Your pet deserves the best! This project is the perfect blueprint for designing a home that will enhance your pet’s comfort and safety. Whether they have fur, feathers or scales, the smallest members of your family can rest comfortably in this rock-solid pet enclosure.
Construction is fast and easy with 2×4 lumber and Simpson Strong-Tie® Rigid Tie® RTC2Z connectors. The shelter can be customized to fit your needs and space by adjusting leg height, depth or width.
Download the plans for this DIY Pet Home here.
![Pet Home made with RTCs](https://blog.strongtie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/DIY_PetHome_ProdPho_Pho_Instld_DIY-Pet-Home-Rabbit-Completed_C0.jpg)
Tools Needed
- Saw
- Screwgun
- #2 Phillips-head bit
- 1/4″ hex-head socket
- Tape measure
- Clamps
- Framing square
- Straightedge
- Wire cutter
- Staple gun
- 10′ x 36″ wire mesh
- Roofing material
- (2) 2 1/2″ pin hinges and doorlatch
Installation Instruction
- Cut lumber to size: Since all of your cuts are straight cuts, Simpson Strong-Tie connectors simplify building with wood. Build outside frame before cutting inside frames and door. Measure again to confirm size.
- Assemble frame with connectors: Mark heights and fasten connectors to vertical posts using Simpson Strong-Tie #9 x1 1/2″ Strong-Drive® SD Connector screws. Attach horizontal rails to each side of connector, using a clamp to hold the wood. Cut and notch corners of plywood shelves, using a piece of 2×4 to trace dimensions of each corner posts.
- Build and install roof: Attach roof trim to plywood with #8 x2 1/2″ trim-head screws. Attach roof block to top of frame with LTP4 tie plates and #9 x 1 1/2″ SD screws. Use two tie plates for each long side and one for each short side. Attach plywood to roof block with #8 x 2 1/2″ trim-head screws. Use roofing material of your choice (underlayment and asphalt shingles are recommended; follow manufacturer’s instructions for installation).
- Assemble and install wire screens: Build wire screens by sandwiching chicken wire between frame pieces for back frame, side frames, front frames and door frame with #8 x1 1/4″ Deck-Drive™ DSV Wood screws. Insert wire screens into structure and attach to posts with #8 x 2 1/2″ trim-head screws. Attach door screen with 2 1/2″ pin hinges and add latch.
Hardware Needed
- (12) Rigid Tie®RTC2Z connectors
- (4) LTP4 lateral tie plate connectors
- (1) box #8 x 2 1/2″ trim-head wood decking screws
- (1) box #8 x 1 1/4″ Deck-Drive™ DSV wood screws
- (2) boxes #9 x 1 1/2″ Strong-Drive® SD Connector screws
Lumber Needed
- (9) pieces 2×4 x 8′
- (3) pieces 2×2 x 8′
- (12) pieces 1×2 x 8′
- (2) sheets 4′ x 4′ x 5/8″ plywood
- (1) sheet 4′ x 8′ x 5/8″ plywood
![Pet Home with Kids](https://blog.strongtie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/E11T1639-00000003.jpg)
Cut List
Cut from 2×4 x 8′
- (2) 22 1/2″ side roof blocks
- (6) 45″ long rails
- (4) 62″ vertical posts
- (4) 17″ short rails
- (1) 48″ front roof base
- (2) 17″ short rails
Cut from 2×2 x 8′
- (1) 45″ rear roof base
Cut from 1×2 x 8′
- (20) 22″ front vertical frames
- (2) 21 3/4″ vertical door frames
- (2) 14″ horizontal side frames(1) 13 1/4″ horizontal front frames
- (1) 9 1/4″ horizontal door frame(6) 14″ horizontal side frames
- (1) 9 1/4″ horizontal door frame
- (7) 13 1/4″ horizontal front frames
- (4) 42″ horizontal back frames
- (2) 9 1/4″ horizontal door frames
- (2) 55 1/2″ long roof trim
- (2) 28 1/2″ short roof trim
Cut from 4′ x 4′ x 5/8″
- (1) 24″ x 48″ top shelf (corners notched)
- (1) 24″ x 48″ lower shelf (corners notched)
Cut from 4′ x 8′ x 5/8″
- (1) 24″ x 48″ top shelf (corners notched)
Find more do-it-yourself project plans at strongtie.com/diy.