Keep your outdoor cats dry all year, out of the wind, in a long lasting plastic storage bin shelter. Your goal should be to place the shelter where it will stay dry and out of the cold North wind.

 

Shelter Sizes:

 

• Small: 2 cats that like each other or one large cat, 30 gallon storage tote (Approx. $35-$40)

   

• Large: 3-4 cats that like each other, 50 gallon storage box (Approx. $45-$50)

   

Tools Needed:

 

1. Utility knife for cutting hole in plastic bin and insulation sheets. (A dremel power tool makes cutting the plastic bin quick and easy.) Or a 6" hole saw attachment for a drill.

    

2. Scissors

    

3. Tape measure or yardstick

    

Supplies Needed:

 

• Plastic storage tote: 30 or 50 gallon

   

• 1/2" sheet insulation with foil radiant barrier 4'X8' (polyisocyanurate) ($18 per sheet)

   

• Gorilla tape or outdoor duct tape

   

• Straw for bedding $13 large bale: fills 10+ shelters. Straw can also be purchased at pet supply stores. (NOT hay – hay will grow mold)

   

• Heavy duty clear plastic – 10"x10" square (purchase by the yard at JoAnn fabric store)

   

• Black plastic planting pot – 1 gallon size

   

• Wooden pallet or bricks to keep the shelter off the ground. (paver bricks 50¢)

   

Cat Shelter Building Instructions:

 

1. Cut two 6 inch round (or square) holes in the tote for entrance/exit. The holes should be 3-4 inches off the bottom to prevent flooding in inclement weather

    

   Two holes are needed because most cats will not use a shelter without an emergency escape exit. Safety from predators and other cats are an issue. Add a piece of heavy duty clear plastic over one hole. 10" X 10" Tape the top of the plastic only. The cat will be able to push the plastic to exit. The clear plastic will keep the wind out of the shelter.

    

2. Cut insulation sheet to fit inside snugly. Cut the bottom first, then sides, and finally the top. Cut the sides a bit narrower at the bottom to fit the slant of the storage bin. The height of the sides should be 13".

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Next Steps

 

1. Cut the top as wide as possible to prevent gaps where the cat's warmth can escape through the top. Make sure the plastic lid fits securely to keep out cold weather and warmth in. Tape the plastic lid shut so it won't blow away.

    

2. Affix the insulation to the sides of the shelter using outdoor duct tape. Cats have very sensitive noses so standard tube glues/adhesives should not be used.

    

3. Use 3" pieces of Gorilla tape around the entrance holes to prevent moisture from getting between the plastic bin and the insulation.

    

4. Fill the cat shelter one third the way with clean dry straw. Straw is a very good insulator for the cats. They will nestle into the straw to stay warm. NOT Hay – hay is a food source for many animals and should not be used. Hay can get moldy in a short time. Clean dry straw, which is pesticide free, can be purchased from Agway, a local farm, or a pet supply store.

    

5. AWNING to prevent rain from entering the shelter. Use a black plastic planting pot to create an awning. Using scissors, cut off the bottom of the pot. Cut 2" vertical slits in the bottom of the pot. Insert the bottom of the pot into the entrance hole, bend over the bottom of the pot inside the shelter, secure with gorilla tape. Add some gorilla tape on the awning on the outside of the shelter to keep the rain from dripping into the shelter.

    

Optional:

 

• Spray paint made for plastic. Paint the shelter the color of your home's foundation and it will be less noticeable.

   

• Tarp to spread over the cat shelter for added protection from inclement weather. A tarp adds protection from the weather and camouflage the shelters. Secure with tent stakes.

   

Set out your cat shelter and know that you have provided your outdoor cat(s) with a warm home.

 

Note: Some cats will only use their shelters from November to March. During the summer months is a good time to clean out the shelters and add new clean straw.

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Placement Tips

Your goal should be to keep the inside of the shelter dry and safe for the cats. Place the shelter where the cold north wind will not blow into the entrance. Face the entrance hole towards your home's foundation. Leave a space of 6" between the shelter and your home's foundation. If there is no building nearby, face the opening south to block the north wind.

 

• Place shelter AWAY from where you feed the cats. Uneaten food (even crumbs) attracts raccoons and other predators. Never put food or water in, or near, the shelter.

   

• Plan for more cats than you are currently feeding. Additional cats may find the food and need shelter from the elements.

   

• Place the shelter inside a shed, garage, or barn if possible. Otherwise, place on the south side of your home or a building. This will block the coldest north wind and most snow drifts.

   

• The entrance/opening should face the building to block the wind. If there is no building, and you have multiple shelters, you can align the shelters so the openings face each other. Or, point the entrance to the south to block the north wind.

   

• Put some weight on the top of the shelter to prevent the wind from moving it.

   

• Place the shelter on a wooden pallet or on bricks to keep it off the ground about 3 or more inches. Add a tarp held down by tent stakes or bricks.

   

• Fill the shelters one third the way with straw. Buy a bale in feed stores such as Agway for about $13. Or, purchase small amounts in pet supply stores. The cats will nest in the straw during the winter months. The straw wicks the moisture from the cat's fur.

   

  Note: Never use blankets, towels, etc. inside the shelter. The inside will be exposed to moisture from outdoors and the cats themselves. Wet fabric will freeze and draw the warmth away from the cats and can grow mold and mildew.

   

• Check the inside of the shelters periodically to make sure they aren't taking in moisture that would chill the cats.

   

• If you place the shelters in a public place, add this note. ****PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB**** This shelter is provided for a MONITORED FERAL CAT COLONY. It is cared for by a volunteer working with a Trap/Neuter/Return Program.

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