Whether you manage a doggy daycare, grooming salon, boarding facility, or animal shelter, having a clear quarantine protocol is essential. From contagious illnesses to parasites or post-surgical recovery, a properly set up quarantine area helps protect the rest of your population, minimizes health risks, and supports animal welfare.
For busy facilities, the challenge is creating an isolated, easy-to-clean space that doesn’t interfere with daily operations. That’s where modular kennels come in. These adaptable systems enable you to quickly build efficient quarantine areas without compromising functionality or safety.
At Direct Animal, we specialize in building professional-grade modular kennels and accessories that make it easier for animal care businesses to set up temporary or permanent quarantine spaces that work.
Why Quarantine Spaces Are a Must-Have for Animal Care Facilities
Anytime new animals enter your facility, there’s a risk of introducing illness or parasites to your existing population. Even animals that appear healthy can carry contagious conditions, such as kennel cough, parvovirus, or ringworm. This is especially true in high-turnover environments like shelters or boarding facilities.
According to The Open Sanctuary Project, the first 30 days after intake are the highest-risk period for transmitting disease. A well-defined quarantine area serves as a buffer, giving staff time to observe new arrivals, perform health screenings, and prevent contact with other animals.
For grooming salons and daycares, a quarantine zone can also be used for temporary holds or separation of animals showing signs of illness, injury, or elevated stress.
Using Modular Kennels to Build a Quarantine Area That Works
Modular kennels offer the flexibility and durability needed to set up a functional quarantine space quickly. Whether you need a single kennel or an entire row, modular systems allow you to customize the size, layout, and features based on your available space and your population needs.
At Direct Animal, our animal shelter kennels are built from medical-grade stainless steel and designed with sanitation and animal comfort in mind. Each unit can be reconfigured or expanded with additional panels, making it easy to build a quarantine zone that fits your facility, whether you’re operating out of a small storefront or a multi-room shelter.
Key features that support quarantine use:
- Seamless construction to eliminate gaps where bacteria can grow
- Sloped floors and removable pans for efficient waste drainage and cleanup
- Quiet-closing latches to reduce stress for animals in isolation
- Custom sizing options to fit any floorplan, including tight spaces
Strategic Placement Matters
Where you place your quarantine area is just as important as how it’s built. For disease prevention to be effective, the quarantine zone needs to be physically separated from the rest of your population—preferably with its own entrance, ventilation, and cleaning tools.
Even if your facility is small, you can still create meaningful separation using tools like dog room dividers. These movable barriers offer visual and acoustic isolation that can reduce stress and prevent contact between animals, especially in open-concept environments.
Look for low-traffic corners, unused utility rooms, or even portable isolation units that can be set up as needed. The goal is to maintain a clear line between quarantined animals and the general population.
Cleaning and Protocols for Safe Quarantine Operation
Cleanliness is non-negotiable in a quarantine area. The space should be disinfected between each animal, with dedicated tools, gloves, and gear used only in that zone to avoid cross-contamination.
Direct Animal’s stainless steel kennels and housing systems make it easy to maintain a sanitary environment. Their non-porous surfaces resist bacteria buildup, and integrated drainage systems help staff perform quick, thorough cleanings with minimal disruption.
Establish clear quarantine protocols, including:
- Daily health checks
- Feeding and cleaning routines that happen after general population care
- Isolation of bedding, toys, and cleaning supplies
- Documentation of intake and symptom tracking
Training staff on these protocols ensures consistency and helps prevent the spread of disease, even during high-volume intakes or emergencies.
Be Prepared Before You Need It
One of the most common mistakes facilities make is waiting until a health issue arises before setting up a quarantine plan. Whether it’s a sudden intake from animal control or an outbreak of kennel cough, reacting after the fact puts animals at greater risk.
Modular equipment gives you the flexibility to stay ready. Even if you don’t need a quarantine area every day, you’ll have the tools to deploy one quickly when the situation calls for it. Investing in modular kennels also supports other needs, such as temporary overflow housing, surgical recovery, or behavioral holds.
At Direct Animal, our pet care experts design and manufacture durable and easy-to-clean dog kennels, cat condos, and other state-of-the-art equipment made to last the life of your business, whether you’re a vet, luxury boarding facility, animal shelter, or doggy daycare. Rely on us for animal care equipment that is ergonomic, hygienic, and affordable.
