1/2 inch hard ware cloth is the best you can use for protection nothing can reach through and if put up right nothing can get through except maybe a bear but we have bears and have never had one try to get into our coops and houses. Hardware cloth is great for covering windows too.I totally get you about the dog kennel, I would love to be able to do that! But with the racoons and the minks I would have to add wire anyway, which would substantially add to the cost.