DIY Outdoor Cat Shelter

[@richendacheret944]

this is great, my neighbours wont let there cat in and dont even give him food since they got a kid. i give him food ever since and now im going to make him a home for the winter. thanks!

[@scotthettel949]

Your neighbor should be turned in for cruelty to animals. No excuse to treat a cat that way.

[@richendacheret944]

Ikr, i'm so mad at them. I cant take him into my home so i'll make him a house. The best i can do for the little friend

[@scotthettel949]

At least he has someone who cares for him. You are a special person to help the cat. (A simple act of caring creates an endless ripple that comes back to you)

[@DingoDIDeatmybaby]

+Richenda Cheret Yo for real though, you should report them for animal cruelty and maybe take the cat to a no-kill shelter, so it has a chance of being in a loving home since you can't take it inside your home.

[@marycountryman4642]

I would report those disgusting people you are a good person people like that are heartless I hope they fall on hard times and have to live on the street no shelter and no food hate people that treat animals like they find not have feelings

[@ladyvictoria8]

i made 10 shelters for strays..If you use a hairdryer on the lines drawn for the entrance,It will cut like butter with a regular knife..I buy sheets of foam insulation to put in between the two totes and use straw for bedding..

[@carolynhall9285]

Awesome! Thank you for the information!!!!

[@mymadalegnas2]

I just made my first. I used two, one inside the other, but a tighter fit than the video, yet enough space for rubber mats between for insulation. I used aluminum tape because I've used it on an old truck and it lasted many years in all sorts of weather. I wish I had read your hint on the dryer to soften the plastic. The cutting was very difficult. The entrance hole is facing a wall but with enough space for entering. The wall will hopefully offer wind protection. It's also elevated with CBS bricks against water, flooding, etc. My plastic bins are the largest I could find. Room for two to spread out inside.

[@cindycraig3164]

Thanks for the hair dryer idea. I have trouble cutting the holes - the plastic flexes and is a pita to get through.

[@rbk3591]

Thanks for the tips! Definitely going for foam sheets instead and using the hairdryer... I’m making one for a feral I have

[@jtrose6995]

Genius

[@margaret3458]

THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!! I just found a colony of feral cats by our Arby’s and Popeyes and I have been feeding them, but now that it’s getting cold I’ve been concerned for them, I think this is something I need to do!

[@may_I_AI]

Good for you for feeding them, but they know what they are doing. They are eating Arby's and Popeyes

[@Falstaff0809]

Great design with the PVC portal. You can avoid the issue of the plastic being brittle and breaking by using the softer, non-see through tubs, rather than the brittle clear ones.

[@kelemvor3333]

Or just take any old cooler like you'd take to a picnic. Tip it on its side and cut a hole in the lid. It's already waterproof and insulated and all you have to do is cut the hole.

[@TexasLadyS]

Mike B it would be better to cut the hole in the side and add a pipe for entry. It would keep out rain that way.

[@alertset]

Why tip it on its side? Would it make it more or less resistant to rain? Why not leave it upright, place it under a larger piece of wood to protect it from rain and shelter it from wind. Also, the plastic bottom would be too cold. Placing a piece of Styrofoam insulation and then straw would keep the beautiful creature's underside warmer

[@chillytoes337]

Another great idea!

[@rlms56]

Place a styrofoam cooler inside the plastic bin then add straw.

[@nikkitobin8356]

@@rlms56 Thats exactly what i plan to do

[@suej9329]

Thank you and God bless all the people who help feral, stray and abandoned cats who are in this predicament due to human ignorance, neglect or both. I feel for those cats doing it tough, especially in harsh climates. I pray more people follow your example and make these outdoor shelters. Well done, you are doing God’s work. 🙏🏻💕🐱😺🐈👍

[@sharoneyre7035]

The really good thing about this video (apart from the fact that he cares enough about cats to actually think about it and make one), is all the other suggestions that viewers have come up with..you should get together and form a 'co-operative' !! Best wishes from Sharon ('owner ' of 6 cats!), in Nottingham, England. xxx

[@angelicaplummer6127]

Sharon Eyre Yes.. from the video and comments I am Happy to see how much thought, care and consideration went into the construction of these cat shelters.

[@christinevogt-klimshuk2461]

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.

[@toratoratoratora1874]

U n your mum deserve all d blessings n prayers for your act of kindness.

[@dontmindme4398]

God bless you.

[@armpitfuzz]

So very sorry you lost you're mom, the kitty was obviously sent to you for a reason.You folks are amazing.

[@danielmcc0418]

This is so good for my next door neighbors cat, they dont let him in so i am hoping to make this for my next door neighbors cat 🙂

[@paulamaloney5025]

Bless You!

[@saraalpen1410]

+ DanielMcC 04 - That's really nice of you.

[@allisonrasmussen7898]

Your neighbor's clearly doesn't care about having this Cat because if they did care about the cat they would bring the cat in side where he is safe & warm &Wouldn't get hurt leave this Poor Cat out side to Freezes to death. I'm an animal lover also.... I say you should take the poor innocent cat in to your house & give him a good life lots of Love & attention. thats Something your Neighbor won't ever do for this poor cat. They are heartless people that don't care about there Cat at all hell they would never notice at all that the cat is gone... the Cat deserves away better life with You 🐾😿

[@abbx_07]

Im not intending to be rude but i have a cat and she always stays outside simply because she dosent like it inside so before bashing your neighbours on the internet ask them if there is a reason he is allways outside.

