Need Help Designing and Constructing ELEVATED Feral Cat Shelter!!!

Dear Cat Lovers,

I'm purchasing a home and moving in within a month.  The seller is a sweet, elderly lady who is failing in health and must move.  She has kindly provided food, water, & ground-level shelter (Styrofoam/straw-insulated plastic tubs) to 2 feral cats (fixed) for some time.  I want to honor her legacy of compassion and regard for these cats, and continue their care.

My dilemma is that I have a 120 lb. Giant Schnoodle who requires doggy-door access to the backyard (w/o exception) where the cats reside.  Luckily, "Rocky" has been trained to like cats since puppyhood.  However, I surely doubt the ferals will instinctively reciprocate his affection, and I'm concerned that they might leave and inadvertently compromise their health, welfare, and safety.

How can I purchase or make a 2-bedroom w/ separate entrances cat tower with steps that climb at least 70" (above my dogs standing height) w/ food and water bowls that the cats will enjoy, and can conveniently and comfortably climb?

Thanks so much!!!

Jack 

Wow, God bless you. These are lucky, lucky cats. There are a couple of sites with raised houses but I don't think they are more than 36" high. If you can build a small deck 70" high, you could add a narrow ramp that the dog can't maneuver and put a Feral Villa or other house on top.

The only other thing I can think of is a kennel with the house inside. If the kennel is against the house or a shed, you can put the entrances towards the back. The entrance can be a small cat door or just an opening big enough for the cats but too small for the dog.

Thank you so much for helping these kitties.

Hi Jack,

Good on you for helping those cats out. I'm in the middle of a feral/stray cat dilemma of my own. Actually I think mine are strays....abandoned cats that been left behind because they crave human attention so badly. I have an indoor/outdoor cat ive had for 8 years that is having A VERY HARD TIME getting used to them being around plus im trying out so many shelters and putting them in different places around the yard, and I have no idea what they like best. It's all trial and error. 

for advice on how to build a shelter like that, i have not built one , I purchased a dogloo and just put it out for the cats and made other random things into make shift beds/shelter. I'm sure you may have seen the link im giving you before but I'll post it anyway. Its a list of ones you can buy and at the end of the list shelters you can make along with directions. If you look on google ( its more if you have the time to look) there is a wealth of information about building your own shelters. Ive been looking at different options for weeks, and i swear a new website about feral shelters and rescue that ive never seen before will pop up. Sorry I couldnt be much help but i just want to say, youre a good person for doing this and believe it or not, you will be rewarded with the outcome. they are going to looooove you and its a good feeling of caring for helpless creatures that were dealt a very unfair hand in life. 

http://www.alleycat.org/ShelterGallery

Dear Ondine & Rorie Nicole,

Thanks for your both speedy replies!  What a wonderful site.  Roire Nicole, yes, cats are quite territorial and work out "pride" issues in their own way.  Good luck with integrating your indoor roommate with the ferals!  Last night, I put in a couple hours' research (yes, Saturday p.m.; I have no life! :-) and found many great examples of how to build outdoor shelters, but none that were elevated.  However, I did find several examples of indoor cat condos and playgrounds that incorporated various types of climbing steps (see hyperlink).  I plan to build a hybrid shelter, as Ondine, suggested with such a configuration.  In the meantime, I welcome any other ideas, based on experience and cat psychology and behavior.  Your feedback is most appreciated!

Jack

Hyperlink w/ steps ideas: