Easy Ways To Help Homeless Cats In Winter
It’s hard to believe the photo (above) taken four years ago is our former feral Domino, who lived on our porch for seven years. This was his choice not ours. He had a cozy shelter with an electric heating pad but it was no picnic braving storms and having to trek through snow to do his business. It’s bitterly cold as I write this with temperatures dipping into the single digits. Domino is draped on the pillow across a warm radiator but old habits die hard. He insisted on sitting on the porch as he does most days but today he wisely came in after a few minutes. I couldn’t help but think about all the cats who don’t have the luxury of an open door.
There are vestiges of his old life in his battle-scarred and winter-weary face and every time he returns a slow blink of love and trust I melt. As I was writing this the lyrics from an old Bob Dylan song: Shelter from the Storm came into my head.
…”Not a word was spoken between us there was little risk involved
Everything up to that point had been left unresolved
Try imagining a place where it’s always safe and warm
“Come in” she said
“I’ll give you shelter from the storm”…
Did you know pet parents in the U.S. spent a whopping 5 BILLION dollars this holiday season on gifts for their pets? I’m not about to tell you what to spend your money on but please consider the homeless ones who won’t be getting cozy sweaters or cat beds this winter. They’ll be lucky to get food and shelter.
How You Can Help Make A Difference For Feral or Indoor/outdoor Cats This Winter
- Anti-freeze is deadly. Clean up any leaks or spills. A cat may be tempted to lap up a puddle especially when everything is frozen and there’s nothing to drink. Even a teaspoon can be lethal.
- Rock salt is toxic on tender paws. If you can, use gentler ways to keep walkways safe like sand, non-clumping cat litter or non-toxic ice melt. I like Safe Paw.
- Cats seek shelter in cars under the hood. Before starting the engine, knock on the hood to wake-up any occupants and maybe save a life.
This is how Domino looked during his last winter outdoors. He rarely looked me in the eye but I think he was trying to communicate: Can you help me? This is getting old.
Tips for making or buying homeless or feral cat shelters
- The easiest and cheapest ‘instant’ shelter is simply a sturdy cardboard box with a trash bag taped over it. Elevate the box above the ground by securing it on wooden blocks or bricks. Add insulation like straw.
- Inexpensive shelters can be made with one plastic storage bin placed inside a smaller bin with styrofoam pieces in between as insulation. Stuff with straw, place the bin on its side facing a wall or tree to act as a wind break.
- Mylar, the material used in emergency ‘Space Blankets’, helps retain body heat and can be cut in pieces to cover the shelter.
- DIY creative types can make shelters out of wood and other materials but this video explains how to easily make a shelter.
We have Katkabins on our property which are cozy and weather-proof for any furry wayfarers passing through. We also leave the side door of the barn open a crack for small critters to ease their way in and find shelter. One year we had birds, chipmunks, rabbits and a feral cat. Snow is great for tracking pawprints but be sure to shovel areas near shelter access.
- K & H has a great selection of options for outdoor tents and heated feeding station. I wish I’d known about their heated, outdoor tent when Domino lived outdoors.
- A covered feeding station is a must. If there isn’t a heated shelter feed the cats only dry in sub-zero weather winter. Wet food freezes solid. Do not use metal bowls to avoid a cat’s tongue sticking to it. Fill with hot water which will freeze less quickly. Adding a pinch of sugar will slow freezing. If there is an electrical outlet available, there are heated bowls are designed to keep water above freezing.
Everyone can do something. At the very least, you can be an educator by sharing this post.
If you haven’t already connected with a rescue group in your neighborhood, you can easily find one by entering your zipcode at Petfinder.com Every rescue group or shelter will mention on their website what they do and what they need from volunteers. Many shelters post a wishlist of donation items (new or used) i.e. old towels, paper towels, blankets, food and water bowls, cleaning products etc. on their website.
Let’s make this winter a little more bearable by providing our feline friends a safe shelter from the storm.
37 Comments
sims 4 cats and dogs key free
I conceive this web site holds some real superb information for everyone : D.
