Department of General Services

The Montgomery County Animal Shelter is a new 46,878 square-foot facility containing public adoption areas, private animal holding and treatment areas, a sally port, classroom, conference room and office space. The Shelter will be located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Muncaster Mill Road and Airpark Drive. The facility will be owned by and operated primarily by the Montgomery County Police Department Animal Services Division. The building will house Animal Services functions, such as isolation, quarantine, and holding of feral, ill or seized animals, but will also serve as a public adoption center and community education resource for animal care issues.

The building is a one and a half story linear mass driven by the desire to create a straightforward circulation system with easily navigable corridors for animal transport. All animal care and housing areas are required to be on the lower level to facilitate movement and operations. The second floor houses the office spaces, conference room, break room, and mechanical functions. The facility is oriented on an east-west axis to optimize daylighting potential and address Muncaster Mill Road, the fronting street. Two public entries are located along the south façade, one for adoptions visitors and one for surrender visitors. A third less prominent entry is also provided at the center of the south façade, which will be used for after-hours functions in the classroom space.

Two outbuildings are also included on site. The first outbuilding structure is a single story masonry building with metal roofing designed to house bulk food storage. This function was separated from the main building to address concerns with vermin control. The food storage building is located adjacent to the main building loading dock to facilitate food delivery and transport. The second outbuilding is located to the northeast of the staff parking and functions as a livestock barn. It is a wood pole barn-type structure with metal siding and roofing. It includes four stalls, stacking coops, and a feed storage area. A fenced paddock for outdoor exercise is provided to its west side, along the sally port drive aisle.

A mulched walking trail will be provided where staff and volunteers can walk adoptable animals and permit them to have access to fresh air and exercise. Outdoor screened exercise runs are also provided adjacent to the canine and quarantine areas for supervised use.

HVAC systems are designed to provide ten air changes per hour, which reduces the spread of odors and disease. Radiant floor heating in all canine areas provides added comfort for the animals.

Durable, attractive finishes are specified for the building interior. Skylights and large windows allow daylight into the majority of regularly occupied spaces. Environmental design features include use of a vegetated roof over the adoption areas, water efficient plumbing fixtures, energy efficient building envelope and HVAC design, and use of recycled and locally manufactured materials.