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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ก.ย. 2024
- This video shows a step by-step-guide how to construct a shelter out of a simple list of household items. Thank you to EK Park and Greg Mount from Pasada Media for creating this video.
If we all help a little, the world will be a better place!
Thank you for what you do for those poor felines who are homeless. God bless you people!
This was SO HELPFUL!! We had a freezing advisory here tonight and I finished the shelter for my favorite stray just in time!! He greeted me outside all wet and cold, I helped him warm up and dry off, and he LOVES his new little shelter. Thank you so much for posting such a helpful and straightforward video, keep up the great work!!! ❤️
Thank YOU for caring and helping your little stray friend!!! We're so glad this was helpful. Thank you!
brillant thanks for sharing my parents live near Atlanta and have a small colony in their backyard. Even though we live in the deep south I think it is a good idea to give them shelter on the back deck. They feed them daily and let them in the house occasionally but they are still feral. One thing Chicago did and it is a brillant idea is they adopted out semi feral cats to city dwellers to get rid of rats. It worked like a charm. Chicago has the biggest rat problem in all of the US according the Terminix Pest Control. It turns out the people who adopted them kept them outside with a cat house similiar to yours and fed and watered them daily. I did not know this but the video said that just the smell of cat uring and cat poop kept the rats away!!! WOW!!! I am so glad that I watched the video. It was a win/win scenario for the homeowners and the semi feral cats. They vetted the cats and spay/neutered them before adopting them out. Sort of a city version of a barn cat.
I made one last night because I was worried in the drop in temperatures! It was extremely easy (even added a cat door)! Thanks for caring for feral cats ... your humanity is contagious.
Be sure that the shelters are high enough off the ground so that snow does not drift in. Also, be sure to secure them in a way so that they do not blow over - or around the area in fierce winds. It is ideal to make a rain shelter to fit over a set or condo of shelters to cut down on wind & leaks. 3 sides of plywood with a roof of some sort (corrogated tin or more plywood). Paint the plywood with a type that can withstand outdoor elements to help it last longer. Be sure to secure that rain/wind barrier to the gound as well. Ask lumberyard or hardware employees for suggestions.
I really like your use of the foam board instead of the rolled reflective, bubble type! Interesting point, re the use of a piece of drain tile tunnel for entry. I found most feral cats won't use though, unless there's 2 openings! Escape is always on a cat's plan!
Excellent loving help for beautiful creatures ❤!
Thanks you gentle folks. Found some of the materials for this today, winter is mild so far in Ireland but currently neutering my colony and feel bad for stripping some of their natural insulation, so have to give back!
When the neighbor moved they left their cat, and unfortunately, we can't bring him inside so I've been researching outdoor cat habits before winter hits. This video is of the better ones I've seen. Thank you for taking the time to make and share it.
i hope your neighbors rot in hell.
Hate when people leave their pets first of all they are family not pets!!!
Thank you!
Thanks for the tutorial. I'll be making one for a cat that I've seen on my patio for the last 2 nights. Raining season is coming and I would like to provide some kind of shelter. It seems very easy to make.
Oh how wonderful of you!! Thank you so much for caring!
This is one of the best tutorials I’ve seen. Very easy step by step instructions.
I'm happy to say there are no feral cats where I live now. But when I lived in the country there were so many feral cats it was heart breaking. So what I decided to do was to leave the garage door up a few inches. That garage was loaded with stuff and it even had a couple of bales of straw in there so I knew the cats would be able to find lots of warm spots to sleep in. I have no idea how many cats lived in there in the winters but there were always lots of different cats around. When I sold the house I told the new owners about this practice and they continued it as long as they were living there also.
same
such a great and admirable attitude... cheers!
Sharon, I live in the city and I've done the same thing, leave my garage window slightly open. I put a bale of straw in card board boxes and attached some of them on top of each other since they like to climb. I also put a 30 lb bag of dry food in a box when we have a deep snow. I think they're pretty comfortable. My colony is 15, all spayed and neutered. Good luck!!
+Donna Doram only a few of us take care of ferals. i care for 21 of them. all have been fixed. they stay on my screen in porch and in garage. if ppl cant afford to have ferals fixed, call rescue cat places and see if they will TNR the ferals for you. some rescue shelters will even provide food if you are caring for a colony. i just do all of it myself. i bought 3 humane traps (true catch traps) on line and trap them and take to a place called KAAWS. They charge $60 to fix a feral. i live in Houston TX. Help ferals and abandoned domesticated cats if you can. some rescue shelters will even let you borrow traps.
Not sure about the comment "only a few of us take care of Ferals" I run a trap depot for Arizona's state wide TNR program run by Animal Defense league. We supply traps & resources for vet appts. on a daily basis thru out our whole state. I have been involved in trapping spaying & neutering ferals,strays,and homeless pet cats for over 25 yrs.. This is a really huge nationwide crisis. It's heart wrenching to see the number of homeless animals of all kinds in our country. THX to all those who help these animals.@@criketduke8401
Gald I found this. A few people are asking me - the Crazy FOR Cats Lady - How-To
I'm glad the people around here are FINALLY starting to help these sweet homeless cats
Just lovely. Nice to see humanity and compassion at it's best. God bless these nice folk's.
Thanks so much for the kind words :)
Just happens to see this, I made one of these a few months ago . I have a steady colony here. Some do get adopted if they are younger and after they are trapped and fixed but some get released back after being fixed.
Im looking to make another one or two , and am thinking about making a larger shelter to put on my property. Right now we are being blasted by a big snowstorm with heavy winds which makes me constantly worry about my furry friends. Thanks for spreading the word about how to make these! Feral cats need some love too! Keep up the great work!
Great tutorial! Using some of these tips for cat shelters I’m working on now. Cold front about to hit in Texas. A lot of strays in my neighborhood. They thank you ☺️
It's getting cold again and we get cats in our yard that could use these. Thanks so much for this great tutorial. Can't wait to give the neighborhood cats a cozy place to rest in.
Thanks for caring enough to look this information up. Glad to know you are part of the solution!
I want to thank you for making this GREAT video! I pray many people share it to help many communities start getting involved with feral communities and people in neighborhoods start setting great exaples for others to follow!
Totally doing it as for I am soo sensitive against animals in a way that I can't see cats or any animals being abused or cold or what ever so will do this bcZ I really love cats and animals thx for posting
Just awesome guys THANKS FOR EVEYTHING THAT DO FOR FERAL CATS😻😻GOD BLESS YOU GUYS
Thanks for the very kind words :)
Thank you for your video! It's very helpful so actually see the DIY procedures. Thank you for your work to help feral cats!
Wonderful…I have boil many of these for my colony outside. Thank you.
God bless and keep thank you for helping those cats
I love it!!! Thank you so much I will do that for my stray kittys. God bless you and Happy holidays.
What a great idea! Very affordable, great for the kitties :) Thank-you for the video.
Excellent I'm going to make one the weekend with the kids X
be sure the houses are up off the ground and once ferals get use to it, cover the opening (s) with a thick pc of plastic. not only will ferals feel safe, but also will prevent tom cats spraying inside house. if you care for tomcat ferals, he will ruin the houses by spraying them all down inside and out. either trap the ferals and get them fixed or ask a cat rescue program for help.
Another reason to love Canada ,you guys are awesome,so compassionate and giving. I am a feral Cat caretaker too.
Why hasn't anyone put these cat shelters on the market there's a lot of people out here that want to buy these things and can't make them or don't have the tools we like to buy them for the feral cats somebody invent something and put it on the market
@@patfiore7510 our group does sell them (for $15). But we are an all volunteer group so don't have the resources for any sort of mass marketing etc. The details re where/how to get them from us is on the following page of our website: torontostreetcats.com/need-a-feral-cat-shelter/
I have 7 ferrsls that I feed. I made 2 shelters with cat heat pads. Im hoping they will share. I cant put anymore heaters in this old house without an overload. Bless all my babies.
Good people doing good things!
Thank you!!
