Comfy Canine Condos

When dreaming up our new facility, one of our top priorities was improving the kennel space. At our old location on Kinne Road, we used crates because it was not prudent to install permanent structures in a building we did not own and knew we would eventually grow out of. Using crates allowed us to reconfigure the space frequently based on the number and size of dogs in house. Over the years, we had created a wish list of features for the kennels in our future home. After purchasing our new building, we consulted with experts, including the Cornell Shelter Medicine Program, to design a state-of-the-art facility. We are so proud that our vision has become a reality, and our kennel space reflects a major pupgrade!

Spacious kennels with enough space for 8 HHDR staff!

Our custom-built Comfy Canine Condos allow each dog a private pupartment to enjoy while awaiting adoption. Located in the Kelly Wilson Adoption Center, our kennels are arranged in a village-style layout that is inviting and homey. Luxurious pupperty amenities include radiant floor heating ensuring a cozy space in which to rest and relax. The kennels are very spacious, allowing plenty of room even for our largest dogs, such as Great Pyrenees, to spread out comfortably. The extra space also allows our volunteers to easily snuggle with the dogs. With built in drains to facilitate quick, easy cleaning, our kennels are easier to maintain, leaving staff and volunteers with more time to walk, play with, and offer enrichment activities to the dogs.

As you can see, these are not your average kennels! Our dogs truly make themselves at home in these Comfy Canine Condos. We are grateful we can provide these safe, homey kennels and a higher level of care for our dogs while they are our guests.

Nala proudly showing off one of our Comfy Canine Condos

We have seen first-hand how the new kennels directly impact the dogs’ quality of life. This is illustrated in the example of Bay. From September to January at our old building, HHDR staff and volunteers enjoyed her wonderful personality, but she did not get adopted. Bay did not like being around other dogs, so she was often anxious and overstimulated, leading many potential adopters to pass by her crate without giving her a chance. Once we moved to our new building, she was so much more relaxed and calm due to the privacy provided by her personal Canine Condo. Bay was able to show potential adopters her sweet nature, and she was quickly adopted.

Many of our Canine Condos have already been spoken for, but the opportunity to sponsor is still available. Sponsorship is open to individuals, couples, families, and businesses, and is a great way to support our life-saving mission while also making your mark on our new facility. Your donation would make a big difference in the lives of many dogs – based on our average stay of 8 days, each Canine Condo is expected to house approximately 45 dogs per year. Sponsors receive a “rooftop” plaque with your name or business name or brief inscription (e.g., in honor or memory of a loved one or HHDR alumnus). In addition, your name or business name will be displayed on the Wall of Gratitude in our Welcome Center. To learn more about sponsoring a Canine Condo, click here or contact our Executive Director Kathy Gilmour.