How To Make Feral & Community Cat Shelters Outdoor Insulated DIY Kitty Houses!

This video shows 2 easy ways to make insulated outdoor kitty shelters & cat houses for feral & community cats! The video was inspired by my Girl Scout Silver Award Take Action Project where I built local cat rescue, Kitty Camp Corp 14 kitty shelters for the feral cats they help take care of!! I made this video to document how to make the houses in hopes others will make the shelters for feral or stray cats in need in their community!!

[@ghostgal2020]

We were looking for an outdoor feral shelter instructional video and yours was by far the best! Yours was the easiest one to follow, and your description on how to do everything and what was needed were spot on. Now the little feral that comes to our backyard is enjoying sleeping in her brand new, warm and cozy container. All thanks to you - so THANK YOU Sophia!!

[@sofiadasacco]

Aww thank you so much!

[@carolferguson5879]

Sofia, you are an extraordinary young woman! Not only is your concept brilliant, but your presentation skills are quite impressive. You've done an excellent job, and your parents are to be commended, too!

[@debiallen4053]

Just wonderful! Thank you for helping our feral fur babies. Such a good thing to do. Bless your kind heart. I have a feral cat living in my shed for years now. I have made him a cozy box but was looking for a better, safer, warmer way to make one. I'll be using your plan. Thank you so much for the video who help others like me to help the feral cats. And also thank you for being the kind, sweet girl you are. Our world needs more like you. God bless you! Got a giggle from me when your indoor kitty ran across the room into the shades. I have a few of those spunky little guys myself. Lol

[@sofiadasacco]

Thank you so much

[@betsygarcia4346]

Thank you for being such a compassionate young lady! You are a true champion for the unfortunate cats who don't have homes. Your video is very helpful as I am attempting to build shelter for the outside cats in my area this winter. Thank you!

[@ΦΡΑΝΣΟΥΑΖΠΑΝΑΓΙΩΤΙΔΟΥ]

So happy to see such a young girl like you involved into compassion for stray animals!!! Good ideas you have, thank you! God bless you abundantly!! ♥️♥️♥️

[@marcdraco2189]

Excellent work Ms. Da Sacco. I wish there were more young people out there like you.

[@shineisland7447]

This child is a treasure. Little lady, you are a lovely human being. Parents, Great job parenting! Our world is better for having her in it! Great idea, great presentation! I loved when the cats came in and one got in the blinds. I laughed with you. 😂. Really brought me joy this evening. GREAT JOB GOD! What a WONDERFUL Life this is. 🎉

[@FLAVCO]

Great video. Very well put together. My mother and I made one for a cat who has been hanging around out back garden for quite a while. We made the shelter following your video so we say a huge thanks from London. You’re an inspiration 😀

[@CarmenGonzalez-jf9xj]

My husband just made 2 of these for a few cats that are outside. They love it. Great idea. Thank you.

[@whowawoo]

Add baking soda to the straw, it kills microscopic bugs

[@pietrods4819]

Great work Sofia! Such a professional and clear instruction guide start to finish!

[@wadesorchids7219]

Every house that you make or that is made with your guidance will help a cat live a better life. There really isn’t a better reward than that.

[@denisewhite8025]

You did such a good job!! I am going to Home Depot to get supplies. Thank you 😊

[@stefanherns4541]

My Grandkids Love your video & we went to Walmart to buy the supplies you recommended & they followed your instructions. Your video is easy & user friendly. Thank You for posting my Grandkids Love it!!

[@smurfbabe718]

I am so happy I found your video, my family and I have been trying to DIY cat shelters but they weren't working out as best as they could be. Thanks to your video, we're going to get started on copying your awesome shelters and will have them set up for our backyard ferals. It's great to see young people step away from their devices and step up to care for others. Thanks a million!

[@RoiratNews]

Thanks for this instructional video. We have done something similar for years but you have kicked the concept up a bunch of notches! Good Job! Also we sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth inside our cat houses, It is death to insects including fleas & ticks but it is perfectly safe for the cats. You can encourage the cats to roll in the Diatomaceous Earth powder by sprinkling some Cat Nip in the house too.

