Case Study
It all begins with an idea, a concept, a vision. Maybe you want to build a sanctuary? We turned that vision of our client into a reality — creating a safe, purpose-built home for rescued lions to thrive.
Take a bird’s-eye view of the Lion Rescue Centre — expertly built from the ground up by our team;
Built for Impact.
Built by Scrubs.
This project wasn’t about profit — it was about purpose. Creating a safe haven for rescued lions meant adapting to a completely unique environment, and that’s exactly what we did. We pride ourselves on our ability to rise to any challenge, and in this case, that meant building a specialist enclosure that supports both animal welfare and long-term conservation goals.
What Scrubs Brought to the Table
When you’re building a lion sanctuary, there’s no set template — just challenges. At Scrubs, we don’t shy away from complex briefs. We deliver. From breaking ground to final handover, every inch of this project was ours to own — and we made it happen.
Principle Contractor & H&S CDM Management
Full oversight of the project from inception to completion, including site coordination, F10 Submission, programme management, and the implementation of all health and safety measures in line with CDM regulations and site-specific risks.
Specialist Enclosure Construction
We built secure, reinforced enclosures designed to meet the behavioural and safety needs of rescued lions. This included fencing installation, secure access zones, and bespoke structural elements for staff and animal safety.
Groundworks & Site Preperations
Our team completed all enabling works, including vegetation clearance, excavation, formation of new levels, and preparation of foundations to support enclosure fencing, buildings, and walkways.
Hard & Soft Landscaping
We delivered both hard and soft landscaping across the site, creating a functional yet naturalistic environment. This included the installation of durable walkways, access routes, drainage, and perimeter treatments, alongside animal-safe planting, habitat features, and natural screening within each enclosure — all designed to promote lion welfare while ensuring long-term durability and ease of maintenance.
Our Time Lapse
Full Turnkey Delivery
We delivered the project as a full turnkey solution — managing every stage from pre-construction planning through to handover. This included design coordination, procurement, site delivery, compliance, and client sign-off, ensuring a seamless process with a single point of responsibility throughout.
Builders Works, Utilities & Infrastructure
We constructed the main centre building, including internal spaces for staff operations, plus shelters, feeding platforms, and viewing areas. Full installation and coordination of services, including power, water, and lighting across the site to support both daily care operations and long-term maintenance.
Our Time Lapse, Start to Finish in 45 Seconds above.
We make it look easy. Here’s the full build, captured in a timelapse that shows just how much went into making this project a reality.
We’re not your average contractor — and this wasn’t your average build. Delivering the full turnkey package for the Lion Rescue Centre meant owning every stage, from initial groundworks to final handover. The project came with its challenges, not least working through relentless weather conditions that made numerous phases particularly demanding.
Our team stayed committed, pushing forward with care and precision. Working closely with The Big Cat Sanctuary, we ensured deadlines were met so the lions could be safely relocated. The end result? A facility built to clients requirements, functionality, and long-term care. This wasn’t just construction — it was purpose-built, with pride.
Built for Them. Built by Scrubs.
These are the lions we built it for. Rescued from war-torn regions and now thriving in a safe, purpose-built sanctuary — every image is a reminder of why this project mattered to us as a builder. From recovery to roaming freely, this is where the build ends and the real impact begins. With the expert care and dedication of the team at The Big Cat Sanctuary, they couldn’t be in better hands.
Challenges
Delivering this project came with a unique set of pressures, both logistical and environmental:
Tight Deadlines – The build was time-critical, as the rescued lions were awaiting relocation from a war-torn country. Delays weren’t an option — the sanctuary needed to be ready, secure, and fully operational within a strict window.
Severe Weather During Groundworks – As an entirely outdoor project, groundworks were hit hard by persistent bad weather, causing difficult working conditions and slowing progress at a critical stage.
Ground Conditions Impacting Plant and Machinery – Unpredictable ground conditions made access and operation of heavy machinery challenging, requiring constant adjustment to sequencing and equipment strategy to maintain progress.
Bespoke Design with No Precedent - Unlike typical construction schemes that we have built since 2010, there was no off-the-shelf design solution for this project. Every structure, enclosure, and surface needed to be tailored to suit the behaviour, strength, and safety of large cats — adding complexity to procurement and build methodology.
Logistical Coordination of Materials & Trades - Due to the rural location and the specific sequencing required, careful coordination of materials, specialist trades, and deliveries was essential to keep the programme on track and avoid downtime.
Public & Stakeholder Expectations - The sanctuary’s visibility as a conservation charity meant that quality and safety standards weren’t just contractual — they were reputational. The build had to reflect the mission of the Big Cat Sanctuary while remaining compliant with all regulatory expectations.
Project at a glance
Client
Location
The Big Cat Sanctuary Headcorn Rd, Smarden, Ashford TN27 8PJ
Division
Sector
Specialist Animal & Wildlife Facilities
Outcome
Upon successful completion of the Big Cat Sanctuary Project, we were able to achieve the following outcomes.
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Project Delivered on Time: We met the tight programme deadline, ensuring the sanctuary was fully operational in time for the safe relocation of the lions from an active conflict zone.
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A Fully Functional, Purpose-Built Facility: The new centre includes secure enclosures, specialist shelters, staff welfare spaces, and supporting infrastructure — all designed and built for long-term durability and animal welfare.
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High Safety and Quality Standards Maintained: Despite the pressure, we upheld strict health and safety controls and quality benchmarks throughout, with zero reportable incidents on site.
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Client Satisfaction: The Big Cat Sanctuary were highly satisfied with both the final product and the way the project was delivered — professionally, collaboratively, and without compromise.
