March 2007
Planning for Your Pets
photos and content courtesy of www.BuildingTips.net
There are so many ideas we can incorporate into a new home or remodeling project to make our daily lives easier, and planning for pets is a perfect example. As huge pet lovers,
my husband and I added several conveniences for both our comfort and that of our cats.
Pet Door
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Wouldn't you love to have the cat's litter box outside of the house or to enjoy the convenience of the dog being able to let himself in and out? A pet door leading onto an
enclosed porch or screened-in lanai provides easy access to an outdoor litter box while still maintaining security for your pet. The door shown to the right, which can be
installed in a concrete block or frame wall, opens from the middle like a set of ballroom doors. Our experience has been that this type of opening is quieter, a bit more
energy efficient, and easier for our pets to use than the typical flap-style arrangement. (For more ideas on pet doors, visit
Pet Doors USA WEB Site).
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Solo Pet Doors manufactures an electronic door operated by a sensor on the pet's collar (also available at the above link). As the pet draws near, the transparent Lexan door
retracts upward into the wall, allowing the pet to enter or leave the house. This is the most energy-efficient door I've seen, plus it will allow only your pet to come and go;
the raccoon will have to stay out! The on/off switch allows you to keep your pets inside when necessary. (Note that this door will need to be hard wired at the electrical
stage of construction.)
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Combination Drip-Dry Hanging Space and Dog Shower
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Would you like your new home to include a location for washing your pet? The step-down "shower" pictured to the right just might be the answer. Located in the laundry
room, it serves double duty as both a place to drip-dry clothing and a convenient spot to wash the dog.
Built-in Dog Crate Storage
Have you thought about where you're going to store the dog crate? How about in the laundry room? An open area under the countertop, as pictured to the right, provides an
out-of-the-way yet accessible location. This same idea also works for litter box placement.
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Cozy Pet Refuge
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There wasn't a huge amount of room under these stairs, but the space available was a perfect retreat for the dog. Is this cute or what! In addition to the
ideas listed above, remember to consider where you will feed your pets and store their food.
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Copyright © 2007 Tracy DeCarlo - All Right Reserved
If you liked today's tips you'll love the book "Don't Forget the Linen Closets!" It's packed with over 240 ideas and reminders to help you incorporate function, organization,
and efficiency into your home without breaking the bank. Available at www.BuildingTips.net.
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