[@crystalrobinette9248]

Thanks Sophia! I’m so happy I came across your video! I have several outdoor kitties I take care of that stay on the porch but still need a warm cozy little spot and I think this will be perfect! Thanks again for your help! 💯💯

[@FreakquencyModulator]

GREAT JOB SOFIA!! Love Love Love Your Video & Take Action Project!! You are an Inspiration!! Thank You so much for Helping Cats in Need & Making the World a Better Place!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@nicolekirkpatrick7125]

Thank you for educating fellow cat 💏 lovers humanity exists because of you

[@johnvaldes8725]

You are awesome! I was like you since very young. Now very old I am still caring for feral cats. I feel it was my mission in life. God bless you young lady! Keep on loving animals!

[@jondoe8889]

Remember - tubs like these are not UV resistant. It may take a few years, but the plastic will eventually harden and crack. So it is best to keep it in the shade, or cover it from the sun.

[@xiaodingjones1554]

Or paint it!

[@rootsnshoots1970]

WONDERFUL!!! the best method I have watched. I will use your method for my rabbits. They have a good life and this will make it extra cozy! Keep up your good work with ferrel cats!!!! Spay and Neuter

[@kathythomas6156]

I'm going to insulate my existing cat house using your excellent instructions. Very well-done Silver project that I'm planning to share with my troop. I will be watching to see what you do for Gold!

[@lyndahamme3572]

Thank you for helping out homeless outdoor kitties.

[@sofiadasacco]

Thank you guys all so much for your supportive comments!!

[@ginal.f.3462]

Maybe put a heavy guage plastic over the door, keeping the top side of it secured and the bottom loose so the cats can get in and out without letting cold air blow in on them during winter

[@creekriseoutdoors]

We are rescuing three feral cats for my new farm and this is a great idea. Super job on the idea, the execution and information about feral cats. You are making a positive difference, keep it up!

[@Drewdey]

Also if your worried about predators make a second entrance to give them a chance to escape.

[@christiansaravia7865]

Thank you for this we have so many strays in my area!!!! It’s so cold outside and I feel so bad

[@d.d.ucheabba5461]

Such a joy to see a young person showing what a first class citizen should be.

[@blackdog850]

Nice to see your kitty helper in the video too! Well done and thanks for sharing!

[@luiekong4455]

I live in a trailer park and we a loaded with cats I have 4 before we moved there we can take them all in but we see them suffer this winter this cat hack gave me ideas thank you so much for this idea for next winter ❄️ thank you girly

[@shellyrae777]

Extremely helpful video! I’ve watched tons of different videos and your cat houses are actually doable for everyone and your examples and descriptions are awesome. Thank you

[@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws]

This was wonderful and kind, thanks for caring! As for the two door theory, there's a little building thing outside of my apartment for covering a bit of equipment the roofing people left behind, it's about the size of the big cat box here, both the feral cats I feed sleep in it for hours at a time, as do the normal visiting cats around here, it's not very warm but it keeps the rain off, they obviously didn't get the "2 door rule" memo, and honestly wouldn't care if they did. Cats will shelter from adverse weather and don't usually check the number of doors as the rain is falling. There's too much negativity on KZbin and this probably puts people off making simple shelters so the people saying these things are not helping cats in any way. If you can make a safe insulated cat box, then do it, the cats will appreciate it! They don't care what negative people say.🤪

[@SmokyMountainBlessed]

great job on making and donating stray cat houses for winter

[@ginal.f.3462]

Wonderful idea❤. I wish they made these totes big enough for big dogs to sleep in. So many strays and homeless dogs runs the streets here in Houston

[@deborahmcginnis8307]

Thank you so much for your kindness and compassion for these poor little lives. God bless you!

[@DikiBurns52]

Great job demonstrating and explaining! I can't wait to make a couple for my outside feral kitties! Thank you!!

[@sophiesmith5922]

WOW! I wish this was like 5 years ago! We had a LOT of ferals, but in an urban setting, they dont last this long. I have one left outside, and one grand-kitten of the original pair, with me...not too feral. But we used containers with bedding. I WISH I thought of using the reflectives. I have a whole roll!

[@lirolo8343]

You are doing the lords work 😤 keep it up sister

[@janetlauer6168]

I really love this Sofia! I take care of feral cats too. May I ask you where you got that insulation? I need to add that to my shelters. Thank you so much!

[@sofiadasacco]

Thank you so much, and that is cool that you do that! You can get the insulation from this link, www.walmart.com/ip/50sqft-Reflective-Foam-Core-Insulation-RADIANT-BARRIER-24-X-25ft-roll/868774656

[@loriweikel9551]

Awesome job Sofia 👍👍 We have quite a few feral cats that we give food & shelter to & need some more house's, this will be perfect & affordable! Keep up the good work! Thank you 🤗🤗

[@sgsluder]

What a great video very informative! Thank you so much for sharing your information and teaching us how to make these boxes. Please continue your great work with the Girl Scouts and everything that you are doing for the homeless cats. I have subscribed to your channel and I can't wait to watch and see all that you do. Again, it was a great video, 👍 good job & thanks so much!

