Rescue shelter plans
Models with a cut list and sheet nesting can be built in batches. The rescue planner nests parts of several identical shelters onto shared sheets instead of planning each one separately.
- Shared sheet nesting reduces waste.
- A repeatable cutting schedule for the whole team.
- You enter prices; cost per shelter and per animal follows from them.
- Plans are data-validated only, not physically prototyped.
30 catalog models
Tote + EPS Lining
A tote lined inside with 30 mm EPS on every side and under the lid. The foam must be covered by straw and checked for scratching.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Utility knife
- Time estimate
- 60 min–2 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Tote + XPS Lining
The same tote as the EPS variant but with XPS boards that tolerate moisture and pressure better. Useful when you have XPS offcuts from construction.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Utility knife
- Time estimate
- 60 min–2 h
- Insulation
- XPS 30 mm
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
Double Tote Insulated
A tote-in-tote with foam panels also in the gap between walls, not only on the bottom. More work and material than the basic version, with a more complete insulation layer.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Utility knife
- Time estimate
- 60 min–2 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Wooden Crate Shelter
A checked wooden crate with insulation fitted outside and a waterproof wrap, so the cat touches wood inside rather than foam.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Utility knife, Hand saw
- Time estimate
- 60 min–2 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Scrap Wood Cat Box
A box of checked old boards with EPS and a thin interior lining. Boards of unknown origin, with oil or old preservative treatment, are rejected.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Hand saw, Drill
- Time estimate
- 3 h–6 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Pallet Mini Cat Shelter
Three checked pallets cut into a floor and walls, with EPS in the cavities, boards over the gaps and an interior lining. The pallet itself raises the floor off the ground.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Hand saw, Drill
- Time estimate
- 4 h–7 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
OSB Economy Cat
An OSB/3 box with EPS and a thin lining, roofing felt and a roof falling to the rear. Sealing the OSB edges is mandatory.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Hand saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 4 h–7 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Plywood Economy Cat
Exterior plywood, 30 mm XPS and an interior lining. For two cats that get along, without the framing and hardware of the engineered models.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Hand saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 4 h–7 h
- Insulation
- XPS 30 mm
Compact Single Cat Winter
Small interior volume, 50 mm XPS, a hinged service roof and bituminous membrane. A simplified DIY version without a compiled frame.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Circular saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 6 h–10 h
- Insulation
- XPS 50 mm
Two Cat Budget Winter
An OSB box with 50 mm EPS, one entrance and enough room for two cats to curl up together.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Hand saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 4 h–7 h
- Insulation
- EPS 50 mm
Double Chamber Budget
Two separate chambers, each with one entrance, for cats that do not share a space or to keep an escape option per entrance.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Hand saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 5 h–8 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Four Cat Modular Budget
Two chambers for two cats each in one OSB box, close to the Alley Cat Allies suggestion of about 2 × 3 ft for a small group.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Hand saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 6 h–10 h
- Insulation
- EPS 50 mm
Six Cat Colony Budget
Three chambers with one entrance each and a service roof for cleaning. A budget alternative to the engineered Alpine Colony Six.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Circular saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 8 h–12 h
- Insulation
- EPS 50 mm
Stackable Colony Module
The same module built in batches and stacked at most two high when secured. A small 20 mm roof fall still sends water to the rear.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Circular saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 5 h–8 h
- Insulation
- XPS 30 mm
Covered Porch Cat Shelter
A lighter insulated box without roof covering, only for a porch, shed or garage with no rain. It must not stand outside without a roof.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Hand saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 3 h–5 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Summer Cross-Vent Shelter
An uninsulated box with an entrance at the front and a second opening at the rear so hot air can move through, as Alley Cat Allies recommends for summer. It must stand in full shade.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Hand saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 3 h–5 h
- Insulation
- no insulation
Scrap Timber Dog House Small
A house of checked old boards with EPS and an interior lining the dog cannot chew, for a small dog. Measure the dog before building.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Hand saw, Drill
- Time estimate
- 5 h–8 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Scrap Timber Dog House Medium
A house of checked old boards with EPS and an interior lining the dog cannot chew, for a medium dog. Measure the dog before building.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Hand saw, Drill
- Time estimate
- 5 h–8 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Scrap Timber Dog House Large
A house of checked old boards with EPS and an interior lining the dog cannot chew, for a large dog. Measure the dog before building.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Hand saw, Drill
- Time estimate
- 6 h–10 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Pallet Basic Dog House
Four checked pallets, boards over the gaps and a roof falling to the rear. Rain and wind cover without insulation; winter use needs an upgrade.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Hand saw, Drill
- Time estimate
- 4 h–7 h
- Insulation
- no insulation
Pallet + OSB Dog House
The same pallet frame as the basic version, with EPS in the cavities, OSB cladding outside and an interior lining. Floor and roof are not insulated.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Hand saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 6 h–10 h
- Insulation
- EPS 50 mm
OSB Economy Dog House Small
An OSB/3 box with 30 mm EPS, an interior lining and roofing felt, for a small dog. OSB edges must be protected.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Hand saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 5 h–8 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
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
OSB Economy Dog House Large
An OSB/3 box with 30 mm EPS, an interior lining and roofing felt, for a large dog. OSB edges must be protected.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Hand saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 6 h–10 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Plywood Economy Dog House
Exterior plywood, 30 mm XPS and a bituminous membrane on the roof. Simpler than the engineered models, without framing or a service roof.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Hand saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 5 h–8 h
- Insulation
- XPS 30 mm
Insulated EPS Dog House Small
Plywood, 50 mm EPS and a 9 mm lining that a dog damages less easily, with a service roof for cleaning.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Circular saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 7 h–12 h
- Insulation
- EPS 50 mm
Insulated XPS Dog House Medium
Plywood, 50 mm XPS, a 9 mm lining and a service roof. A DIY alternative to the engineered Alpine Medium Winter, without a compiled frame and hardware.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Circular saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 8 h–13 h
- Insulation
- XPS 50 mm
Insulated XPS Dog House Large
Plywood, 50 mm XPS, a 9 mm lining and a service roof. A DIY alternative to the engineered Alpine Large Winter, without a compiled frame and hardware.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Circular saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 9 h–15 h
- Insulation
- XPS 50 mm
Serviceable Modular Dog House
A house with a service roof, legs holding it 120 mm off the ground and an EPDM roof, designed to be cleaned, dried and repaired without dismantling.
- Build
- Advanced
- Tools
- Circular saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 10 h–16 h
- Insulation
- XPS 50 mm