Preparing Feral Cat Houses for Winter

[@monlcaagruhot1117]

This man is blessed for helping Gods little creatures.

[@paulagwhyte1720]

He's not blessed and they are not god's creatures. He's a good man, being good because he's good. And I thank HIM not a fake god. What a wonderful thing for him to do and to share!! I love cats and all animals. This is wonderful. Thank you, sir!

[@freewaybaby]

@@paulagwhyte1720 Your opinion was uncalled for and negative! You could have just told the man that he’s good for doing what he does, but the spirit in YOU bristles at the truth you do not understand and just HAS to spew!

[@paulagwhyte1720]

@@freewaybaby Giving credit to a god is uncalled for and negative. Don't attack me for giving you the truth that you can't grow up and handle. Stop being a cry-baby. For heaven's sake, learn how to take someone else's learning and wisdom without your head exploding in rage. Good thing the witch burnings, Crusades and Inquisition are over, right Marcy? Or I'd be a goner. Good thing we have a RIGHT to say what we know in these times and Christians FOR ONCE, don't get to bully. Why don't you SHUT-UP for once? I did tell the man he was wonderful for what he did and THEN I said it wasn't any god who made him do it. I said it again, now off with you and scream and and kick on the floor because I dared!!

[@paulagwhyte1720]

@@kayleyblackwell1622 There was no distaste on my side as far as Marcy as a person or a Christian. I have Christian friend and family (yadda, yadda, I know how it sounds). lol but I do and I love them. What I find distasteful is when a Christian cannot thank anyone without giving the credit to someone else, i.e their particular god. There are many of us who don't have gods and realize that they are not real and that the bible is just one of many myth stories from long ago that is clung to. I don't believe in it. And I don't have to and I can speak the truth about it and shouldn't be attacked as though I'm being hateful for doing so. It's not hate. Speaking the truth isn't hate and shouldn't be seen as such. Thank you for trying to be kind. I appreciate it. It's always better to have a nice conversation! I get a lot of angry backlash. I don't mind at all, I'm quite used to it. I think the anger is fear.

[@Lot_2023]

@@paulagwhyte1720 OK, that's it. YOU, Paula, are going to lose the power to type with your fingers, by the power of the Holy Ghost; these words are sanctified by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, A-men.

[@biglorcho]

You Sir are a true hero, for the cats and for me! Congratulations!

[@SuperHanne84]

+José Caneda My words exactly! :-)

[@kimsuncha]

u are very warm and gentle purrrrrrrrrson

[@FIVERCats]

Thank you!

[@sunsand7062]

you are a real man, the type of man that protects and not destroy. Your wife is very lucky to have you

[@christinebaker7543]

I am so impressed with how much effort people give to ferral cats. It is beautiful. I have just started helping my neighborhood ferral cats. Learned a lot.

[@paulagwhyte1720]

I have caught and rescued about 15-20 cats in my town and paid to get so many spayed and neutered and then if some want to stay with me, even though I've paid to fix them, neighbours will still complain if a cat simply walks on their lawn. People have lost their damned minds when it comes to animals. Thank you, sir.

[@oilsaromatherapywithscotta6149]

How wonderful! Thank you for being an angel of mercy for the abandoned cats.

[@hbunnie]

Sure is 💚

[@mickeemickee3713]

That was so very thoughtful of you. For the cats and your wife. You are truly a good man. I'm glad that my husband isn't the only one out there like that. Cheers to you. Keep up the good work.

[@donnadoram4259]

Thanks Wheeler, I have started making several houses from the plastic containers although I have a gentleman who has done work on my house who's going to help me build some like yours but knowing him I probably won't get them until next season. LOL!! I love my ferals, I wish I could coerce them to come inside for the winter. I feed them twice a day for 6 years and they still run until I go inside. Only one lets me pet him.

[@FIVERCats]

We would love to see photos when they are done! Good luck!

[@nombredetango]

It is very sweet to see men taking so much care of feral cats. Than you❤

[@JenniferRowanPsychicMedium]

Thank you for building the houses for the ferals. It is nice so many people are helping them. I have someone that built me a rubbermaid bin for the cats. So far they haven't used it yet but am hoping they will this year. One thing was helpful was not only having the straw in the house but also they got insulation board and put it around the sides and under the top of the bin to keep the space warm. If you haven't used insulation board, it will really help to keep the kitties warm. Wish I could make a house like the one you built, it is awesome. Thank you for helping the kitties; you are an angel on Earth!

[@SeattleGuy1968]

You are awesome for taking care of feral cats. Thanks for being a way above average human being!

