Case Study: South Suburban Humane Society creates a modern animal resource campus with RWE Design Build

South Suburban Humane Society builds a 19,761-square-foot animal campus with RWE Design Build

The South Suburban Humane Society (SSHS), a nonprofit animal shelter, was struggling with an outdated facility that could not handle a 108% increase in stray animal intake from 2016 to 2019. Their building had significant operational inefficiencies, such as adoption rooms without drains, and no dedicated space for educational programs. RWE Design Build was engaged to provide design and construction services for a new facility to address these critical needs.

RWE Design Build designed and constructed a new 19,761-square-foot animal resource campus from the ground up. The solution included modern, double-sided animal housing to lower stress, separate isolation units with dedicated ventilation to minimize disease, and an efficient layout with direct outdoor access for kennels. Despite challenges like building near protected wetlands and material shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic, RWE successfully delivered the project. The new facility allows SSHS to take in more than 4,000 pets annually and now features spaces for community education and events, fully achieving the organization's goals.

South Suburban Humane Society