Details are located below registration form

TEAMS 

Twenty-five (25) professional team slots are available for the 2026 Claws & Paws Construction Design/Build Competition and are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Professional teams must consist of one (1) licensed architect or architectural design firm and one (1) licensed contractor or contractor firm. Teams may register here:

Click the link below to pay for your team registration:

Payment through Stripe/Credit Card via DaisyCares

REGISTRATION COST 

Professional team registration fee is $250. 

COMPETITION GUIDELINES 

We encourage teams to create original, fun, interesting and one-of-a-kind designs that will be enjoyed by dogs, cats, and people alike! Below are the minimum guidelines that all competition entries must meet. If any home does not meet the below criteria, the team will be asked to re-design, re-build their home or the home may be removed from the competition and/or display at North Star. 

Design and Construction 

• All pet homes must provide a safe and comfortable shelter for animals. 

• Homes will not expose animals to harm via toxic materials, exposed nails, rough edges, etc. 

• All homes must be designed to accommodate removable bedding. 

• All homes designed for outdoor categories or use must be built with exterior-grade materials and provide a sheltered entry and means to keep the floor of the home dry from natural elements, such as floor being raised slightly off the ground. 

• The Team Captain’s meeting is mandatory (This will be a virtual meeting). We will schedule a time with each team. The team captains for both the architect and the contractor teams should be present at the meeting. If Team Captains are unable to attend, someone else from their company needs to attend as a representative. 

Delivery of Homes 

• A delivery schedule will be sent out to team captains 2 weeks before the installation date. Teams are required to deliver at the time scheduled. 

• The delivery entrance direction will be provided after confirmation with North Star. Teams will need to check in with a Claws & Paws Construction Committee member outside of the entrance before moving houses inside. 

• Teams will be responsible for unloading homes from vehicles and moving homes to the site at North Star Mall, using furniture movers with rubber wheels only. 

• North Star will not assist in any unloading or moving of homes. Display at North Star 

• The homes are likely to be touched by thousands of visitors. All design elements are to be firmly attached, and sharp edges or corners should be avoided, as well as the use of unfinished materials. 

• All openings 4” or larger must be covered by a minimum of ¼” thick plexiglass and securely attached with mechanical fasteners. Teams should incorporate the plexiglass into the overall design and avoid creating an independent enclosure around the home. Exceptions to this would be an open air pavilion type of house where plexiglass is not feasible and would ruin the aesthetics.

• All doors and/or operable openings must be fixed in the open or closed position with mechanical fasteners. If fixed open, openings must be covered by plexiglass. 

• Any operable pieces fixed in an open position must fit within the size requirements of the category. 

• Any homes delivered for display without plexiglass installed at the time of arrival will not be allowed to be set at North Star Mall until installed. 

• All staging of houses (accessories, etc.) must be complete before the home is moved into North Star Mall.

• Mobility Requirement – Transport

All submitted dog house structures must be of a reasonable weight and incorporate practical methods for moving the structure to allow for safe and transport by one or two adults without the use of heavy machinery. This ensures the structure can be relocated for display, judging, or real-world use.

• Key considerations:

1. Reasonable Weight

• Structures must be built using materials that keep the total weight manageable.
• The final build should be liftable or movable by one or two adults.
• Use materials that balance durability and portability
• Avoid excessive weight from overbuilt frames or dense materials

2. Integrated Mobility Aids
   • At least one of the following features must be included:
     • Handles: Securely attached to allow for safe lifting or dragging.
     • Locking Rubber or Air Castor Wheels: For smooth rolling and stable placement on marble floors at North Star Mall.
     • Modular Design: Sections that can be disassembled and reassembled easily.
3. Safe Handling
   • All mobility features must be secure, functional, and safe for both the handler and the structure.
   • Sharp edges, unstable bases, or poorly attached components

Judging Criteria Impact

• Entries will be evaluated on ease of movement, stability during transport, and creativity in mobility solutions.
• Bonus points may be awarded for innovative, user-friendly mobility features.

• No real plants are permitted during the exhibition at North Star. If the design includes an area for real plants, they may be added after the home is removed from North Star Mall. 

• Homes may only have North Star Mall, Paws for Service and DaisyCares. Sanctioned signage will be created and placed by PAWS for Service, DaisyCares staff only. Teams may not create, display, or add any signage in or on their homes displaying any company names or logos. This includes products placed inside the home that include names and logos. 

• Should homes or plexiglass be damaged while on display, PAWS for Service & DaisyCares will contact the team captains. It is the responsibility of the team captains to ensure the home is repaired within 24 hours of notification. Failure to repair or replace damaged components can result in the home being removed from display. 

