ANIMAL CARE FACILITIES
• Combined Animal Control/Humane Society Facilities – Public and Private Funding
• Humane Society & Clinic Facilities – Private Funding
• Animal Control Facilities– Public Financing
• Special Use Animal Care Facilities – Private Financing
• Zoo Facilities
Combined Animal Control/Humane Society Facilities –
Public and Private Funding
San Diego Campus for Animal Care - San Diego Humane Society& SPCA Facility and San Diego Animal Control
Client – Separate Contracts with San Diego County – Mikel Haas, Director,
and San Diego Humane – Dr. Mark Goldstein, President
When this project commenced, George Miers & Associates (GMA) had been retained separately by San Diego County and the Humane Society to develop separate facilities. After 6 months of study the City and County of San Diego and the Humane Society agreed to follow the recommendations of GMA to develop their facilities on the same site wherein certain functions are shared (clinic, euthanasia, sallyport and staff lounge), while their own operations are connected but separate. Total project size for both facilities is approximately 80,000 SF on a 4 ½ acre site. The site currently contains the existing County Central Shelter, so construction is phased to allow the new Animal Control facility to be constructed first while the existing Central Shelter remains in operation. The program meets the requirements of Hayden Bill SB1785. The Animal Control Facility opened in Summer 2002 while the Humane Society opened in September 2003.
Washoe County Animal Care & Nevada Humane Society Campus Facility, Reno, NV.
Client: Washoe County Public Works and the Nevada Humane Society
Susan Asher, Nevada Humane Society, former - Executive Director
This 62,000 SF facility will house both the Washoe Animal Control Department as well as the Nevada Humane Society. The project is currently under construction with completion scheduled for January 2006.
Town of Truckee Animal Care Facility
Client: Town of Truckee Animal Control Department
Dan Olsen, Animal Care Director; Stephanie Heimstra, Director Humane Society Truckee/Tahoe
Needs assessment and program development for a joint facility serving the Town of Truckee and portions of Placer County.
Humane Society & Clinic Facilities – Private Funding
Oakland SPCA, Oakland, Ca. (now renamed East Bay SPCA)
Client: Oakland SPCA – Gary Templin, Director
The project included the interior remodeling of the original 1957 SPCA building and a new Adoption Center addition. Given the client's decision to orient any new construction towards the organization's stated "increased public adoption" goals, the remodeled existing facility includes a reconfigured veterinary clinic and animal surrender facility as well as replacement of the facility's exterior dog runs with 21 new interior "holding" runs. The new addition houses the public Adoption and Education Center as well as the facility's administrative offices. The Adoption Center features a central "atrium" style public area, which in addition to the display of adoption animals features educational displays, classrooms, get-acquainted rooms and a small retail store. The adoption area includes an additional 24 dog runs, cat runs and puppy areas, as well as other designated adoption animal displays.
Oakland SPCA Spay Neuter Clinic, Oakland, Ca. (now renamed East Bay SPCA)
Client: Oakland SPCA – Gary Templin, Director
The Oakland SPCA has developed a 5,000 SF spay neuter clinic modeled after the Animal Foundation of Las Vegas' new Phoenix facility. The facility includes four surgery areas as well as prep, recovery and holding areas. Adjacent to the facility will be a 5,000 SF cat and dog boarding facility.
The Tri-Valley SPCA, Dublin, Ca.
