ANIMAL FACILITY DESIGN
OUR FIRM
Founded in 1946 with 12 offices across the United States, PGAL PGAL creates spaces for clients and communities across the country, merging the latest technologies with timeless design,
What sets PGAL apart from other architectural firms is our sincere passion to seek the deepest understanding of a Client’s goals, program, site, challenges, and community to create a solution exclusively and uniquely crafted to fit them. PGAL’s design philosophy is embedded in our belief that each location is unique, and the combination of place, building, and community, gives direction to our design approach.
alexandria • atlanta • austin • boca raton
dallas/fort worth • denver
hoboken • houston • las vegas • los angeles • salt lake city • san diego
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
As architects and engineers, we understand the importance of providing the best possible facilities for the safe collection, care, and adoption of our community’s companion animals. Facility design is geared not only for the public and employees but in the case of animal care facilities - for the end clients—the animals.
Our vision is a world where animals are cared for in an efficient, safe, and future-focused manner. Given PGAL’s extensive design experience, we will bring to each new project numerous case studies, and step-by-step methods for working together in collaboration to create a healthier future for people and animals alike.
THE PARC ANIMAL HOSPITAL
location: fort worth, texas
PGAL partnered with Dr. Steve Hotchkiss to help bring his vision for a revolutionary veterinarian hospital, the PARC, to reality: People first. Animals at the heart of it. Revolutionary Care throughout.
Teaming with Dr. Hotchkiss and consulting firm Animal Arts, PGAL designed this innovative, 23,000-square-foot animal hospital located on a main thoroughfare in Fort Worth, Texas, for the wellbeing of both pets and their humans. First, to support and reassure people, the design promotes a unique “transparent” atmosphere throughout the project. From business transparency on the part of employees and partners, to visual transparency in the building design, The PARC Animal Hospital positions the
humane treatment of its animal clients front and center for all to see. High performance acoustical glass encloses the facility’s cathedral-height atrium and separates medical areas from public spaces, giving pet owners and visitors a firsthand view of the high quality of care the hospital provides.
Employee areas include a kitchen/employee lounge, a private lounge for doctors, staff lockers, and an outdoor sitting area. There are workstations for 16 veterinarians and a private office suite for Dr. Hotchkiss and the administrative staff. A training room that holds up to 50 individuals is provided for both staff meetings and seminars for patrons.
ANIMAL CARE + ADOPTION CENTER
location: fort worth, texas
The City of Fort Worth was operating its animal shelter at twice its capacity due to the Fort Worth Animal Care and Control mandate to take in any animal from within its jurisdiction. However, the overall live release rate has increased dramatically over the last five years as a result of focused policies and dedication to animal care. PGAL and Animal Arts are working with Fort Worth Animal Care and Control to conduct a needs assessment and develop a design for a new shelter in the northern part of the city, allowing Fort Worth to build upon these improvements while providing better services to a growing area.
The 30,700-square-foot Fort Worth North Animal Care and Adoption facility is an environmentally conscious campus designed to promote low-stress, open, transparent practices, and a safe and controlled shelter for pets and humans alike. The facility includes feline and canine housing, community spaces, a medical suite, and staff spaces. Successful policies and animal health were prioritized architecturally by mitigating inducers and optimizing practical and effective design.
CITY OF SEABROOK PUBLIC WORKS + ANIMAL SHELTER
location: seabrook, texas
The 12,000-square-foot building was approved by the voters in a 2014 bond referendum to expand the community animal adoption program. This animal facility is one of four buildings on the 25 acre public works campus. The Animal Control building has 12 healthy dog kennels and provides three quarantine dog kennels to separate potentially contagious dogs from the rest of the population, promoting an overall healthy environment for the animals.
The facility also has an indoor/outdoor kennel that provides a dog run for outdoor activities for the animals. In addition to the features provided for the canines, there is also a feline ward for up to 20 cats incorporated into the building. To promote a healthy facility, medical rooms are available for examination and treatment of the incoming and resident animals.
CITY OF WEBSTER ANIMAL CONTROL
location: webster, texas
PGAL was contracted by the City of Webster to design a replacement for the City’s existing aging animal control facility, located on the municipal Public Works Campus.
Constructed just north of the existing building, the new facility is designed with 13 indoor/outdoor kennels, two quarantine indoor/outdoor kennels, a feline room, viewing/visitation room, administrative office, restroom, and storage areas.
FULTON COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES FACILITY
location: atlanta, georgia
PGAL, in collaboration with Animal Arts, designed the shelter that replaces its 40-year-old, undersized predecessor. Operated by Lifeline Animal Rescue, the Animal Shelter is an excellent example of an effective public/private partnership.
The 50,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art building houses 376 dogs and 99 cats, as well as livestock which are housed in a separate building. The building is designed with daylight throughout, indoor/outdoor enclosures for the dogs, and “catios” for the feline residents. The shelter includes efficient, safe, and collaborative spaces for animal control and a shelter veterinary clinic that is
designed and equipped so that the County can expand services offered to the public in the future.
The interior design reflects biophilic colors and textures, bringing life and interest to the kennels and public spaces. Every effort was made to incorporate daylighting into the building’s interior spaces to benefit both animals and staff. Inside, two landscaped courtyards offer dedicated outdoor areas specifically designed for smaller dogs, as well as those in quarantine or maternity. These courtyards are enhanced with storefront glazing at their boundaries, ensuring ample natural light and visual transparency into the inner spaces.
AUSTIN PETS ALIVE! CENTRAL CAMPUS
location: austin, texas
Austin Pets Alive! currently operates in the old City of Austin animal shelter that was loaned to the non-profit. As the facilities are continuously altered and aging, the client wished to propose a new campus design to the city.
Working with Animal Arts, the design team established a phased demolition and construction process to allow for ongoing operations and animal sheltering capacities. The proposed design includes 13 buildings and 8 smaller “tiny dog-house” shelters to help with animals who need calmer environments to aid in rehabilitation processes.
The 25,000-square-feet campus facilities include a veterinary clinic, training facility for new volunteers, separate feline clinic, three “kennel villages” with indoor/ outdoor options and movement for dogs, and a central visitor center with outdoor space for events and pet adoption introductions.
Austin Pets Alive! and City of Austin continue to discuss options for developing a joint facility and central campus.
PALM BEACH COUNTY ANIMAL CARE + CONTROL
location: west palm beach, florida
PGAL, in collaboration with Animal Arts, is designing the new $43 million facility that replaces its 30-year-old, undersized predecessor. Operated by Palm Beach Animal Care and Control, the renovation and new additions will be a haven dedicated to the well-being of the animals and designed with the comfort and health of the residents in mind.
The approximately 100,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art building is nestled on a 14-acre property that will be able to house up to 302 dogs and 250 cats, as well as livestock.
The goal is to create ample natural daylight throughout, welcoming environment, indoor/outdoor enclosures for
the dogs, and “catios” for the feline residents. The shelter will include efficient, safe, and collaborative spaces for animal control and a veterinary clinic. The clinic is designed and will be equipped so that the County can expand services to keep pace with the growing human and animal population.
It also includes the addition of a volunteer admin space, animal intake, dog isolation, animal adoption, warehouse, sallyports, two new kennels, barn, wild/farm animal pens, open yards, and a two-story addition housing administrative and enforcement offices.
