Building A Outdoor Shelter For A Stray

I just finished building a outdoor shelter for a stray from 

the neighborhood.  I have five or six strays that come 

and go, but there's one that sometimes hangs out on

my small front stoop.  Have built one of those insulated

tote shelters with a styrofoam cooler as the insert for 

the insulation.  Right now there is one front  opening.

Have read that there should be two openings for escape, 

but doesn't that defeat the whole purpose of insulation

if there's going to be cold cross ventilation from two 

openings instead of one.  Also, while I wait for a ten 

pound bale of straw, have put some newspapers 

through the shredder for bedding.  I don't mind feeding

these kitties, but it breaks my heart that they are hanging

out to be rescued which I've done with my two special

outdoor homeless strays that weren't neutered, no chip,

infested with fleas and worms.  Spent the money ($1,000)

for vets to get them back to health.  Kindly send some

feedback so this shelter is safe.


Special Rescued Now 18 LB Tuxedo (Maine Coon)


Special Rescued Short Hair Gray Baby Brucie

I work for a construction company and had co-workers build me an insulated cat shelter with a single entrance and roof that can be pulled off. My two feral cats never used it and opted to live in a material storage shelter on the property. I think the single entrance might be the reason for them not using it.

I am not overly experienced with feral cats, I have two that I trapped and now they live in the building I work at. They are socialized and no longer feral. Wish I could offer you more feedback. I think you are a great person and hope you get the feedback you are looking for.

You will just need to see if the cat(s) will use the shelter with only one opening.  My ferals at first would not use any shelter without an entrance and exit.  Yet after time I was able to seal off one of the doors.  Yes it does take away some of the warmth, but it is better than finding their own shelter.  Once you receive the straw, the cat will burrow down into it to stay warm.

Thank you for helping the strays.  The kindest thing you can do for them is to have them spayed/neutered.  This will help to stop the ever growing cat population.  The cats will be so much better off without all of the hormones coursing through their bodies.  By feeding and providing them with shelter, this is making them stronger so they can continue breeding.  

I would suggest looking for a low cost spay/neuter clinic to have the cats spayed/neutered.  

Shane Kent, ShadowRescue:  Thanks for the feedback.  The new insulated shelter

that I built for the calico came in handy.  Had some snow flurries, nothing major

and she was in the shelter with one entrance/exit.  Should do fine until we have

something major that will prevent her from being in the shelter.  In the mean time

will work with what I have and make the best of it for her.

That's good news about the shelter. I watched the video, that is awesome, great to see so many cats being cared for. God bless everyone involved with the Happy Cat Sanctuary.

This is my two cats last year


And as far as they get outside this year, they have no interest in going out in the cold.

The feral I am trying to get comfortable with me enough that I can bring her inside will not go in a shelter with one opening.   I ended up having the main opening on the end of the tote, and I went back and added a second, slightly smaller opening on the side toward the back away from the main opening so there would not be straight through ventilation between the two openings and hopefully it would retain warmth still, even with two openings. In a pinch, I also picked up mini straw bales at the craft store.