Building Community Cat Shelters

[@laurapierce1954]

Thank you for caring for the little babies outside I wish people where I live cared like that you guys are amazing

[@campgoerOne]

How awesome! I have around 9-10 neighborhood cats I built several shelters for and feed daily! God bless you all! 🤗❤️🐈

[@thelordhearsthecryofthepoo1202]

Lovely project for the cats, nice to know people do care and these kitty's will have nice warm shelter

[@norisalinas9414]

Bless you all for all that you do 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@pedro184]

Wonderful people. Thank you for you kindness.

[@sandrastanley3978]

Who in the hell would not like this ...would give this a thumbs down 😣 really!!! I think you guys are doing a great job!!! God bless you all ❤️

[@lindaobrien2659]

Arseholes....would give thumbs down!

[@Transition333]

Thanks for the work you do. I am making one for two kittens left at a McDonalds. They are not feral, but I already have 7 cats and can't bring any more home. This is a great idea.

[@danieletuvia9373]

👍👍👍💕 This must be a lesson for all humans to care for the weaker. The humanity will be better

[@rachelhudson5285]

This is just so awesome...so glad some animal shelters are starting to help these cats and not put them down...it's not their fault they are having babies a lot, it's the owners who won't have their pets Spade or neutered.....wish all animal shelters would start doing this....thank you for having a heart.....

[@christinevogt-klimshuk2461]

Just a share: My mom and I have rescued & finding homes for most (with the help of kind friends and a fabulous vet!) over 100 cats, found owners of 8 dogs, found fur-ever homes for 4 dogs, took care of several spayed / neutered (all our stray pets, feral or not, were fixed, before they went to their fur-ever home) received testing and vaccinated cat colonies, took a baby deer who had a broken leg to a wildlife expert along with several usually baby opossums and raccoons, one swan (they're beautiful but are really freaked by people but this one seemed to realize we were helping it) and even a fox pup. We used many plastic tubs and anything we could find to help the colonies which were too feral to be adopted out. We came up with some of the most unique and unusual but successful homes in which the cat's could be warm, safe and out of the elements. My mother was in a rehab facility after a fall and a massive infection. I'd go to visit her every evening while I was staying at her house, cleaning it out for when she came home. Then my husband brought over a little kitten who he found trapped in a wood pile. I had been upset at the thought that I wouldn't be able to visit her that day, but she was important too so she was fed she got her fleas taken care of with a Dawn liquid bath in which she played like a human baby. I decided to cheer Mom up a bit by taking her to see Mom on the way to the vet to get a new fur-ever home . The kitten let no less than 30 people from staff to clients at the rehabilitation center, hold, cuddle and enjoyed her. It was then that I was told in the elevator (two whole floors on the elevator) by a doctor, that they would be sending her home for hospice care. My mom was going to die. All too much to take in. But then there was "Amazing Little Gracie". It was a really inconvenient time for me to take a kitten in, or so I thought. Blessings sometimes come in the most unexpected ways and that little kitten was one big blessing! One of my most treasured videos I have, was because of the little kitten who came to me at an inconvenient time, whom I'd have to take to the vet after I stopped in to see my mom, whom I found that very day was coming home to die. It became worth more than I could imagine. Mom passed away last year, but her love for animals was extraordinary! To see the miracle of that kitten, go here, Amazing Gracie - "How did a baby change your life..." kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4O4hmmMjth3mpY. A rescue can be a special gift, and with in such a short time that little baby made a huge difference to me, 30 other people but especially my mom.

[@ellenatyler-kearns5716]

Good caring people. You make the world a nicer place to live in and particularly for the ferrals. I've adopted your technique and the cats love it. Must expand the size to accommodate all 3-5 total..

[@natanyabarkhuizen87]

This is so special. Thank you so much and God bless all of you!

[@barbarabaker1726]

Great 👌 work to all God bless yall 🌹👍🙏🎇🌹

[@gulgezy5095]

Отличная команда.Спасибо вам добрые люди.Живите долго и счастливо.🙏☝️😁🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@21stcenturycaveman33]

You guys are amazing people! Respect!

