DIY Outdoor Cat Shelter - Cat Man Chris

[@GaryMCurran]

When I was much younger, we lived in Connecticut, and our cats were indoor/outdoor cats. My father was not a cat person, but he did create housing for them. He took a shipping container, about 3' long, by 2' wide by 1' high, and removed one end of it. He placed two flat panel heaters in it, covered with blankets. They were plugged in during the cold months of the year. He had is sitting on top of one of the freezers out in the garage, and had cut a cat door into one of the doors leading into the garage. During a particularly cold winter day, I went out to get something from the freezer, and this box was jam packed full of animals, and none of them were ours! Several cats, an opossum, a skunk were all either in or on box, and all were getting along with each other, happy for the warmth. I never saw that happen again, but I know that these sort of enclosures are appreciated by these animals. Don't be surprised when you go to check on it if you get more than just kitties inside.

[@PinayBeautyandStyle]

wow!

[@barbibutton9619]

No way...omg that's hilatious

[@belart7152]

lol

[@verucasalt9182]

I would have loved to see that. 😊

[@stormyweather9570]

That was kind of your father.

[@willparry]

if you take a lighter around the edges of the holes you can melt and smooth out any sharp edges and plasticy burrs.

[@SuperWoodyboy]

I would have taken a round object like a plate or some other thing and used as a pattern...sorry i am a perfectionist!!

[@karenbrown4524]

SuperWoodyboy good idea.

[@farifairis7388]

me too.. purrrrrfectionist!

[@bailey8906]

You could also make the holes a bit bigger, cut a swimming pole tubes down the middle, and place it on the edges.

[@MCCProductions2024]

you beat me to it! Wonderful idea, Will!

[@suzannel583]

It's a perfect shelter, because every step was Marm approved! Can't get better quality control than that.

[@Harrison_Duff]

We have a former feral cat who has adopted us. She does come inside often, but she still has that feral love of the outside. I made one of these for her and she loves it. BTW she has been fixed and vaccinated.

[@snugbug5067]

Eugene Vice 👍

[@Michael-s2p3p]

And does she not kill and decimate the native wildlife?

[@sues6422]

@@Michael-s2p3p Pesticides and urban sprawl kills and decimates native wildlife!

[@silverlining7906]

This is perfect timing. A stray cat had her kittens in my backyard. I've been wanting to give them shelter for better protection form the cold. Now I can make this for her and her kittens. 😊

[@klarag7059]

kendra a Purrfect timing indeed. 😸

[@laurenyglesias]

Aww, Do you know what type of kittens they are? What color?

[@passiflora1014]

Also have them sprayed or neutered thank you

[@SunnyvaleTrailerParkSupervisor]

What a legend. How did it go?

[@Lifeflame5]

If you can't afford the plastic tubs or you are doing a large colony area and can't afford the plastic tubs all at once a good substitute is apple boxes. They are sturdy, waxed so waterproof and free at the grocers. Make holes like you do for the plastic tubs...I use duc tape to make them smoother...and add straw. You can just keep replacing them as needed. Thank you for all you do you rock!

[@mollysmith6055]

Awesome, awesome work! We just refreshed the straw inside our colony's winter housing and they are already enjoying it with temps in the freezing region. Thank you for posting this and hopefully continuing to raise awareness of the plight of community cats. You are a beacon of light!!

[@BenjiBoii]

Cole and Marmalade do you gonna buy new cats when. Cole and marm is going to heaven?

[@naimuds8269]

Benjamin The Gamer: CAM's parents don't buy kittens when their cutest babies are gone. They, instead, adopt.

[@BenjiBoii]

Nai Muds i meant adopt

[@Gloriafarga]

A perfect idea from a kind man.

[@jmo2104]

Hi there, I am adding this information and it is important. I'm adding it from our traumatic experience. You need an separate exit hole for these outdoor feral cat beds. We have to remember that there are a lot of coyotes in the United States and if you think they're not in your city think again. One of our feral cat colonies over several days were attacked by coyote and the cat's mauled in their beds because they had no second exit and were trapped. Yes it adds more airflow into their beds but it also gives them a survival exit. You can hot glue a little cloth flap or something over those holes for windbreak but please please make a second exit!!!

