Animal Shelter Replacement Q & A (2024)

February 20, 2024

Below is a summary of the questions and responses the Administration has recently received regarding the Animal Shelter replacement project.

1. Ventilation. Will there be adequate ventilation and air handling in the new shelter?

Yes. There will be three separate ventilation systems, which are currently included in the design: one for the veterinary suite, one for the kennel spaces, and one for the remainder of the building. A humidification system has been recommended for animal health by the design consultant because of our dry climate. The humidification system is listed as an additive alternate.

2. Lighting. Can you tell us about the lighting system? Will there be provisions for natural light or lighting that are synchronized to natural day and night cycles? Will all occupants (staff and animals) have natural light?

The current design will have accommodations for:

• Natural clearstory daylighting has been designed in the lobby.
• All rooms on the exterior wall will have windows for natural light.
• Clearstory lightingabove the dog kennel areas was debated and ultimately removed due to:

• Complications in design
• Additional cost
• Reduces energy efficiency.
• Introduces possible maintenance issues in the future.

• “Synchronized” lightingwith daylight-dimming sensors is not anticipated to be used in this project. If incorporated, its use will be limited to the lobby area.

3. Noise. Will there be a way to monitor noise levels in different parts of the building? Are cleaning methods and caging included in a noise analysis and mitigation? What kind of noise abatement features will there be?

• Wall and ceiling-mounted acoustical panels with 50% coverage in the dog kennel spaces are currently incorporated into the design. As an additive alternate, we could increase this coverage beyond 50%.
• An acousticaldrop ceiling is included throughout the rest of the facility
• Noise monitoring and adjustment would need to be performed by facility staff.

4. Temperature. Will there be species-appropriate temperature regulation?

• Most of the building will be heated with the radiant slab. The current plan has 18 different heating zones to help ensure occupant comfort. The number of heating zones may be reduced in the upcoming submittal to reduce complexity.
• Reheat coils in the air handling system will also be used to provide additional user comfort.

5. Surface or Base. What will the substrate (underlying substance or layer) in the kennels be?

• Cat housing units the basis of design consist of stainless-steel cage assemblies. These assemblies can be provided with casters to allow the cages to be moved if needed for cleaning. Flooring substrate within the cat holding areas will consist of Medical grade anti-microbial seamless sheet vinyl flooring.
• The substrate in the dog kennels will consist of a resinous urethane-coated reinforced concrete slab with 6” curbs at the dog kennels and the grooming and wash vestibule. The kennels themselves will be stainless steel.

6. Enrichment. Will there be built-in environmental enrichment features?

7. Sanitation. Will there be sanitation features that make cleaning and sanitation easier for both the animals and staff? Yes!

• Each dog kennel will have individual trench drains to mitigate disease transmission.
• Each kennel space will have a power sprayer for easy cleaning.
• Each kennel space will also have a clinical sink for the disposal of excrement.
• All animal housing and intake rooms will be provided with a hand sink and floor drain.
• A cage washroom will be provided for quick cleaning of portable kennels and housing units. (what is the difference between a portable kennel and a housing unit?)
• The food and laundry room will be equipped with a large commercial three-compartment sink, two dishwashers, a commercial washer, and a commercial dryer.
• A shower and residential washer/dryer will be available forstaff use.
• Separate public and staff toilets.
• The majority of the facility will have medical grade, anti-microbial, seamless, vinyl flooring.

8. Safety. What are the fire and safety features of the new animal shelter?

Fire and safety features will be designed and implemented in accordance with local building codes. The facility will have:

• Emergency egress and emergency discharge lighting
• Fire alarm system
• Fire suppression sprinkler system

In addition, the facility will have the following safety systems:

• Standby generator for backup power
• CO2 sensors for ventilation
• Access control system for secure staff doors
• Security cameras for exterior doors and public spaces

9. Surveillance. Will there be a video surveillance system? What are the technical design and construction provisions for real-time video/live feed monitoring for the animals held at the new shelter? Will prospective adoptees be able to view - online or on a screen at the new shelter — the animals they are interested in as they are considering adoption?