I really enjoy your outside cat shelters and all your tips on a cat's I have 12 cats my own and I'll try to take care of why I got some of my grandmother's and some of my house and I try to take care of him also God bless and I'm praying for you God bless
So glad i saw this video....I've seen a few videos....living in NYC we get snow drifts that bank up against my backyard door leaving me unable to help feed the 4 feral altered cats ....i am about build a shelter for them as i found one in my fire pit!!! WHATS THE BEST AREA AND DIRECTION to place the house
It all depends on where the shelter is placed. Ideally the shelter would be placed on firm ground (so that it doesn't rock back and forth), in a low traffic area (cats like privacy) and with the entrance facing away from the way the wind blows (to try to reduce the amount of wind that will blow into the shelter). Hope that helps.
This is exactly what I needed!!!! Thank you so much!!!
that's so excellent to hear! Thank YOU for getting involved and helping the cats :)
@@tsc3930 where can I get straw?
if you put two holes in it, they won't be able to get warm. the entrance holes are huge. I don't put two in and only once in several years did a strange cat get in. what an uproar!
Excellent point (the two entrance discussion is very common)
Thank you for sharing! xx Natalie
Great idea, I am going to make some for street cats.
Good information
Thanks
I’ll give it a try
I have alot of out buildings and made cat houses and put them in the buildings most are open enough for cats to get into buildings the small houses just make them a little more cozy and warm in the cold temperatures
Thank u for the tips me my self has cats and they like to be outside and every time they come into the house they are very cold so I thank u and maybe I can do that for my cats☺
Thank you for sharing kind wonderful blesseds! I too help set up spay neuter returns! I will try this housing units! Love you continue please!
Thanks. God bless you guys.
Love is eeeeeeeeevery thing! Thank you so much!
The durafoam is not so good in high humidity. If it is really cold and DRY there is that benefit of the insulation. We ended up covering a corner section and ceiling with cardboard panels leaving the other corner section, incl. with the durafoam so there could still be some reflective value from the other 2 sides left with .
For one cat using it might be fine if they are breathing and creating condensation towards the entrance opening. With 2cats or if there is rain and humidity, all this extra airtight insultion just creates extra condensation and actually ends up being colder due to dampness. The straw as a dessicant helps as does the cardboard overlay.
Remember those "waterproof" unbreathable nylon coats in the 90's where you sweated and then got chilled. Same thing. The plain styrofoam is good enough for walls. Even in our large wooden cat house that was insulated with styrofoam, the upper area peak of roof inside where heat rose to showed signs of mold and we had to create vent holes that were opposite each other. Just BE AWARE that you need to consider humidity and warm bodies/sweating with some kind of air circulation (like in a tiny home with an air recovery exchange system). Perhaps a design with a small venting hole?? That might create too much of draft. . . I dont know.
Solution for now was using the 2panel cardboardwalls and ceiling and NOT having the durafoam on the bottom -just plain styrofoam and straw.
Or maybe just ONLY having durofoam only on the bottom wouldwork, as the key is to have feet warm so everything else is warm and then some kind of breathable and absorbable walls like styrofoam and cardboard?
Thank you! I am making 2 this week :)
I bought a 105 year old home, and it came with a contingency of feral cats. I was worried about them keeping warm this winter. I'll put a few of these out....
grazie per il video. Bellissima idea.
Great Job
thank you for your important work.
Thank you so much
Thank you 🙏
❤️
I wish you guys could sell this ready-made so I could just buy it. Now there's an idea!! Hope you take the hint!
We actually do! But the big question is, do you live close enough to get one from us (we’re Toronto see this page of our website torontostreetcats.com/need-a-feral-cat-shelter/ )
I just let the feral cats take over my house and I live in the shed.
LOL!!! 😂😂😂
Hahaha...i can relate!! That comment was priceless. ♡♡♡
lol
Yep....feel like I should be sitting in the shed with them :)
I believe you.
ThankQ....
Thanks for the ideas.
Thank you so much your a great help.
