DIY Feral Cat Shelters
Pet Projects
I love a good DIY project as much as the next aspirational crafter. I prefer projects that don’t necessarily require a lot of skill (as evidenced by the cat bed I made earlier this year) because I’m not very intuitive or handy about these things. Also, this way I’m not disappointed when they don’t turn out perfectly.
While we tend to focus on DIY projects for our own pets, critters like feral cats — who mostly live outside in colonies — also need creature comforts. Any animal that spends time outside needs access to shelter, no matter what climate they’re in, to protect them from rain, cold, wind, scorching heat, plagues of crickets, hail, tornadoes, what have you.
The simplest shelters for feral cats are very effective and easy to make. You can read about some of the different kinds available (either for purchase, or with step-by-step instructions) here.
The most simple shelter designs, like the one pictured here, are based on plans from the CSM Stray Foundation. For the most basic model you’ll need…
Materials:
- 35 gallon plastic storage tote or bin with lid (approx. 32.5″ long, 19.75″ wide, 18.5″ tall)
- Yardstick
- Utility knife
- Sheet of 1″ thick rigid foam insulation board, at least 8 feet x 2 feet
- Straw
Instructions (via Neighborhood Cats):
1. Cut a doorway six inches by six inches in one of the long sides of the storage bin towards the corner. To prevent flooding, cut the opening so that the bottom of the doorway is several inches above the ground.
2. Line the floor of the bin with a piece of Styrofoam, using the yardstick and box cutter to cut out the piece.
3. In similar fashion, line each of the four interior walls of the bin with a piece of the Styrofoam. Perfect cuts are not necessary. Don’t make the Styrofoam go all the way up to the top of the bin, but leave a uniform gap of at least three inches between the top of these Styrofoam “wall pieces” and the upper lip of the bin. There needs to be room for an interior Styrofoam “roof” to fit.
4. Cut out a doorway in the Styrofoam where it is lined up with the doorway that has been cut out already in the storage bin. Trace the outline of the doorway on the Styrofoam first before cutting.
5. Stuff the bottom of the bin with straw or other insulating material to hold the Styrofoam interior wall pieces in place.
6. Cut out a Styrofoam “roof” to rest on top of the Styrofoam interior wall pieces
7. Cover the bin with its lid.
Keep in mind that the lid may need to be weighted down with a brick or a rock to keep it on tight. You’ll want to periodically clean the shelter out and replace the hay. If you’re feeling ambitious, add a door flap to really keep the elements outside. Otherwise, sprinkle catnip inside and wait for your feral friends to set up shop.
Image: Feral Soul
Out here in central California the winter nights are not quite so cold so I have found a modified version of this shelter works quite well. I put a piece of styrofoam insulation inthe bottom of the storage bin, snap on the lid and then cut styrofoam pieces to cover the outside of the bin. I then wrap the thing with a waterproof tarp held in place with zip strips. A couple of flat pavers on the roof keeps the thing stable
Also, I have found the cats are more likely to use it if there are two openings in opposite sides of the shelter.
If you need a quick shelter a styrofoam cooler works great. Just cut a couple of holes in for access, duct taple the lid on and again wrap the thing in a tarp held with zip strips for extra waterproofing.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Lorraine! It makes perfect sense that your climate wouldn’t require quite so much attention to weather-proofing, and I imagine there are a lot of other locations like yours. Also, good to know about providing two entry/exit points.
Out here in central California the winter nights are not quite so cold so I have found a modified version of this shelter works quite well. I put a piece of styrofoam insulation inthe bottom of the storage bin, snap on the lid and then cut styrofoam pieces to cover the outside of the bin. I then wrap the thing with a waterproof tarp held in place with zip strips. A couple of flat pavers on the roof keeps the thing stable
Also, I have found the cats are more likely to use it if there are two openings in opposite sides of the shelter.
If you need a quick shelter a styrofoam cooler works great. Just cut a couple of holes in for access, duct taple the lid on and again wrap the thing in a tarp held with zip strips for extra waterproofing.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Lorraine! It makes perfect sense that your climate wouldn’t require quite so much attention to weather-proofing, and I imagine there are a lot of other locations like yours. Also, good to know about providing two entry/exit points.
Out here in central California the winter nights are not quite so cold so I have found a modified version of this shelter works quite well. I put a piece of styrofoam insulation inthe bottom of the storage bin, snap on the lid and then cut styrofoam pieces to cover the outside of the bin. I then wrap the thing with a waterproof tarp held in place with zip strips. A couple of flat pavers on the roof keeps the thing stable
Also, I have found the cats are more likely to use it if there are two openings in opposite sides of the shelter.
If you need a quick shelter a styrofoam cooler works great. Just cut a couple of holes in for access, duct taple the lid on and again wrap the thing in a tarp held with zip strips for extra waterproofing.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Lorraine! It makes perfect sense that your climate wouldn’t require quite so much attention to weather-proofing, and I imagine there are a lot of other locations like yours. Also, good to know about providing two entry/exit points.