[@Mr91495osh]

We adopted a feral baby cat and named her Annie. When it got cold (not that cold, we lived in Key Largo) or stormy, she would sleep in our boat’s cabin. We took care of her for 15 years but couldn’t touch her. We moved to Gainesville and she couldn’t tolerate the change so our neighbor adopted her from us. Annie is 18 in human years, and still healthy and happy.

[@KaltrinaDemiri]

I am doing the TNR method with cats am trapping in my town. There is around 20+ cats. So far, I trapped 7 cats (5 females and 2 males) and let them go back to where they are living. Its so sad to see that many cats without a home. Next, am going to try some how to build them a shelter. They are currently sleeping in a storage building.

[@FIVERCats]

Great work ***** We need more people like you! Thanks so much for caring for these cats!

[@KaltrinaDemiri]

FIVER Cats I try to do as much as I can. Thank you!

[@sunsand7062]

***** Kaltrina spay them!

[@76CooperGirl]

+Sun Sand TNR stands for Trap, Neuter, Return. :)

[@KaltrinaDemiri]

Thanks :)

[@deartexpression7933]

Wow!🥺💖👏🥰😍 So glad you exist sir. BLESS YOU🥰😍

[@michellemarch-collier6320]

Thanks for the plans. Gotta make enough shelters for 20 cats. It is the weekend and I'm a carpenter's daughter. ( thanks for letting me be your shadow dad. John March Rest in peace)

[@lanhuynh99]

I love your jobs sir , thanks for sharing , I hope more people love feral cats , because they are very poor things , they need love from Human , I hope more people can adopt them.

[@0084Sky]

Lan Huynh , Totally Agree.

[@IVCAbillmarino]

Awesome shelter , I just finished building this shelter . The plans were so easy !! I got a little fancy , I did wrap the entire structure with roofing paper then green outdoor carpeting. It looks awesome, Now I'm working on getting Buddy into it .

[@qonitabadegestm]

+William Marino Show us your pictures please at Inspire facebook.com/RRRAnimalSanctuary?fref=ts

[@Mihhai25]

Did he go in? I want to build it myself but im afraid he will not use it, he might have a better spot in the neighborhood.

[@alliepaul6652]

@@Mihhai25 I did a few TNR's while living in MO, they will go in the shelter, trust me.......if you have a food/water station there, and then the shelter.......I always fed them at the same time, and removed the food dishes before bedtime, usually around 9:30 or so the food would already be gone......that way, your not attracting other animals like racoons and such....I left a heated water dish out for the winter......

[@Rivergull]

William Marino Only downside might be that the carpet holds a lot of dampness from rain and will therefore freeze? making the shelter more like a fridge?

[@Anonymous-im9ob]

William Marino can an electric heat pad safely be added inside?. I also want to line it with reflective insulation foam

[@mjolnirplissken7032]

i love a good design and yours is excellent. Its like a little Caribbean Bungalow in middle of the New Jersey suburbs. I dont get snow here but I like the height for sanitary, insulative and pest reasons. THe porch earns this little honeymoon sweet the + in A+

[@FIVERCats]

Thank you!

[@trashlifeguru7256]

Thanks for caring about the ferals, your wife is lucky!

[@kathleenames-brooker4196]

My husband built me four cat houses for stray/feral cats at my house also, but they aren't on legs as I keep them on my covered porch and in my breezeway. He even insulated them with Styrofoam as we live in the Northeast where it gets cold and snowy and yes I do put straw inside them! We did not put two doors in, but that is a good idea!

[@tinjmail]

Agree. It never ceases to amaze me how people can blame the feral cat problem on the cats when it is the humans who create this problem in the first place. If everyone spay/neuter their pets, we wouldn't have so many unwanted cats at all. Unfortunately, there is no law to punish irresponsible owners to make them accountable otherwise we wouldn't continue to have idiots writing ignorant comments blaming on the cats for the feral problems.

[@pinecreekkennels]

I really like what youve made,Great idea..We also have cats and my husband made a large wooden box with 6 compartment to it,the only differance it doesnt have legs and it sits on our front porch to stay out of the rain/snow,it is so large and heavy,the top does come up like yours..Plus it is insolated with R19 and has a electric heating blanket under another blanket and all the straw..Last year the cats loved it ....and seem to be using it alot this year so far.

[@sandrapetty2609]

10 years ago this video was made. So much has happened in our world since then.

[@Angela-wv4yw]

God bless you for creating this genius idea!

[@whousay4672]

Great to know people out there care!

[@DemonicBassHead]

I was literally about to comment the same thing :)

[@dhgray523]

What a caring thing to do. I thank you on behalf of the cats! The fact that you spayed and neutered shows how much you care; how very responsible of you. If everyone would spay/neuter the problem would soon be eliminated and end so much of the suffering in the cat population. I adopted a feral colony several years, spayed & neutered each one. Little by little I tamed them all and they now live in harmony. I have no husband, no one to help with a project such as this.

