Cold, wet, wintry weather is just around the corner. So now is the time to purchase or construct outdoor cat shelters for your feral colony cats if you don’t have them in place already. It’s also the perfect time of year to replace the straw in the cat shelters you already use. Read on for information from the New York City Feral Cat Initiative on where to buy ready-made shelters and bales of straw to keep your feral cats warm this winter.
Where to Purchase Winter Cat Shelters
We’re fortunate to have shelter-builders right here in NYC, and they have ready-made shelters currently available for purchase. These lightweight but warm and sturdy shelters come stuffed with an ample supply of straw. Consider the two different designs featured here. But don’t delay, as supplies are limited!
These well-crafted, warm, durable, 100% waterproof shelters are made with minimum 1″ Dow Super TUFF-R commercial insulation, reinforced corners, and GE Silicone II sealant. The floor is covered with scratch-proof vinyl tiles. Dimensions: 38″ long x 16″ wide x 16″ high, with a 6″ round entrance. These shelters comfortably accommodate two to three adult cats.
Price: $55.00 each
Queens (St. Albans) Purchase & Pick-up: Contact Ian at ianhenryny@aol.com or (646) 436-2301
Large, warm, and durable, these shelters are constructed from recycled Styrofoam fish boxes. They are covered with two 2ml drum liners and strapped with heat-welded plastic straps, so they are fully insulated. They feature two drain holes on the bottom and come filled with straw. Each shelter measures approximately 34″ long x 20″ wide x 20″ high. We recommend placing them on blocks so they are off the ground to allow drainage.
Price: $24.99 each (regular website price), $20 each for TNR caretakers, further discounts on bulk orders of 60 or more shelters
Long Island Purchase & Pick up: Contact Joe at joed21961@aol.com or (516) 322 5621 or www.wintercatshelter.com
Queens (Forest Hills) Purchase & Pick-up: Contact Mary of Friendly Ferals at friendlyferals@msn.com or (917) 579-5718
Where to Purchase Straw
Straw is the best insulated bedding for cat shelters. Bales of straw are plentiful at this time of year in garden centers and home improvement stores, such as Home Depot and Lowe’s. Even local supermarkets have bales of straw alongside the chrysanthemums! The small “decorative” bales are more expensive than the larger bales for farms, but a little straw goes a very long way when it’s fluffed up. And the small bales are more convenient to carry on the subway than the cheaper, gigantic bales you can purchase year-round from feed and grain stores and stables. To locate the nearest retail store that carries bales of straw, do a Google search for garden centers near you, then call them to ask.
You can also order straw online from FeralVilla. A bale of straw is priced at $16.95 and provides enough straw to fill two to three shelters.
Before you put the straw in the shelter, separate it by hand and fluff it up in a clean garbage bag. Shake the bag until all the small pieces and the dirt have sifted to the bottom. Take out the fluffed-up portion and discard the chaff. Be sure you don’t over-stuff your shelter! The cats will want room to nest in it and pack it down themselves, and they’ll need a little room to move around. Make sure the straw doesn’t obstruct the entrance so the cats can get inside. If they pack it down, you can always add some more.
To read more about winterizing your colonies and creative ideas on how to make your own winter shelters, visit our Feral Cat Colony Care page.