[@Lady_of_Ishpeming]

I am sure Kitty will appreciate it. I live in an area where we have many strays/ferals. We've caught a few of them but it's impossible to catch all of them. We certainly can't afford to fix them all. We have females that have litters and leave them. We took in 3 kittens I found in my hostas. One didn't make it but the other 2 are now very healthy and getting bigger by the day. They're about 3 months old now.

[@samdean5465]

I take care of more than a dozen feral cats in a storage yard. I make their enclosures out of two in pink board insulation glued together with foam glue. they have two openings one on let's say the south side and other one on the east side. then I cover the entire thing with a comforter that blocks the door openings to let the cats go in and out keeps the wind from blowing through. There's a large cat pet on the bottom and up to a dozen of them will climb in there and lay on top of each other and sleep when it's very cold. Very easy to make takes less than 20 minutes maybe a half an hour.. I love all my kitties.

[@pamelakelly5869]

You are a great guy..... thanks for caring and sharing. I have helped feral cats for years. Appreciate your time in making and posting this video.....

[@wind571evergreen]

Wow!! We have the same Name!!! My Kelley has 2 E's. LOL. Seriously, I checked the internet and there are lots of us out there! LOL

[@codymanbrave6227]

Great guy keeping his pets outside??

[@bobwarren3898]

I repurposed an old metal Coleman ice chest that had a broken hinge for our barn cat. I dut a hole in one side, then lined the chest with some carpet remnants and put a few handfuls of clean grass hay inside for him to arrange into a comfy nest. The chest is up on a bench in the barn by a south facing window so it will be comfortable for the cat even in the coldest weather.

[@ivetabraunova4231]

Bob Warren

[@boe1956]

Don't use hay, it's got to be straw, so it won't collect moisture.

[@just_peachy11]

Old blanket, old t-shirts work great for pet bedding.

[@tammykriskie2233]

Me and my husband have a kiity Abby and she was let behind by a neighbor that went into a nursing home. Abby was always an out side kitty. We started feeding her, and always had fresh water out side. We've had Abby about 6 yrs now. She's scared of anything and Everything. Any little mouse, a loud car driving by. She only lets me and my husband feed and pet her. We put together a heated cat house for her to keep warm in when its cold out. I'd LOVE to bring her in. And I still try, but she won't. She's never been inside a house before. Though I Love Abby with all my Heart.. She's well taken care of. Point of this ..... Though I try and have been for the past 6yrs, she won't come in. She's really skittish. And we love her, she's our Furbaby.

[@danielking1936]

I love seeing smart people doing nice things

[@jenniferjacob1024]

I feel any kind of shelter you can offer these outdoor cats is def a need and much appreciated when it's really cold or raining/snowing outside..Thanks to everyone who has a heart to try and help these poor kitties stuck outside in the winter...Anything at all is better than nothing..I always have lots of totes in my home,I keep things very organized and when We moved had 2 extra..1 was a huge expensive one which I will keep and swooped out another that was perfect size for this chunky big kitty lol..I used a 30gal and a 18gal for the inside,pretty snug fit but enough room to shove the straw between pretty tight...I did basically this but used those cheap 98cent easter/Halloween buckets from Walmart and doubled it cut out the bottom as the tunnel and slanted it a tad towards the ground so no water can drip inside and used foam insulation spray around to keep water and air out..Filled the 18gal half way with straw and she went in and hated the feeling of the straw so soon I put her smaller piece of fleece fabric in she has slept inside ever since..stays dry luckly..I check it daily..I also screwed a small tote upside down without lid as a food shelter to keep water from splashing in her food bowl and all sits under a table on my deck,the water dispenser I fill weekly and dump and mosquito larvae out (it's one of those auto gravity water things) hopefully wont freeze..but can always cover in something to keep it warmer if need be

[@andreinayepez9222]

The entrance has to be tilted face down a bit or else on a rainy day water will easily just go straight in... and that would be very unsafe if that cat had babies there.. they would all just drown.

[@carrie8351]

Andreina Yepez throw a wool blanket inside, problem solved! Plus maybe a "roof" on top, to keep the rain out

[@AWanderingEye]

Andreina Yepez Make similar but smaller hole and trim outside with an aluminum dryer vent cover?

[@bridgettawinchester3063]

Ugh no, blankets absorb and hold onto moisture. Do not add blankets

[@shilohauraable]

Bridgetta Winchester Straw is what should be used.

[@Thecodexnoir]

Smart woman 👍🏻👍🏻👑

[@chillytoes337]

My kitty is going to be an indoor kitty, but sometimes we're not at home when they should be inside so this will allow them to get out of the weather. FANTASTIC IDEA! Thanks for sharing.

[@eiserntorsphantomoftheoper2154]

My cat "Schrodinger" would be both happy and sad in your box.

[@seanbancroft3955]

Depends if he's observed!

