Transforming the Pet Adoption Experience for Both Animals and Humans

When Judy Varner, longtime Nebraska Humane Society President and CEO, retired, key donors wanted to honor her decades of service and fulfill her dreams with a comprehensive shelter renovation.

The donor-funded modernization of their main shelter — originally a large warehouse-style grocery store that HDR repurposed through adaptive reuse more than twenty years ago— has transformed the building into a state-of-the-art shelter. The renovation focuses on enhanced sheltering techniques with stress-reducing design, upgraded and tech-supported public services, including a new adoption desk and gift shop, and welcoming and interactive adoption spaces.

Reallocating some shelter space made an additional 12,000 square feet of animal housing space available. All aspects of animal housing and play areas have been upgraded to provide more space and greater comfort, enabling animals to feel more at ease and allowing their personalities to shine through. The training room was upgraded to have collapsible partitions, which allow for flexible configurations and serve as a backup play space during inclement weather.

Historically, cats have been the most difficult to adopt at NHS, so the designers wanted to feature them as a primary element in the entry lobby. To avoid stress from the busy rush of the space, the majority of the cats have been moved to a raised mezzanine overlooking the entry. The cats on the first floor are given privacy by frit pattering on windows and soft barriers like extended benches. 

Housing for dogs was changed from linear, tight quarters that promoted bad habits like pacing to more spacious, home-like enclosures that offer the animals a chance for privacy if they feel stressed. Each dog adoption pod was also acoustically isolated from others to control noise. The outdoor dog run has new irrigation and shaded pavilions.

The space serves more than 20,000 animals each year. The renovation helps the NHS continue to foster hope and enrich the lives of animals in need, and it transforms how the community views and interacts with adoptable animals.