[@bethanyhunt2704]

You are just the loveliest people! Thank you for taking such good care of the cats! I wish there were more people like you in the world. 10,000 good karma points earned ;)

[@CuteAsAButton555]

Thank you for helping these poor animals! You guys have the hearts of gold!

[@selfreliantintuitivetarota9799]

Fantastic video! Great, great houses, so important to spay/neuter and electric water bowl is great! Thank you for helping ferals!

[@micpar2]

Thank you and your wife for doing this. I've been rescuing lost, dumped and feral cats for decades. I hope to finally have a new friend. Help me build a few of these with insulated walls. I live in Wisc so it can get pretty brutal here. Temps, strong winds and freezing rain and of course drifting heavy wet snows too. I've been using two different dog houses with padded walls and old but like new really fluffy this blankets. That I was every few months. Or throw away and replace.

[@sandycan1]

I very much enjoyed your video ! My husband and I are making one this year to see if there is a need for it! Just in case ! We live in the country. I asked our local hardware store in town if they would put up a posting about building these shelters so that people can be aware of how they can help and she said yes ! Every bit helps for sure! Thank you again for your video !😊

[@AraCod]

sandra dube PEACE AND BLESSINGS to you

[@FIVERCats]

rubber roofing with an adhesive back makes a great material for waterproofing a cat house. rolls of rubber roofing can be purchased at your local lumber yard. this material can also be used on the sides of your cat house to protect the walls from inclement weather. when constructing the roof, make sure there is an overhang to shield the walls from falling rain. also make sure the cat houses are raised to insure that water isn't seeping in from the bottom. good luck!

[@jc4canada]

Bless you. You are kind and nice people. Ignore those negative comments and people. Unfortunately they have to exist and make the population diversified.

[@stacypolk3580]

FIVER CATS: Great video.....love the houses. One thing you could add is a "Snugglesafe" in each house. You can buy them on Amazon and are very affordable (cheap actually). They are a hard plastic disc that you put in the microwave for five minutes. It heats up the element inside and stays warm for 8-12 hours. You could put that under the hay to also help warm the beds. It's not a fire hazard since the outer coating is such a hard, thick plastic. They even come with a little cover.

[@sleepinglioness5754]

Stacy: Thanks so much for that suggestion. Are they hot to the touch? I'm thinking if I can't get it under all the straw or he digs down into the straw, will it burn the kitty? Also, I posted this question but maybe you might know. Is there some way of recycling the straw or do you know of the best way to dispose of end of season straw? My two houses are still pretty good, not very smelly. Thanks

[@maggiesmith856]

@@sleepinglioness5754 I think composting the old straw is the best way to go.

[@WhiteArmor94]

nice. I'm making one for my little furry friend outside now that it's getting cold and a little rainy. he's gonna love it. thanks for the ideas!!!

[@FIVERCats]

We'd love to see photos of the finished house when you're done! Thanks for thinking of the cats!

[@a.b.d.3974]

Your a very kind person. Thank you for taking good care of the kitty's. 💙

[@donnacarlson8117]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I am getting ready to prepare winter shelter for several feral cats who hang around my house but I don't know the first thing about doing so. Your video was easy to understand. Thank you again!

[@FIVERCats]

Thanks Donna! We'd love to see pictures of your shelters when they're ready!

[@1971SuperLead]

Nice! I just inherited 8 feral cats last week. I appreciate the tips on not using carpet, and to use straw instead.

[@cherylperkins7538]

Wow. Most men don't have such kind hearts. Bless you.

[@kimlast66]

God Bless you. Awesome Awesome work Beautiful cat houses Thank you for your hard work, time,and love for those Amazing fur babies.. Many Blessings to all

[@FIVERCats]

Thank you very much!

[@ashm5993]

Two wonderful, caring people. Wonderful husband to spend his time doing this task for his wife. May GOD bless you both.

[@SuperHanne84]

You are a superstar! This is amazing! My dad spreads a bit of flee powder under the bedding where he knows the feral cats sleep. Maybe putting some underneath the straw would be a good idea here?

[@alliepaul6652]

high quality d. earth works well for fleas and ticks.....powdery and can be sprinkled in the straw...

[@dutchgirl7947]

@@alliepaul6652Good stuff! I bought a 40 lb bag of diatomaceous earth food grade (safer) off Amazon for only $40 bucks and lasted for 2 yrs. I sprinkled it in my yard for flea control and saved a huge Japanese Maple tree from ants. This powder is pretty new to me but glad I discovered it thru a friend!

