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Part of EdDx Educational Series
Part of EdDx Educational Series
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How to make a
>>PHOTOS and ILLUSTRATIONS on this site<<
Feral Cat Shelter Construction
Cheap, Easy to Make, and Easy to Handle
There are many websites with plans and ideas on how to build feral cat shelters. You can check them out to see which ones meet your needs, budget, and level of building expertise.
Materials:
*Plastic storage bin with locking latch--
32 1/2 L x 19 3/4 W x 18 5/8"H
*Sandpaper (60 grit)
*Can of spray paint (optional)
*Straw (winter only)
*Diatomaceous earth powder--food grade (optional)
Tools: If this is a one time use, you can use cheap ones. If you will use them again, perhaps on other projects, consider a better tool.
*Drill
*3/8" drill bit
*Hole cutter (optional)
*Aviation Snips (just need right or left cut)
Safety:
*Safety Glasses
*Hearing Protection
*Respiratory Protection--if spray painting
*Plastic storage bin with locking latch--
32 1/2 L x 19 3/4 W x 18 5/8"H
*Sandpaper (60 grit)
*Can of spray paint (optional)
*Straw (winter only)
*Diatomaceous earth powder--food grade (optional)
Tools: If this is a one time use, you can use cheap ones. If you will use them again, perhaps on other projects, consider a better tool.
*Drill
*3/8" drill bit
*Hole cutter (optional)
*Aviation Snips (just need right or left cut)
Safety:
*Safety Glasses
*Hearing Protection
*Respiratory Protection--if spray painting
EducationDx
©2018, 2023
©2018, 2023
You can buy your tools or supplies on Amazon, Harbor Freight, Home Depot, Lowes or your favorite store. If you are only making one shelter, you can buy a container and perhaps borrow some tools from a friend/neighbor (but you can always build more--and you probably will!)
This is the shelter you can make!
The price can vary on these--shop around!
This article focuses on
how to build a simple and economical cat shelter
. It won't be the most elaborate cat shelter with all the bells and whistles, but it is one that can last several years and help your ferals survive! P.S., it is not made out of cardboard--and looks good in your yard!
Of course, you should place the shelter in a spot where the wind is blocked and other protection is available, e.g., behind a tree or shed, in some bushes, other protection from birds of prey. Camouflage spray paint is available to help your shelter(s) blend into the surrounding environment.
You can use any color you have available. I have found that this grey one blends in quite well with many environments, e.g., on your porch, out in the yard, in the wooded areas, behind a bush. I'll give you the brand and related info later in this article. Use whatever you have; this one seems to hold up better than some others, but your climate/weather conditions might be different.
If you happen to have a plastic container around the house, you can try to see if it works. Some plastic containers that I have tried became brittle after one winter/summer cycle. One (more costly one) actually disintegrated!
If you happen to have a plastic container around the house, you can try to see if it works. Some plastic containers that I have tried became brittle after one winter/summer cycle. One (more costly one) actually disintegrated!
Let's make this cat shelter!
You can make one any size. However, I have found (after making about 50 cat shelters out of wood with shingles and plastic containers of various sizes), that this is the optimal size. Small enough to move around and place on your porch, but large enough to enable a second escape hole to be cut, with enough room so that the cat (or two) isn't in direct wind.
After you gather all of your materials and tools, it should take less than an hour--the first time. If you are making more than one, the next one will take about 20-25 minutes depending on the tools you are using and your skills.
Yes. But if you get the
You would normally just tip the container slightly towards the back (away from the holes) to let any accumulated water off after a rain. Just brush the accumulated snow off the roof as you would with a gable or wooden roof--when you clear the entrance/exit (so the cat can get food/water.) You will be drilling drain holes inside in case any water gets blown inside (see upcoming illustration).
latching lock container
pictured above, the rain and snow shouldn't "run" into the container. A gable (^) roof would require additional expense and time to build, and is probably not practical on a plastic container. The amount of water that may enter the entrance hole is about the same as a shelter with a wooden roof--it's open. Facing the box away from the most prevalent wind direction helps lessen this. In any case, the water will evaporate eventually, but the cat(s) like to sit on the roof when dry, and your help is appreciated!You would normally just tip the container slightly towards the back (away from the holes) to let any accumulated water off after a rain. Just brush the accumulated snow off the roof as you would with a gable or wooden roof--when you clear the entrance/exit (so the cat can get food/water.) You will be drilling drain holes inside in case any water gets blown inside (see upcoming illustration).