Kim
Excellent tips that anyone can readily follow to help our homeless friends – thank you for educating on the plight of homeless cats. This time of year is always so rough for them, and for those of us who worry about them!
Thank you for blogging – and being – the change for animals,
Kim Thomas
Be the Change for Animals
dawn
A lot of great tips! It’s wonderful that so many are bringing attention to the plight of feral cats. Domino is a very lucky cat to have found you.
Thanks for sharing and thank you for joining Blog the Change!
Rascal and Rocco
i don’t live where it snows so hadn’t really thought about kitties with no homes in places where it gets freezing. Domino is lucky to have you as a neighbor
Ra
Great info! I don’t live where it snows so never really thought about kitties without homes in places where it gets freezing. Domino was lucky to have you as a neighbor
Cathy Keisha
Great post. TW was appalled to see the Maple Cats sitting atop their igloo instead of in it everytime she passed this week. They came running to her to get their food. You can build the greatest shelter but they have to use it. Today one of the Park Cats was out and about by the covered wading pool so TW fed him. UCFCC is feeding both colonies and has provided igloo shelters and medical care.
The Island Cats
When it’s this cold, we worry about the 2 kitties that our dad-guy takes care of at his business. They do have access to an unheated garage area filled with bales of straw and a heating pad. But still…they gotta be cold! Thanks for reminding us of all these tips.
Skeeter and Izzy
Thank you Layla. The homeless of every species suffers greatly in horrid weather conditions We hope that more and more people work toward TNR but don’t forget that spay/neuter is only the tip of the iceberg.
Luvs to our dear friends Merlin , Domino an Nou Nou.
Skeeter and Izzy and the Feral Gang + Twig & Peanut & Romeo >^..^<
maggie
We’re happy that TNR programs have been so successful in our area. We don’t see any feral cats in our neighborhood anymore. Our last feral deck resident passed away a few years ago and we gave her heated house and waterbowl to someone who maintains a colony. Every morning for 12 years, I checked on our Grandma kitty first thing and shoveled a path for her if it had snowed. I wish she had been willing to come inside.
You’re providing really good information- thanks Layla.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Wow, good to hear of the success and good recycling. You gave the kitty a good life for 12 years on her terms.
Nerissa's Life
Such important information in this post, my friend.
This is Anderson’s first winter inside and boy is he ever noticin’ a difference. He doesn’t wanna go outside at all. He just lies about on the couch or on a bed, enjoyin’ the comfort and warmth. Has to put up with a lot of cuddlin’ and kissin’ but says it’s worth it, for sure.
Purrs,
Nissy
Layla Morgan Wilde
So glad to hear about Anderson!
The Swiss Cats
Very good information and advice ! Purrs
da tabbies o trout towne
doodz…thanx for re postin & in cloodin de you tube linx…thiz iz one oh de best DIY cat shelter videe ohz we haz seen; way cool eye dea on usin piping thru de door way…and durafoam sted on just plane styro foam …we subscribed…thanx !
Layla Morgan Wilde
I revised and updated since it’s such an important subject.
Kathryn
So glad Domino came indoors a few years ago. He is such a doll, as I rarely see male cats who were neutrered after they fully developed all of their secondary male characteristics (full face). I am so glad to learn that many options exist to help outdoor cats who do not have homes. Most cats in my town are indoor only and a few also go outdoors. We had two in this town who were both in and out of doors, but it was on a busy street, so that was not a positive for them. Both had been feral, so there was no way to keep them inside.
Layla Morgan Wilde
I love his fat cheeks too. Some former ferals show no desire to go out but some do.
Kjelle Bus aka Charlie Rascal
Great video that show´s how easy it really is to build a grrreat shelter for feral´s !
XOXO
Cynthia Southern
I am so glad you rescued Domino and he has a warm comfortable forever home with you and the other kitties. I wish every cat could be warm and have a forever family.
Texas, a cat in... Austin
We can’t begin to imagine how hard it must be for kitties to live outside in the cold :-/
Thanks for all these tips: they will be very helpful to help the outside kitties.