[@rave16912007]

I made one today! Took hours to finish since I cut all the foam pieces but it didn't bother me one bit. Wish I could of found that reflective foam that I keep seeing. I actually had thought about using a clear shower curtain to retain the heat inside on the cut out .Thought HD or Lowes would carry it. Didn't find it. Now That I remember, a water heater jacket has the same type of insulation material. I can still upgrade my work. This video has given me even more ideas!

[@margaretoxley4720]

Reflectix insulation is not bad to use as well. :-)

[@catherinemelnyk1194]

This comes a few months late, but have you thought about those reflective heating blankets they sell at hardware stores, and probably even Walmart? You could attach this to the styrofoam.

[@romankatz982]

Also the reflective coverings of windshields in the summertime to keep the heat out of your vehicle. The dollar stores carry them.

[@chainamarie03]

Roman Katz Ive got a few of silver colored windshield things to keep out the sun.....now where in the shelter can i use them?

[@chainamarie03]

rave16912007 I can't seem to find that styrofoam with the silver coating either....they gotta sell those somewheres!!!!

[@colddose9636]

Love to you all ladies, great job

[@robot44milsom9]

Great idea thanks for careing for the Kitty's

[@virginiaflory9724]

Great video, thank you for doing this! Going to make some shelters before we drop 15 below. Also, I got my cat from Brother Wolf rescue! He's my best friend and I can't live without him.

[@stratoleft]

I would suggest a tube or tunnel to be joined at that other open hole, since cats like going through tunnels for privacy and against rain and wind weather right at that open hole. For a round cardboard tube, or squared, it could be beveled 15 degrees or whatever to make it mate with the box at the incline. Then tape it. Spray foam at the joint could be used as well.

[@HellenaVanU]

I don't know but I already love you, thank you for taking care of cats! :*

[@volunteerchs6872]

The plastic bags of straw give me concern. Otherwise, I love this idea and really love the community coming together to help the homeless kittes!

[@AshevilleHumane]

Hi Peggy! The straw is removed from the plastic bags before being placed into the shelters. The bags were only used to transport the straw to individuals. Straw provides the warmest and driest insulation for the kitties.

[@cactusjane4737]

Where can I get the straw and insulation please?

[@carlaschnell8368]

@@cactusjane4737 I found a straw bale at a Tractor Supply store, hope it helps,,

[@KeeplookingUP777]

I need to find people like this where I'am!! 💖🐱😺💖

[@dianaalbers6327]

Thank You for ALL you do!!!!

[@Violet_Lotus_]

good design. Thank you, volunteers.

[@jazmineherrera1748]

Amazing team y’all have beautiful hearts

[@shellyortiz1977]

All I'm saying bless this people for caring I'm making them to .better material last Box was I made was from a box but I'm stepping it up..better quality with straw.

[@Meg_88]

Perfect. I'm about to make one of these bad boys for the stray my boyfriend's grandma feeds and looks after.

[@carrieannmcleod5219]

Most feral cat shelters that I've seen put together only have one entrance. Thank you for adding the second egress.

[@davehak2880]

Amazing work!

[@romankatz982]

Used, older totes and older Coleman coolers are cheap and excellent for the containers you will need. You can find them every now and then on Facebook Marketplace or a local flea market or estate/garage sale. Coleman coolers don't even need insulation because the insulation is already built into the walls. Just put a hole in it, and straw. This is a great time to look for such containers because people are at home due to COVID and are cleaning out their basements, garages and closets. I got a few coolers for just $5. Well worth it!

[@gthouse67]

There is a cat who has found a home in our swimming pool. It hasn't been in use since Hurricane Sandy went through. We decided last year that we are going to take it down. The can has apparently found a place amongst the panels that we threw into the pool. Of course, there is no water in it. i took some large metal shingles and put them on the area so the cat can curl up and stay dry with a bit of warmth out of direct weather. We are going to make a cat shelter for him.

[@AshevilleHumane]

Thanks so much for taking care of him and making him a shelter! Some straw bedding in the shelter will help him stay warm and dry :)

[@ultrapink7900]

H a H a H a I did the same thing I meet with them and they are in front of my window in public housing I am so happy thank you for giving me more good ideas

[@Christine_Torres]

This is so Awesome 👏🏻 god bless you

[@sandrinedavard]

Bravo à toute l'équipe. Votre idée est genial6. Je vais faire la même chose chez moi. Merci et continuez ainsi pour nos animaux errants...💜🐱💚

[@georgesenda1952]

Duct tape will start to melt off if you have a hot spell. Glue the doors, insulation and flaps.

