New to Your Home · Whole Pack
DIY Zoo
Setting Up for Success on a Budget — Before They Even Walk Through the Door!
Your complete pre-arrival action plan for every species — dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, fish, ferrets, and more. Build a DIY Zoo from household trash and nail the first 48 hours.
About this course
Most multi-pet disasters happen before the animal even arrives. This course is your complete pre-arrival action plan — covering every species from dogs and cats to reptiles, fish, ferrets, and amphibians. You will learn how to set up safe dual-barrier rooms, build a DIY Zoo full of enrichment toys from household trash, and use Paola's unorthodox scent-swapping tricks to make the first 48 hours go smoothly. All on a budget!
What you'll learn
- The Dual-Barrier Mandate: why every exotic pet needs a cage inside a room with a closing door
- The 'Do Not Use' crafting list: what household materials are toxic and will kill your pet
- How to build a DIY Snuffle Mat for dogs and cats using a rubber sink mat and fleece
- Airspace auditing for birds: why Teflon pans and scented candles are instant killers
- Bunny-proofing, X-Pens, and the DIY Cardboard Dig Box for rabbits and guinea pigs
- Carabiner cage security and PVC tunnel systems for ferrets and rats
- How to pre-test a reptile tank's thermal gradient before the animal arrives
- Toxin-free zones and DIY Tupperware Humidity Hides for amphibians and inverts
- Cycling a fish tank and building safe PVC caves for aquatic pets
- The N+1 Rule for resources and pre-arrival scent swapping with your existing pack
- Paola's unorthodox 'Exhausted Intro' tip for the first 48 hours
Who this is for
Anyone bringing home a new pet — especially into a multi-species household. Whether you are a first-time exotic owner or a seasoned multi-pet family, this course gives you the exact setup checklist to prevent stress, injury, and chaos from day one. If you have ever said 'I'll figure it out when they get here,' this course is for you!
Course outline (10 modules)
Quiz & Certificate
Knowledge quiz
After completing all lessons, take a short quiz to test your understanding.
Go to quiz →Completion certificate
Pass the quiz and earn a shareable certificate of completion.
View certificate →Frequently asked questions
Ready to get started?
$9.99 · Lifetime access · 10 lessons