And thank you so furry much for your wishes for Milou! We really do appreciate!
Coccolino
That was such a nice post. I actually WISH some homeless cats would venture our way because I would love to take care of them and provide for them. I am sure many others don’t and it makes me so sad, especially after moving from Italy where I took care of so many.
Katnip Lounge
Scott built a nice wood condo for our stray Henry…who eventually adopted the people up the street! In the meanwhile he was a regular for two years.
Nerissa's Life
I was super lucky ’cause although I was born outside, the peep convinced me to come in before the weather got cold. So many feral kitties aren’t that lucky.
Purrs,
Nissy
Angel Abby
We are fortunate that our winters are mostly mild here in FL, but still our hearts go out to those outdoor ferals. It does our hope art good to see Domino indoors.
Sue Brandes
Thanks for the information. It is really cold here in WI. I did not know you could look up rescue groups on Petfinder either.
Skeeter and Izzy
We all need shelter from the storm. The kitty’s need shelter from many storms both weather and other storms. They need us and we need them.There are so many things that we each can do to help. I have pretty much started carrying food etc. in my vehicle at all times…never know when I’ll come across a wee one that needs a meal. I keep spreading the word about Ferals and what each one can do to help them in some way.
We have the plastic insulated coolers with several varieties of bedding and tarps. The Feral Gang hasn’t completely embraced them yet but we are working on it every day using treats and feeding where the coolers are located. Of course my next plan is to lead them indoors to the basement first then upstairs in time. Just remember no action is too small,no time given too little, no donation too insignficant,after all the oceans are full of drops of water.
Luvs Skeeter and Izzy and the Feral Gang + Peanut and Twig and Romeo >^..^<
Random Felines
we are lucky that Allie has access to our garage but we worry about her having to come in and out.
Rubbermaid has some great ideas and help about feral shelters: http://www.erubbermaid.com/roughneck-homes?mid=57
Kathryn
Oh love the shelter. Love Dom and Merlin together. 5 billion is a lot of money! If we had ferals around, I would def build a shelter. So city here that all the cats are truly taken and indoor.
Nancy Blue Moon
We are happy to help any kitty who comes here to visit..they are all precious to us!!
Kathie
I built a shelter out of a big styrofoam cooler for the three kitties I have living in my yard under my shed. They still seem to choose the shed over the cooler but I’m hoping that they will use it when it gets real cold. I have seen them go in from time to time… They get fed twice a day with fresh water and every couple days they get a can of tuna as a nice surprise!
Debby
I really love the video – I built similar shelters from plastic storage bins. But I like these better!!!
stories of my rescued kitties
http://homelesscatcare.blogspot.com
Debby in Arizona
Viki Worden
I am sure Domino is so very happy to be living indoors now. Especially with all the love he is given. I wish i had the funds to help all the homeless kitties. I would do everything i could if i had feral babies where i live. So far i have not seen any.
da tabbies o trout towne
havin lived on de streets de furst yeer oh me life, eye appreciates thiz post ~~~~ N all me street pals due two…thanx !!
butter lover boomer o cat
The Island Cats
Very timely information. Right now, there are 2 cats hanging around the dad-guy’s business and the peeps there are feeding them and built them a shelter (they need to build a better one, though). The mom is planning to trap them this week and get them fixed, but unfortunately, they will need to go back outside. The mom doesn’t want to take them to a shelter because she doesn’t know how adoptable they are.
Sammy
We do worry about homeless animals in the winter……the little feral we have who visits us has it “made” outside on our front porch with warm quarters and food but there are so many others who don’t.
Pam and Sam
Sometimes, Cats Herd You
This is good information. The ferals in this part of Florida don’t get very much cold, but so much of the country is right now. Everykitty deserves a place to be warm and dry.
Sparkle
Thanks for this advice – while it is mild in southern California compared to the rest of the country (if you can call upper 30s mild!), there are a lot of wild and homeless kitties in snowy areas who really need help and shelter from caring humans.