Client: The Tri-Valley SPCA – Gary Templin, President
The Tri-Valley SPCA is located adjacent to East Dublin’s growing residential/commercial community, the Tri-Valley SPCA is operated by the East Bay SPCA and opened its doors in the spring on 2002. Strategically situated across the street from the Alameda County Animal Control Facility, the Tri-Valley Facility was programmed and designed to be supportive of Animal Control’s operations by providing free spay/neuter services, socialization training for adoptable shelter animals, and assisting in adoption and foster care placement programs. The Facility features dog and cot habitats designed to evoke a residential setting rather than an institutional holding environment. Classrooms, interactive exhibit areas, socialization rooms and the grooming facility are all included with the public viewing areas. In addition, the facility features a three thousand square foot, state-of-the-art spay/neuter clinic, holding cages and kennels for newly arrived animals and extensive outdoor exercise areas. Also, at the City of Dublin’s request, a public dog park was designed into the project. In recognition of the East Bay SPCA’s accomplishments in reducing the unwanted pet population in Alameda County through aggressive adoption and spay/neuter programs, the County Board of Supervisors agreed to a $1.00 per year lease for the 3 ½ acre site over a 75-year period.
The Wisconsin Humane Society, Milwaukee, Wi.
Client: The Wisconsin Humane Society – Victoria Wellens, Director
The new Wisconsin Humane Society facility was completed in 2001 and includes a 35,000 SF Animal Shelter featuring Adoption, Veterinary, Education and Community Relations Services as well as a Wildlife center. George Miers and Associates was the project designer and programmer and was associated with the local firm of Eppstien Uhen Architects of Milwaukee to complete the entire project.
Tony LaRussa's Animal Rescue Foundation Adoption & Education Center, Walnut Creek, Ca.
Client: Tony LaRussa; Executive Director, Brenda Barnett
Tony LaRussa's Animal Rescue Foundation Adoption and Education Center is an "interactive" educational facility designed to promote a positive interaction between people and animals. While the facility has been designed as a state-of-the art Animal Care facility emphasizing animal comfort and facility efficiency, its goal is not to "hold" animals, but rather to create a public-oriented learning place. Completed in August 2003, the 36,000 SF design features a 4,500 SF public exhibition area around which adoptable animals, classrooms, video displays, and animal exhibits are organized. The exhibition area is conceived as a multi-purpose "gathering" space capable of supporting a myriad of programs ranging from large classes to fundraisers. The 2,500 SF Training Pavilion was donated by Ralston Purina.
Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, Burlingame, Ca.
Client: Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA – Ken White, President
George Miers & Associates has been working closely with Peninsula Humane Society President, Ken White to develop a number of facility program alternatives which address different operation scenarios. These range from a plan based upon
Humane Society Silicone Valley, Milpitas, Ca.
Client: Humane Society Silicon Valley – Christine Bennington, Executive Director
The humane Society Silicon Valley facility (formerly Santa Clara Humane Society) features a state- of-the-art design which offers to the public a full range of domestic animal care services including Adoption, Veterinary and Educational Services, Boarding, Doggie Day Care and a once-acre Dog Park for Humane Society members. The facility design creates a campus setting b y organizing the many public entrances around the outdoor spaces and Dog Park. Of the many particular interest are the numerous educational displays which include 3-D wrap-around environmental settings illustrating how animals perceive humans, and a spay/neuter display which includes view into the Prep and Surgery areas by way of liquid-crystal glass windows which are controlled by staff on the clinic side. Groundbreaking is scheduled for Fall of 2004.
Westchester SPCA, Briar Cliff, NY
Client: Westchester SPCA - Mimi Einstein, former President
George Miers & Associates was retained in March 2004 to develop a facility program and design for the new Westchester SPCA. The project is currently in the Needs Assessment/Masterplanning phase. Since the new facility will be located at the current site, the project includes a three-phase construction plan which allows the SPCA to remain on site while construction occurs.
Rochester Humane Society at Lollypop Farms, Rochester, NY
Client: Rochester Humane Society – John Merritt, former Director
The new Rochester Humane Society is a unique facility featuring both a domestic animal and farm animal public component. Located on a 100-acre farm area on the outskirts of Rochester, the project has been developed in a 3 phase sequence whereby the new domestic animal adoption area and farm animal exhibits are constructed first while the 2nd and 3rd phases involve renovation of the existing facility. Phase 1 opened in the summer of 1999. Phase 3 was completed in the fall of 2000.