[@retencie4488]

I wish everybody was as kind to kitties as you are. Love Cole and Marmalade!

[@Miss_Maggie]

This is such a wonderful idea and you did a beautiful job! Thank you so much for selflessly making the shelter to help the ferals/strays in your area! ❄️🐾❄️🐾❄️ Also, thank you for sharing this so we all can do the same! 😊 *Special Thank-you to Marmalade for assisting with this project! Much love!🐾🐾❤️🐾😊

[@CantankerousDave]

I made one of these for the first time a few days ago, but I lined the inside of a single container with reflectix insulation. I didn't think about moisture - that double-tub version would definitely stay warm and dry, but if I get within 100 yards of straw, my nose explodes. My neighborhood has become a dumping ground for unwanted cats, so we've been seeing a lot of 1st-gen strays/abandoned pets and 2nd-gen ferals this year. It's been approaching freezing overnight here in IL lately, so they need something to keep warm.

[@christophersmith8316]

CantankerousDave packing peanuts instead, maybe?

[@CantankerousDave]

I have a bunch of the damn things in a sack out in the garage, so if this is a legit use for them, I'm all for it.

[@carenbons8103]

Awesome! I Love how Marmalade had to supervise and also inspect your handy work!

[@lookinggrl]

You know, if you had listened to your quality control specialist, he told you at 0:42 to make the holes bigger. lol...

[@martinyfelix]

LOOOLL

[@RuSosan]

What do you mean "cat help *optional"!?* Madness!!! :D

[@RibbitHopX]

Thanks! There's a wild child I feed and right now he has a cardboard box I fitted with a big trash bag. A tote would be so much better. Marm, you're such a good helper!

[@maryellenpotts3244]

What a great idea and a simple, feasible way for people who care about feral cats to help them. Thanks for sharing!

[@annagarcia2763]

that is such a neat and easy shelter to make for cats, you know I always thought hay was good to use . But now I know straw is way......better! thanks 😃 loved it, I need to do some and fast, for the stray's that have been coming to my house

[@azraelswrd]

You can use almost any non-absorbent insulating material. I've used packing peanuts for this kind of project. I made it for the strays that hung out in winter. It also wouldn't be a bad idea to make sure the larger bin was weighted down so that it didn't accidentally tip over from a cat getting caught at the portals or nature being nature (ie. wind).

[@annagarcia2763]

azraelswrd thanks I will do just that 😃

[@SuperWoodyboy]

Straw is hollow inside so better insulation that hay...remember that!

[@annagarcia2763]

SuperWoodyboy thank you, I'll remember to use straw from now on.

[@mollysmith6055]

Also straw is supposed to be more free of the seed heads whereas hay contains them for animal feed.

[@wordswordswords8203]

this is great. another thing is if you can put it under something like a sturdy table or overhanging ledge of house or porch it helps keep it dry

[@roma17cesare]

I would recommend a rooftop larger than the shelter itself, so that it prevents the rain from getting inside... also a second entrance/exit, cause safety is so much more important than loosing a bit in comfort... plus tie it down somewhere or make it somehow less movable, so that they can't get it down easily or fall by a strong wind or something... good work and pls make some more for the strays in your area, they are the ones in need...

[@gulgezy5095]

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

[@patriciamcdermott9589]

you are so wonderful and thanks for sharing this great idea. Marmalade is such a good helper and Cole is a wonderful supervisor!

[@emmacats1435]

This is a really good idea. There's a colony of ferals right near me in London. A neighbour puts blankets down on her balcony so that they have somewhere warm to sleep, but some of the hard-to-catch toms pee all over them. These shelters look like the solution so thanks!!