Great 🤗but they need a ... Predator Escape hole...so TWO Holes is best.😊
How many cats can live in a large tote? There are hundreds of feral cats in my neighborhood I’m going to hurry up and before summer is over and makes several of these warming homes and put them underneath the crawlspace in the house next-door and hope that it helps the cats this year keep warm. They generally go under the houses in the neighborhood to get warm in winter but I don’t know how they manage. For nine years lived here six of those years I have fed and watered and loved the ferrules yet they still are wild and very wrong to go to the harsh winter in Michigan here in the USA. I am not too technical and don’t have a lot of money but it looks like I may be able to manage to build the warming house is that you show here without any problem and place them in the crCrawl space in the house next-door to me which is not currently occupied on one end . Last year was brutal here as always but it seemed even more so as we had ice storms rain sleet and snow and not just snow to worry about hoping the cats could make their way . I put food and water out several times a day of winter on my porch but the winter winds ice and snow still hindered me ; still , I try
but my land lord is totally against me helping the cats at all and has been all these years I have been here, and I am always being threatened with eviction for helping the cats, also the majority of the neighborhood people are totally against helping the cats they hate them and they hate me for helping them so I have a difficult time trying to help the poor cats 😢😢😢😭😭😭😭😭😭because they have no one else. In a few months ago someone poisoned the water I had put out for the cat so now I’m not able to do that and I had to thanks to one graciousness neighbor , put cat food under her house for the cats but I can’t be too obvious about it because of the poisonings and because of the landlord. But I have been worried so much about the cats with this coming winter so I’m going to try these shelters you have shown on this video is to God that they help. Thank you very much for posting please say a prayer for the cats here and thank you for helping the ones that you help where you live🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
I hope you continue to help your cats. Greetings from Italy.
@@gianabasi9780 Thank you ⭐️
When you have done all this how do you get a feral cat to enter the box please..?
We put this tip sheet together (and include it with every shelter we sell). Hopefully it helps encourage the cat to use the shelter. torontostreetcats.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/tsc-shelter-tips-jan2017.pdf
Place some tuna in small bowl and put it inside the shelter. They will go in.
The paper towel lining the test bin was slightly damp,but at least not raining off the Durafoam walls
Good Job that’s Amazing!
Why use the tubing for the opening instead of leaving the hole bare? Just curious.
I would like to see him cut that hole with a circular saw!ha
I can't seem to find a 7 inch corrugated tube such as yours at either Lowes or Home Depot. Can you send me a link to a site that carries such a tube? Many thanks!
God bless you.
People usually only cut the opening. No tube.
What happens if the box is knocked on the side with the cat inside?. No escape.
To demonstrate the negative impact of foil lined airtight Durafoam shelters, take a baked potato to represent heat radiating from a body and put inside the shelter. Condensation will form on the walls making it damp. Think why some tiny homes built airtight and without an air exchange system are experiencing mold. Or when in your car getting condensation inside the windows. We dont have this problem when using plywood (plain foam backed) which is a natural dessicant. So all those kitty houses - which we noticed after a few weeks of this variable weather were not being used - are going to be relined over the Durafoam with cardboard or double lined paper yard and leaf bags to help with moisture absorption. Not sure if they will be damp. Any other suggestions to salvage these shelters, please advise/post.
If you line with cardboard around the inside, won't the walls be used like scratching posts? I thought the straw and opening would keep the moisture in check. Is this not so? Did your experiment with the baked potato include the straw and the 7" opening? Doesn't plywood contain off-gassing adhesives that are bad to breath in?
Thank you, I made one for outside mouser
Would a peel and stick puck light add warmth?
I have 3 feral kittens, about 6 months old now. I am disabled and alone so I couldn't make a house for them. I bought a Dogloo dog house and put it up on an old coffee table and covered it with a tarp so that rain and snow won't get in. I stuffed it with old blankets before it got cold. It was very hard for me to do all of that by myself. Now someone told me I should put wool blankets in the shelter to prevent mold. I did not get straw. Will they be ok with the blankets? They are using the Dogloo, they have nowhere else to go. Will this be ok?