[@cara.d1982]

Lovely video..thank you....I have 3 cats that live indoors and I was just going to check amazon for beds....I found your video first whooot so happy...im going to make them just like you did except for the straw..they will be warm enough inside ....high 5 to you thanks for this wonderful demonstration....and fabulous 💡 idea

[@mamawren2795]

This is such a great video!! Thank you, I’m going to make this for the stray cat who lives in my area!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@juliejessicalichter5158]

Thank you for your wonderful,thoughtful and compassionate heart for strays in need of a warm, cozy and safe shelter from the elements! Lots of people think that animals don't get cold or desire a safe and cozy place to sleep peacefully but ALLL animals want and need shelter from the elements. I have to make some of your cat houses now for the strays that I have been feeding, they are sleeping in my old boat and I tried to cover it the best I could but its not enough I think.Your idea is much better and I know the cats will be safe and warm!!! So I will be making some in the next couple of days. Thank you again for your caring and generous heart towards innocent helpless precious strays who need someone to care about them too ❤, GOD BLESS YOU SWEETHEART!!!

[@oilsaromatherapywithscotta6149]

Great job, Sofia! God bless you!

[@MIGHTYRIVERS19]

YOU ARE SUCH A NICE GIRL , CARING AND LOVING TOWARDS THE STRAY CATS , LOTS OF LOVE ..

[@tshaffer9681]

God Bless you and yours. I hope you become a veterinarian. I truly believe that you would make an excellent vet.

[@CHASA]

I want to do this for the stray cats around my neighborhood. Especially because it’s going to snow this weekend in my area. But idk if they would use it 💀

[@lisameyer1373]

Thank you for helping the cats!

[@Senerian]

I have a colony of 14 that I take care of, Thank you so much for showing this. I need an extra house, I have two heated, covered shelters for them, but all do not have room anymore. Kittens grew up. So I need another one. This is what I plan on doing.

[@erictomme8797]

This is a great idea and is practical for all skill levels. I feed a couple of feral cats every day and I tried an electric cat house with a warming pad last winter and they wouldn't go in it. I think this will be more accommodating. Thank you for your video and for helping the kitties in your community and sharing this with others so we can do the same!

[@sofiadasacco]

Thank you 💖

[@phyllisscott2282]

Thank you. I have been feeding a stray cat. Beautiful black fur and emerald green eyes. I was taken aback by its eyes! Gorgeous! It's getting cold outside and I have wondering what to do! Thank you. I will make this shelter tomorrow!

[@sandrarush4214]

Thank you for taking care of our neighborhood fur babies ❤

[@C_AVATAR]

Thank you for caring for the cats. God bless!

[@dianebosleytaylor9451]

Excellent idea Simple solution to a difficult problem. Thankyousomuch You are an angel to kitties. Ppprrrrrrrr 😻

[@tammysaur7891]

That is awesome that you use a blow dryer to cut the hole Thank you You did Great

[@habibijan]

Wonderful work you're doing. 👍🏽

[@ntvgypsylady7305]

Thank you for your video!!! I watched several other vids and yours was the best! You did such a good job explaining what we need and how to do it! Thank you Sophia!!! 😊

[@tommorton647]

Very very smart young lady there! Thank you I will use your design for my outdoor kitties

[@HighOnTheSound]

You rock! 🤘🤘 Thank you for spreading awareness and helping our little furry friends!! I have several of these shelters around my own home :)

[@ravenshoemedia4842]

This was a good presentation, Sofia, but please remember to put in a second (exit) door in your shelters. Most people working with feral cats know that a cat ALWAYS NEEDS AN ESCAPE HATCH TO ESCAPE FROM PREDATORS.

[@sofiadasacco]

Thanks, and yes it can be a beneficial thing to add another exit door for the cats to escape from, but I think it isn’t always necessary when making the houses. So, you can add one or two exits, depending on what you think would be better for the cats.

[@wheatp9848]

It also makes it colder for the cats if you add another opening

[@36janders]

Completely unnecessary. A second opening would create a wind tunnel draft in the winter and destroys the point of the shelter. There are plenty of resources out there that advise against that and point out that it’s a common misconception that it’s needed.