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www.EducationDx.com
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How to make a
>>PHOTOS and ILLUSTRATIONS on this site<<
Feral Cat Shelter Construction
Cheap, Easy to Make, and Easy to Handle
There are many websites with plans and ideas on how to build feral cat shelters. You can check them out to see which ones meet your needs, budget, and level of building expertise.
This is the shelter you can make!
This article focuses on
how to build a simple and economical cat shelter
. It won't be the most elaborate cat shelter with all the bells and whistles, but it is one that can last several years and help your ferals survive! P.S., it is not made out of cardboard--and looks good in your yard!
Of course, you should place the shelter in a spot where the wind is blocked and other protection is available, e.g., behind a tree or shed, in some bushes, other protection from birds of prey. Camouflage spray paint is available to help your shelter(s) blend into the surrounding environment.
Materials:
*Plastic storage bin with locking latch--
32 1/2 L x 19 3/4 W x 18 5/8"H
*Sandpaper (60 grit)
*Can of spray paint (optional)
*Straw (winter only)
*Diatomaceous earth powder--food grade (optional)
Tools: If this is a one time use, you can use cheap ones. If you will use them again, perhaps on other projects, consider a better tool.
*Drill
*3/8" drill bit
*Hole cutter (optional)
*Aviation Snips (just need right or left cut)
Safety:
*Safety Glasses
*Hearing Protection
*Respiratory Protection--if spray painting
*Plastic storage bin with locking latch--
32 1/2 L x 19 3/4 W x 18 5/8"H
*Sandpaper (60 grit)
*Can of spray paint (optional)
*Straw (winter only)
*Diatomaceous earth powder--food grade (optional)
Tools: If this is a one time use, you can use cheap ones. If you will use them again, perhaps on other projects, consider a better tool.
*Drill
*3/8" drill bit
*Hole cutter (optional)
*Aviation Snips (just need right or left cut)
Safety:
*Safety Glasses
*Hearing Protection
*Respiratory Protection--if spray painting
The price can vary on these--shop around!
You can buy your tools or supplies on Amazon, Harbor Freight, Home Depot, Lowes or your favorite store. If you are only making one shelter, you can buy a container and perhaps borrow some tools from a friend/neighbor (but you can always build more--and you probably will!)
You can make one any size. However, I have found (after making about 50 cat shelters out of wood with shingles and plastic containers of various sizes), that this is the optimal size. Small enough to move around and place on your porch, but large enough to enable a second escape hole to be cut, with enough room so that the cat (or two) isn't in direct wind.
Yes. But if you get the
You would normally just tip the container slightly towards the back (away from the holes) to let any accumulated water off after a rain. Just brush the accumulated snow off the roof as you would with a gable or wooden roof--when you clear the entrance/exit (so the cat can get food/water.) You will be drilling drain holes inside in case any water gets blown inside (see upcoming illustration).
latching lock container
pictured above, the rain and snow shouldn't "run" into the container. A gable (^) roof would require additional expense and time to build, and is probably not practical on a plastic container. The amount of water that may enter the entrance hole is about the same as a shelter with a wooden roof--it's open. Facing the box away from the most prevalent wind direction helps lessen this. In any case, the water will evaporate eventually, but the cat(s) like to sit on the roof when dry, and your help is appreciated!You would normally just tip the container slightly towards the back (away from the holes) to let any accumulated water off after a rain. Just brush the accumulated snow off the roof as you would with a gable or wooden roof--when you clear the entrance/exit (so the cat can get food/water.) You will be drilling drain holes inside in case any water gets blown inside (see upcoming illustration).
After you gather all of your materials and tools, it should take less than an hour--the first time. If you are making more than one, the next one will take about 20-25 minutes depending on the tools you are using and your skills.
You can use any color you have available. I have found that this grey one blends in quite well with many environments, e.g., on your porch, out in the yard, in the wooded areas, behind a bush. I'll give you the brand and related info later in this article. Use whatever you have; this one seems to hold up better than some others, but your climate/weather conditions might be different.
If you happen to have a plastic container around the house, you can try to see if it works. Some plastic containers that I have tried became brittle after one winter/summer cycle. One (more costly one) actually disintegrated!
