Feral/Stray Cat Cold Weather Advice (throw, dog, furniture, blankets)

[Drouzin]

My neighbor and I have been feeding some feral/stray cats for the past year and we are facing our first winter. I built an insulated cat house, but they aren't really using it, (I think the raccoons are scaring them off at night). I thought about putting a cat door into the shed, but it's not insulated.

Anyways, last night one of the strays, Shadow, sat at the back door looking in and was so pitiful. I know she wants in, but Hubby would just freak, (not to mention my 3 cats), if I let her inside. Is there anything more I can do to provide a warm, inviting spot for them to get out of the cold? What do those of you who care for feral colonies do?

[ilovebdj]

Ooooohhhh....tough one. I've taken care of feral colonies here, but I live in Florida, and the winters are totally different. Any colony I've taken care of is also not near my property, so I don't get the guilty looks.

The cat door on the shed is better than nothing....it might not be insulated, but at least it would keep them out of the wind and such. Perhaps throw a few kittie beds or blankets in there? It would be better than nothing.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

How about putting the cat house in the shed and adding the cat door? Of course, the racoons can also use the cat door is they wanted to. Good luck and I don't think it's cold enopugh in LA. for them to suffer a lot. The one who was looking in was maybe someone's pet at one time. Any way you can trap her/him and take them to a shelter for ID?

[sweetana3]

Wind and water are the two dangerous things. Check IndyFeral - Welcome to IndyFeral's Home on the Web! for outside cat tips.

We have the fancy cat house but a possum took over. Got a plastic dog house and filled it with straw. Covered it along with my outdoor furniture with a tarp and either bungee cord it on or use bricks. I made kind of a long porch with the tarp and again filled the house with straw or dry leaves. Something they can burrow into. They can stay out of the wind and rain and the melting snow.

Best would be the door into the shed and then if it is dry in there a large cardboard box filled with dry straw or leaves. or several. Cut a door inot each one. That way they can get out of each others way. Blankets are not good because once the cats get them wet, they dont dry out.

We live where there is snow and they do well this way. Each morning they are out sitting on my doorstep and waiting for their feeding.

[Drouzin]

Thanks ya'll! I'm going to get two cat doors for the shed and some hay for my furry friends. I guess I'll remove the blanket out of that little house I built and will replace it with the hay as well and hope that the raccoons will ignore the shed.

My little window peeker, Shadow, will actually let me pet her and pick her up, but it took a looong time for us to get to this point in our relationship. She tore me up for Gustav. Shadow and her possible sister Mimi were taken to the parish shelter, scanned, and then spayed. I'm making progress with two of the males, Reggie Bush and Greyson, and am hoping that they will do another low cost neuter for us.

Ironically I took some pics yesterday... The soft grey is Greyson, the tabby laying down is Reggie Bush, and the cat with the big head just showed up yesterday and has not been named yet.

[luvmycat]

They are so beautiful! Bless you for caring for them...they are lucky to have you!

[ilovebdj]

Your kitties are so sweet!!! Sorry about the blanket idea, didn't think about it getting wet. Hopefully the hay will work out and they will be nice and cozy thanks to your efforts. You are a blessing in disguise to these kitties, thank you!!! xoxo Cindy

[Amazonchix]

THANK YOU for managing a colony! The word is spreading in the cat street to come to your house (lol).

Does your area provide reduced cost/or free S/N for people who TNR???

[Drouzin]

Thanks ya'll! Hubby isn't too thrilled I'm feeding these kitties because he worries that it's going to upset our kitties, but yesterday we stood on the patio and watched Reggie play with imaginary bugs. I know he's not too upset because this morning he mentioned my Australian Cats. I said, "Huh?" He then said, "you know, the cats out back." Ha, ha; so I know we're good to go.

Amazon our shelter person has slipped the two girls in for spaying on the cheap and told me that if I could get anymore in to her she'll do it again. The shelter is in bad shape since Katrina and if it wern't for outside animal groups' help, there would be no electricity etc. for them right now. There has just been too much to fix here, (our sewers, water system, government buildings, are still being worked on), for the parish to focus on the shelter. However, I understand that they will be building a new shelter this coming year.

Bdj, don't be sorry about the blanket idea; shoot, I was using a blanket in a box

[Okiegirlfriend]

Do you have a crawl space under your house? We had a cat keep warm in the winter that way before. She would snuggle up near the furnace. We could open the furnace closet door and "talk" to her through the floor.