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So you find yourself with a cat lurking, timidly in the bushes, yard, trees, behind the shed, garage,smokehouse or  just anywhere and you don’t know if this little guy has a home, and really doesn’t look too well cared for. Scrawny, timid, fearful. Won’t come near you.

This might just be a feral cat.

Or just a lost stray.

Whichever it is with the cold weather approaching you should consider preparing a shelter for the cat. Somewhere it can get warmth, refuge and some protection during awful weather.

With a few things, some you may already own, and a little effort,  in a short time you can take care of this.

But before you start you need to consider some things:
If this cat is very nervous and fearful it is going to need a shelter that is located away from activity and people. Without this they won’t easily –  or quickly – come to a shelter.  The shelter needs to be placed near where they frequent so they are more comfortable. Has smells they recognzie. If  it is not near a building or structure you need to ensure it is really watertight and heavy enough not to blow away. There are feral cat shelters that are robust and secure which are great, but might be more of an investment than you want. If you have a colony of feral cats this might be the way to go. But if you have one little fellow you can easily provide shelter.

Some possible solutions:
A large rubbermaid tote is a great choice. You can tape the lid to the box with duct tape and cut an entry hole that is large enough for the cat to enter. Tape around the hole so the cat doesn’t get injured with sharp edges.
You can also purchase an igloo style cat house that has insulation and is better weather proofed.
Place it as close to some protection and to stop wind buffeting.
You can put a brick or two in the bottom (covered by plenty of bedding) to weigh it down.
If you can create an overhang to keep snow and rain out that would be ideal. But make sure it is secure and safe.

If your feral is a little human friendly you can place the structure close to the house or garage, (or any other building) to offer much more protection.

Locate a shelter

If you are lucky enough to have a dog house (but no dog!!) then this is a great thing. If you ask around friends, family, neighbors or Craigslist you may be able to get one which is so wonderful for the lucky kitty. Filled with insulating foam (see below), newspaper and dry hay this makes a good warm house.

To make it a bit safer and less draughty some planters push any intruders away and break the wind, they maybe be better with plants offering screening.

However if you aren’t lucky enough to have a dog house you can use a wooden crate, a rubbermaid tote, igloo or any other sturdy weather resistant container.

If you have something like this you can use it with some weatherizing.

If you should happen to have an old airline crate lying around (or tea chest or other wood shipping crate) that is not getting any use, then bingo! If you don’t have a large plastic tote or wood box look on local free sites like Craigslist or Facebook marketplace and you certainly will find something useful.

What it needs is insulation, comfort and protection.

Now is the time to assemble what you need.

Get a pack of home insulation (available at most home centers) that can be cut to length. The most important thing is to avoid fiber glass or any type of loft insulation. These foam sheets are perfect as they don’t break down easily and can’t be inhaled or picked up on paws.

Newspapers or brown wrapping paper is the perfect layer above the foam. It is warm, provides another layer of protection and is easily disposable in case it develops an odor.

A tape roll or some kind of adhesive to secure the foam sheets against the sides before it gets packed with hay.

Dry hay – make sure it is completely dry (ask your garden center for the hay from inside). One bale will be more than sufficient.

If your shelter is not plastic you will need something to waterproof it.

A vacum plastic bag for storing sweaters is purrfect!!! Thick plastic sheeting that DIY stores sell is great. If you are desperate a really heavy duty plastic garbage / bin bag will do but will break down in the cold weather very quickly. Won’t last the season.

What to do

Cut the foam to size and place around the inside of the container.

You should put it everywhere – even top if you can get an extra pair of hands to help.

Put a double layer on the bottom.

Secure with tape.

Place layers of newspapers around the bottom and sides!

Fill with hay.

Press down really well.

Fill with more hay.

Position in a secure, safe and dryish place.

This was on a deck, near an overhang.

Place in oversized bag and try to pull as much to front as possible to create overhang so that rain and snow can’t enter.

Not beautiful maybe, but to the lucky cat it is a wonderful warm shelter.

And Voila!!

A warm, protected shelter for your feral kitty so they can overwinter with some comfort. And safety.