Published: December 01, 2008 10:10 pm      

Scouts build dog houses, learn construction skills

EDMOND — Nine Troop 94 Boy Scouts worked over several sunny November days to build three dog houses to donate to Edmond Animal Welfare. The Scouts decided to do this service project after visiting the shelter and learning about animal welfare issues from Officer Mike Sullivan.

Troop Committee Chairman Philip Bryan said he designed the lean-to dog house to get the most houses out of the fewest pieces of exterior-grade plywood. Another consideration, he said, was keeping water out of the wood and off the dog.

The lean-to design, he explained to the Scouts, will force rain water to run off the roof and away from the dog. To protect the house from ground water, Bryan designed a treated lumber base that will not rot if it gets wet. “Water is the enemy of construction,” Bryan said. The house also lifts off the base for cleaning.

Whenever possible, the 11- to 13-year-old boys used an assembly line to construct the houses. They learned the meaning of “measure twice; cut once.” After measuring, all the Scouts had an opportunity to cut plywood using a safety saw along a metal guide. The Scouts moved the cut plywood to two caulking stations. With wood caulked, Scouts at the waterproof glue and pneumatic nail station began assembling the dog houses.

“We’re building the dog houses to last,” Bryan said to the Scouts as they began to realize that sticky caulking followed every construction step. “You cannot caulk too much.” The Scouts had to wait for a warmer day to apply multiple coats of exterior house paint.

Scouts from Troop 94, based at Santa Fe Presbyterian Church, are working on their Citizenship in the Community merit badge. Grant Luthy, 11, said, “My family has two dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors. I love working with dogs. I’m glad we can build houses for dogs since winter is coming.”

“The shelter sometimes donates dog houses to low-income families who have a dog, but can’t afford a dog house,” said Edmond Animal Welfare Supervisor Jim Fish. “Edmond city ordinances specify that animals must have shelter, food and water if and when they are let out.”

Fish encouraged any group interested in making dog houses to contact the shelter. In addition to dog houses, Fish said, “We can always use kitty litter, puppy food and kitten food.”



TO GET ACQUAINTED with the cats and dogs available for adoption, visit the shelter at 2424 Old Timbers Drive, on the southeast corner of Interstate 35 and Covell Road, or call Edmond Animal Welfare, 216-7615. The shelter is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Information about adoptable animals is available online by going to www.edmondok.com and clicking on “Adopt A Pet.”