[@eiserntorsphantomoftheoper2154]

Sean Bancroft Thank you

[@GDCilia]

Schrödinger* P.S: Nice joke lol :)

[@claire_A-T]

Better then the cold outdoors! Thanks for the video.

[@dboymax1]

Don't you mean dead and alive?

[@kaitlyndavis7884]

This is really helpful. I have an indoor outdoor cat who demands to go outside at night, if we don't let him he will keep us up all night! I am thinking about building something like this for him! Have no idea if he would use it, as I think we goes catting around all night, but it would make me feel better on cold 10 degree nights!

[@kirtcarter]

I noticed ours didn't use them until it got REALLY cold, and even then they sometimes wandered up from a night in the woods. But it did give us peace of mind.

[@chrinamint]

Sounds like he needs to be neutered.

[@zombaticgaming1505]

Thanks so much bro now I'm going to make this for a homeless cat that been around my apartment

[@zombaticgaming1505]

+DerpyHoovesFreak yea he did

[@farah7284]

+Chase Peralta omg..sweet of u:)

[@laurice8056]

Hey this looks like a nice idea... but Not for extreme cold weather conditions. Far better if possible to take the stray cat to a No Kill animal shelter for proper care and adoption. They can also check the cat for a microchip, to help reunite the owner with the lost pet. Besides, it’s possible that squirrels, possums, raccoons, mice, and rats may find this shelter very inviting too !!

[@davidvaclavek7548]

it is necessary to glue the tube to inner and also to outer box - neutral silicone or glue gun. to avoid breathing and smelling insulation inside and to stop rain or air moist going into insulation - wet insulation doesn't insulate.

[@paulraphael]

Some bedding is helpful for them. It's important not to use anything that holds water. The traditional thing is a pile of straw. We wanted something machine washable, so I got a bunch of long-fiber synthetic sleeping bag insulation and stuffed it into a polyester mesh laundry bag. Works great. Holds no moisture, dries fast, warm. Cat mushes it into whatever shape she likes.

[@kirtcarter]

we ended up using straw (we had plenty left over from filling our doghouse) and they loved it, kept them toasty warm.

[@toasted_butter1882]

@@kirtcarter use wool, hamster bedding and fabric instead. Straw + Cats = death

[@wmluna381]

@@toasted_butter1882 How does the stray contribute to certain death?

[@sunetesimuzici]

@@wmluna381 they can't digest it, it comes out as it goes in. Therefore, if they ingest one long enough, it will behave like a piece of string/lace, which is usually fatal, as it doesn't show up on ultrasound.

[@wmluna381]

@@sunetesimuzici Yikes

[@caillinkelly2952]

Great, I just shared it with friend here in Italy, Their group takes care of the animals effected by the earthquakes. Here which were up in the mountains. After the earthquake there were some blizzards. SO this is a great help!!! Thanks for making the video

[@parisinthe30sx]

I've found it's always better to have two holes they can escape out of incase they get cornered by another animal. And to eliminate the air moving through it, have a wall a little ways inside the box that they have to maneuver around before they get to the inside. You'd have to make the house bigger though. When it comes to mine, I just frame it as I would a house and with spray foam insulation, more complicated but the end result is great for summer and winter. You did a good job though for a quick and easy house. K&H makes a heated house for about $50 USD just in case any one is interested

[@reklawj9]

just a thought... but if you live in a windy area ..maybe putting the entrance on the side so that if the wind did shoot in, the cat could have a space where he could hide around the side of the entrance ..the way it is here the wind would shoot straight back chilling every thing in the house

[@kirtcarter]

+reklawj9 Also, If you fill the inside with straw, they will burrow and block the entrance and helps retain heat.

[@ParanormalTVptv]

This was so helpful! There's this feral cat that I've been taking care of and she really needs a good shelter!

[@duster.]

Consider using the disc that you have cut out for the coupler as a cat flap. Drill two holes in the top of the coupler and two corresponding holes in the disc then join the two with some cable ties. This will help to keep the weather out.

[@leahcoulahan4424]

this is a really good tutorial!..because I am looking after a stray cat that I have named silver so I'm going to make her an outdoor shelter

[@WhatWeMadeTeam]

+DolphinDoggy Show Awwwwwesome!

[@annalovescookies9963]

The Animal Lover good job live animals peace on earth

[@sibel_jojo1143]

What We Made Is the insulation made of paper?

[@shyshy3095]

Sibel_ jojo I think it might be rabbit bedding or something like that

[@kurt5213]

Looks like cellulose.

[@robertrinehuls9099]

Home Depot website shows 6" PVC couplings cost $28.00. A short piece of 6" pipe would actually be less than a fitting. Even less would be the 6" black plastic ADS corrugated drain couplers for $7. I have been feeding a stray cat almost daily for four years but it will run off if I try to approach it. Usually when the weather turns cold I put a heating pad in a box that is sheltered from the rain. A garbage can on it's side with open end towards house wall works pretty well.

