On May 30, our design team joined Humane Society of Wayne County and state and local officials to celebrate the start of construction on their new 10K SF animal shelter.
The much-needed new facility is replacing the smaller, existing shelter – a former single-family home that lacks the space and structure to support the organization’s current and future needs. The building will feature a veterinary care suite with exams, surgical procedures, and prep/recovery rooms. There will be separate areas for pet adoptions, community outreach, and animal intake. Isolation rooms will help control the spread of illness, while additional meeting and education spaces support programming and public engagement.
The shelter will also be the first in New York State in complete compliance with enhanced animal care regulations. Featuring a geothermal system for efficient heating and cooling, the facility ensures optimal air quality with 10 air changes per hour in isolation areas, reducing airborne pathogens.
Once complete, the shelter will have increased capacity, with room to serve up to 52 dogs and 150 cats in need. There will also be space for emergency medical services to support the surrounding rural community.
The new shelter is expected to be completed in early 2026. SWBR is providing architectural, interior design, landscape architecture, and structural engineering design services for the project.