Found this from a rescue I know
Are your shelters going unused? If your kitty isn't sure about the shelter you've set out for them, here are some TIPS to encourage them to try it out:
Be patient. Some cats need a lot of time to get comfortable with a new shelter.
Loosely fill the shelter ½ to ¾ full of straw, a bedding material very attractive to cats.
Remove any door flaps on the shelter. While doorway flaps help insulate, they should not be added until after your cats are used to going in and out of the shelter.
Do not place food in or near the shelter. Cats instinctively avoid sleeping near food as it attracts other cats and wildlife/predators.
Location is important. Place the shelter where your cats are already hanging out. More feral/less social cats typically want to shelter farther away from humans—the more secluded, the more likely cats are to use it.
Place the shelter near natural cover (as opposed to out in the open) where your cats feel safe. Cats prefer to move along walls, hedges or other natural barriers and boundaries. Place the shelter under or up against a building, fence, tree, porch, bush, or overhang. We sometimes nestle them in the brush in the woods.
Place the shelter with the entrance facing away from the wind, rain and snow. Facing south is best!
Found this from a rescue I know
Make sure the shelter is on a flat surface and not wobbly. An unsteady shelter could discourage cats from entering.
It’s possible that your cats have another shelter where they feel safe. They may already have a shed, crawlspace or some other shelter they prefer.
When all else fails, try a new location, but only after giving your cats plenty of time to explore and get used to the current location.
(some of the advice above courtesy of FeralVilla.com )
THANK YOU to the caregivers who have taken the time to build a feral cat shelter. Protection from the elements is critical, especially during the cold months, and your thoughtfulness will no doubt save many lives this winter.
Are your shelters going unused? If your kitty isn't sure about the shelter you've set out for them, here are some TIPS to encourage them to try it out:
Be patient. Some cats need a lot of time to get comfortable with a new shelter.Loosely fill the shelter ½ to ¾ full of straw, a bedding material very attractive to cats. Remove any door flaps on the shelter. While doorway flaps help insulate, they should not be added until after your cats are used to going in and out of the shelter.Do not place food in or near the shelter. Cats instinctively avoid sleeping near food as it attracts other cats and wildlife/predators.Location is important. Place the shelter where your cats are already hanging out. More feral/less social cats typically want to shelter farther away from humans—the more secluded, the more likely cats are to use it.Place the shelter near natural cover (as opposed to out in the open) where your cats feel safe. Cats prefer to move along walls, hedges or other natural barriers and boundaries. Place the shelter under or up against a building, fence, tree, porch, bush, or overhang. We sometimes nestle them in the brush in the woods.Place the shelter with the entrance facing away from the wind, rain and snow. Facing south is best!Found this from a rescue I know
Make sure the shelter is on a flat surface and not wobbly. An unsteady shelter could discourage cats from entering.It’s possible that your cats have another shelter where they feel safe. They may already have a shed, crawlspace or some other shelter they prefer.When all else fails, try a new location, but only after giving your cats plenty of time to explore and get used to the current location.(some of the advice above courtesy of FeralVilla.com )
THANK YOU to the caregivers who have taken the time to build a feral cat shelter. Protection from the elements is critical, especially during the cold months, and your thoughtfulness will no doubt save many lives this winter.