[@jtrose6995]

You are a genius and an angel for caring for animals that ppl treat like trash

[@CherylBerryl]

Umm, this shelter looks way small for an adult cat! Also, with the entrance being directly in center, there is no wind block. I have been taking care of many feral cat colonies for the past 15 years and have through trial and error, tried almost every type of Cathouse construction there possibly is. The one thing I know for sure is that they need way more space than that. In those cold temperatures they're going to be spending the majority of their time inside the housing and they need to be able to shift positions and stretch out. It is best to use a very large tote. The clear totes can crack very easily in cold temperatures. It is better to use the colored totes. Using the large totes I cut a hole on one end of the long side of the toe not the short side. I put the entrance all the way to either the left or the right side for the reason that wind will not directly go on the cat. I also put a flap on the door oversized larger than the actual entrance that they can easily put either their head or their paw underneath to lift to be able to get inside the tote. Instead of putting a tote inside a tote, I have started to insulate with a mylar coated bubble wrap. This works great because it is very pliable as far as adding to the inside of the toe getting and every nook and cranny and then I tape it with Gorilla duct tape. I have made the mistake of using regular duct tape which does not adhere as well and loosens in cold weather. Although the gorilla duct tape is a lot more expensive in the long run it's cheaper because you'll just have to keep replacing tape otherwise. After aligning and taping the mylar bubble wrap to the inside the bottom and the inside of the lid then I add straw. It is not advisable to use hay as that is what horses eat and it is not water-resistant in the waist straw is. It is important to note that the house should be elevated on one or two wooden pallets and then faced towards a structure for further Wind Block.

[@CherylBerryl]

Oops! I hit the post Arrow when I wasn't finished commenting. The best way to keep Snow from piling up in front of the housing which then could keep the cats from going inside because they will fear getting snowed in, is to make two of those houses and put them across from one another on top of the pallets with a roof made of some type of strong material such as plywood or something else that would work and then put weighted bricks on each house for extra weighting down. When setting up the housing like this I make sure that I cut the entrance for each house differently so that when the cats are coming in and out of the houses they can go and not run into each other. Many of my colonies have several or more cats so sometimes depending on the area and room allotted for the housing I will set up the houses like I just mentioned but I will use for totes two right next to each other and then to on the other side and then a larger piece of wood on top for the roof one skin always remembering to lift them off the ground on a couple of pallets. This has worked optimally and the cats are more likely to consistently use the housing when they know they're not going to get snowed in, and the more Wind Block the better for the cats to stay warm. I have found that that mylar bubble wrap really works excellent as an insulator because the miler reflects their body heat back to them and then the straw further insulates them. I make sure to really pileup the straw and then I bird nest it so that they can get in there easily and burrow in for extra warmth. I make sure that whatever material are used for a flap is sick enough so it's not blowing in the wind which can scare the cats from going into the housing. I have used a piece of that mylar bubble wrap as a flap as well. I tape it on the top to the tote with the gorilla duct tape, and then for extra measure I use a silicone based clear caulking over that to ensure that the tape doesn't lift up from it being exposed to the elements. I hope you don't mind me sharing these ideas because I feel that we can all learn from each other.

[@ammarahtevla2718]

Cheryl Mallon-Bond . May be you could make video of this and share it on KZbin?

[@dianadiehl]

Good point about the space required. Any port in a storm; however, more space and some straw bedding to hold body heat better would be a good idea. Use larger bins.

[@CherylBerryl]

Ammarah TeVla Hello Dear One, I feel really bad, bc I didn't get a good reception from the person who made this video. I TRULY didn't mean to offend, yet, based on his terse response to me, that is what I feel he got from my comments. My intention was ONLY to share all the trials & tribulations I have dealt with over these past 15 yrs Caring for many feral colonies. I have made my share of MANY mistakes, that only wound up costing me more money in the long run! Yes, I should have made a video years ago, but I was "on my own" had no-one to really help me...even record what I was doing, and now, I am so beyond overwhelmed in my timeline of over-commitments, that I don't foresee being able to do this anytime soon. Maybe I could at least draw a diagram, if that might possibly help. I TRULY am VERY GREATFUL to ANYONE who has enough kindness, compassion & love in their heart, to reach out to help these poor kitties...to help them have a better life! Most turn their back, don't even notice or care about their existence, let alone their suffering! So, every kind soul, doing anything to help them, and make their lives better, I very much appreciate! If you would like me to do a visual diagram of what my idea is for setting up a grouping of houses together, (you can of course, do something similar, if it is only 1 cat, 1 cat house you need) Just respond back to me, & I will try to get to do that asap. Thank you for helping the kitties in need! Be well, Cheryl 🐾💕🐈😻💕🐾

[@ammarahtevla2718]

Cheryl Mallon-Bond : diagrams and pictures of the set up would help so many people do the right things. Just choose good title and description so video can be found easily. Some people just ignore the cats, or human too I guess, in need of a litter help because they don't know what to do and don want to take on the responsibility if they get involved. I have been honoured to have had a few feral cats adopting me! Learned so much from them. Hence, my comment. I hope you get round to it. Just do a simple one with your phone and up load. Better than none?

[@RM-vf7fl]

You rock Thanks for helping stray and feral cats. That goes for everyone on this thread who makes one of these. Or does something to help them out.

