Hot-dip galvanizing is a popular choice for protecting steel in the Midwest. Having a galvanizing company as your neighbor made the decision to have refurbished kennels hot-dip galvanized a relatively easy one for the Lee County Illinois Animal Shelter. Hot-dip galvanizing is known for its corrosion resistance, longevity, low maintenance, cost efficiency and being environmentally friendly.

Coating the kennel with HDG gives the steel a strong barrier to prevent corrosion of the underlying steel. Zinc is highly resistant to corrosion and will protect the steel from moisture and cleaning chemicals that would be seen in an animal shelter.

Additionally, the combination of galvanizing with an additional paint or powder coating, known as duplex coating, further extends the life of the kennel cages. The added topcoat provides an extra layer of defense against scratches, abrasions, and wear, ensuring the cages remain in good condition for an extended period. The duplex system makes maintenance easier and provides a smoother, appealing surface for enhanced cleanliness and hygiene.

Like many shelters throughout the country, the Lee County shelter wanted a coating that would last for decades. The time animals spend inside the kennels can be rather hectic, so having a coating that will last for years removes an extra variable that the staff would have to account for and the animals would have to deal with. To complement its longevity, the low maintenance requirements of galvanizing make it so the normal cleaning routine of taking care of the animals and their shelter will be more than enough wet and dry cycles for the patina to form and the galvanizing to last for decades.

The shelter reached out to their neighboring galvanizing facility when they started to reach capacity of their current facility. The shelter had some older kennels that had been taken out of commission many years ago and wanted to see about having them brought back into working order. After the pieces went to a local fabrication shop for repairs, the galvanizer offered to strip the old coating off and galvanize the kennel at no cost to the shelter. With the kennels back in service, dozens of additional dogs are now comfortably housed and cared for while awaiting their forever homes.

What could be stated as the most important part of choosing galvanizing for protecting the kennel steel is the fact that galvanizing is environmentally friendly. Because galvanizing is non-toxic, it is safe for the animals to be near, and the staff will not need to worry about the risk of harmful substances leaching into the surrounding areas.

In summary, hot-dip galvanizing is an excellent choice for protecting steel in a dog kennel due to its exceptional corrosion resistance, longevity, low maintenance, and cost-efficiency. Galvanizing ensures a safe and durable environment for the animals at the shelter while providing long lasting protection from the elements, whether the kennel is inside or out!