Yes, to the extent allowed by internal policy and labor agreements. It has been addressed in the past that filming employees while they work is contrary to collective bargaining agreements. As a general policy of the Borough, filming in publicly accessible spaces is permitted - however, this would be strictly for security or legal reasons and the release of video recordings to the public is not typically allowed.

There was a request from the public to have the capability to monitor “animal behavior” by streaming live-feed videos of individual animals to the public. This request will be passed on to FNSB Legal and Risk Management for further determination.

10. Plumbing. Will the facility be plumbed and wired to accommodate commercial or industrial dishwashing equipment?

The facility will have two residential-style dishwashers.

11. Drop off cages. What will be the cost of incorporating after-hours drop-off cages into the design of the new animal shelter? Does the new shelter design include a space for continuing with informed, humane, and heated, accessible drop-off cages?

Drop-off Cages are not currently shown in the 35% Design Package; however, the need is being reviewed and addressed through discussions with the design consultant. Our initial plan is for the drop-off cages to take up a portion of the employee breakroom, as shown on the 35% drawings. The anticipated size and location may change as we work with our consultant to determine the best way to implement the drop-off cages. Additional costs have yet to be estimated.

12. Design Committee. Can we see the roster of who was on the shelter design committee, to include the CV of each member of that committee?

The consultant RFP selection committee as well as the design team members were disclosed in the presentation to the Animal Control Commission on February 5, 2024.

13. Blueprints. When the public is presented with the new animal shelter design, will it include the blueprints and components for outdoor spaces for animals, drop-off cages, distances between cages, and options for felines and other small animals to feel safe while awaiting adoption?

The Animal Shelter design was presented to the Animal Control Commission at their February 5, 2024 meeting. The meeting agenda and PowerPoint presentation are posted publicly online through the Borough Clerk's office:https://fnsb.portal.civicclerk.com/event/5055/overview

14. Roof. What is the design of the roof structure? Does the design of the new roof take into consideration the challenges of historic and current heavy snow loads, including the possibility of winter seasons ofrain, freezing, and then additional heavy accumulation of snow on roofs?

The current design has a flat roof construction. The design will be in accordance with modern construction standards accounting for all the complexities associated with our northern climate.

15. Bid Process. Where are the proposal(s) for the bids for the construction of the new shelter? Are they in the process of being awarded?

The project is currently in the design phase. Once the design is complete, an IFB (Invitation for Bid) package will be assembled, and the project will go out publicly for Bid. The lowest Responsive and Responsible bidder will be awarded the construction contract. The bidding and contract awarding process will be conducted in accordance with Title 16 ofBorough Code.

16. ASV Guidelines. Have the 2022 ASV (Association of Shelter Veterinarians) Guidelines been consulted and used in design and facility construction decisions?

Yes, the design consultant is using ASV guidelines and best practices in the design of the facility.

https://www.aspcapro.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/asvguidelinessecondedition-2022.pdf

(see pages 45-48, which offer basics, in addition to the extensive reference list on page 64.)

17. Animal Yard. Explain the design for the dog and exercise yard.

The 35% design currently includes a graveled dog walk path, a 100’x30’ fenced enclosed area for sled dogs to include (16) 5’x5’x5’ dog houses with tie downs, a 25’x45’ fenced dog quarantine area to include (5) 15’x5’ fenced kennels, and approximately 1.3 acres of fenced-in open lawn space.

18. Separation of species. Are prey/predator species separated in all operations (i.e. paths through facility, intake, adoption)? Will there be specialized or adaptable housing for birds, rabbits, reptiles, fish, exotics, kittens, and puppies? Will there be outdoor housing for sled dogs, livestock/farm animals, and horses?

Yes, the facility design has separate housing rooms for cats and dogs. There are also two separate rooms for the housing of “exotic pets” of which birds, rabbits, reptiles, and fish shall be housed. There is an outdoor “stable” for housing farm animals, including two horse stalls. A separate fenced area is included for the housing of sled dogs.

19. Secure walking. Will there be a secure outdoor area for walking dogs by potential adopters and volunteers?

Yes, the back end of the property will be fenced off and secured to allow for walking.

20. Secure load/unload. Will there be a secure area for officers to load/unload animals?

Yes, the staff parking area which the ACOs (Animal Control Officers) will use, is securely fenced in.