[@dalewhitaker4187]

This is a great idea. I have a young cat that has been hanging around my house for a couple of weeks. I noticed that her belly is getting bigger. I was stressing out trying to figure out how to make a birthing box, find a place to put it. This will make things much simpler and easier for her and me. Thanks.

[@americ9597]

Also call a local TRAP NEUTER RELEASE program. They neuter for free and set her back in the community.

[@sagala40]

Really nice, but they should have another hole for escape. In case they are in there and another wild animal comes peeking in---they can run out the other hole.

[@claraoliveira1635]

sagala40 but this makes it more cold, you just have to decide what's more important for your area

[@DisSsha]

I'm full agree

[@TheStavros1001]

What's more important, the cat gets killed, or a little cold, is that the question? How about hanging a flap over the escape hole that only pushes out?

[@TheStavros1001]

They get in through the front entrance. You can put a flap on it so the cat can only go in the front by hanging the flap inside, and the exit hole the flap would be on the outside, so it only lets the cat out, and nothing else comes in.

[@yoopermary]

It would come in the entrance. TheStavros1001 was suggesting a flap for the escape.

[@syrianakahli314]

I feed strays in the back yard. I was starting to worry how I was going to help them stay warm and safe this winter. I'm not worried any more. Thank you.

[@tonyg3644]

Syriana Kahli same with me. I made a tent for a kitten who hangs around my backyard but doesn’t always go in. I put a box with a blanket around it it could fit the kitten and mom cat

[@Rat-dp3qx]

My grandma found a mama cat and her baby outside in the woods behind her house so we’re gonna make them a cat shelter for winter

[@A2D4]

That PVC portal is definitely bigger than 6”. Also, I can’t believe you didn’t put something down on the floor of the inside box so the cat doesn’t have to sleep on cold plastic. Most web sites recommend straw (not hay) but definitely not blankets, if it’s going to be out in the elements where the inside can get at all damp or wet, as blankets will retain the dampness. I do appreciate that you are caring for the homeless cats and helping them in cold weather. Thank you.

[@ceciLOVEtaco]

This is a smart idea ! Easy to make , easy to clean , and very economical.

[@andreaday1367]

Just tonight I built a home out of recycled things around my home like cloths that don’t fit like sweatshirts and I used cardboard, etc it’s a really amazing feeling to know that u r helping a creature . I am trying to get it to sleep in there I feed it every night now hopefully I can eventually get it to come inside so it has a good home

[@bettablue2660]

This is a great idea. My only thought is cats typically need two ways in and out for protection.

[@whosaidthat9265]

I am so happy I found this! Quick and easy, just in time for this freezing weather. Thank you so much!!!!

[@williamcharles9480]

Great video. The little guys need all of the shelter that they can get. Not many people think about our poor outdoor creatures and if they have shelter. They figure automatically that they'll find something.

[@kathydoyle1857]

Ventilation: ideas/suggestions below. You may be able to adapt/ improve on this or it sparks a new idea. The below suggestions will depend on the type of boxes and insulation you use. Get a piece of plastic tube or pipe no bigger than 2.25 inches in diameter and long enough to go through the box, Styrofoam/fabric and inner box leaving a 1/4 overhang on the inside box and on the outside box. Cut the hole near the top edge of the box and so the pipe will fit snugly. Push the tube through the corresponding holes so that it sits 1/4 inch past the edge of the hole in the inner box. And the same for the outer box. NOTE: If you use fabric/loose material as your insulation ensure you clear out the pipe of materials/debris after feeding the pipe through so its not blocked and before completing the next step. Now cover the end of the pipe on the outside of the box with a piece of flexible fine wire/ plastic mesh . Either cut the mesh wider than the pipe hole then fold back over the pipe and seal around with Gorilla waterproof tape. OR cut the mesh to fit over the hole exactly and glue gun in place and put waterproof (bath/shower sealant around the edge of the pipe. Using another piece of plastic (from a wider piece of pipe is ideal) cut it across diagonally and place it right above the ventilation pipe and fix in a downward position so that rain will drip off it and not into the ventilation entrance. You now have enough airflow into the box without letting too much cold in. Hope these ideas help you. Best wishes. From England UK.

[@HalfB]

I have a suggestion on these style kitty houses. Leave a space in the back side so kitty can see out and they’ll be more apt to stay inside it. Having no visual behind them is disconcerting unless it’s flush against a wall. I’ve been a foster for over 15 years and always have a few strays or abandoned cats outside so I’ve troubleshooted many styles. 💕🐾🙏🏻🐾🤗🐾💕

[@secretariatgirl4249]

I'm going to try to use a cardboard box inside the outer tub as cardboard can insulate as well. Also shredded newpaper or newsprint which comes in a lot of packages can be shredded for inside the inner box...I like this overall plan!

[@kmjhss1]

Thank you for this wonderful video! I take care of stray cats, who won't come indoors, and this is a great solution for them this winter!

[@markjulius2006]

It would have been a lot easier if you had bought an ice chest and cut a hole in the side. After putting a small blanket or pillow inside, you would have a great cat house.

[@squish5087]

Straw works best because wet paws make wet blankets that then freeze.

