The Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts (APCSM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education and outreach animal shelter serving Plymouth, Norfolk, and Bristol counties. Since opening in 2009, APCSM has helped more than 10,000 animals find their forever homes.
APCSM’s mission is to create a more compassionate community by providing safe shelter, loving care, and second chances for animals in need. APCSM promotes humane education, responsible pet ownership, and strong human-animal bonds through managed admissions, adoption services, and outreach programs.
Project Brief:
The Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts is looking to revamp the outdoor kennel area at the shelter, originally built in 1993. The existing space has deteriorated over time and is currently only partially usable due to cracked concrete, damaged fencing, and lack of shade or weather protection. This project aims to restore and upgrade the outdoor kennels to create a safe, comfortable, and enriching environment for the dogs in APCSM’s care.
The current outdoor kennel area consists of six kennels, but only two to three are usable because of poor conditions and exposure to the elements. The concrete flooring has cracked and become uneven, the fencing is in disrepair, and there is no shade structure to protect the animals from sun or rain.
To address these issues, APCSM would like to:
• Repair and resurface the existing concrete pads
• Replace and reinforce the fencing for improved safety and durability
• Install permanent shade structures to provide protection from sun and weather
• Potentially add some additional kennels to allow more dogs outdoor time
The APCSM is also planning to enhance the existing cat lounge, an open, cage-free environment where adoptable cats and kittens reside while waiting to find their forever homes. The current space includes carpeted areas and sisal towers that require frequent replacement. This project will introduce more durable, washable, and enriching structures to create a cleaner, more sustainable, and engaging space for both the cats and potential adopters.
The cat lounge provides a welcoming, cage-free environment where cats can freely move, play, and interact with one another and with visitors. However, the current furnishings—such as carpeted towers, condos, and scratching posts—wear down quickly and are difficult to sanitize, requiring ongoing replacement and maintenance.
To improve both animal welfare and operational efficiency, APCSM plans to upgrade the cat lounge by:
• Installing permanent, easy-to-clean climbing structures and wall-mounted shelves
• Adding built-in litterbox cubbies to enhance hygiene and organization
• Replacing carpeted and fabric surfaces with washable materials that support disease control and reduce maintenance costs
Proposal:
outdoor kennel
cat lounge
Community Partner:
Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts
PAYETTE Team:
Julia Chapman
Sandrine Heroux
Jason (Kihun) Kim
Casey Mahoney
Margeret Ouzts
Shreeya Shakya
Tracy Tang
Endian Xu
Ivy Zhao
