Seekonk has been working diligently to upgrade town facilities to meet their residents needs. The Animal Shelter has been a trusted resource in protecting both their domestic animal and wildlife population. The new facility, located adjacent to the existing shelter, was designed to fit within the fabric of the town center welcoming potential adopters to meet the animals inside. With a small footprint to work with and limited staff, the layout needed to provide sight lines throughout the building and maximize functionality. A great deal of planning went into how staff operates when handling specific animal types, conditions, and temperaments to optimize efficiency and keep both staff and animals safe. Providing a fear-free environment for their animals was the number one concern, designing in acoustic barriers between cats and dogs, separate air flow between potentially sick animals and the rest of the building, and clearly delineating public and private spaces to help navigate guests to designated meet and greet areas. Natural light was designed in all the animal rooms and open areas were created to allow the dogs to play outside and the cats to roam free within the “Cat Room”. The overall design alleviates the strain on the staff and volunteers while creating a space for the animals to thrive.