[@karenbenavente1124]

That's wonderful!! I wish my husband had this much compassion for these poor homeless kitties! I made a nice box and put it inside a plastic trash bag to help it stay dry, and my husband threw it away Because he didn't want them around His car, because one got on his car and scratched it, so he was mad I feel so bad for these beautiful cats They need to stay dry and warm out of this horrible cold too!

[@CharleneAlatorte]

Women r opting out of having husbands !

[@icare4you123]

What a clever idea! I enjoyed watching you work. All the cat needs now is a fleece blanket. I'm going to try the same thing with my old foam coolers. I'll sit rocks on the top to hold it steady. After you put in a blanket I'm hoping your cat is small. Two wouldn't fit comfortably. Thanks!

[@Kevin-nw9om]

I was thinking this with a 4" coupler instead and some heavy plastic to shield it from wind. Also, its recommended to put 2 entrances incase of predators (so the can get away) or other critters takin residence (possum, squirrels, racoons) Im also going to use the bigger one and a riser to keep it off the ground. (thinking)

[@carmenlorenzo4410]

It's so beautiful how you think of them! I'm going to do this for next winter! thanks so much

[@emilydomney9220]

My neighbours cat didn’t like to be indoors so she lived outside. In winter I felt so bad for her being cold so I brought her inside my house. She wanted back outside so I only kept her for a few hours to warm up. After that I made an insulated shelter using a plastic tote. The cat loved it and spent a lot of time in n the cat shelter. Our landlord called animal control on my neighbour because she knew the cat was always outdoors. The animal control officer came to take the cat but I explained to him that she does not want inside and she is well fed by me and he said that because there was the cat shelter provided for her to stay warm and she’s being fed he cannot take the cat. Yay! People who make cat shelters are good people!

[@saraschwierling3596]

I have a stray cat he is all black, I named him Joey when we first found him it had huge wounds on him that looked like he was burned. We took him to the vet after he learned to trust humans again, we got him all fixed up and now he will live the rest of his life in an happy environment........btw great video

[@tashabradshaw1793]

Thanks so much for this tutorial. I've tried making them and they never turned out that great. I'm going to give this a try. Thanks again.👍

[@AtyPical1313]

I used an old cooler I had and I cut the hole on the end of the long side so that if it is windy, the cat can get away from the wind. I lined it with a mylar blanket and then put straw in.

[@davejaninetilson7071]

Thank you for providing a better situation for our outdoor babies. What is being used for inside bedding so they aren't just on hard plastic? The recommended material is straw, not hay, so it can stay dry and mold-free. Never use blankets or bedding since if they enter wet, the bedding will remain wet and freeze.

[@joewoodchuck3824]

I agree on needing more wind block. Ive seen some dog house designs with one and even two heavy cloth doors tbat the dog can push aside to go in and out. Instead of trying to find nesting sized boxes, i think i would just get a cheap coleman cooler. If you can spend more get an igloo cooler.

[@pamelahiles935]

This is a great idea! Kitty will be able to heat up the shelter with his own body heat and stay toasty and dry.. a bit of straw would make it softer and kitty can snuggle into it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! You're very kind.

[@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws]

I'm going to try it for the feral cats but the cats in my area of East London are very good buddies with the urban red foxes and they show the foxes who gives out the best food (cats ALWAYS eat first. ..foxes ALWAYS defer to cats! Mighty moggies! ) the foxes reciprocating by sharing earths with cats and acting as decoys in case any dogs come near! They have it all sorted out. .wish people were half as accommodating to each other!

[@kirtcarter]

That's really cool! We have a local fox that doesn't seem to give the older cats any problems. It's always the coyotes and owls that end up getting them.

[@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws]

Kirt Carter Yes birds of prey are the ones that take the most lambs and things in Scotland and there's a couple of buzzards hang about here in London too I think younger, lighter cats probably fall victim to them (ravens and Seagulls are totally fearless in Scotland and they have a go at people too..also Hooded Crows up in the Highlands are known to take lambs...I rescued a baby crow and had him for five years and he was lovely. ..his family had been shot out of a tree and he was under the tree with a broken wing...I am a bit biased about crows because I knew one personally and he would have fought for me!) Whoo long sentence. ..nah foxes are pussies with cats. I have just ordered a heap of new attachments for my Dremel so I can make some insulated boxes. .I may try to get two entrance/exit holes because a lot of people reckon they don't like being cornered. I have to think of how to make sure its warm and dry with the extra exit. I love the idea though!

[@Laroc1982]

I love how the foxes defer to the cats. I mean, don’t we all? It is an honor and a privilege to serve them, and the entire animal kingdom recognizes this fact 😂

[@msdarkstar44]

This is a great idea. Even though my nephews cats are indoor he can build a simple shelter for them on his porch in case they get out.

[@sixpackbinky]

I used to make these a little larger but filled with straw. Some people insulate with foam inside on the walls and fill with straw. Straw,creates body heat

[@privateprivate8366]

While this is a very nice job, the only problem is that you’re missing an egress hole in the back. While I know that it would make it less insulated, more importantly, is that the cat has the opportunity to escape, should another animal get in there. You want an insulated cat house. Not a trap from which they can’t escape.

