Heidi’s Village Provides a ‘Pawsitive Day’ for Cats and Dogs 

An animal shelter and veterinary clinic that’s the first of its kind in Arizona, the recently opened Heidi’s Village is an animal welfare organization that partners with the chronically overburdened existing animal shelters and rescue organizations to provide temporary boarding for dogs and cats when their space and resources are limited. Medical intervention, grooming, behavioral modification and wellness services are offered on-site. Its mission is to foster a community where animals are treated with respect, dignity and compassion to decrease the number of animals abandoned and euthanized.  

The 48,000-square-foot facility is a nine-building campus consisting of a central administration facility that houses admin services, adoption services, training rooms, grooming services and a complete veterinary clinic. A series of eight buildings, housing the cats and dogs in air-conditioned spaces thoughtfully designed for each animal’s safety and comfort, flank the administration building. 

Décor both inside and outside the Village’s buildings, which include many creative touches such as paw prints parading across the ceiling, the use of colorful paint and huge decorative animal portraits and sculptures suggests an upbeat, fun environment. Clever “street signs” guide visitors and volunteers around the five-acre property located at 600 N. 40^th St., in Phoenix, and lush vegetation, walkways, play areas, art and decorative features link the “neighborhood” together. 

While Heidi’s Village provides boarding space for up to 250 dogs and 200 cats, the goal is to never house that many animals at once. Cats and dogs surrendered to Heidi’s Village will be available for adoption as soon as they become medically and behaviorally cleared.

Designed by Cawley Architects (David Fulk) and Iconic Design Studio (Kelli Berry), constructed by Chasse Building Team (Barry Chasse), the $22 million project was truly a design-build approach between Cawley Architects and Chasse Building Team. Starting with the initial design, Chasse met weekly with the design and client teams to continually provide pricing information and direction. This attention to detail prevented re-design during the permitting process and expedited construction while keeping costs stable.

“The Heidi’s Village project team thought of everything,” says founder Ginny Jontes. “Upon exiting, visitors are greeted by a creative sign, ‘Have a pawsitively great day.’ Thankfully, the animals cared for at Heidi’s Village always have a great day.”

Photos courtesy of Heidi’s Village