Groundbreaking Begins on BTGA’s New Seekonk Animal Shelter

On Wednesday, April 3rd the Town of Seekonk held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Seekonk Animal Shelter designed by Brewster Thornton Group Architects (BTGA). The televised event was a major milestone for the Town which has been working hard for years to make its vision of a new building a reality. 

The existing shelter, which was undersized and well past its useful life, cares for over 400 animals every year. The new shelter will provide Seekonk Animal Control with modern facilities now and into the future. BTGA worked closely with Animal Control and the Seekonk Save-A-Pet Society to create a shelter that provides animals with outstanding care and comfort as they wait for their forever homes.

The design of the shelter is based on the principles of a fear-free environment, essential to the animal’s health and well-being. Working within a tight budget, BTGA developed a floor plan that maximizes efficiency and accommodates a range of uses, including re-configurable partitions in the kennel and a lobby that doubles as a gathering space for educational tours. Other design features include:

• Spaces arranged for the acoustic separation between cats and dogs.

• Separate isolation spaces for sensitive or sick animals.

• Sight lines that provide security and protection for both humans and animals.

• Natural light designed into each space.

• Areas that allow the dogs to play outside and the cats to roam free in the “Cat Room”.

Construction is scheduled to be completed in early 2020.