[@dartanya2]

Pure myth

[@caseygrothe3791]

@@dartanya2 he could always put the house up high were the cat can access it, but most predators cannot.

[@williamwilson6499]

The cat will stay close to the entrance. No other animals will get in. If an animal goes in when the cat isn’t there, the cat will know it and not try to get in.

[@privateprivate8366]

@@williamwilson6499 I meant, if the cat were already inside, when another animal wants to enter. Around this time of year, I know raccoons like to den, because I have cat hammocks under my patio chairs and have had raccoons use them, because one was nudging my leg out of the way, to see my cat, which I walk on a harness and leash. I just didn’t realize the raccoon was there, when I sat in the chair.

[@aritah1252]

@@dartanya2pure myth till it actually happens. My neighbor and I take care of the cat colony on our street. Last year, she made one of these box shelter things with one hole and we had the absolute horror of finding one of our cats mauled to death by some type of animal in there. Bloody, disturbing, life changing traumatizing image that I hope nobody ever has to see. Needless to say, I threw her box away and made new ones with two holes and no issues since.

[@MultiTomcat67]

Looks great! 😺 I'd use caulking around around the PVC pipe (duct tape dries out sorta-quick) to hold it so the cat can't knock it loose.

[@minarosered6699]

This is a great idea. It's so cold right now that I leave one of my pets cushioned carrier outside in front of the door's landscape light which gives out some heat. It's completely covered. I see feral cats and I call them but of course they run away.

[@paulamaloney5025]

We have 15 to 20 cats that we feed on our deck. We put out 5 bowls of food each morning and 5 bowls each night: 2 Science Diet and 3 Meow Mix. At dusk each night we put out about a tablespoon of Friskies wet food on saucers and afterwards I toss pieces of chicken breasts to them (about 2 breasts). I call their names as I do this and they all know the names I have given them. I also take roll call because I want to see if any are missing. We change the water each morning and each evening. My problem is that we built a 10X12 building for them but we didn't know how to arrange the interior. With winter starting, we just made a wall of straw bales about 4 ft. into it and put a few feet of loose straw behind them. We haven't installed a door yet either. I know I need to put in several entrances and exits when all is said and done. Because some cats won't let others inside, I made two more cat houses out of the large deck boxes, Styrofoam, and straw with cat doors on each end. I mounted them on wood decks made of old fence panels. I would like to get the interior of the cat house completed but I just don't know the best way to configure it. Any advice????? Oh yeah, they have all been spayed and neutered. Some of them probably belong to others in the neighborhood.

[@machinenvy]

Even though this is one big shelter, cats like little hidey-holes where they can see out but feel safe (probably from other, more aggressive cats). They also like being at various levels of height because the alpha cats like being "king of the mountain". So a series of stair steps and cubbies will keep all (okay MOST) of them happy! Plus the high places may keep the alpha cats from blocking the doors. Good luck with your kitties and much love for you all. *heart*

[@LisaDawnn]

A blanket or some hay would be nice too! I take it it doesn't snow around your part because up here that lovely and thoughtful shelter would get buried after one snowfall (unless you keep it under some overhang). I get touched when humans care about the well being of wild animals. Says a lot about their soul!

[@cutepet99]

Thank you so very much for what you're doing for the kitties!! I'm making one now too!

[@MeepMeep88]

Soooo using silicone to seal the cracks of the pipe and the container be a good idea?

[@camgood2437]

This is such a wonderful thing to do for the cats. Thanks for helping them out 😺.

[@marybethleib8286]

My husband has made similar homes for our feral kitties. He uses caulking around the PVC pipe edge to help seal out moisture and frigid weather.

[@FOXYPEACH2]

But has anyone actually checked the temperature inside one of these DIY houses in the middle of Winter?

[@reneehughes7860]

Very nice idea. I live in FL & it rains a lot. I'm going to make one for my pets in case they're outside & it starts training while I'm gone. Could have cut the entrance hole with just your box cutter.

[@thelordhearsthecryofthepoo1202]

Thank you for tutorial and for caring for the kittys

[@stormssunday8564]

Oh my gosh!!! I was just looking for something for the cats I see around the neighborhood. I don’t see that they have shelter so I’m going to make this for them☺️ thanks

[@LadyBlackJack2012]

In states where snow accumulation is well over 3” to 5” snow or more AND “rain” does not drain well in some areas; these Feral insulated cat boxes would not work well. All cat boxes needs to be mounted up off the ground. NOTE: Cat boxes needs an entrance and an exit hole, so they don’t have to confront predators. ALSO, for some cats who snuggle with other cats to stay warm, larger tubs is a consideration. I have found that these plastic tubs get “brittle” in extreme cold. If you don’t have the same insulation used in this video, remember - Hay stuffing draws and retains moisture and dampness. STRAW stays dry. Thanks for posting your video.

[@bubba8876]

You could eliminate the middle man by using a Styrofoam box inside the plastic box.

[@yoopermary]

Well, of course you'd weight the thing down with something.

[@Petra44YT]

Why not just use a styrofoam box instead of these two plastic boxes?

[@yoopermary]

Styrofoam starts deteriorating pretty quickly when it's exposed to the elements.