[@decades.in.the.making]

Thanks for sharing the basic idea. Practical and swiftly executed. For those Cat People watching this, here are more suggestions -- A flap-door with strong duct tape to discourage other critters from exploring the space, perhaps ? Smaller (drilled) holes can be added above it for ventilation and spy-holes. About the height of the cat, seated up inside the box. They'll be her windows to the world outside. You know how they are. Also, I feel two more entrances can be made on the opposite side of the box, just in case an animal gets the cat cornered inside and she needs to escape. Don't place the set-up too far away from your house.

[@khanhnguyen-fo6df]

man its amazing how through the chaos of the election you can still sit down and watch a man building a house for his cats

[@johnglanders1334]

khanh nguyen yea!

[@Lfodor1]

Get a life....you lost. Enough already

[@farifairis7388]

ikr

[@klarag7059]

Lori Fodor Omigosh, Fodor is my maiden name. You're not related to anyone in Australia that you are aware of, are you? Sorry, just had to ask, out of curiosity but also because my father recently passed away. We know he had nieces, possibly a nephew, somewhere in Europe, but no way of reaching them.

[@Lfodor1]

No, sorry. Fodor is my late husbands family name. His father came from Eastern Europe. People ask me if I'm related to the people who write travel books....unfortunately no.

[@eizhowa]

And then his girlfriend came home and saw all the hay on the carpet and now Chris lives outside in the cat house.

[@emmacats1435]

eizhowa He's married... unfortunately!

[@freddotu]

That doesn't mean his girlfriend didn't come home. Once his wife learns of his girlfriend, he won't even have the comfort of the cat house.

[@eizhowa]

Fred U. I am sure he will get custody of the cat house and can live in it in a trailer park somewhere :)

[@wiccawiccangirl1683]

eizhowa hahahaha oh my meows

[@chickapey]

OMG I laughed way too hard at this

[@melware4166]

Excellent video ! I can recommend also using polystyrene as insulation for extra warmth. x I always though about doing a video of this but im very glad you beat me to it and got this information out already. hugs mel x

[@eternallife4425]

That is so properly insulated. Well done.

[@fulanichild3138]

For a little extra heat, I add a layer of mylar coated foam insulation to the floor of my shelters. Often, I find that the kitties have burrowed into the straw in order to get their little bellies onto the heat conducting mylar. I think they love it.

[@lilianafriberg6567]

i love the intro and how nonchalantly he just diverts the cats away from the enclosure.

[@kellysherrard1361]

cat help is not optional, it is invaluable~!

[@mossmonaco9061]

The marm is the cutest. Like the camo. Thank you.

[@farifairis7388]

Hey, Cat Help is MUST! Not optional! LOL XD

[@Statimtek]

Really cool idea. We have quite a few feral cats at my work.They would probably appreciate nice, cozy place like this to go to.

[@ainaraaramburu3300]

Awesome work! But if you do this for feral cats, you should always always make an exit hole in the opposite side of the shelter, so that if an animal tries to attack the cat insine (a dog, a fox, another cat, a snake, or even a cat-hater-human...) it can escape. It is important!! Thank you for making awareness and helping cats. Greetings from spain

[@MemeDemon]

My cats need this

[@johnglanders1334]

Nicholas Seybert same

[@decades.in.the.making]

Wait, ...'need' ? 😊

[@strawbryblond1]

Marmalade is such a character and Cole shows up when the work is done lol

[@XatxiFly]

Thanks for looking out for the community cats. :) And I love how Marm needs to know EXACTLY what you're up to AT ALL TIMES.

[@Siril89]

Cat "Help" Optional. Marmalade looking very kind to help U.

[@mizsterious]

That's a fantastic idea!! Man I was just thinking about having some outside for the ferals/strays for the winter. Thanks

[@lillianamehegan8951]

Great idea. There are so many homeless cats in our neighborhood. I will make these and place food and water in them. Thanx for the video!!

[@AnnBearForFreedom]

Gathering materials as I type! Our very feral yard cat, Pierre, either just had a litter ...or fathered a litter--I have no idea which, LOL. Introducing..drum roll, please.....Holstein and Turino (the cow kittens), and Marmalade (your twin namesake, Marm!)!!. And even though it doesn't get too awfully cold here, I like having a sheltered "home" for them thats not the delivery boxes on my driveway. Thanks, guys!

