Date Completed
Under Construction
Building Area
23,000 Sq Ft
Construction Cost
+$10 million
Location
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Client
Friends All United of Natchitoches Animals
Designed for FAUNA (Friends All United for Natchitoches Animals), a 501(c)(3) rescue organization, this 23,000 sq. ft. Natchitoches Pet Adoption & Community Center will also serve as the Natchitoches Parish animal shelter. This $10+ million facility, currently under construction and scheduled for completion in late 2025, is designed to provide a welcoming and efficient environment for animal care, adoption, and community engagement.
The shelter includes 64 indoor-exterior dog runs (23 adoption runs, 31 stray/holding runs, 5 isolation, and 5 quarantine runs) and 34 cat enclosures, featuring adoption condos, medical cages, and a communal living space for community cat interaction. A sally port allows for the safe and controlled transport of animals directly from the streets into the facility, providing immediate access to the intake room and ACO (Animal Control Officer) work area. Additionally, a surgical suite with treatment and exam/X-ray rooms, along with food storage, bathing, laundry, and food prep rooms, ensures smooth daily operations and high-quality animal care.
The north-facing glass-fronted lobby provides a bright, inviting atmosphere with clear visibility into both the dog and cat adoption areas, encouraging public engagement. Visitors have direct access to a community room with a food service area, designed for after-hours use, supporting educational events, volunteer activities, and adoption outreach programs. A private surrender vestibule allows individuals to discreetly drop off animals without disrupting shelter operations.
For staff and volunteers, the facility includes break rooms and storage areas overlooking a scenic pond, one of two large ponds that also support on-site irrigation. The park-focused site design incorporates scenic walking trails, creating an enriching environment for both animals and the community. By blending modern animal care facilities with thoughtful public spaces, this project reflects FAUNA’s mission to connect people with animals in a compassionate, welcoming setting.