Thanks so much for doing all that for them! How wonderful of you. However, technically blankets aren't good for them. When blankets get wet they stay wet - and if you live in an area that gets cold/snow, then the blankets will simply become wet, and freeze (which negates the whole effort of trying to keep them warm). IF you can get access to straw please do - it's absolutely the best at keeping animals warm and dry (it reflects back their body heat and dries quickly). I admit I can't speak to wool and if it dries quickly - if you can find folks to confirm that it does dry quickly and won't stay wet/freeze during wet/cold weather then I guess it's a better substitute for blankets. But most definitely, during cold/wet weather, blankets won't be effective. Hope this helps and again, thank you so much for helping these kittens.
@@tsc3930 Thank you so much for your reply. There is a place near me that sells straw, I am trying to find someone who can remove the blankets and put the straw in for me. Physically I cannot do it. And I do live in an area that gets very cold/snow and freezing rain. Hopefully I can find someone soon. Thank you again.
It is recommended that cat shelters have an escape hatch as well
Very nice video.
Do you ever send these out? I have a mama and 5 kittens that just showed up, I havent fed but lady across street feeds but shes not doing anything else for them.. Im not phyically or financially capeable to do this as medical issues. I have made arrangements for catch and release for them to get fixed and shots. ???
Looking at thermal insoles and even they say to insert into footwear with metallic side down - FACING AWAY from the foot. I triedboth ways and my feet were cold when the metallic side facing up towards the foot. Same principle must apply to the construction of these shelters. The metallic side facing towards the cat increases cold and condensation. Nix the Durafoam. I am going back and lining all mine with carboard over the foam
Are drainage holes needed? I've watched other videos and read instructions from other sites, and some recommend drilling drainage holes in all four bottom corners of the tote to let liquid drain out. Some also recommend inserting a PVC pipe with a T-connector on the lid as an air-vent. Is an air-vent needed? or is the entrance hole adequate for ventilation?
I wish someone answered your questions. I was wondering the same
I never had cats now I have two of my own and now I want to help the feral cats I made one from a box but I want to make it better warm home for them I'm a cat lady now
Thanks for caring and doing something to help them!!
Is straw with tackifier good or bad?
AWSOME
We are going to try lining with carboard or creatinga vent. We tested this by microwaving a potato in plastic container that had a bottom cavity, one vented and one sealed amd also putting paper towel on the top covering lid. The potato heating represents a warm body heating. The plastic the potato was sitting onwas wet with condensation. The cavity below with a venting hole was goodand so was having the paper towel in the lidcovering the potato (representing cardboard or other absorbable natural material). Please consider the condensation issue in these Durafoam materials. I was horrified to realize they had worse "shelter" because of it.
I think that the straw will absorb the condensation.
Your houses are nice, but you need 2 holes an in and a out so if an animal should come in they can get out. So that they aren't trapped inside.
Check out this page. It's been written by someone who's spent many years in TNR and now builds shelters for cats. It's very interesting and provides a very different perspective on this thought (re a second exit) www.feralvilla.com/The-Myth-of-the-Emergency-Exit_ep_43.html
Kind of defeats the purpose of being warm if a draft blows thru.
Where is that heat and moisture when cold air meets hot body in an enclosed spacesupposed to go?
Great idea.
Watching this video I see they use straw.I was once told straw gives cats worms.Use hay instead.Can anyone tell me the correct filler?
awsome
Maybe two entry ways would be better, one for escape if there might be an intruder. I had one of these on my drive way for years, never had any evidence that an animal used it, maybe they dont feel safe without an easy escape hatch.
Absolutely do NOT use the durafoam. We built 5 just like these and there were problems with condensation (literally the walls were weeping when the weather changed) and the foil facing in became as good as a freezer when it was super cold -15 and beyond. If there is no heat source, SOME "insulators" dont work! *So when a cat is already cold and their body temp drops while sleeping you have essentially sentenced them to die in a freezer as the foil lines ones just become an insulated deep freezer*. Plain styrofoam is best .