If you happen to have a plastic container around the house, you can try to see if it works. Some plastic containers that I have tried became brittle after one winter/summer cycle. One (more costly one) actually disintegrated!
If you don't like the color, you can paint the container to match your outdoor furniture, shrubbery, concrete or even camouflage it with a couple of special camouflage paints. I have many of these (camo colored), but I am systematically replacing them with the grey ones as I update and make improvements in my design. I had several bright red containers and a couple of bright green ones that I sprayed camo brown and camo green. They look pretty neat!
If you don't like the color, you can paint the container to match your outdoor furniture, shrubbery, concrete or even camouflage it with a couple of special camouflage paints. I have many of these (camo colored), but I am systematically replacing them with the grey ones as I update and make improvements in my design. I had several bright red containers and a couple of bright green ones that I sprayed camo brown and camo green. They look pretty neat!
The purpose of this article is to provide many caretakers and potential caretakers of feral cats a quick, relatively cheap and simple way of helping them. The main purpose of this shelter is to block the wind, keep the cat(s) dry and warm as possible. If you had an endless money supply, you could build an elaborate cat shelter with insulation, and perhaps a heated pad!
Keep the cat's enemies in mind when building and placing a shelter!
(foxes, raccoons, dogs, other cats, some humans .....)
Feral cat shelters need two entrance/exit holes. This makes it difficult to "insulate" but helps make it safer for the occupants. The second (escape) hole can cause problems with cold air penetration, but there are ways of dealing with that, while creating a safer environment for the cat.
The second hole provides cross ventilation in the warmer months (and when the straw is removed). A second hole necessitates using a larger container as opposed to a small one.
The second hole provides cross ventilation in the warmer months (and when the straw is removed). A second hole necessitates using a larger container as opposed to a small one.
NO!
YES!
EducationDx
©2018, 2023
©2018, 2023
Let's make this cat shelter!
If you don't like the color, you can paint the container to match your outdoor furniture, shrubbery, concrete or even camouflage it with a couple of special camouflage paints. I have many of these (camo colored), but I am systematically replacing them with the grey ones as I update and make improvements in my design. I had several bright red containers and a couple of bright green ones that I sprayed camo brown and camo green. They look pretty neat!
Feral cat shelters need two entrance/exit holes. This makes it difficult to "insulate" but helps make it safer for the occupants. The second (escape) hole can cause problems with cold air penetration, but there are ways of dealing with that, while creating a safer environment for the cat.
The second hole provides cross ventilation in the warmer months (and when the straw is removed). A second hole necessitates using a larger container as opposed to a small one.
The second hole provides cross ventilation in the warmer months (and when the straw is removed). A second hole necessitates using a larger container as opposed to a small one.
NO!
Keep the cat's enemies in mind when building and placing a shelter!
(foxes, raccoons, dogs, other cats, some humans .....)
YES!
The purpose of this article is to provide many caretakers and potential caretakers of feral cats a quick, relatively cheap and simple way of helping them. The main purpose of this shelter is to block the wind, keep the cat(s) dry and warm as possible. If you had an endless money supply, you could build an elaborate cat shelter with insulation, and perhaps a heated pad!
*Disclosure: Some links on this website are associate links and are used to help illustrate what an item looks like, and you can decide if you want to just look or purchase the item. "As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases." We receive a small commission (that helps support this website) if you actually purchase from this company, but the price to you remains the same.
You can hover over any link to see if it is an Amazon link, if this matters, or a link to a page on this website or to a reference page, e.g., Smithsonian Institution, bookmark on this website, etc.
You can hover over any link to see if it is an Amazon link, if this matters, or a link to a page on this website or to a reference page, e.g., Smithsonian Institution, bookmark on this website, etc.
*Disclosure: Some links on this website are associate links and are used to help illustrate what an item looks like, and you can decide if you want to just look or purchase the item. "As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases." We receive a small commission (that helps support this website) if you actually purchase from this company, but the price to you remains the same.
You can hover over any link to see if it is an Amazon link, if this matters, or a link to a page on this website or to a reference page, e.g., Smithsonian Institution, bookmark on this website, etc.
You can hover over any link to see if it is an Amazon link, if this matters, or a link to a page on this website or to a reference page, e.g., Smithsonian Institution, bookmark on this website, etc.