[@helenhostetter59]

Wrong! Most people that rescue cats full time know that cats keep their heads right by the hole so they can easily jump out. They are very alert with very good hearing. 2 holes create a huge draft defeating the entire purpose of the shelter. 🙄

[@RR-ss7dn]

@@36jandersexcellent response

[@Tj-dd9ws]

Great job Sophia , I love how easy your video is Thank you so much !, 💜

[@MariaTorres-hc5uq]

Great job! How is the adorable 4 legged furry "assistant" doing? Happy New Year to all, cat included, from Lisbon Portugal.

[@jeanniebosch3628]

So simple! I thought it would be harder for some reason 😕 🤔. Great video, and thank you for the opportunity to help the cats in my neighborhood.

[@anymori9640]

Thank you so much for making this video, I had been struggling for days with how to make a good outside cat shelter , but now I know I can do it. Thank so much.

[@erod97]

Very clever! Thanks for the tutorial 💛

[@apostlelshelly9900]

You did an awesome job💖 John 14:6

[@tinacreekmore6959]

Love your video. Just a tip. People put out trash in plastic containers. FREE on the side of the road. Can still make a shelter from rain and cold for animals. People that don't have money that love animals can make a shelter for them.

[@Henrik.Sirkku]

cats have good hearing and pretty good at escaping predators, 2 doors made it cold if they dont have flaps, i bet cat is super lucky to find that kind of house

[@JAYJAYJAY53]

Nice job .I have taken care of cats but never thought of double boxing. Great idea .

[@iyeshaindigo]

Thank you very helpful and informative. You are a blessing. 🦋 🙏 🦋

[@jacqueadams3987]

Thanks for the information on how to help the kitties. Where I live there are quite a few stray kitties running around. I have a couple of sheds they can get into for safety but they still need a warm place to sleep.

[@feluxjohn3236]

Sofia you're a sweetheart and your idea is fantastic, I build as many cat houses as I can. Thank you. 😊

[@donnaflorian554]

Great video! I learned an easy way to cut plastic. Thanks for the hairdryer hack.

[@EdurtreG]

👍! Tank you. I use hay because of its sublime insulating properties.

[@sofiadasacco]

Your welcome, and I would recommend to use straw, because straw doesn’t mold and get all soggy. It is a better choice of insulation for the houses. :)

[@cricket8438]

Wonderful , Thank you so much!!!😊😊

[@othoapproto9603]

Sofia, great job, looking forward to future designs.

[@maryannmcrae5392]

God bless you Thank You for CARING

[@debbiefriend5593]

Thank you for the great video. This was very helpful to me.

[@sparksstartsfires_]

What a fabulous ideal Sofia thanks so much! 🤍🤍🤍✨

[@carolsloanes4938]

Excellent presentation very informative tks.

[@suzieford6173]

Thanks for your helpful video. I'm making a couple tomorrow for two little kitties I couldn't get to the shelter.

[@raymondcharron3009]

Excellent. I have kitties inside as well, so I will be making several.

[@yelenaherst3072]

Perfect ! I am going to make a bunch !!!! Thank you dear.

[@xyz321ize]

SMART and KIND young lady!!!

[@gloriakummer5357]

Why not save up the circles, and line the bottom of some of them with two layers of foam.

[@marsukarhu9477]

Great work with the video, and the cats of course !🐱🐈🐈‍⬛

[@RR-ss7dn]

Great job 👏 and thank you for what you’re doing for the ferals

[@40Marise]

Fantastic and thank you for sharing. From New Zealand

[@debbiebonitz9041]

I have several strays in my neighborhood that I feed but winter is coming here in ND and I really liked you're video. Now I need to find a TNR group somewhere near me. Thank you!

[@anabomback837]

She is really good, thank you making this video.

[@mikedtw]

Gotta say I love how your cat kept photobombing this video :-) Glad you shared this!

[@shayinla1942]

Great job! These would be nice to put out in area where there are lots of strays

[@kittygatotv3885]

I love this girl. 😀

[@darlamerrill8052]

Not everyone puts in a second exit door. Its fine u did that perfect😊

[@chriskatz1152]

As a home builder I say good job. Plastic totes, stackable and clean overhead for them without being pee peed on!

[@Jen-pz9rq]

This is great, thanks for taking the time.

[@millcitymercantile]

One of the most informative video I have ever watched on KZbin. Thank you for your caring heart Sofia.

[@dawn8542]

I'm looking for something without tools. Thank you!