[@AnnBearForFreedom]

***** Theyre not "my" cats, LOL. I care for my at-home cats, but these are literally yard cats--no idea where they came from and no idea where they live, if anywhere but my yard. But I put out water (cuz I live in the desert) and dry food for them and the occasional bowl of sloppy wet food with vitamins added. I believe caring for the creatures the Maker has blessed me with is what is right, so I do what I can to make their lives better. Even though they run from me whenever I get too close..ungrateful lil fluffers. This shelter will go a loooong way towards keeping the new kittens warmer and safer. Thanks!

[@mollysmith6055]

Ann, any time you are able try to tap into community help to get your yard cats involved in a 'trap-neuter-return' (TNR) program and you will see their lives improve greatly and SIGNIFICANTLY reduce the sad situation of random breeding. It is a bit of a hassle at the start, but you will hopefully find many who will help and you'll be amazed at the pawsitive outcome. Google it...you'll even find a lot of info here on Cole and Marm's site about it.

[@lylymongeon]

AnnBearForFreedom Fight it all you want, with all you're doing for these fur babies, they're yours now. :)

[@AnnBearForFreedom]

Don't I wish...! Because of my disability (I'm a younger stroke survivor), my speech and mobility makes it nearly impossible to have contact with the outside world. I've emailed around, and there are TNR programs in my county, but I am required to go pick up and return the carriers they provide, then go fetch the cats after their "spa visit". I have no transportation, so that option is off the table. I don't mind hassle, but I am unable to get it done solo. So I do what I can for them.

[@AnnBearForFreedom]

LyLy MoWa LOL! Gee thanks, just what I need, more cats...NOT!

[@AnnaThe54]

Perfect for winter!!! I have a cat igloo my dad got me. It's a house with an electric heating bed. Don't worry it heats up very little but enough to turn the house into a kitty sauna

[@jxyjayjxy]

Fantastic cat shelter! And Marmalade is an excellent assistant.

[@39Bosski]

This is pretty good. I've started taking care of 2 outside cats, one with a broken/twisted neck and now that winter's coming I was worried about how I could care for them. I have 2 cats of my own, and I don't want to bring them in because they're not house broken and feral. I think with this, I should be able to take care of them and for them to have a nice place to stay. Thanks for the idea!

[@Sirskibumsalot]

Sweet cat pads .....and the camp paint job is brilliant . I just made a couple of these for my feral cats and of course they will be camoed out !!

[@glennpowell1105]

I took a large plastic storage chest used for storing lawn cushions, cut a square hole on the side, put in an old comforter and an outside heated blanket for pets and three feral cats love it. They can cuddle together in the coldest weather. I bought it at Target for around $55.

[@TheWhitestones]

I have a warm waterproof shelter in my open shed all year round - I thing your idea is brilliant and will do a couple

[@taraelizabethdensley9475]

Love watching your kitty helpurrs

[@eudorabis]

I get you've done such a beautiful work because your boss Marmalade knows how to lead you.

[@Rxanne28]

I made one for my outdoor cats last year,they love it. :)

[@dartanya2]

Cute straw bales !!

[@asankaw1]

a very useful video.. thank you .. i m sure there are outdoor cats some where.. i have seen two walking around. and leave food and water outside.. but saw only magpies eating the cat food..not the cats.. i managed to rescue a beautiful black cat and as i have 6 and couldnt afford i found the boy a shelter and now he has his forever home too.. :) and then there is another orange cat that i managed to touched only one time.. then something must have happened now he runs away when he sees people so sad.. so i will do this before the big white one hits us..purrrfect....

[@coryoplayer]

Great info as always CAM, Cat Man Chris & Jess!!! Cory

[@pedrolinscosta]

I simply love Cole and Marmalade. They remind me of my cats in my teenager times.

