Cat Shelters

Yesterday, my husband looked at the weather report and saw that we are expecting a storm. That made him leave his environmental assessment paper to build a couple of more emergency cat shelters.  In managing a feral cat colony, we provide food, medical care, and adequate shelter. We also have what I call transient cats--those who roam several neighborhoods. They usually look for food, females, and temporary shelter during inclement weather.  

Here's how we make emergency shelters.

You will need a plastic tub-the kind with a lid, sheets of 3/4 to 1 inch thick Styrofoam, duct tape, and bedding.  

Step 1: Get a plastic tub that has a lid. By the way--these also make excellent covered litter boxes. Cut a hole in one side just large enough for a cat. 

Step 2: Measure the inside of the tub and then cut the Styrofoam to fit. Be sure to measure for the floor and roof of the shelter. You may have to adjust and trim a bit to make a nice fit. But you can always use the duct tape if you over cut. 

Fitting the bottom

 

Using duct tape to fit the pieces together to make a tight fit.

 

 

Good thing Styrofoam is flexible. Some may call this cheating but it works in a pinch.

 

We build in layers. The foam doesn't have a great R-Value but it does provide some padding.

 

While most feral cat organizations feel that straw is better for ferals, we ran out of bales. We use old cotton blankets that will help cats stay warm. They can burrow under the layers or just nestle down into it if they choose. With eleven cats in the house, we can always get a feline opinion in such matters as well.

 

Tilly made herself right at home.  That's one cat's approval.

 

Merlin is asking Tilly how comfy the blanket is.

 

The Feline Seal of Approval 

 

Then add the roof or the top. It needs to fit snuggly and work with the lid of the shelter. You can see that D used pieces to make the top. He's the Duct Tape Master, I swear. He can fix anything as long as he has a roll of duct tape.

 

For the final touch, D adds a bit of duct tape on the outside edges to help seal air leaks. 

 

The shelter of the Blues Brothers: Buddy and 2B

We added an old runner so they can sit on top in the sun and D added a rain flap made from a garbage bag.  

 

This morning I awoke to this sight. Lovely but cold. The ferals and the transients have emergency shelters on the side of the house, away from our backyard colony. For extra measure, D added a tarp for added insulation and wind break.