AND We also have used/pinned/taped about 4 layers of heavy upholstery with polyester (doesn't freeze as repels water) fabric that is cut in slits up from the bottom almost to the top into 2 inch wide strips. Even on the entrances of our heated shelters to cut out the draft and wind, so that it swings closed as they go in and out. I have even cut a slit into a heavy fabric covering (trim/finished the slit with duct tape and so it remains open a bit, but can be pushed open (not for cats that don't know how to use entrances that "look" closed). Mind you we need to replace those strips of fabric yearly as they can transmit ear mites or head lice/fleas, etc. or lightly dust with diatomaceous earth on a regular basis.
What are that huge plastic boxes and how can I get them?
Can you recommend a heating pad that wont get wet? I have a large Dog Igloo up on an old coffee table, covered with a doubled tarp that sheilds the entrance from wind, rain, and blowing snow. Its stuffed with straw, but I was wondering if a heating pad would help. Would it go under the straw? There is an electrical outlet right by the shelter. I have 3 nine month old feral kittens Their mother disappeared long ago.
That's a tough call. And there are different sides to the debate. My personal feeling is not to mix electricity with straw. i.e to have an electrical wire / outlet near such flammable material such as straw makes me very uncomfortable (that being said, we have not been made aware of any circumstances when something went wrong in a scenario like this). While others think it's acceptable. However, those that do it do make sure to wrap the heating pad in a blanket so that the cat's body doesn't touch the heat directly (for fear that they could be burned). I am sorry we can't give you a black and white response but this is one of those many situations where it's a personal decision made on what you feel comfortable with.
@@tsc3930 Thank you so much for taking time to reply. They survived 3 sub zero days/nights so I think they will be ok. I feed them a mix of dry cat food, canned cat food, and warmed chicken broth. I have also boiled fish heads, removed the bones, and give them the broth and the deboned fish along with the dry and canned food. They love that. Sometimes I will throw in a little bit of shredded cheese for extra protein. They are chubby and seem to be healthy. Thank you again for your response.
@@Pashasmom1 wow! They are spoiled (which is wonderful to hear). Thanks so much for caring for them. The fact that are chubby and seem healthy are a testament to your care.
@@tsc3930 I just wish I could catch them and have them fixed, at least. They come close to me and act like they want to be petted but when I slowly extend my hand they back away. I have asked several people and rescues to help me trap them, but nobody responds. So all I can do is make sure they have good food, hydration, and 2 safe and dry places to sleep. Wish I could show you a picture of them.
👍👍
❤️
You can order 10 lbs of straw from Amazon.
thanks for the info. we actually found a "supplier" through Kijiji (at a very good cost) and each batch of straw has been of excellent quality.
She looks like Eileen warner but good idea I’m gonna do this for my farm cats.
TUBE ENTRANCE very important to keep out dogs and coyotes!
its impoirtant for people to know that these materials can be acquired for free with a little diligence and patience. I ask people for disregarded materials after i tell them why i am there - they are usually happy to send me off with something.
What is purpose of tunnel? Keep drafts out?
The tube serves a couple of purposes. To hopefully keep larger critters out but more importantly, like you suggested, to help keep cold air out. Thanks for asking
🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🥰
Do you need an escape hatch?
So the silver part faces the inside Home Depot told faces outside does it matter?
Hi there. Admittedly I am unaware how this insulation is used in homes but for our purposes you put the shiny side facing in so that it reflects the heat from the cat back onto the cat. Hope this helps!
Thank you I’m wondering if you could use that stuff you wrap around you when it’s bitter cold it’s like a silver blanket it might be called something like Mylar seen one lady
cutting it up for cat shelters.
I don't understand the tip sheet inside the shelter. Who is going to read it?
Does anyone know where I can find the foam and the tunnel?
It depends where you live. In North America, look in big hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowe's or Ace Hardware.
We use hay instead of straw because it's softer. And our hay is dry :)
They saw use draw because hay can get moist for the wet cats coming in and it will grow mold
*Staw
thanks!
How do you get the durafoam to stay in place on the inside?
We use duct tape to seal the pieces together. We make sure that all the sides line up properly and then that's when the duct tape comes in!
Just curious but why the sub floor?
Hi there. It’s not necessary. We actually no longer add one. We included it to add extra insulation. But over time we realized that with one layer of the Durofoam we use (which is already lined with Mylar) on the floor, along with the straw was more than sufficient.