First: -I have no idea about gardening-. I'm trying to figure out how
to put down some 3' by 3' squares of turf for wildlife (small animals)
that we rescue. I figure that will make them feel a little less
homesick during their stay.

I want to keep this as simple as possible, as the sod will just be
used as a 'floor' in enclosures. I suppose I'll have to get some kind
of a large pan, and possibly punch holes in the bottom to make sure it
doesn't get too wet (that was the mistake made on the first smaller
scale test).

Again, absolutely no experience with this, so please post any ideas,
however elementary. Need for how much soil underneath? Design of
containing pan? How much water? Fertilizer? Light? (If possible,
I'd like to bring these inside in the winter, so maybe UV lights will
be required then)

Any ideas appreciated.