[@cacampbell3654]

This would only work for half the year where I live (central Saskatchewan, Canada). Plastic does not retain heat well, and the temps just get way too low for months every winter. Great play space for cats who can go in and out, like mine. And good shelter for homeless cats when it's raining, windy and not too cold! 👍

[@christophervaughn3677]

You can make a good cold weather shelter from a large styrofoam cooler. Just cut a cat hole in one end and put some straw inside. Add a light weight to hold top on a rock is good. Not too heavy as top is emergency exit. Cat body heat warms it nicely.

[@jessi_katya4185]

Awesome. I love this!!! I've been wanting to help a small skidish kitty in my neighborhood . And this will be purrfect for the winter. TFS:) ♡♡♡

[@debbiethemadbee]

Just a small tip. I would suggest that you slightly melt around the cut circle edges with something like a marker. Then they won't be so rough. Also the cat "help" gives a good idea for the hole size 😃

[@TealCheetah]

Cat help is never optional!

[@LadyStarFox]

"And because some people suck." 😂

[@sueishere25]

That is a great idea. Love your helper!!!

[@barbibutton9619]

Your cat...too damned cute. He looks just like my Chase. Acts like him too. TY for the video!!!

[@laksitamochtar]

Marm is very helpfull, good boy

[@corapagels702]

Thanks a lot for this idea! i've got 2 wild cats in my garden, and now the winter... they wouldn't come in and I wonder how to help them. Now i know!!😀

[@jeanneanne458]

This is the second video I have seen of yours. I love your orange cat. Good idea for the out door cat house.

[@rjthegreat2001]

I love Cole and Marmalade. thanks for the great ideas

[@GigiZinke]

Ugh! I love this so much! This is so clever, especially the cat-mouflage! Love your videos they always warm my heart and bring a smile to my face. I try to get my cat on board with these vids but he only seems to be interested in my computer when Im studying for a very important exam. Oh well gotta love 'em! Lots of love and cuddles to Cole and Marmalade!

[@theresa9258]

Marm was super helpful

[@riikkaliinaturkki]

💛 This is nice. In many countries There are cats outside, some of them really need shelters. 💒 I live in Finland 🇫🇮 and here there's not so many random cats or dogs outside. (We do have animal shelters, both urban and wildlife.)

[@kaybelletv3659]

I’ll be building this weekend! Great video!

[@snowsam6563]

awww I wanted to see what mama said about the straw on the carpet, lmao !! Great job on the shelter !!

[@rainbowfox3071]

I came up with a way of using wooden pallets. You cut off one side of the inside wood boards. Then, use the remaining boards as the floor. You can add hay on the floor, stack them and add 3 walls and a roof. It creates a kitty hotel. Cheap and works fairly well depending on the severity of the weather.

[@nhiennguyenwoo4269]

I love your playful kitty❤

[@mogotecoyote]

My cat watched this and now she wants me to make one also.

[@lashonay]

Omg the thumbnail is too cute, your little assistant!😻 I'd love to do this for the cats at my job but I don't think they'll approve. First there was 1 cat i started feeding then 2 cats....this week 2 more came and Friday a 5th cat...🤦🏽 I swear they are communicating with the neighboring cats about free food and water.

[@snugbug5067]

That looks real cozy !! Nice and simple. 👍

[@monicamir]

Marmalade is very good at testing!

[@CCCreslessCCC]

Thank you for this Video. A Wunderful Idea. You a good man. Greetings to Cole and Marmalade. 🐱😺😸 cheers 👍👍👍

[@shaniawuchowsky6449]

I love cole and marmelade and you. You are a really Catman

[@milicakrstic8642]

That was absolutely fantastic!!!!

[@eizhowa]

This is not a bad idea if you have a cat that likes to be outside. I always feel so bad when I see a cat sitting on a doorstep when it is very cold outside, waiting for its owner to come home. Not everyone can leave a window ajar for their cat to enter through.

[@Gk22632]

My cat hates to be inside he only comes home to eat and then he sits by the door and meows until I let him out, he either found a mate or maybe has kittens idk

[@eizhowa]

NMD I found out that my cat also lets my neighbour feed it! So unfaithful. It is like he doesn't appreciate how much money I have invested in his safety and good health.

