do you have separate isolation holding spaces for each species?

• Do you have anterooms for exotic animal holding or isolation spaces?

  
  

Thoughtful building design reduces cross-contamination risks by controlling traffic flow, separating species, and providing dedicated isolation spaces during outbreaks. Flexibility within the layout also allows shelters to adapt to changing intake numbers, emergency response situations, and evolving operational needs.

Infection Control Starts with Design

Animal shelters face unique infection control challenges because they house animals with unknown medical histories in high-stress environments. While cleaning procedures and operational protocols remain essential, the building itself should actively support those efforts rather than work against them.

A well-designed shelter integrates HVAC, plumbing, and architectural planning into a coordinated system focused on health, sanitation, and operational efficiency. Addressing these elements early in the design process can improve animal outcomes, reduce disease transmission, and create safer environments for staff, volunteers, and the public.

Connect with the team at 860-889-7078 or schedule a consultation to discuss your infection control strategy and leverage the Design Learned Advantage!