PROJECT: APA North Adoption Center & Clinic
LOCATION: St. Louis, MO
PARTNER: Keeley Construction, Grubbs & Associates Architects
MARKET SECTOR: Veterinary
PROJECT TYPE: New Construction, Design-Build
PROJECT SCOPE: Concept Development, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Furniture Specification, Construction Administration
SIZE: 22,000 SF | two stories
COMPLETION: Anticipated 2027
As the first installation on Animal Protective Association of Missouri’s Desloge Family Campus, this new facility provides adoption, clinic, and safe care services to an underserved community in a resource desert.
Partnered with Purina, a total of 157 enclosures (including isolation and recovery, indoor/outdoor dog runs, and cat/ small animal kennels/ shared condo’s) offer much-needed support in north St. Louis county, with a forthcoming Youth & Community Education Center as part of the campus’s master plan.
Throughout the facility, bold, vibrant branding elements harmonize with durable, neutral finishes that reflect the existing character of its sister space in Brentwood, to ensure a cohesive experience from location to location and highlight APA’s dedication to animal protection, education, and connection.
The Petfinder Adoption Center utilizes a “sawtooth” angled kennel design to foster focused one-on-one interaction and reduce anxiety. Fully enclosed kennel rooms are finished with seamless materials to ease maintenance protocols and prevent infection, with direct outdoor access controllable from the viewing hall.
Animals are “featured”, not just put on display.
Divided dog and cat waiting areas at the Wellness Clinic alleviate cross-species stress, while also providing built-in storage and opportunities for informal health education.
The second floor houses administrative offices, staff services, and APA’s Safe Care program sheltering domestic abuse survivors’ pets as they transition to safe, secure circumstances.
Program Support spaces include a 3 bay Surgery Suite with dental cleaning and pre-/ post-op spaces, Laundry Room and Shipping/ Receiving Bay to clean and store donations and food, Intake and Evaluation Rooms for drop-offs, and Luxury Boarding kennels as an additionally offered service and revenue source.
