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Shelter during winter

post #1 of 5
8/18/11 at 2:08pm
Thread Starter 
So my cats are strictly outdoor and I'm trying to find a low cost way to make them a good shelter that will keep them warm.

Keep in mind we live in a high snow area..central illinois to be exact.

What are some ideas? i'm googling around but was wondering if anyone already has some useful links..
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post #2 of 5
8/18/11 at 2:38pm
My outdoor cats will have full access to our garage in the winter as well as the barn (which has lots of rooms that stay warm and dry). Can you give your cats access to an inside area like that? If not, would you consider giving a room to them in the winter (like your laundry room or a spare bedroom)? Is this your first winter with them?
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post #3 of 5
8/18/11 at 2:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueRexBear View Post
My outdoor cats will have full access to our garage in the winter as well as the barn (which has lots of rooms that stay warm and dry). Can you give your cats access to an inside area like that? If not, would you consider giving a room to them in the winter (like your laundry room or a spare bedroom)? Is this your first winter with them?
It is our first winter with them and we actually regularly use our garage. It has a lot of tools in it that are quite unsafe for them, so we really don't like them in there. Plus we have D-Con down for rodents.

We don't have a spare room and my parents are completely against them coming indoors. I'm really not sure why they are.

I'm looking for something that I can structure together and put on the front porch that is at least actually warm, sturdy, and not as pricey. I'm willing to go pricey if I have to but if there's a way to keep the price low I want to use it.
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post #4 of 5
8/18/11 at 3:02pm
Quite a few threads on the topic in the Caring for Strays and Ferals forum.

Two basic things that make a shelter attractive (based on other people's experience, not mine - we've provided zillions of different shelters for the feral cats, and there's just too many options around here to have made any of them attractive. ).

1) Straw is the best insulator and should be changed out every two weeks or so. Not a straw bed - but loose straw they can burrow into.

2) A shelter that has more than one entrance is more likely to be used.

Here is a rather comprehensive thread (it includes links to shelter ideas and other threads with "how to" instruction): Outdoor cats - Preparing for winter - a collection of ideas

If you want to skip straight to a "how to" for insulated boxes (bear in mind this person lives in CA, so doesn't use as much straw as those of us with serious cold need to use): http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=178151

Some people use solar pool covers to provide further heat/insulation: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...hlight=shelter and http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...ighlight=solar

Here is a recent discussion of feeding stations and shelter: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=234461

Hope all the ideas help!
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post #5 of 5
8/18/11 at 7:43pm
I'm not much help on the housing structure itself as my outdoor kitties are either in the garage or have access to a shed.

I do have two outdoor heated mats and LOVE them, so do the kitties. I have one similar to this (I think mine is the small dog version). My kitties also really like their SnuggleSafes.

Be sure to invest in a heated water bowl!

We have two home-made insulated doghouses with shingles on them for the kitties. Two plastic dog houses (IMO not as warm), in addition to the garage, shed, & if necessary partially heated shop (concerned about toxins in there).

Having to deal w/ a midwestern winter, I definitely suggest building something you can put the food in during winter, like a basic feeding box, just to keep it from getting buried in snow.
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