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Client Case Study:
ABBA Boarding Kennel & Cattery
At Therian we are passionate about designing facilities that prioritise animal welfare and staff wellbeing, while creating functional, future-ready spaces. Our holistic approach to designing projects extends the animal care brief to incorporate the wellness needs of staff and all those within the building.
Our expertise in producing industry leading projects through architectural design and innovative equipment & fit-outs, ensures we deliver outstanding results for every client that will stand the test of time. One such project was for Vick and Dennis Cleghorn of ABBA Boarding Kennels & Cattery (now Kip Melbourne Southeast), where we took on the challenge of relocating a large-scale rural facility from 5-acres, to a compact 1-acre urban setting. We were able to deliver the project seamlessly, and the result was a modern animal care facility that would become a cornerstone of the area.
Project Details
DATE
June 9th, 2012
CLIENT
Dennis & Vicki
PROJECT TYPE
Boarding Kennels & Cattery
ARCHITECT
Therian
SIZE
2210m²
Our Client
ABBA Boarding Kennels & Cattery were a family-owned and operated business founded in 1997. The location serves pet owners across Melbourne and Victoria’s southeast, offering long- and short-term boarding services for both cats and dogs.
With their relocation to a 1-acre site in an urban area of Dandenong South, ABBA’s owners, Dennis and Vicki Cleghorn, sought to build a state-of-the-art, comfortable facility purpose-built to balance operational efficiency, animal welfare, and staff satisfaction.
Our Project
The Cleghorns initially engaged a local Melbourne-based architectural team to design their new build. However, the team’s lack of experience in conceptualising and designing pet boarding facilities as well as in the management of dogs, hindered the process – making it difficult to meet the complex demands of a boarding kennel and cattery.
Dennis and Vicki then chose Therian due to our extensive experience in animal care facilities, to take over the building design and fit-out of their new premises from concept to completion. Our team collaborated closely with them to bring their vision to life while addressing the unique challenges of an urban setting. Providing services such as:
- Architectural Design: Creating a modern, functional layout for the new facility.
- Council and Development Approvals: Managing all necessary permits and applications.
- Project Management: Overseeing every step, from design, to construction, to completion.
- Fit-Out Solutions: Customised kennel and cattery enclosures, and efficient waste management and acoustic control.
The facility not only accommodates the needs of the animals but also enhances the efficiency of daily operations, allowing ABBA to deliver exceptional care to their furry guests.
“We engaged Therian and they ran with the whole project from designing through to the council through to the DA and all their products. The whole place they had something to do with in one way or the other. It really is a one-stop shop for a boarding facility or animal shelter and their services, which are just second to none.”
– Vicki Cleghorn, Owner
Discovery
Dennis and Vicki joined Therian’s CEO, Gavin Biggs, on his industry tours in the United States, along with attendees from AWL Kemps Creek, RSPCA QLD and other members of the Pet Industry. These experiences exposed the Cleghorns to how other boarding businesses were operating, global best practices, and prevailing trends they could apply – allowing them to refine their vision for their new premises, and the legacy they were wanting to achieve.
By incorporating these insights, Therian was able to ensure their new facility was both modern and highly functional for their business and its goals. The final design provided innovative solutions for animal housing, efficient cleaning, acoustic control for the urban surrounds, while ensuring enhanced comfort for both the staff and the animals in their care.
The Cleghorns were able to relax knowing they were in expert hands. That Therian’s passion for excellence within facility design and project management, and their breadth of knowledge and experience, would ensure their project progressed smoothly and the outcome would be outstanding.
“We had a fairly good idea in mind of what we wanted to build. Therian being with us on that on that trip, knew what we were looking at. So, from conception of it going on a scribbled piece of paper, right through to it’s finish, was very quick, very easy.”
– Vicki Cleghorn, Owner
The Finished Product
Therian’s expert design and fit-out transformed the 1-acre urban site into a modern, purpose-built boarding facility. The result was a welcoming and comfortable kennel and cattery, tailored to Dennis and Vicki’s specific needs. The Cleghorns were able to offer long- and short-term pet boarding in a space that was efficient, safe and a joy for to work in.
Vicki and Dennis were thrilled with the outcome of this project and that Therian was able to deliver on their promise as a one-stop-shop for high-quality animal facility design, project management, and animal housing.
Therian’s expertise extended beyond the project completion phase, with the team providing ongoing support for ABBA’s evolving needs. The Cleghorns continued to rely on Therian’s industry-leading solutions and services to maintain and improve their facility, as their business grew in size and popularity.
“The quality is second to none. Products ten years later, speak for themselves. You can’t get the quality that they provide in service and in their products from anywhere else in Australia. Wouldn’t go anywhere else.”
– Vicki Cleghorn, Owner
Contact Therian
Therian is your trusted partner for high-quality animal care solutions across Australia and the Asia Pacific. With over two decades of specialised experience, we deliver innovative, quality projects tailored to the unique needs of animal boarding and daycare facilites, animal care centres, veterinary hospitals, and training facilities. Our expertise combines quality products with specialised industry knowledge to help your business achieve its goals.
We go beyond animal care, incorporating the wellness needs of your staff and clients. Seamlessly fusing form and function to create spaces your team love to work in and your clients feel welcomed and safe. From custom enclosures and durable dog beds to complete facility refurbishments, we’re committed to supporting our clients’ success every step of the way. Our success has always been to see our clients succeed.
Contact us today – we’d love to help get your project off the ground!
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