Another feral cat shelter idea
This inexpensive cat shelter idea comes from Jennifer Lewitt of Grand Rapids, MI. It can be used if an electrical outlet is nearby.
Hi, thought I'd share what I've constructed (quite inexpensively, I might add) for my backyard feral. Sorry, I have no pictures but a description follows.
I went to a discount chain store called Big Lots and purchased one each of:
- plastic cat door
- chicken heat lamp and bulb
- 50 gallon plastic storage tub
Steps:
- Trace the cat door pattern on the long side of the tub as far to one end as possible and about 3" from the bottom to allow the door to swing with bedding inside the house.
- Using a utility knife (be careful not to hurt yourself -- it's tough to cut that plastic), cut the hole for the door and cut 1/4" drainage holes in bottom of the tub on the 4 lowest corners of the tub, plus two more in the center.
- Cut two 1/2" ventilation holes on the underside of the tub's handles.
- Hold the small round hole of the heat lamp shade against the lid centered and three quarters of the way back and trace the inside. Then cut a hole that size in the lid.
- Install the cat door using the provided screws.
- Insert the heat lamp fixture down through the hole in the lid and screw it firmly in place.
- Install the 75 watt bulb.
- Locate the shelter close to your house within easy reach of an outdoor outlet to plug in the lamp.
- Line the bottom of the tub with a cut-to-fit slab of thick flexible styrofoam (previously cut with ten 1/4" drainage holes).
- Cover tightly with a non-flammable baby blanket.
It has kept my strays toasty warm this winter. Even when it was 3 degrees out it never dropped below 60 inside the shelter, which we have called a "Poofaloo" after the cat we have dubbed Cheesy Poof, who is its major user.
Hope some of this helps someone else help their wild cats.
Thank you,
Jennifer Lewitt
Grand Rapids, MI