Across neighborhoods and communities, feral cats, also known as community cats, live outdoors, skillfully navigating their environment. These resilient felines are well-adapted to outdoor living, considering the outside their true home. However, when harsh winter weather arrives, and temperatures plummet, these cats can truly benefit from our assistance. Just as countless compassionate individuals have done, you can make a significant difference by providing warm and secure outdoor shelters for them.
While feral cats are indeed hardy, offering a dedicated outdoor cat shelter provides a sanctuary where they can sleep, rest, warm up, and find safety, significantly enhancing their comfort during the colder months. Constructing a feral cat shelter is a straightforward, budget-friendly project that your neighborhood feline friends will deeply appreciate.
Here’s a simple guide on how to build an effective feral cat shelter:
Watch a helpful video tutorial on YouTube: Cat Tips: DIY Outdoor Cat Shelter
Materials You Will Need for Your Feral Cat Housing
- A large plastic storage tub (approximately 30 gallons): This will be the main body of the shelter.
- A smaller plastic storage tub (approximately 20 gallons): This will create an insulated inner layer.
- Box cutter: For safely cutting plastic.
- Straw (Crucially, NOT hay): Straw provides excellent insulation and drainage. Learn why straw is better than hay.
- Permanent marker: For marking cut lines.
- Scissors: For trimming materials.
- Hair dryer: To soften plastic for easier cutting.
- Thin slab of Styrofoam: For added insulation at the base.
- Plastic flowerpot (Choose one without a significant taper): This will be used to create a protected entrance tunnel.
Step-by-Step Guide to Constructing Your Feral Cat Shelter
- Mark the Entrance: Place the plastic flowerpot against the side of the larger tub where you want the entrance to be. Use the permanent marker to trace the outline of the flowerpot opening onto the tub. This will define the entrance hole.
- Soften the Plastic: Using a hair dryer, gently warm the plastic along the marked outline. Heating the plastic makes it significantly easier and safer to cut, reducing the risk of cracking or injury.
- Cut the Entrance Hole: Carefully use the box cutter to cut out the entrance hole following the softened outline. Exercise extreme caution when using the box cutter to avoid injury.
- Prepare the Base Insulation: Place the thin slab of Styrofoam at the bottom of the larger plastic tub. This layer will provide extra insulation from the cold ground. Then, place the smaller tub inside the larger tub, centering it.
- Mark Inner Tub Entrance: Align the smaller tub within the larger one. Using the entrance hole you already cut in the larger tub as a guide, trace the outline for the entrance onto the smaller inner tub.
- Cut Inner Tub Entrance: Repeat steps 2 and 3 to soften and cut the entrance hole in the smaller inner tub, aligning it with the outer tub’s entrance.
- Insulate with Straw: Position the smaller tub inside the larger tub. Pack the space between the two tubs with straw. Straw is crucial because it repels moisture and provides excellent insulation. Remember, do NOT use hay as it retains moisture and can become moldy, which is harmful to cats.
- Create Bedding: Fill the interior of the smaller tub generously with straw. This thick layer of straw will serve as warm and comfortable bedding for the feral cats.
- Construct a Tunnel Entrance: Create a tunnel entrance using the plastic flowerpot to provide extra protection from wind and predators. Cut out the bottom of the flowerpot. Slide the flowerpot into the aligned entrances of both the large and small tubs, creating a short tunnel. You might need to trim the edges of the plastic entrances slightly to ensure a snug fit for the flowerpot.
- Secure the Lids: Place the lids securely on both tubs. Ensure they are firmly in place to protect the shelter from the elements. Your DIY Feral Cat Housing is now complete and ready for use!
This double-tub shelter is just one design for feral cat housing. Explore more DIY and pre-built outdoor cat shelter ideas at alleycat.org/ShelterGallery.
Alley Cat Allies, established in 1990, is the leading advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and improving the lives of all cats. With over 1.5 million supporters, we strive for a world where every cat is valued and every community implements humane and effective programs for their well-being. Through advocacy, education, and outreach, Alley Cat Allies empowers communities worldwide to adopt nonlethal, evidence-based approaches to cat care. Visit our website www.alleycat.org and connect with us on social media.
