Now that it is cold out, we are getting a lot of requests for assistance with cats and kittens living on or near people’s property. Since City Kitties is small and is completely limited by the number of foster homes we have available, we are unable to provide assistance for all the cats and kittens in need. Sadly, we are only able to help a handful of the hundreds of cats and kittens in need. Which means that they need your support.
There are three things that you can do to help these cats and kittens make it through the winter:
1. Trap and spay/neuter them, as one of their major energy expenditures goes to reproduction, so when they are spayed or neutered, their energy can be better put to staying warm.
2. Provide healthy cat food for them, on a regular schedule. (Like before you go to work in the morning). Cats love, love, love routine and they will quickly come to expect to be fed at the same time each day. A $10-15 bag of cat food can feed 2-3 cats for a month.
3. Spend $10 and make a shelter that is water resistant. (Being cold is hard for cats but being wet in the winter is deadly). What you need:
- Large capacity plastic storage tub, with lid (at least 18 gal. size - adequate for one average size cat; the larger the better - Currently $5 at Home Depot)
- Box cutter for carving entrance hole
- Shredded newspaper or straw (not hay! to fill the box (straw is the best insulator and can be purchased at some home centers)
- Optional (for extra insulation) - flat pieces of styrofoam to line the sides and bottom of container (before filling with straw) Note: use a larger container if using styrofoam lining;
- Large piece of cardboard, plywood, or lattice, wrapped in sturdy plastic, to provide an overhang to extend several inches beyond edges of the container
(Carefully) use the box cutter to carve an entrance hole (about 7″x7″) at one end of either side of the container, about mid height (several inches from the bottom). If you have styrofoam to use, cut five pieces to fit the the inner sides and bottom of container. Glue or duct tape the pieces in place. Fill the inside with straw, padding it thickly up the side walls and bottom, but keep entranceway clear enough. Cats will compact the straw as they make their ‘nest’ in the shelter, so use plenty of filling. Snap on the lid and place the box in an area protected from the elements, preferable on your front or back porch, or under your porch if there is space enough. If the shelter is exposed to the elements, elevate the container with bricks or pieces of wood and place it as close to the house as possible. Make sure access is easy and the entranceway is protected from the wind, draining rain water, and snow buildup. Note: Do NOT use blankets or towels inside a winter shelter as they don’t absorb and dry sufficiently. A wet cat who enters the shelter will have their core body temperature lowered by resting in damp bedding. Straw absorbs and dries quickly, and is the best insulator. In spring dispose of the straw and thoroughly clean the box.
(Thanks to Linda Lee for the Cat Shelter “Recipe”)