Pets Unlimited, San Francisco, Ca.
Client: Pets Unlimited – Linda Drake, former Director
Pets Unlimited is San Francisco's largest pet hospital with a medical staff of eight doctors and a total staff of 52. In addition to providing contract medical services for the San Francisco County Animal Control, the facility houses a major pet adoption program and grooming services. George Miers & Associates was retained to develop a new operation and building program which would satisfy Pets Unlimited needs for the next 15 to 20 years. The program/plans developed by GMA include a "staged" remodeling of all three levels which allows Pets Unlimited to continue in service during construction. Key design components include construction of a new three story glass block stair enclosure and elevator which allows easy public access to each level, enlargement of the pet hospital and creation of a new adoption education area featuring walk-in cat habitats, classrooms and a graphic educational display. A new grooming and boarding area has also been provided.
Pet Network of North Lake Tahoe, Incline Village, Ca.
Client: Pet Network of North Lake Tahoe – Meredith Meiling, former Director,
The project included programming and design for the Pet Network's new adoption facility on the northern shore of Lake Tahoe. The 12,000 SF facility opened in the Fall of 2000.
Winnipeg Humane Society, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Client: Winnipeg Humane Society - Vicki Burns, Executive Director
The new Winnipeg Humane Society will include a 40,000 SF state-of-the-art facility which incorporates Adoption, Holding, and Veterinary Clinic Services . Designed as a “ given” building to meet silver certification standards the project has recently been awarded a $500,000 KVESKE grant. In addition the Province if Manitoba and the Condors government have each awarded the project $ 1,000,000. The project is currently in Design Development.
Bakersfield SPCA Adoption and Education Center, Bakersfield, Ca.
Client: Bakersfield SPCA – Dianna Knapp, former Director
This project includes programming and design for the SPCA's new Adoption and Education Center. Situated on a 1-acre site across from the SPCA's Animal Control facility, the new center will feature 64 new indoor/outdoor adoption runs organized around a series of gardens and children play areas. These areas are directly linked to the new adoption center which features cat and small animal adoptive areas, cat "habitats", puppy runs and interactive educational computer games. The indoor/outdoor dog runs feature a unique way of separating public and employee access to the kennels. A small dog and cat boarding kennel is included which can be converted into adoption facilities.
Animal Friends of the Valley Facility, Wildomar, Ca.
Client – Animal Friends of the Valley – Anne Washington, Director
A.F.V currently holds the Animal Control contract for the cities of Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore, and Canyon Lakes. AFV also provides shelter for strays brought to them by the County of Riverside. Their new 40,000 SF facility will provide for both Humane Society and Animal Control program spaces and features a low cost Spay Neuter Clinic, a 2,000 SF Children’s Museum and extensive holding and adoption functions which meet the requirements of Hayden Bill SB 1785.
British Columbia SPCA, Vancouver, BC
Client: British Columbia SPCA - Doug Hooper, former Executive Director
This project includes the development of a new 15,000 SF facility serving the eastern area of Metropolitan Vancouver.
Sacramento SPCA & U.C. Davis Shelter Medicine Training Clinic, Sacramento, Ca.
Client: Sacramento SPCA – Rick Johnson, Executive Director
The project includes renovation and conversion of the SPCA’s current clinic and holding areas into a state-of-the-art full service clinic which would include working space for U.C. Davis’ Shelter Medicine Group.
Placer SPCA, Roseville, Ca.
Client: Placer SPCA – Leilani Vierra, Executive Director
George Miers & Associates was retained in August 2004 to prepare a masterplan and facility program for a new facility which could accommodate a number of different operational scenarios including the possibilities of both A) increasing their service area (taking over Placer County holding/adoption needs) and B) reducing their service area (divesting themselves of the City of Roseville Animal Control Contract).
Pioneer Valley Humane Society, Greenfield, Mass.
