Even though they live outdoors, feral cats still need some protection from the elements. Building an inexpensive shelter for your outdoor feline friends can be easy and will give you the peace of mind of knowing they are warm and toasty during the approaching winter. The materials needed are readily available and easy to find. Using just two common household storage tubs and a bit of Styrofoam insulation, this project can be finished in very little time.
Things You'll Need
- 35 gallon plastic storage tub with clip-on lid
- 18 gallon plastic storage tub
- 4-by-8-foot sheet of Styrofoam board insulation
- Sandpaper
- Straw
- Sharp knife
Instructions
Using a sharp knife, cut a round hole in one end of the large tub, just big enough for a cat to get through, but not so large that it will let in the cold wind.
Measure the inside dimensions of the larger tub so you will know how big to cut your insulation. The insulation must be cut to line the inside of the larger tub and should fit between the larger and smaller tubs when they are placed inside one another.
Using a sharp knife, cut the Styrofoam insulation into six pieces, four to match the sides of the larger tub (inside) and two more, one cut to fit on the floor of the larger tub and the other a bit larger, as it will be used for the top. If you're not sure, it's best to go too large as you can always trim off a little to make the insulation fit inside the box.
Line the larger tub with the insulation pieces, first placing the piece for the bottom, or floor, and then the sides, saving the last piece for the top.
Using your sharp knife, cut a hole in the end piece of insulation to match the hole you previously cut in the end of the tub. This will be the entrance for the cats to go into the shelter.
Place the smaller tub inside the larger one, so that the insulation pieces are in between the walls of the two tubs.
Using your knife again, cut the final hole in the smaller tub, to match the holes you've previously cut in the larger tub and the insulation. Make sure they all match up, and don't leave any jagged edges the cats may get cut on. You can use sandpaper to sand the edges of the holes smooth, if necessary.
Place hay or straw in the bottom of the smaller tub, to act as an insulator against the cold and give the cats something soft to lay on.
Take your final piece of Styrofoam insulation and place it inside the top of the larger tub so that it rests on top of the smaller tub and acts as a roof. You can place more straw on top of the insulation, if you like.
Place the clip-on lid on top of the larger tub and lock it down. Make sure it is secure, as you don't want predators to be able to open the lid.