All cats living outdoors need a safe place to eat, sleep and rest. In cold weather, shelter is very important for stray & feral cats. Even though they build thicker coats for winter time, they can quickly succumb to hypothermia, particularly in rain & snow when their fur gets wet and doesn't insulate them as well.
Stray & feral cats are more prone to parasites, respiratory infections and other illnesses. Combined with cold and wet weather, these can quickly become fatal. The cats may also roam to unsafe areas seeking shelter from the wet and cold.
See below:
Temporary Emergency Shelter
It is more important to do something to give cats protection from the weather immediately than to wait to complete the “right”shelter.
Tape the box closed, then cut a 6 to 7” hole in one side for a door. The hole should be cut on one end or on the side of the container close to the corner, up 4-5 inches from the bottom(to prevent flooding) .
Place straw inside so the cats can burrow into and underneath it. If you don’t have access to straw, shredded newspaper will work for this emergency situation. You must change it if it gets wet.
DO NOT use blankets, towels, etc. inside the shelter. The inside will be exposed to moisture from the outdoors and the cats. The fabric tends to mold and mildew.
Raise the box up off the ground on bricks, wooden boards or cement blocks so it doesn’t get wet. It needs to be raised off the ground a few inches.
It would be good to cover it with a heavy dark blanket. Place bricks or heavy objects on top so it doesn’t blow away.
A Styrofoam packing case used for meats or a Styrofoam cooler is also good to use.
Catnip can be sprinkled inside at first to attract the cats.
Insulated Shelter
Purchase heavy duty plastic storage bins with lids. An 18 gallon could accommodate (1) cat and a 30 gallon (2) cats. They make excellent shelters when lined with 1" thick hard Styrofoam. You can buy a sheet of Styrofoam at any hardware store.
After the cats have begun using the shelter, you might want to add a door flap made of heavy plastic or heavy vinyl for further wind/weather protection.
If you need to house more cats, just purchase a larger plastic bin.
See illustrations at the bottom, left.
1. Cut a 6 to 7” hole in one side for a door. The hole should be cut on one end or on the side of the container close to the corner, up 4-5 inches from the bottom (to prevent flooding). Cats will fit, but most dogs won't.
2. Line the floor of the bin with a piece of Styrofoam to fit.
3. Line each of the four interior walls of the bin with a piece of the Styrofoam. Perfect cuts are not necessary. Use silicone or glue to keep in place.
Don't make the Styrofoam go all the way up to the top of the bin, leave a uniform gap of at least three inches between the top of these Styrofoam wall pieces and the upper lip of the bin. This will allow room for an interior Styrofoam roof to fit.
4. Cut out a doorway in the Styrofoam where it is lined up with the doorway that has been cut out already in the storage bin. Trace the outline of the doorway on the Styrofoam first before cutting.
5. Stuff the bottom of the bin with straw or other insulating material.
DO NOT use blankets, towels, etc. inside the shelter. The inside will be exposed to moisture from the outdoors and the cats. The fabric tends to mold and mildew.
6. Cut out a Styrofoam roof to rest on top of the Styrofoam interior wall pieces. Do not glue in place.
7. Cover the bin with its lid.
8. Paint the bin a brown color.
This shelter can be cleaned by taking off the lid and the Styrofoam roof.
You can lay black plastic over it and a heavy dark blanket.
Place bricks or heavy objects on top so it doesn’t blow away.
Catnip can be sprinkled inside at first to attract the cats.
Make Shelters for Ferals & Strays