[@abelgomez_XIV]

God bless these people 🙏🏼😻

[@jencoates1986]

Do you have a tutorial/list of materials for those who would like to make them? There is a lot going on here. Hehehe

[@Scalcionekitchen]

2 plastic bins one fits in the other make holes and stuff with insulation

[@wingmanalive]

I had an outdoor cat who I built an elaborate shelter for. Insulated, made from plywood and had a shingled roof, rubber door, padded floor, 1 foot overhang on the front door and was even heated by a single 100w light bulb inside. Guess what? My cat, Sylvester, never used it. Never even walked inside. It was like the Taj of cat houses but he would rather rough it. I tried coaching him inside it but he just didn't want it. Let me explain why I didn't just let him inside. He was an indoor cat from birth and until one year old was happy but eventually started showing signs of stress. Tearing up paper towels and chewing on clothes. We were told by the vet he was stressed and to try letting him outside. It worked. For the next 15 years he was the happiest cat in my neighborhood. Everyone knew him and he always showed up when I burned in my fire pit or chiminea outside at night and jumped up on my lap like he was just a newborn. Gentle as a kitten. What he did for heat during the most coldest nights? He used to bury himself under the leaves against the window of my gameroom. Again, that what was hes PREFERRED. I'd let him inside but he would show signs of stress by morning again and tear my house apart. Never using the litter box and crying at 3am to no end. He was the sweetest cat, so long as he was outside. Here's him catching a chipmunk so many years ago. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2PSY6VonNmCZ7M Again, some cats just prefer the elements and love their freedom.

[@candicefandrei4922]

Thank you. Great idea.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😃😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋

[@tjiron968]

🙏 Thank you God blessed you all.

[@diaryofawimpycam]

Stray cats really like our barn and so far 3 cats have made homes in our barn, they all left but cats always go their, so I am making one of these for them to stay in and I am gonna cut up some plastic into 2 squares and tape it on the side of this then put some paper or plastic bowls in it

[@catherinemelnyk1194]

I'm not even sure how I clicked onto one of these video's but I'm glad I did. Nice job! I was wondering if you've tried using a hot glue gun to hold the styrofoam to the inside walls? And to the lid? I think it might go a lot faster than taping everything... this is a project I'll try in my own community...Thanks for posting.

[@kathrynhinz5730]

Great job!!

[@notrombones5041]

Rug remnants cut-to-size are good to put inside on the floor, too.

[@lindaobrien2659]

Not if it gets wet.

[@auntie9077]

Thank you soooo much ...here's my update...it's now 2/24/19!! kitties are doing well...This winter in NYC has been really mildish....BUT HERE'S THE SHOCKER!!!! WE GOT RACCOONS now...i came into to feed cats on their feed day late @ 6:45 . Hugh thing...cats disappeared!...upon calling NYC's 311 for what to do....advised to hire animal trapper....as they did appear "rapid" it washed its hands in water bowl...... NEW YORK CITY

[@paulamaloney5025]

God Bless You!

[@yvonnecharlton6111]

great stuff X

[@dianerose2998]

Wha would you recommend for a cat shelter in summer? Should it be built with the same insulation? Thanks.

[@elwoodalbert4677]

Do you attach the tubing before or after you install the durafoam? Thank-you!

[@sonjacreech4267]

I wish they would do that for cats here in Dayton Ohio, I see too many cats suffering in the Winter here. It's sad.

[@pkoblenz4368]

sonja creech. Why don't you go to your local rescue society and ask how you could start a project like this? Start with volunteering your time, if that's all you have.

[@chainamarie03]

sonja creech Or just make as many as you are capable of making .... a few are better than none at all.

[@senacastokes]

Maybe make some of your own and donate them to your nearest animal shelter and they could give it to people like us who take care of kitties. After seeing this awesome video, that's exactly what I plan on doing.

[@zaram131]

Do something about it!