If these guidelines are not met at the time of delivery, the homes will not be accepted for display and could result in elimination from the design/build competition and will be ineligible for awards.

COMPETITION CATEGORIES 

At the time of registration, each team will select their preferred design category. Entries are first-come, first-serve, and the category will be closed once the maximum number of entries has been received. Please have a backup design category selected before submitting your online team registration. 

Canine Cabins – Ten (10) Entries Available (Indoor or Outdoor) Designs should feature accommodations for all dogs in mind. Size: 5’ wide x 5’ high x 5’ long (max)

Furr-niture (Medium) – Ten (10) Entries Available (Indoor) Designs should combine furniture-like aesthetic with the functionality of a doghouse or crate, cat condo, or cat/dog combination. Size: 4’ wide x 4’ high x 4’ long (max)

Cat Condo (Small) – Five (5) Entries Available (Indoor) Designs should embrace the active, agile, and curious nature of cats. Size: 2’ wide x 5’ high x 2’ long (max)

Size 

Homes will be limited to the maximum dimensions indicated in your design/build category. Any size within the maximum size range will be deemed acceptable, pending design review approval. Please note that each home should be designed to fit through a standard 3’-0” door, if possible.

Weight 

Homes must be transportable by one or two adults with handles, rubber castors or through modular design. Please take into consideration that your team is responsible for transportation and placing your home at North Star Mall. Please keep in mind the feasibility of transportation and relocation by the eventual owner, as well as North Star Mall. 

Cost 

To ensure fair and equal competition, home material costs should not exceed $1000. The cost limit is set to reduce significant cost gaps, establish fair and equal pricing for public silent bidding and help ensure an equal playing field for all Paws & Claws Construction competitors. 

FINAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS 

All teams must submit a final design package no later than April 13th at 5pm. The Final Design Package MUST include: 

• Completed Final Design Form (Provided) 

• Company Logos in JPEG Format for the Architect and Contractor team members 

• Photos Of Built Design (Photos may be submitted any time before April 24th at 5pm) 

• One signature photo that best shows the design and construction detailing of your completed home. This photo will be displayed as the official photo for your home on the auction website, the Claws and Paws website, and all social media and marketing promotional posts in perpetuity. No late photos will be accepted. 

• No rendered images of homes will be accepted in place of actual, completed home photos. 

• All photos must be 1500 pixels by 2100 pixels at 300 ppi. 

DEADLINE AND DELIVERY PENALTIES 

Teams that do not meet the required deadlines outlined in the competition guidelines or fail to deliver a completed home on the date of delivery, could incur the following penalties: 

• Missed or Late Final Design Submission Deadline: Due – April 13th – Ineligibility for Design/Build Awards 

• Missed or Late Completed Home Photo Deadline: Due – April 24th – $100 Penalty 

• Late or Incomplete Home Delivery to North Star: Due – May 6th – $250 Penalty 

• Withdrawal from Competition after Schematic Design Deadline: $500 Penalty **Penalty provides for missed fundraising revenue from home/team withdrawals to DaisyCares and PAWS for Service

CLAWS AND PAWS CONSTRUCTION AWARDS 

Awards will be presented at the Claws & Paws Construction Housewarming Party on May 21, 2026 at North Star Mall

“TOP DOG” AWARD This is the ‘People’s Choice’ award. The built entry that receives the most votes will be deemed as the “Top Dog”. This award is presented by PAWS for Service and DaisyCares. 

“BEST IN SHOW” AWARD The “Best in Show” award will be presented as the overall winner of the Paws & Claws Construction design/build competition and overall juror’s favorite. This entry will epitomize the best overall design and construction detailing in the pack. 

“HOT DOG” AWARD The “Hot Dog” award will be presented as the overall runner-up to the winner of the Paws & Claws Construction design/build competition and as the second-place winner. 

DESIGN/BUILD CATEGORY AWARDS (3 TOTAL) Awards will be presented to the team that best embraces the spirit of their respective category: 

• Canine Cabin – Best Doghouse Design/Build 

• Furr-niture – Best Furniture Home Design/Build 

• Cat Condo – Best Cat-Friendly Design/Build 

HONORABLE MENTION At the jury’s discretion. 

2025/2026 IMPORTANT DATES 

Sept 1                    Online Team Registration Opens 

April 7                  Team Captain’s Meeting Virtual Meeting – Scheduled individually with each team

April 13                   Final Design Packet Due (5pm) – REQUIRED DEADLINE

April 24                    Money Shot photo due (5pm) – REQUIRED DEADLINE & Team Captain’s Meeting – Location at Pearl

May 4                      Built Entries Installed at North Star Mall – REQUIRED DEADLINE

May 21                    Housewarming Party & Design/Build Awards at North Star Mall