GFAS Kennel Project

Construction Underway on Outdoor Kennels and Play Yards at Great Falls Animal Shelter

Great Falls, Montana – July 29, 2025 — Big changes are underway at the Great Falls Animal Shelter, where construction has officially begun on a major outdoor expansion designed to improve the health, behavior, and adoptability of dogs in their care.

The expanded outdoor space will include:

• Twenty individual 10'x10' kennels
• Two large play yards
• Two medium-sized meet-and-greet/training kennels
• Shaded seating areas for staff, volunteers, and adopters
• New gazebos, funded by The Home Depot Foundation, to provide shelter from the elements during training, playgroups, and meet-and-greet sessions

Construction began Monday, July 28, with fencing contractors initiating work on the new kennel enclosures. Once fencing is complete, Team Depot volunteers will assist with the assembly of the gazebos, which will be strategically placed within the dog yards to offer protection from sun, wind, and rain.

The final number and size of gazebos is still being evaluated, with the current proposal under review including a combination of 12'x10' and 12'x20' structures to balance space and coverage needs across multiple dog yards.

The project is made possible through a combination of generous local donations, the support of The Home Depot Foundation, and a $20,000 grant from the ASPCA Northern Tier Shelter Initiative. The ASPCA funding specifically targets improvements for medium and large breed dogs, which made up 82% of the shelter’s canine intakes in 2023.

“ASPCA grant funds are intended to help alleviate the many challenges shelters are currently experiencing by providing them with the resources, staffing, or services they need to care for the animals in their communities,” said Tricia Sebes, Senior Director of the ASPCA Northern Tier Shelter Initiative. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact Great Falls Animal Shelter continues to make in their community.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is tentatively scheduled for September 2025. Once completed, the expanded outdoor kennels and play yards will provide dogs with consistent access to the outdoors, behavioral enrichment, and crucial bonding time with potential adopters.