A new, improved, and inviting facility.

Learn more:

The new LCHS shelter will bear little resemblance to the current one.

Gone will be the old “impoundment” atmosphere, replaced with a modern facility that is both a community pet adoption and education center. This inviting facility will be a place where families come to spend a weekend afternoon, residents attend weeknight workshops, and animals enjoy a humane environment and healthful conditions, while they await their permanent home. What’s more, the new facility will employ design efficiencies that allow LCHS to accommodate twice as many animals without having to increase staff size.

More functionality:

A study by Daggett+Grigg Architects in April 2008 outlined the size and makeup of a new facility based on the three primary “need” factors (see “Without a new shelter,” page 2). Another factor in the proposed design of the new facility is shelters can increase adoption rates, if they convey a sense of welcome, cleanliness, and comfort in both the exterior and interior design of the facilities.

Front door The shelter should be an inviting, low-stress, airy, and well-lit environment that promotes a positive sense of well-being for prospective adopters and attractively displays cats and dogs in ways that encourage adoption. To minimize illness and stress while improving the animals’ well being, the facility needs upgraded design and sanitation features, such as improved ventilation. The Daggett +Grigg study identified eight primary functions for the new facility:

1. Public reception and the sale of basic pet care supplies for adopted animals.

2. Administrative areas that include offices for staff and for municipal animal control officers who are based at the shelter.

3. Public education facilities such as a classroom and multi-function meeting or training rooms.

4. Animal receiving (strays and relinquished pets), including examination and grooming facilities.

5. Animal kennels for adoption and strays.

6. Animal kennels for quarantine and routine observation, and for animal control if required by law or needed by the shelter.

7. Clinic space for sheltered animal care, euthanasia, emergencies, and spay and neuter programs. The potential to work as a fully equipped veterinary clinic or hospital, if necessary.

8. Euthanasia and cremation services for pets at the request of their owners, with the fees applied toward the care of shelter animals.

Facility features:

New flooring and wall materials will be easier to clean and keep sanitary and will be less slippery for staff and volunteers.
Natural lighting will lessen stress on animals, staff, and volunteers, reduce energy costs, and increase adoption by making the animals more appealing.
A new air exchange system will ensure fresh air circulation and provide each cat kennel with its own air exchange to reduce the transmission of airborne disease.
A sanitary drainage system will allow all kennels to be easily flushed into a central drain, requiring less feces pickup by staff.
Sound absorbing materials will reduce stress to animals, staff, and volunteers and make the facility more inviting to visitors.
Outdoor walking trails will accommodate volunteers exercising sheltered dogs and will be available for the public for hiking and dog walking.

Shelter Site

aerial view The new facility will be sited on 10.5 acres, owned by the city of Helena, off the frontage road running along the east side of I-15. The city recently agreed to provide the land to the LCHS for a low-cost, long-term lease. The new facility would total 18,000 square feet and would contain areas for:

Holding up to 90 dogs and 176 cats
Dog kennels and cat cages
Reception area and front office
Adoption interview room
Education and meeting room
Resource center and library
Cat group play rooms
Small pet get-acquainted room
Reception area for lost and found and pet “relinquishment,” separate from the adoption area
Offices, work areas, storage, public toilets