[@GALAXIE262]

Also plastic doesn't fall apart when wet. Trying to protects the cats from the elements.

[@szaki]

@@yoopermary Paint it, few coats! Should last longer?

[@BeautifulCrazyy]

One of the best videos ive seen for an outdoor cat house. Thank you so much. ❤

[@justlookin2]

Mine are very similar. Newspaper works good for insulation also. I also fill the inner tub with straw.

[@meemawdiana5102]

I'm going out right now to get that stuff!!! I worried all night about my outdoor cats! TFS!!!

[@gothempress]

Awesome idea! I like this better than using straw. The only thing I'd recommend is putting a blanket or towel or something down on the bottom because they might want to snuggle in. Cats like fleece and terrycloth.

[@-scrim]

Straw is the best. Blankets draw heat away from the cat, and collect moisture.

[@chrinamint]

Yes blankets and t-shirts and such are nice for a cat bed inside the house. Not for an outdoor shelter with weather. Several people have said to use hay and it's pretty well documented that hay is not the thing to use because it will mold. Straw will not. What's up with that one person that said cats plus straw equals death?? I don't know what that's about. Many many many experts weighing in on this have said to use straw because it will keep them warm and it is soft and comfy for them to nestle in and will not hold moisture and end up molding, like hay.

[@KP11520]

Straw makes a good bedding inside. Doesn't absorb water and insulates. So when a wet cat goes inside, the water passes the straw and collects on the bottom (and will evaporate) and the cat floats above on the insulating straw, which is also more comfortable. JB Weld will hold the PVC in place or when cutting the hole, leave flaps that fold out an inch wide every 90 degrees and either HOT GLUE or Duct Tape the flaps to the PVC. Or use PVC Cement after scuffing the contact marry areas with steel wool. It will hold best.

[@naiarerich2926]

Thanks for sharing! All info's I can get are really helpful as I'm taking care of two outdoor cats. Here in our city it's always very cold at night and temp is getting lower these days, I want to at least keep them warm. (We can't take them in because of many reasons, mainly because of my mom.)

[@margaretcavin2231]

This is a genius idea! You should get a patent.

[@audreymark1723]

Cool im gonna make one for my cat and shes gonna be happy! Thanks for the tutorial

[@LC-op3ef]

I love it! Absolutely ingenious!

[@dewandalindsey]

Put a cat door ($5 on eBay) on an old ice chest and you won't have to go to so much trouble. Works great!

[@dianadiehl]

Do make sure the cat shelters are kept out of the sun for a couple of reasons: 1) you don't want the enclosure to turn into an oven; even with insulation, they can get quite hot; and 2) many plastic bins break down in UV light. I've used many types in my outdoor catitat, and some splinter and fracture into sharp shards after a couple of years of exposure (this is in southern California with no freezing weather). The darker, thicker bins seem to hold up better. They may cost a bit more to start, but you'll save in replacement costs--and be kinder to the environment.

[@Reesicup]

This is great. I have made these before. However, the only thing that should be altered on the shelters in this video are to have some sort of angled overhang over the round pvc entry piece. Because the way it is, rain will run off it and drip onto the inner bottom part of the entryway (the part they walk on to get inside). Otherwise though Im so happy that people make these. I get really worried about these cold snowy areas!

[@redbwoytvanimals75]

Great video, easy and inexpensive ways to build a cat shelter, thank you

[@Raccoon_Mama.]

Great video! Currently working with a feral kitty.....thanks!!!!!

[@ysabeauterazawa7273]

I live in a condominium/apartment and something like this cathouse can be placed in my enclosed patio space, where it is warm during the winter months and air-conditioned during summer months.

[@janettavculek9308]

Buying a foam ice chest also works pretty good. Secure the lid and make an opening.

[@sundayscomrad4877]

thats pretty cool, one time i used a box on my front porch and put in one of those orange pillows that hunters use to sit on and it warms up and stays warm as long as ur sitting on it

[@MarksTech]

I dont see how the insulation would be helpful with a ~10 inch hole right in the middle that never closes. id do the same thing but instead just add a 'doggy' door that closes.

[@armpitfuzz]

surely you have a "sheltered" spot ?

[@seheabol]

You can get an old (or new) shower curtain liner and make a door. I would have also caulked around the pvc and angle the pvc downward for rain

[@McDougle625]

Lacks a plastic door flap. Maybe add straw too. Otherwise, pretty nice.

[@anthonyranzie7376]

That's an awesome idea u going to put like any blankets or anything in there

[@weissenacht2636]

Nicely done but There Will Be Water draining from the entrance when raining unless you put the shelter under some cover

[@akhamp1943]

weisse nacht yea like on a screened in porch at least.

[@tyrarathje2680]

Nice idea for place where it stays out of rain, snow, and wind.

[@joeyp9524]

This is great I'm gonna build a few of these for my mama kitty and her kittens who live in my backyard behind my shed

[@Lady_of_Ishpeming]

Very good. A few things I would change: use straw/hay so if a cat should manage to get into the insulation they won't get sick. make 2 entrances angled down add a piece of fabric over the doors to block wind and help hold heat