How to Reduce Animal Holding Times at an Animal Shelter

Helping Animal Shelters through Engineering

Many people assume that when an animal shelter reaches or exceeds capacity, the solution is to build a new facility that is larger. While this may be necessary in some cases, another practical approach is reducing the holding times of animals already in the shelter’s care. By processing animals more efficiently, animal shelters can free up space for new arrivals without needing a larger building. With this in mind, the animal care experts and building engineers at Design Learned consider both operational improvements and thoughtful design as they help animal shelters and humane societies reduce holding times.

Operational Factors Impacting Animal Holding Times

One of the key strategies for reducing holding times is ensuring that animals receive the exercise, attention, and behavioral training they need. According to the Fear Free Guidelines, minimizing Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS) is crucial. Animals experiencing high levels of stress, such as fearful dogs, are often slower to be adopted or may take longer to be prepared for adoption. Many animal shelters and humane societies are shifting to a model where behavioral enrichment and training are part of an animal’s daily routine. Healthy, well-adjusted animals are more likely to be adopted quickly than those with behavioral challenges or fear-related issues.

In addition to behavioral support, maintaining a clean and welcoming animal shelter is essential for successful adoptions. Potential adopters are unlikely to stay long in a dirty or smelly environment, hindering adoption rates. Implementing proper cleaning protocols, with staff and volunteers trained to follow them, helps maintain a clean and positive space for animals and visitors.

Design Considerations Impacting Animal Holding Times

Before operational changes can have an impact, the animal shelter’s design plays a significant role in reducing holding times. A well-designed animal shelter can improve animal welfare, support staff efficiency, and create a positive experience for prospective adopters. Key design elements the building experts at Design Learned consider when making recommendations include but are not limited to:

1. Smaller groupings of kennels arranged in compact rooms.

2. Adequately sized enclosures for animals.

3. Integrated cleaning systems include hose reels, flush fixtures, and handwashing sinks for dog areas.

4. Independent HVAC zones for better disease control and noise management.

5. Noise-reduction features that minimize sound transmission and reverberation.

6. Clear separation of species to reduce stress.

A thoughtfully designed animal shelter helps reduce animal stress and makes it easier for staff to manage operations. It also creates a more pleasant experience for visitors, ensuring that potential adopters aren’t overwhelmed by large, noisy spaces. Over the years, our animal care experts have found that shelters designed with these factors in mind contribute to a speedier adoption process.

Finding the Most Effective Solutions

Building a larger animal shelter may not always be the most effective solution. Instead, addressing operational inefficiencies or making design changes to an existing facility can help reduce holding times and provide more space for incoming animals. The Design Learned team of building experts designs animal shelters and humane societies holistically, focusing on animal welfare and the facility's operational needs.

If you'd like to learn more about design features that can help reduce holding times and improve animal shelter operations, call us at 860-889-7078 or schedule a consultation online.