Behind the Design: How CDC Engineers Is Supporting Mobile’s New Animal Shelter Project
Some projects go beyond square footage and budgets. Mobile’s new animal shelter is one of them. CDC Engineers is proud to be part of the team supporting this project, which will replace a facility that has served the city since 1967 with a modern space built for better animal care.
Here’s a look behind the design and why the MEP systems in a project like this matter more than most people realize.
Replacing a Nearly 60-Year-Old Facility
The city’s current animal shelter sits on Owens Street and houses about 100 large dogs in single kennels. The building has served Mobile for decades, but it was never designed for the volume or standard of care the city needs today.
The new shelter will sit along the Interstate 65 Service Road, at the site of a former religious broadcasting facility the city purchased in 2025. Once complete, the new facility will offer 120 double-sided kennels, giving animals significantly more space while making daily cleaning faster and more efficient.
Why an Animal Shelter Needs Specialized MEP Design
An animal shelter isn’t a typical commercial building. It has to manage odor control, disease prevention, and constant cleaning cycles, all while keeping animals and staff comfortable and safe. That puts specific demands on mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design that don’t show up in a standard office or retail project.
Mechanical systems need to handle higher ventilation rates than most buildings, since air quality directly affects the health of the animals housed inside. Kennel areas call for climate control that keeps temperatures consistent even when doors open and close constantly throughout the day.
Plumbing systems face heavy daily use. Kennel floors need to be washed down regularly, and drainage has to move waste and cleaning water efficiently without creating standing water or odor issues. The new facility’s epoxy flooring, paired with the right plumbing design, supports easier sanitation and a healthier environment for the animals inside.
Electrical systems support everything from lighting throughout the kennels to medical equipment in treatment areas. Reliable power distribution matters just as much here as it does in any commercial building, since a shelter operates every day, year-round.
A Facility Built for the Future
The city budgeted $10 million for the new shelter, with the winning construction bid coming in well under that number. Construction officially got underway, marking a major step toward giving Mobile’s animals, and the staff who care for them, a facility built for the job.
Beyond the added kennel space, the new shelter is designed to support the city’s growing needs, including capacity for cats, small domestic animals, and even large animals like horses when the situation calls for it.
Engineering That Serves the Community
Projects like this remind us why thoughtful MEP design matters. It’s not just about code compliance or keeping a building running. It’s about creating a space that works for the people and animals who depend on it every single day.
CDC Engineers has provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design services across the Gulf Coast since 1988. We’re glad to play a role in a project that will make a real difference for Mobile’s community and its animals for years to come.
If you’re planning a public facility, commercial building, or specialized project that needs experienced MEP design, contact CDC Engineers to talk through your project needs.