Thinking Ahead to Winter

shadowsrescue

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Yes, I know it is still July and very warm outside, BUT it will not be long until cooler weather is on the horizon.  Each year I hope to be better organized before the cold weather arrives.  I discovered last year that Amazon has open box or used heated cat pads for just over $22.  They are the soft pads are measure about 14x18.  I bought 2 last spring and they both work just fine.  Here is a link.  If you scroll down the page you will see a section that says "Save Big on Open Box or Preowned".  It is there you will find the heat pad for $22.82.  If you have Amazon prime, the shipping is free!! 
I also found a gallon heated water bowl from Walmart.  Last year I bought the quart size for $10 and this year they have the gallon for $14.97

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Farm-Innovators-Heated-Pet-Bowl-1-Gallon-Blue-Small-Animals/14660250

It is also Back to School time and rubbermaid and sterlite storage containers will be on sale.  You can start to build your feral houses now to have them ready for cooler weather.

Just a heads up for some specials going on right now!  I know the open box items from Amazon are limited quantities so get them now while you still can.  Once cooler weather arrives, the price will jump to over $40.
 

misty8723

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It's kind of funny to see this post. I came on here to ask for advice for my sister on how to deal with some stray or feral cats she has been feeding when winter comes.  She's already thought about the heated boxes, but if you have any other advice you can give her (a newbie), I'll pass it along.  There are two cats, she says they're reasonably friendly, and one has showed some interest in going into the house.  Unfortunately, even if she could get them inside, she can't keep them.  Our 86 year old father who lives there is very allergic to cats, and that's kind of moot anyway because the landlord won't let her have pets (especially cats, who he dislikes).  She lives in the snow belt where it gets nasty in the winter and would like to provide for these poor kitties as best she can (without a lot of money to do it  - I will try to help her with some of it).

I should mention, I don't know if something you have to plug in like the heated pads would work, I don't think there's anywhere to plug them in.
 
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shadowsrescue

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There are lots of ideas that do not require an electrical outlet.  The most common is a rubbermaid container stuffed with stray (not hay).  The cat will burrow down into the hay and make a cozy bed.  Often when a very large rubbermaid container is used, more than one cat can go inside and they can use the straw as well as their body heat to stay warm.  There are also microwave heat discs that can be warmed in the microwave and placed in the rubbermaid with or without the straw.  They retain heat for a few hours depending on the outside temperature. 

You can click the link in my signature and I have a blog where I have some ideas posted about winter shelters.  It's under Tips and Techniques.

I hope your sister can find a way to help these kitties.  The best thing she can do for them is to be sure they are spayed or neutered.  There are lots of of low cost spay and neuter clinics around.  If she does not  spay or neuter them they will multiply before her eyes. 

Also does she care for the ferals year round or only in the winter? 
 

misty8723

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There are lots of ideas that do not require an electrical outlet.  The most common is a rubbermaid container stuffed with stray (not hay).  The cat will burrow down into the hay and make a cozy bed.  Often when a very large rubbermaid container is used, more than one cat can go inside and they can use the straw as well as their body heat to stay warm.  There are also microwave heat discs that can be warmed in the microwave and placed in the rubbermaid with or without the straw.  They retain heat for a few hours depending on the outside temperature. 

You can click the link in my signature and I have a blog where I have some ideas posted about winter shelters.  It's under Tips and Techniques.

I hope your sister can find a way to help these kitties.  The best thing she can do for them is to be sure they are spayed or neutered.  There are lots of of low cost spay and neuter clinics around.  If she does not  spay or neuter them they will multiply before her eyes. 

Also does she care for the ferals year round or only in the winter? 
Thank you, I will look at the link.

She cares for them year round and has been doing so for a while, but winters are rough.  I think she's got the Rubbermaid boxes, I'm not sure she knew about putting straw. She was looking at the heated boxes, but I don't think there's a convenient place to plug them in. They also have to be in a place not obvious to the landlord (he's not a fan of cats).  They are already spayed.
 

msaimee

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Thanks for the info, Shadow.

There are also thermal self-heating cushions available on Amazon for about 15-20 dollars that reflect the cat's body heat back to the cat (kind of like the emergency mylar sheets humans use). Last Winter I placed this in my feral's pet house with a lot of straw and covered the house with a sleeping bag, allowing enough room for him to crawl in and out of the house from the openings on either side. He seemed to really like it.

Anyone know what the predictions for this Winter are?  
 

guy mangano

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www.feralvilla.com make some really good winter boxes 1 cat , although I've seen two cats in one box on really cold nights., they do require  assamble . www.thekittytube.com sell good insulated  tubes 2-3 cat ..they now have made available a double insulated one that holds 1-2 cats and they have a compatable heating pad if a plug is near-by.  I use straw (not hay) and I  also add  cut up/shreded  foil wrapped bubble insulation designed for attics  (Home Depot)
 
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shadowsrescue

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www.feralvilla.com make some really good winter boxes 1 cat , although I've seen two cats in one box on really cold nights., they do require  assamble . www.thekittytube.com sell good insulated  tubes 2-3 cat ..they now have made available a double insulated one that holds 1-2 cats and they have a compatable heating pad if a plug is near-by.  I use straw (not hay) and I  also add  cut up/shreded  foil wrapped bubble insulation designed for attics  (Home Depot)
My DH made a feralvilla 5 years ago.  I only had one feral at the time.  He was scared to death of it.  We had to add an exit door and that did help, yet my boys never liked the small cramped space.  I stuffed it with stray and the only thing that used it was a big fat raccoon!!  Some cats love the small cramped space while others are more fearful.  I do find that most ferals need 2 doors in their shelters so they do not feel trapped.

For insulation, I have used Reflectix that I buy in rolls from Home Depot.  It is insulation that is foil like that you can cut to size.  I have lined all my shetlers ( wooden and rubbermaid) with them.  It really helps and isn't too expensive.  It can be hot glued or even just duct taped on.

I also read of some one who used a solar pool cover to cover her shelters.  When the sun was out during the day it really warmed things up.  Unfortunately it did not help to retain heat once the sun went down. 
 

guy mangano

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I've used two over the last few years.. They work far better if under a some shelter..a  deck or eave or pushed up agaist  the house and with the door facing away from the elements.  Rain isn't that big of a problem with the new awning that they have added. I have noticed that sometimes a little snow might blow inside , depending on its placement and wind direction. I care for several cats  and all but one has used them
 
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