There is an additive alternate associated with the design that includes a pull-through heated garage for ACO vehicles.

21. Animal quarantine. Will there be a separate quarantine area with ventilation?

Yes, there is a secure quarantine area. The intent is for air handlers to provide 100% outside air for the animal housing areas.

22. Animal intake. Will there be an intake exam room that is not also used for surgery and vaccines?

Yes, there are two separate intake exam rooms planned for the facility “cat intake” and “dog intake.” These are separate from the veterinary rooms.

23. Surgery suite. Is there a surgery suite? What functions is it designed to serve?

Yes, there is a veterinary suite. It will have the capacity to serve a wide range of functions and consists of a dedicated surgery room, a surgery prep area, a small procedure/exam area, a cat recovery room, and a dog recovery room.

24. Animal visitation. Are there separate adoption visitation rooms for dogs and cats?

Yes, there are two separate “kennel rooms” and “cat rooms” for animals deemed ready for adoption. There are also two separate rooms for adoptees to have 1 on 1 interaction with the animals.

25. Housing choices. Are there a variety of housing choices for dogs and cats? (i.e. condos, indoor/outdoor, community).

Yes. Cats will be held in two-compartment condos. Dogs will be held in two-compartment kennels. Sled dogs will have dog houses in a fenced area on the exterior of the building. Dogs in quarantine will have dedicated exterior kennels in addition to their interior ones.

26. Floor sanitation. How is floor drain sanitation handled?

Individual trench drains will be provided for each dog kennel to mitigate the transmission of disease. General floor drains will be provided in every animal housing and intake room.

27. General building/construction details. What type of building, concrete block, stick built? Roof; flat, pitched? Ability to install solar panels? Energy efficiency measures?

The building is being designed with modern construction and efficiency standards and will have a flat roof. Solar panels have not been incorporated into the design.

28. Animal demographics. What animal population numbers were used to size the facility? How were they projected into the future?

Animal Shelter numbers spanning five years, pre and post-COVID, were analyzed with the design consultant team to determine the best capacity for the new shelter.

29. Staff workspace. Will the new shelter accommodate the animal control officers? Will it accommodate additional staff needed for managed intake? Future increases?

The building plans currently include an office area for the ACOs.

30. Multi-purpose Room. Will there be a multi-purpose room that could be used for emergency overflow, educational events, spay/neuter events, and volunteer activities?

Yes, the current design includes a multi-purpose room.

31. Emergency Operations. How will the new shelter support the FNSB emergency plans?

The new shelter improves Animal Control’s function in many ways by improving workflow and having all staff in one location, which has a positive impact on all processes. There is an additive alternate associated with the design that includes a pull-through heated garage for ACO vehicles, which could serve as a separate housing area for pets in small-scale emergency sheltering.

32. Indoor kennel area. In general, the comments staff are receiving focus mainly on questioning the increase from 36 to 39 kennels in the new facility. Hopefully, this will provide a better explanation of how the design plan will substantially increase capacity and ability to care for animals in the new facility:

The current Animal Shelter's indoor dog kennels house dogs in one space that is roughly 33 square feet. The dogs use this area for all activities including urinating and defecating (elimination). Animal Shelter staff remove the dog from their kennel and take it outdoors so that the kennel can be cleaned.

The proposed new Animal Shelter will improve these operations. The majority of the proposed new dog kennels will be roughly 47 square feet. The kennels will be split into two areas with a door in between. Dogs will naturally use one of the areas for elimination and the other area for other activities (sleeping, eating, etc.). Below is a detail showing the typical 47-square-foot kennel and a larger 66-square-foot kennel.

There will be at least 39 of these split-style kennels in the new Animal Shelter. When there is a need to house more than 39 dogs, the door between the two areas can be closed, creating two smaller kennels (approximately the same size as the kennels in the existing shelter). Below is a comparison of the existing facility's indoor dog kennels to the proposed facility's indoor dog kennels (both in normal operations and in high-capacity operations).

If you would like to submit comments, you can send them to the FNSB Public Information Officer: Lanien.Livingston@fnsb.gov.