Client: Pioneer Valley Humane Society – Ann Barker, Bldg. Committee Chairperson
George Miers & Associates was retained in July 2004 to develop a program and masterplan for a new facility in Greenfield, Massachusetts. A special challenge of this project is the projection of future needs for a relatively young organization whose service area most likely will change in the future. Of particular interest is the involvement of noted dog behavioralist Ray Coppinger and the Behavior Department of Hampshire College, Massachusetts.
Palm Springs Animal Care Facility, Palm Springs, Ca.
Client: Palm Springs Animal Care Facility – Al Stein, Building Committee Chairperson
The project includes a new Animal Control and Humane Society facility serving the City of Palm Springs. The program features indoor/outdoor dog runs and a full service veterinary clinic.
Animal Control Facilities– Public Financing
City of Oakland Animal Shelter, Oakland, Ca.
Client: The City of Oakland – Glenn Howell ,former Director
The new Oakland Animal Shelter will house the City's Animal Control Department, which is organizationally part of the Oakland Police Department. The new facility will be located on a 2-acre rectilinear site adjacent to a new townhome project and across the street from a new shopping center. In deference to the adjacent housing, the building design orients public uses towards the larger garden while creating a series of internal garden courts which serve staff areas including a dedicated garden area for the euthanasia room. The facility features an adoption gallery with 21 dog kennels, 4 cat and small animal rooms, three get acquainted rooms, as well as a 1,000 SF classroom. Holding areas contain 76 kennels including quarantine, vicious dog, isolation and protective custody. Approximately 100 cages for domestic cats, feral cats, small animals and wildlife cages are provided.
San Jose Animal Services Center, San Jose, Ca.
Client: City of San Jose – Jon Cicirelli, Director
The project includes a 42,000 animal control facility for the City of San Jose and neighboring cities. It will provide housing for approximately 220 dogs, 220 cats and will include a spay/neuter clinic. The facility opened to the public on
Antioch Animal Shelter, Antioch, Ca.
Client: The City of Antioch – Robert Pena, Director
An 8,662 SF Animal Shelter has been designed as a separate but connected part of the new Antioch Police Facility Complex. Staffed by Antioch Police officers, the Animal Shelter is designed to include a friendly, accessible adoption area, and public classrooms for educational programs. The animal care areas include segregated wards for dogs, cats and small animals. These are further subdivided into areas for stray, sick and injured animals to insure a calm, clean, humane and healthy environment for the animals.
Contra Costa County Animal Services Facility, Martinez, Ca.
Client: Contra Costa County – Michael Ross, former Director, Glenn Howell, current Director
The project includes a new 34,900SF replacement facility for the existing Martinez Facility including a new “low cost” Spay/Neuter Clinic, and a 1,775SF Barn. The program meets the requirements of Hayden Bill SB1785. The project was completed in May 2005.
El Cajon Animal Shelter, El Cajon, Ca.
Client: City of El Cajon – Kathy Cleveland, Animal Control Manager
This project includes the expansion and renovation of an existing Animal Control facility serving El Cajon, La Mesa, and areas of East San Diego County. The existing facility contains 76 kennels and is situated adjacent to the Public Works Corporation Yard and Fire Department Training facility.
Hayward Animal Services Facility, Hayward, Ca.
Client: The City of Hayward – Greg Armes , former Director
The project included a Needs Assessment of their existing facility, programming for facility needs to the year 2016 and development of a masterplanning strategy to renovate the existing facility in planned increments. Emphasis was placed on developing smaller rehabilitation increments between $ 150,000 to $200,000, which could match the Animal Shelter's yearly budget allocation.
San Joaquin County Animal Shelter, Lathrop, Ca.
Client: City of Lathrop - Becky Enneking, Animal Control
GMA has been retained by the County and the cities of Stockton, Lodi, Manteca, Tracy, Escalon, Ripon and Lathrop to develop a long range centralized plan with alternatives for providing Animal Control Services for the entire County area. Work includes analysis of each city’s Animal Control organizational structure and facility.