[@Asia-Jmnz]

NMD Lol! For a moment I thought you were describing my cat routine! That's exactly what he does every single day

[@mollysmith6055]

True, but these shelters are geared for community cats or 'feral' cats who live outdoors year-round in colonies. It is such a true human kindness to build and maintain these simple shelters for cats who were brought into this cruel world through no fault of their own. We've been taking care of a dwindling colony for over 4 years now and just refreshed the straw in their winter shelter. I hope many people see this video and decide to get involved to make a difference in cat's lives.

[@Gk22632]

haha cats are a mysterious species

[@maryannedeering1663]

How ADORABLE 🐈🐈

[@christianadventure]

Thanks for sharing! Seems like Marm gave you a thumbs up on that one :)

[@SceneArtisan]

A set of sprayed-on 'whiskers' in between the holes,.. perhaps? ;) Lovely idea this,. I'd do it, but we have foxes here in my neighbourhood,. more so than local cats.

[@eizhowa]

Well foxes get cold as well...

[@SceneArtisan]

Granted, but foxes are bigger and don't like cats, (well, in MOST cases anyway).

[@eizhowa]

Kris A I don't know much about foxes so you are probably right :)

[@sheebakitty378]

well actually foxes are scavengers and they won't hesitate to kill a cat. prob. why you dont see as many cats. You should look into setting a few traps. sounds like there is too many.

[@jenniferrollins1416]

Great job and totally perfect idea!

[@SRCReptiles]

thats an awesome idea! thanks for sharing!

[@Itsachapel]

My mom would kill me if I did this inside her house lol

[@xxTsukihime]

No matter how easy or hard a mess is to clean up, if a mother sees a mess she will flip out xD

[@lol-zr8ff]

Narscilla me too 😂😂😂😂😂

[@thefluffies2793]

Narscilla same hereeee!

[@mossmonaco9061]

Remember it's about the kitties not about good housekeeping?

[@Amy-zb6ph]

Good information! I have two cats who greatly prefer to be outside and, although they are pretty fluffy and I'm in California, I still worry about them getting cold and wet on the rare occasions when it actually does rain here. I might make them one of these. I might make one for the chickens too. They like to stand on the deck stairs, even when it rains right on them. I worry about them because they are starting to get old now.

[@Watchinthefoolshere]

I made a few and used black plastic lawn edging in the hole to make a tube. I taped it along the inside with gorilla tape. The tube keeps the straw in and rain out.

[@pdxjarred]

Thank you for sharing this video :) I have posted to all my social media outlets.

[@terrietackett8964]

Love your little helpers!!

[@carmenortiz5294]

Really nice idea. The feral cat can have a feral nextdoor neighbor. I have some bins that I am emptying, so this is a great project. Feral cats are rare her but there is one I have been feeding. I can't take her in because my cat is semi-feral and large and hates the other cat, I guess because she knows I feed the other cat some of her food. The person who catches them is taking his own sweet time breeging the humane cat trap to my property, so I'm worried about the cute cat, since snow season is getting close.

[@otakurocklee]

Good thing you had your assistant Marmalade there to check your calculations!

[@chibitorayuri13]

I found you originally through the first cat shelter video you made! I like this one too

[@Jaggededge112]

That is so cool.

[@bon-chan1855]

i tried to make 2 big boxes, thought the 4 siblings that wander around my garden can share the shelter. they didn't at all. i made 2 more, they still not get in. i took a table, firm a salon foam at the bottom, cover around with waterproof sheet, put MY pillows and blankets in. then they all snuggle inside. i let them live at the garden. they are just as sweet to me as if they were my own cats.

[@sammysworld5485]

Ingenious thank you for being such a animal lover. Just curious if feral cats use a shelter with just one entrance?

[@kurcacime]

Hi Chris, thanks you are such a nice cat person,,, bless you!!! 😍😘

[@anamariaalonso6132]

I love cats and I love your channel 💕 👍 👏