Building a shelter
Styrofoam bins can be reused as winter shelters for community cats in your neighborhood. It’s a simple and inexpensive solution.
Styrofoam is around 5 cm (2 inches) thick, the tray is both waterproof and insulated, and a door can easily be created with an exacto. The “Rubbermaid” tub is another valid option. However, it needs to be double-insulated, and weights need to be placed on the lid to make it more stable.
How much do styrofoam bins cost and where can I find them?
Styrofoam bins are generally used to transport perishable foodstuffs and medical supplies. Grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies and hospitals often dispose of them in the garbage once they’ve been emptied of their contents. You can ask them to keep them for you.
How to protect cats from predators?
To ensure that cats are out of reach of predators, it’s important to ensure that shelters are properly set up. If dogs or other predators roam freely in your area, place your shelter behind a fence to keep them out, or position the shelter entrance facing a wall so that only cats can access it. Put weight on the shelter to make it difficult to move.
The door must let only the cat through, and to do so, it must not exceed the width of the cat’s whiskers! Also consider creating an emergency exit on the opposite side. It’s true that two openings don’t provide such good winter protection, but you can remedy this by installing shutters on the doors. If it snows a lot, don’t forget to clear the driveways of snow regularly. If the snow accumulates, you’ll need to shovel in front of the door to prevent cats from being trapped inside.
Why does the bin need to be raised off the ground?
Placing a cat shelter directly on a cold floor doesn’t allow the cat to retain its warmth as well as when the shelter is raised. Installing 2 pieces of wood (2×3) under the box alleviates this problem. An elevation of 2 feet above the ground is ideal in Quebec.
To keep it even warmer, you can place straw (the straw-like hollow tube of cultivated cereals) inside, on the floor of the bin. Finally, remember that heat rises. The secret to keeping a shelter warm is a small opening for entry (front) and emergency exit (rear), and a relatively small resting space so that the heat given off by the cats’ bodies envelops them.
What's the best material for keeping cats warm?
Blankets and towels don’t work optimally because they offer no insulation and retain moisture. Straw repels moisture, which is ideal for keeping cats – and other farm animals – warm and cozy all winter long. Straw is easy to find the day after Halloween! The key is to place it without compressing it. It should cover the entire bottom and rise between ¼ and ½ of the shelter.
Help us by making a donation!
Why place bins at a slight angle?
Sloping planters can help in two ways. Firstly, it prevents rainwater or snow from accumulating on the shelter. As a preventive measure, we also recommend creating a small hole at the base of the shelter to allow water to drain away. A sloping roof will discourage predators from waiting for their prey.
How to prevent cats from destroying the bottom of the shelter?
To prevent cats from destroying the bottom of the Styrofoam box when they settle down to sleep, place a sheet of plywood or thick vinyl under the straw (linoleum may not be strong enough). Note that cats won’t use the Styrofoam tray (outer portion) to sharpen their claws! They much prefer tree bark or wooden fences…
How do you prevent gusts of wind from moving the shelters?
Shelters are light and need protection from the wind. Place rocks flat on the shelter floor under the straw. You can also place two shelters with the doors facing each other, and install a large panel on top. This weight will prevent the shelters from shifting and provide a weatherproof entrance door.
Is it better to paint the bins to camouflage them?
Painting your shelters green or in earth tones is an excellent idea, as they won’t attract the attention of passers-by and neighbors. And don’t forget to place them in a secluded spot, out of sight.