Doors Open at Atlanta's Newest Animal Facility
On November 15, members of Fulton County, Lifeline Animal Rescue, and the community celebrated the ribbon cutting for the Fulton County Animal Services Shelter in Atlanta, Georgia.
PGAL, in collaboration with Animal Arts, designed the new $37 million, LEED certified facility that replaces its 40-year-old, undersized predecessor.
Operated by Lifeline Animal Rescue, the new shelter is an excellent example of an effective partnering between public agencies and private enterprises.
The 50,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art building can house up to 376 dogs and 99 cats, as well as livestock. 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 County’s vision also included an opportunity to engage the greater community through training, educational programs, and other public gatherings. To satisfy this goal, the design incorporates training rooms that can be divided into separate meeting spaces, as well as a large public plaza located at the center of the facility to host fundraising, community rescue, and other public events.
“The design team is thrilled to see how this project has come together. It’s a privilege to design a facility that will have such a significant positive impact on the community and our animal friends’ lives,” states PGAL Principal Greg Mullin.