Outdoor Cat Shelter? New England Weather?
So we have a stray cat, and the weather is getting cooler, and cooler, and cooler. We worry that he will get cold, so I have been researching shelters to make. One that is popular with me is one that include putting one plastic bin inside of another, with insulation in between. Here is a link… http://www.pacthumanesociety.org/core/WinterShelter.htm
My dad says that it would not be sufficient warmth for the cat, so I have come up with 3 options. One, more insulation. Two, heated outdoor pad. Three, better shelter. I know that the third option would be the best, but I can’t build much. Would the simple shelter be good enough with the insulation and heated pad? Keep in mind temps can be <10 F, but we also found the cat as an outdoor cat. Thanks!
Tagged with: dad • insulation • lt • outdoor cat • plastic bin • stray cat • warmth • Weather
Filed under: Weather
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Scroll down to the bottom of this page for an interesting idea:
http://www.urbancatleague.org/Shelters.html
Update: I hadn’t read your link when I posted - you already have the pool blanket idea.
I have not built any of the shelters I have seen online. I did however make a cat shelter a couple of winters back when I was caring for an abandoned cat. Strictly low-tech using only materials I had in the house.
I used cardboard boxes, duct tape, old clothing, and trash bags.
The house was for underneath a porch so already out of most wind and protected from precipitation except whatever might drip through the porch. My main objectives were for him to be protected from cold and moisture from the ground and to have a place to hold in some body heat.
I did use old clothes for the bottom insulation to prevent heat being conducted away. That was what I had so had to use.
The thing is, the house I made was not anywhere near as good as the ones online but it seemed to please the cat. I believe it might have been more than warm enough because a lot of times I’d find him using his separate unprotected bed, also under the porch. So you shouldn’t worry too much about making sure it is well enough insulated as cats don’t feel cold to the degree that we do. I am in Boston, by the way and it gets down to about 5F at least a few night a year.
I think that the plastic bin inside another is going to be adequate for your stray cat without the extra anything. He will probably be very content with just the basic plan.
I starred your question, hoping some of the cat rescue people would see it.
I suggest you re-post this question after a while if noone else answers.