The best places to find free doghouse plans are from animal charities, specifically those that take in large numbers of dogs. Although many pet charity organizations would prefer that a dog lives indoors, there are circumstances when dogs have to live outdoors. If a dog is forced to live outdoors, then at least the charity can provide blueprints or construction plans for doghouses that can withstand the local weather conditions.
Any dog left outside in a yard without any shelter or shade can be considered abuse depending upon local laws. In some places like California, chaining a dog outside 24 hours a day is illegal. Anyone seeing dogs suffering in these conditions should contact their local police at once.
PETA
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals will give away blueprints for doghouses to withstand winter conditions in their “Angels for Animals” campaign. Although PETA will always ask for a donation, the odds of getting a free blueprint are extremely high even if you do not donate or were a member but have not donated in the last couple of years. Their website also has a “Legal Shelter for Your Dog” factsheet on a PDF file, which also contains plans for doghouses.
Humane Society of the United States
The HSUS also opposes keeping dogs outside, especially dogs chained 24 hours a day. They offer alternatives to chaining, including fencing, making sure a dog is neutered so he will be less likely to roam and where to best place a homemade or commercially-made doghouse. Although they do not provide blueprints, they do provide general tips that may save an outdoor dog’s life.
Ashville Humane Society
Be sure your Abode is updated so you can a free blueprint for a doghouse from the Ashville Humane Society of Ashville, North Carolina. They not only give dimensions and recommend plywood as the material of choice, but also include tips about how to make an outdoor dog’s life better year-round. The doghouse design was generously donated by William E. Weade, III.
Ontario Humane Society
This free pamphlet, now available on PDF file, concentrates on making doghouses warm enough for a Canadian winter. This is an incredibly detailed plan requiring the owner to think that perhaps the moving the dog inside of his own house would be easier than making a doghouse. This guide even recommends particular dimensions based on the sizes of popular dog breeds. It also talks about making the sleeping quarters different for the rest of the dog house. Canadian law does require that all dogs be given adequate food, water and shelter year round and these plans fit within the confines of Canadian law.
Resources:
PETA. “Legal Shelter for Your Dog.” http://www.mediapeta.com/peta/PDF/LegalDogShelter.pdf
Humane Society of the United States. “Do You Chain Your Dog?” http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/chaining_tethering/tips/do_you_chain_your_dog.html
Ashville Humane Society. “Doghouse Plans.” http://www.hsdcpets.com/doghouse1.pdf
Ontario Humane Society. “Ideal Doghouse for Outdoor Use in Ontario.” http://ontariospca.ca/docs/Ideal_Doghouse.pdf
Reference:
- https://secure.peta.org/site/Donation2?idb=945600796&df;_id=4720&4720.donation=form1
- www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_BackyardDogs.php
- www.hssv.org/docs/behavior/dog_backyard.pdf
