The fall is the perfect time of the year to build a shelter for the stray and feral cats you care about. Some cat-friendly folks choose to build outdoor homes that resemble real houses for their furry feline friends, like this one. But you don’t have to put in that much effort or money — you can create an outdoor cat shelter to keep them safe from the harsh winter weather using materials that you probably already have. Take a look through your garage, attic or storage space to find useful materials.
feral cats
Why Stray and Feral Cats are Beneficial to Your Neighborhood
Unfortunately, not everyone is an animal lover — especially when it comes to stray or feral outdoor cats that don’t have a home. Some people look at stray cats as a nuisance to the neighborhood, but they actually provide many benefits to the environment, and to your property. Here are a few reasons why stray and feral cats are beneficial to your neighborhood.
Bye Bye Rodents
One of the most important benefits of welcoming stray cats to your neighborhood and property is that they will help keep the rodent population to a minimum. Mice and garter snakes are no match for the average outdoor cat. If you’re friendly to neighborhood cats, they will surround your property with their scent, which is a great deterrent to keep rodents from invading your home and backyard.
How to Help Keep Stray Cats Warm in the Winter
During the harsh winter months you are probably going to become concerned about how to help keep stray cats warm. This is especially true for people who care for and love animals. Cats are designed by nature to survive outside successfully, even in very cold temperatures, but they still need our help from time to time — even more so during the winter. Here are a couple of tips to help you make a warm outdoor shelter that helps them survive the brutal winter.
Shelter and Outdoor Heating Pad (Low Wattage)
My First Trap, Neuter, Return TNR Experience (Advice, Tips and Pics Included)
Recently I successfully completed my first TNR which is short for Trap Neuter Return. You trap a feral cat, get him neutered (or spayed for a female) and then return him to the Great Outdoors. It is beneficial to the cat, the kittens it wouldn’t be able to support on its own and the neighborhood as a whole. Knowing how simple the process is now, I wish I would have done this years ago.
I remember calling the local animal shelter to ask about how I can get a trap to set outside. They said all the traps were being used but they could put me on a list. I’m still waiting for them to call me back about that list.