LOOKING FOR FEEDBACK AND INPUT

Hello, my name is Ravenna and i am looking for some feedback and input on a school project i am researching on.

I am studying to be a product designer, and have chosen the topic of stray animals. During the next couple of months, I will be creating a product (e.g. shelter, feeder) for stray animals.

I am looking for input and feedback from individuals that have experienced helping stray animals. I am thinking of creating a small environmental friendly shelter that can be placed around neighborhoods to help stray cats or dogs. Since our country has a large number of strays,I would like the opportunity to help these animals. I am hoping this product can shelter, feed animals and also can assist animal control with catching these animals.

Give me some of your ideas and feedback. it will really help!  

Does your country have any groups that do TNR (trap, neuter, return) ? Can I ask which country you are in?

If so, I would contact them, and find out what type of outdoor shelters they use in managing their cat colonies.

Or contacting any shelters that help stray animals, too.

And if you do a "Search" for 'outdoor shelters' or 'feral shelters' at the top of the page, in the search section...you will get many threads that maybe helpful.

http://www.thecatsite.com/newsearch?search=+outdoor+shelters

http://www.thecatsite.com/newsearch?search=feral+shelters
[thread="249434"]Important Ferals Rescue Threads Articles Updated October 2012  [/thread]

From my dealings with animals, many animals--even domesticated, prefer not to use shelters. Many animals , domesticated as well, need to have 2 exits---so if you are designing a shelter for feral animals, it would need to have multiple exits/entrances. Animals aren't stupid. A shelter to them is a trap----their instinct is for survival and escape is one of those. I would design a shelter with multiple cat flaps so they can all come and go as they please. I would also suggest it be large to prevent fighting.

Cats also like to be hidden and up high, so keep both of those in mind. Good luck!

Darkhorse has good points.  However, if the colony of cats is well integrated, some will use smaller shelters.  The two entrances are important, though.  Everyone needs to feel secure and an escape route makes that possible.

One thing I would suggest.  If there is a way to work how important spaying and neutering is into your presentation, please do so.  Many stray cats reproduce at prodigious levels and no amount of shelters would help.

Not sure if your project can incorporate it but spreading the word would really, really make a difference.

Hi @boodolly  

First of all I'd like to say that if your aim is to help animals getting Animal Control involved might not be the best way to do so. AC often euthanise stray animals. Many so called animal shelters also have a policy of euthanising feral cats and dogs. If you are going to work along side a particular group or organisation make sure you know exactly what their policies on dealing with ferals are. It would be far better if you could work with a group that TNR's and then provides food and shelter for the cats and dogs, rather than one that traps and euthanises.

A few suggestions about shelters for feral cats;

The shelter will be warmer and less likely to get wet if it is off the ground. Even just lifting it up onto a couple of bricks is better than having it directly on the ground.

Straw makes the best bedding. Newspaper gets wet and doesn't provide enough insulation.

A shelter with a double or triple wall construction with polystyrene in between the layers as insulation would keep the shelter warmer in the winter.

If your shelter is going to have cat-flap style doors to keep the wind and rain out these should be see-through. Cats don't like to enter or leave a shelter if they can't see what is outside.

If you are going to set up a feeding station you need to think about how to keep raccoons and birds out of the food. There might be a few ideas in these threads.

 [thread="1436"]Are Raccoons Dangerous To Cats​[/thread]  

 [thread="164120"]Keep Racoons Away From Ferals Food​[/thread]  

 [thread="272648"]Any New Suggestions On Keeping Starlings From Devouring Feral Kitty Food​[/thread]  

thank you for your suggestions and input. it really helps! 

Might I suggest that YouTube also has some awesome videos that show different ways to make them which might help you with more ideas.  Just go to YouTube and type in Stray Cat Shelter. 

As far as feeders go, even on the feeders that you can purchase from the pet stores I've always had a couple of issues with them that I wish someone could figure out how to remedy the problems. 1) Is moisture-from the rain, snow, dew, frost, etc., will often collect in the feeders located outside and cause the dry food to get wet and spoil/rot.  2) Is the issue in the Summer with flies being able to enter the feeders through the area where the food comes out, and then your stuck with maggots in the food just a couple of days after refilling it. 

We would love to see your inventions once you get them finished so be sure and post us some pictures. 

Thank you for your input @Crackerjack4u  

Your issues with the feeders definitely helps and I will continue with my research on what kind of shelter/homes are out there. 

And I will certainty keep you guys updated on where i am at on this project so that i can continue to get feedback.