How to build a shelter for stray cats
7 April 2020 Advice
In the winter, temperatures can quickly drop very low. These extreme conditions can make it difficult for stray cats to live and survive.
Have you seen a kitty around your house? Would you like to help it to stay warm and safe for the winter?
Follow these few steps to easily (and cheaply!) build a good shelter:
- Choose two large plastic bins of different sizes, in order to nest them one inside the other. Here are the two bins we bought: 40L and 68L.
- Use the right materials to insulate your shelter: styrofoam (polystyrene) or straw (it is important not to use hay).
- Make a small 6-inch opening, not larger than the width of the whiskers, on the side of the shelter (not in the middle, because the cold would enter everywhere).
- You can add a fleece blanket on the floor of the shelter.
- Place your shelter in a quiet and remote area.
- Raise your shelter and place it on pieces of wood. This is to prevent snow or water from seeping in and to better conserve heat.
- Consider putting some weight on the shelter, such as a board or stones. This way, during storms, it will be stable and will not fly away.
For a more visual example, here is a detailed video: