One source of truth
The same dimensions drive 3D, drawings, materials and calculations.
Open winter shelter engineering plans
Warmer, safer shelters for cats and dogs.
From an emergency cardboard box to a precise engineered model: choose a shelter by what you have, what you can spend and what you need, with sources, calculations and assumptions clearly labelled.
64models, emergency to engineeredSR + ENtwo languagesYour pricesno invented prices0 AIat plan runtime
Practical, budget-friendly models01 / 12
Foam Shipping Box Shelter600 × 400 × 350 mmScrap Wood Cat Box750 × 550 × 520 mmPallet Mini Cat Shelter800 × 620 × 636 mm
AFFORDABLE OPTIONS36 affordable models
All modelsWhere you are starting from
“I want a ready, precise model”Find a shelter by animal, season, space, tools and time.Find a shelter →“I have a set budget”Enter an amount and your prices; see what fits and the cost per animal.Budget builds →“I have some materials, what can I make?”Pallets, boards, totes, sheet offcuts: see what you have and what to buy.Build with what you have →“I need something now”An emergency solution from what is at hand, with clear limits.Emergency shelter →
Design classes
This is not a bad-to-good scale: classes have different constraints and purposes. How far a model is actually verified is shown by a separate validation status.
No false precision
Estimates are clearly separated from sources, geometry and physical tests.
Built for the workshop
Plans are intended for real builds, not just attractive renders.
From model to workshop
One model, a complete build workflow
There are no separate marketing and technical dimensions. The same canonical model drives the view, cut list, calculations and build guide.
3D + technical dimensions
Parametric 3D, roof-off/exploded views and SVG technical drawings from the same dimensions.
Cut list + nesting
12 mm, 9 mm and XPS parts are compiled and packed into planning stock with margins and kerf.
Framing + hardware
Framing lengths, service roof, hinges, latches and a provisional fastening schedule.
Costing without fabricated prices
Quantities come from the compiler while the user enters real local prices and currency.
Workshop build mode
Build steps with locally saved progress, focus mode and print/PDF output.
Offline for visited plans
The PWA cache keeps previously visited models available when workshop connectivity is unreliable.
Reference set
Reference models
Examples from different classes: a budget tote-in-tote, an OSB dog house and an engineered four-cat model.
Design class: Budget
Cats2×Winter / Rain
Tote-in-Tote + Straw
The Alley Cat Allies method: a large tote of about 30 gallons, a foam slab on the bottom, a smaller tote of about 20 gallons inside and straw, with one entrance through both.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Utility knife
- Time estimate
- 45 min–90 min
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Reused materialCalculations: 7/9
Design class: Budget
DogsmediumWinter / Rain
OSB Economy Dog House Medium
An OSB/3 box with 30 mm EPS, an interior lining and roofing felt, for a medium dog. OSB edges must be protected.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Hand saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 5 h–8 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Calculations: 8/9
Design class: Engineered
Cats4×Winter / Rain
Nordic Quad Winter
Two-chamber shelter for four adult cats, with one chamber per pair and two independent entrances.
- Build
- Workshop
- Tools
- Circular saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 16 h–40 h
- Insulation
- XPS 50 mm
Calculations: 9/9