Design & Build

Kennelbuild specialises in fully managed Design & Build projects. Whether it's a new facility, a major refurbishment, or a conversion, our turnkey service spans the full RIBA Plan of Work - starting at RIBA Stage 0 and continuing through to Stage 7.

We act as Principal Designer and Principal Contractor, managing planning, procurement, architectural and engineering design and on-site construction. Our experienced team ensures every project is welfare-led, regulation-compliant, and operationally efficient. This model has been proven on projects for:

  • Police forces (Surrey, Merseyside, West Yorkshire)

  • Military sites (MOD, DIO)

  • National charities (RSPCA, NAWT, Eden Animal Rescue)

If you need a seamless, single-contractor solution with in-house control over design, components and delivery - this is our strongest and most requested service.

Kennelbuild has had the Construction Line Gold accreditation since 2023.

Commercial Charity kennel with surveillance camera and fence, blue sky background.

Scope Of Works

Commercial Charity new build dog kennel

New Builds

  • New build projects require strategic thinking, animal welfare expertise, and robust delivery capability. Kennelbuild excels at bringing together planning, RIBA-aligned design, manufacturing, and on-site delivery to create fully integrated facilities. We understand how to future-proof layouts for evolving operational needs, deliver against regulatory frameworks, and coordinate specialist inputs like HVAC, acoustic treatment, and infection control. Our in-house design and build model ensures efficiency, clarity, and cost certainty from the earliest stage.

Kennel bed areas with glass doors and ceiling lights

Refurbishments

  • Refurbishing animal care facilities demands careful planning around ongoing occupancy, outdated infrastructure, and legacy layouts that no longer meet modern standards. Kennelbuild specialises in phased refurbishments that minimise disruption while significantly upgrading compliance, usability, and welfare conditions. Our experience with drainage challenges, material compatibility, HVAC retrofits and acoustic improvements makes us a trusted partner for upgrading ageing assets without downtime.

Modern kennel conversion from agricultural barn with corrugated metal roof, featuring large windows and situated on a dirt terrain.

Conversions

  • Conversions often involve complex existing conditions—poor drainage, inadequate structural loading, unknown foundations, or unsuitable environmental controls. Kennelbuild brings deep technical knowledge to tackle these issues through early site investigation, value engineering, and design adaptation. We understand what it takes to turn a generic space into a purpose-fit kennel or cattery block that meets welfare regulations and user needs, using our own component systems to control quality and speed.

Key Animal Welfare Regulations & Standards

  • DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) oversees all statutory licensing and welfare standards for kennels and catteries in England. The most applicable legislation is:

    • The Animal Welfare Act 2006

    • The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018

    These outline the five welfare needs (including suitable environment and protection from discomfort or disease) and establish licensing inspection criteria. All commercial boarding, rehoming, or charity-based facilities must meet these requirements.

    Kennelbuild designs to exceed DEFRA standards as standard.

  • The Dogs Trust Kennel Design Guide (2021) is widely regarded as the leading best-practice framework for the design of kennels and animal holding environments across the UK. While not a statutory document, it is referenced by DEFRA, the NPCC, RSPCA, and MOD as the gold standard for ensuring animal welfare, stress reduction, and operational effectiveness in kennelled environments.

    Key principles include:

    • Adequate space, light, ventilation, and temperature control

    • Minimised stress through careful orientation, acoustic control, and visual barriers

    • Zoning for quarantine, enrichment, and behavioural management

    • Use of cleanable, non-porous materials to support hygiene

    Kennelbuild integrates these standards across all new builds and refurbishments, ensuring each project exceeds compliance

  • The NPCC Police Dog Welfare Standard (v1.2024) sets the minimum welfare requirements for any organisation housing police dogs. All new police kennels (post-April 2024) must align with this standard. A key reference within it is the Dogs Trust Kennel Design Guide (2021)—a comprehensive best-practice document covering:

    • Minimum space and enclosure sizes

    • Environmental enrichment

    • Acoustic and thermal performance

    • Zoning for stress reduction and disease control

  • JSPs are the formal regulatory framework for military and defence-related animal facilities. These standards cover handler accommodation, isolation units, veterinary spaces, and kennel compounds, and are enforced by VSTAT (Veterinary Standards and Training Advisory Team).

    Key focus areas include:

    • Biosecurity and quarantine provisions

    • Secure perimeter and controlled access

    • Separate HVAC systems for isolation

    • Washdown and drainage resilience

    Kennelbuild is experienced in working within JSP frameworks and supporting MOD clients from feasibility through compliance sign-off.

  • While not statutory, the RSPCA’s internal standards are often used as aspirational targets by branches and rehoming charities. They focus heavily on:

    • Enrichment: Sound, sightlines, outdoor access

    • Flow: Minimising cross-contamination and handler stress

    • Flexibility: Temporary housing, quarantine, long-term stays

    Kennelbuild has supported multiple RSPCA sites across phased redevelopments, and our designs reflect their internal goals for behavioural wellbeing and rehoming readiness.

  • To achieve a 5-star rating under the DEFRA-licensed boarding kennel scheme (introduced in 2018), facilities must meet not just the minimum legal standards—but also enhanced criteria for layout, operations, hygiene, and animal welfare.

    Kennelbuild specialises in designing and delivering facilities that exceed DEFRA's higher standards, helping commercial operators secure the top rating on inspection—an important benchmark for customer confidence and business reputation.

    Key features of a 5★ facility include:

    • Individual temperature control for each kennel

    • Daily enrichment plans and stress-minimising layouts

    • Secure indoor and outdoor access with controlled socialisation

    • Durable, cleanable surfaces for infection control and hygiene

    • Robust operational flow to reduce cross-contamination and improve staff efficiency

    Our designs take into account the DEFRA scoring matrix, ensuring your layout, materials, and management systems all align with top-tier inspection outcomes—supporting both your licence and your commercial success.