Special Use Animal Care Facilities – Private Financing
The Whiskas Center for Feline Well-Being, Pomona, Ca.
Client: MasterFoods USA – Tiffany Bierer, Health Innovation Manager
This unique project includes construction of a three-story facility on the Western University Campus in Pomona, California. The first floor of the facility is a veterinary clinic, the second floor houses offices and classrooms for a new veterinary school, while the third floor houses the Whiskas Center for Feline Well-Being. The third floor Whiskas Center for Feline Well-Being is an adaptation of the Waltham Facility in Waltham, England which focuses on nutritional research for MasterFoods Whiskas cat food. The facility will house approximately 100 cats in 12 “room” environments which have been designed to be both stimulating and reminiscent of a home environment. Included on the floor are support functions such as laundry and food prep rooms as well as a state-of-the-art nutritional research kitchen.
The Whiskas Center for Canine Well-Being, Vernon, Ca.
Client: MasterFoods USA – Tiffany Bierer, Health Innovation Manager
Following George Miers & Associates’ design for the Whiskas Center for Feline Well-Being, MasterFoods retained the firm to develop a similar facility for dogs. Located on the existing MasterFoods’ site in Vernon, California, the facility will be loosely modeled after the Waltham Facility in England, but with the incorporation of numerous changes relative to visual and acoustical privacy of dogs to one another.
Zoo Facilities
Knowland Park Zoo Elephant Night House and Exhibit, Oakland, Ca.
Client: East Bay Zoological Society – Joel Parrott, Director
The elephant enclosure is part of the African Elephant exhibit at the Knowland Park Zoo designed to house "Smokey," an adolescent African elephant who had outgrown his previous home. George Miers & Associates worked closely with Director Joel Parrott and the zoo's elephant trainers to design a Night House facility which includes a radiant heated concrete pad designed to withstand a 12,000 lb. point load and a unique trainer "escape" enclosure comprised of 15" on center steel columns.
Knowland Park Zoo Ocelot Night House and Exhibit, Oakland, Ca
Client: East Bay Zoological Society – Joel Parrott, Director
As part of a volunteer effort with the California Conservation Corps, the Ocelot House has been designed to accommodate the nocturnal requirements of two adult ocelots. The minimal budget precluded the use of anything but the simplest of materials: concrete block and shingle roof. At the same time, the building has been detailed to provide ample opportunity for the youthful laborers to demonstrate their carpentry skills. While the building is intended to blend into the background, the design attempts to demonstrate the architectural merit of "built simply, built well." Stylistically, the simple forms and materials employed are reminiscent of rural dwellings found in the cats' natural South American habitat.
Los Angeles Zoo - Interim & Permanent Exhibits, Los Angeles, Ca.
Client: The City of Los Angeles – Richard Klink, Project Manager
The project includes the redesign of the northwest quadrant of Los Angeles' Griffith Park Zoo. First phase of the project is to design approximately 28 on and off-exhibit areas which will accommodate a wide variety of small primates (Guenons, Mangabies, and Sifakas) as well as birds and marmosets while other portions of the Zoo are being remodeled. The temporary exhibit will then be converted to full time exhibits for specific species.
Los Angeles Zoo - Hay and Granary Storage Facilities, Los Angeles, Ca.
Client: The City of Los Angeles
The project includes replacement of the hay and granary storage areas for the Zoo. Also included is the redesign of the Hippo and Rhino mud wallows.
Los Angeles Zoo - Animal Health Center, Los Angeles, Ca. (Program and Site Selection only.)
Client: The City of Los Angeles
The new animal health center is being designed to provide innovative care and management of animals within a scientific research environment. Major elements of this facility will include a new medical complex with large and small animal treatment, sterile surgery, intensive care and recovery areas. A separate Necropsy Facility is also being planned. Research laboratories, library facilities, administrative offices and conference rooms as well as a direct link to the adjacent holding building are also included in this project.