MAKE A PET CARRIER

How to Make a Pet Carrier

How to create a cat (or small dog) carrier that is sturdy and safe for your pet.

EditSteps

1. 1
   Make the carrier to be big enough for your cat to sit comfortably in, but not so big they can get thrown around inside too much. About 2 ft cube is good (60 cm cube).
2. 2
   Cut the plywood into three 60x60cm pieces.
3. 3
   On one 60x60cm piece of plywood, mark out a door in the centre of the wood, about 30x30cm. Drill out the corners and use the fretsaw or hacksaw to follow the straight lines, cutting the door out entirely.
4. 4
   Attach the hinges to one side of the door and to one edge of the hole you cut it from. The door should open outwards only.
5. 5
   Attach your chosen catch to the side of the door and door frame opposite the hook. For example, drive a U-shaped staple into the plywood on both sides of the door edge, and snap a carabiner across the pair of staples. Make sure the staples do not penetrate to the other side of the wood.
6. 6
   For the frame, use pieces of timber about 2 inches square wide and thick. There should be 4 pieces 60cm long and 8 pieces that are 60cm minus twice the width of the wood = 54cm for 3cm square timber.
7. 7
   Glue and nail together the ends of a shorter piece at 90 degrees between the ends of two long pieces, forming a square U shape. Add another shorter piece between the other two ends forming a square.
   • Form another square with the other two long pieces and two more short pieces. Then carefully nail and glue the last four short pieces between the corners of the two squares. You now have a cube frame of wood.
   • Wait for the glue to dry and make sure no nails are sticking out.
8. 8
   Picture the frame as a cube. It has a front, a back, a top, a bottom, and a right and left side. The long 60cm pieces of timber form the sides.
9. 9
   Measure the wire netting. It should cover the right side, top, and left side. Secure the netting with occasional staples along the frame. The ends of the netting should curl over a cm or two onto the timber frame on the other sides. This means the plywood will cover any sharp edges.
10. 10
    Nail and glue the plywood pieces onto the frame. One on the back, one on the bottom and the door on the front so it opens outwards.
11. 11
    To carry the case, make a handle from baling twine or other strong rope or string, tied firmly to the chicken netting on the top of the cage. You can cut a piece of plastic pipe to hand length and run the rope through that as a handle for easier carrying.
12. 12
    Put some newspaper or an old towel in the bottom in case your cat inadvertently goes to the toilet. Keep another lot and a garbage bag handy so your cat won't have to sit in it and get sick.

EditTips

• Also check that the nails and staples are not sticking out.
• For a dog, you can make the frame larger. Remember the short pieces should be the outside measurement minus twice the width of the timber.
• For a dog or a cat weighing over 6kg you might need two handles.
• No sharp edges of chicken netting should be sticking out. If they are held down by the plywood they can't cut you or your pet.

EditThings You'll Need

• Timber for the frame
• Plywood for the back, door and base
• Chicken netting for the sides and top.
• To hold it together you will need short nails and U-shaped staples for the netting, and 2 hinges.
• You will probably need a saw, a drill, a hammer and a handsaw or fretsaw. You will need something to use as a door catch, either a hook and eye, two staples and a carabiner, or something else.
• Rope and a plastic pipe ~20cm long for the handle.