[@spiritxox88]

I LOVE YOU, YOU ARE AWESOME.

[@RealityContradiction]

I want to build one for my outdoor cat. Does the straw poke them? Is it comfortable for the kitty??

[@Cyko..]

I'm trying to build my own cat shelter for this one cat that keeps showing up meowing at my door. Where does one find the styrofoam with the silver on the other side as I'd imagine it would retain heat better than just plain styrofoam? Any affiliate links?

[@marcnangelu]

Awesome thank you

[@houstonka]

I made this for a stray cat and he goes inside and poops. I dont know what to do.

[@earthakitt8665]

I wish it wasn't so expensive to make in Nz. Those bins are upward of $25 and the Styrofoam is easily $50+ for a few sheets.. I'm going to try make some shelters out of pallets

[@rukasan5929]

Where do you leave them? How do you stop ppl from taking them? How long do they last?

[@Nyrican-gf7ig]

Do you have the material list? I have couple of wild cats in my community. Right now I am feeding them and winter is around the corner.

[@michelleflores6881]

What are the foam boards called? I couldn't make out a brand.

[@jpriest2491]

Dont forget about the chubby cats ! The hole must be size for your cats.

[@kathrynhinz5730]

Are there any of those places in st.Paul Minnesota?

[@senacastokes]

What material are the door flaps made out of?

[@bubblesbubbles3415]

In the middle of making one now!

[@TheSpringermom]

Will you be doing this again this year?

[@AshevilleHumane]

Yes! We are having another shelter-building event on Friday, January 6th!

[@bubblesbubbles3415]

What was the flap made with?

[@maedilein6802]

Love the video...but the music is so annoying. Thanks for showing us how to make these.

[@jiseongkwon66]

I live in Flushing NY and there’s a bunch of community cats near where I live I have some experience with building things so I plan on making a wooden house for these cats as winter is coming soon. However I’m not sure if this is exactly legal or okay? Is there anything I should be careful of before I start building

[@lindaobrien2659]

In Chicago they encouraged.....at least they were. They keep pests mice away that, could enter your house....theyre looking for a warm place too

[@nchi2055]

omg i had a heart attack when i seen the strings left on that hay bag....i had a cat strangled by a string....please cut loops...

[@sheilabutterworth1418]

great idea cats

[@Thomswindows]

Just think about a cut piece of a sheet to lay over the top of the inside to act like a frost liner in a winter tent. The feral cats that use my shelter look damp when they come out.

[@420sideny]

Do you guys sell them at all?

[@revelationakagoldeneagle8045]

🙏🌹❤️

[@auntie9077]

DAMMMMM BOLD ARS Raccoons ....now enjoying out door kitty meal....now i need to inspect the house...OMG in NYC what to do......00

[@Rivergull]

Why didn't you remove the straw from the plastic bags first? Plastic gets cold, does it not?

[@AshevilleHumane]

The straw is removed from the plastic bags before being placed into the shelters. The bags were only used to transport the straw to individuals.

[@kamm3758]

❤️

[@taylerb653]

I currently have 2 kittens that i have been taking care of since the beginning of the summer. Its now winter and i feel so bad bc its freezing outside. I really don't have the funds to build them a shelter for outside or purchase them one. They depend on me to feed them and live in my backyard. I wish i can post pictures on here they are so loving and friendly. Does anyone know of anyone who can donate a little shelter for my 2 kittens that live behind my house. I would really appreciate it and thr kitties would be so happy 🙂💙.

[@abelgomez_XIV]

Bring them inside your home?

[@tamumalone1718]

Earth angels😻😹😸

[@solangeboudreau6467]

💕😻🥰

[@peacesdiaz9951]

Why only kitties? ☹️

[@wolfgangsprung5978]

why dont u exist in our community we are in epidemic cat mode i do what i can :)

[@tomverdi8030]

Got it bad got it bad I’m hot for teacher

[@andreeamoon]

🙏😍🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈.......💝

[@Kwazin_79]

Garbage bags filled will uncomfortable hay??? Really? Shitty...

[@lindaknight2085]

not hay straw best thing to keep them warm bagged straw was or transport gets removed from bag when needed all xplained on video

[@sheilabutterworth1418]

great idea cats