[@SuperWindy21]

Thank you for sharing. We just rescued a feral/spayed and vaccinated. My husband and I will be building one soon!

[@careymarcontell4242]

Amaaaaaaaaazzzzzzzing love this!!!!!!!!!!

[@FIVERCats]

Hi Tim! The biggest thing that helps keep other animals away is to be sure the feeding area is well maintained. Feeding at specific times, then cleaning it up when the cats are done is helpful for keeping other critters away.

[@OFWTAGABOHOL]

Nice environment of your cats more blessings

[@loriharding9248]

GOD Bless you and your wife for having kind hearts

[@kerrigrandmaison7844]

Awesome

[@marybrantley2160]

You are fabulous !! Thank you so very much for your kindness!! You are a hero to those of us that care!!

[@jajones-ford2226]

Thank you for your wonderful work helping feral cats

[@doreentaylor1956]

It warms my heart to see people like you, with not only the love, but the knowledge to help these beautiful animals. Thanks so much for sharing! I have started a feral cat rescue in my backyard and this information is very helpful. God Bless You

[@hbunnie]

So nice to hear 💚

[@karenbuchanan2340]

This is wonderful I used to live in New Jersey...that's so sweet that you're taking care of them especially spaying and neutering them too.. God bless you and your wife!

[@johnepperson8867]

It's great that you place them in the trees as the homes are more stable in case of winter winds.

[@sandycan1]

A posting of how to build shelters and she said yes. Every bit helps. Thank you again for your video! 😊

[@beerbelly133]

I line my cathouses with styrofoam sheets to insulate them. And mine is on our deck so I can plug in heating kennel pads for them. These things are great! I have purchased at least 6 of them and they are plugged in all winter and I've never had one fail yet.

[@Jack_Callcott_AU]

Thank you for your work in keeping the feral cats warm in the cold New Jersey night.

[@fauxmanchu8094]

😻😻😻😻😻😽😽😽😽😽. Thank you for looking after the kitties. You are wonderful! You make the world a better place.

[@georgegraham9041]

Looks great and good tips! I have built 3 for some feral cats outside, that I have fed since 2011. I like to wrap mine in plastic too, to make them even warmer in the winter.

[@doves1pellegrino199]

Thank you for doing that. People don't realize how cold it can get outside. He's a great guy for doing so. Everyone should be so kind Bless you sir and all the kitty's u have saved. 💕❤👍

[@Anonymous-im9ob]

doves1 Pelligreano right! People don’t realize how cold the winters can be. Im laughing at these shelters I’m seeing because the kitty would freeze in some of these garbage “shelters.” I’m in Chicago, I need this heavy duty all weather design!! I’m going to build this shelter...but I’m going to beef it up with a few modifications to insulate better and add a heating element. Also, not sure how waterproof plywood is...? Could pit shingles all around!

[@alexispags]

Connie, if you get the cats used to eating at a specific time each day, they are usually there waiting for you. You can put the food down and remove it within half an hour. This ensures that there's no leftover food that will attract other wildlife. Raccoons are particularly dangerous to kittens, so when possibly, be careful to remove excess food as soon as possible after the cats are done eating. Good luck!

[@jmgabriel99]

You are a very kind heart'ed person. May God bless you.

[@slimyweasles4973]

You are such a wonderful person. Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to make such great cat shelters, and for taking care of the feral cats. You just made my day. I hope that if anything ever happened to my cats, that there'd be someone like you to help them.

[@ERAMAY1]

Thank you for your kindness.

[@siameseire]

Thank you for caring for them. These are incredible.

[@boobooe3061]

This is really nice what you guys do for feral or stray cats.

[@TangoCat303]

How incredibly kind of you. Thanks for being so wonderful to the cats, and thank you for making my morning!

[@FIVERCats]

Hi Tori! We have some other wildlife around, but I haven't seen anyone other than the occasional squirrel venture into the houses. Having them a bit off the ground helps for skunks. Only putting out what food will get eaten by the cats and cleaning up bowls and leftover food when they are done helps keep other critters away.

[@mgc3500]

Watching this in 2024… thanks a lot! I can only imagine how great these are in a New Jersey cold night.

[@klcheetah]

Thank you for helping them :)

[@judyhobday4760]

thank you so much for what you have done for the ferals. they lead lives that are always on the edge and people such as you are hero's.

[@casperwallace9685]

You have a good heart.........wish there was more of you guys around.

[@theeternalcheerleader7154]

Thank you so much I want to help the cats I see around and I have some pallets that I plan on using! Now I have a great Idea on how to make the winter house! Again thank you so much for your sharing and caring!

[@LizziesKindaBeast]

That's really cool dude. I live in Cali so I won't make mine so high off the ground. Just high enough to keep the rain out. Thanks for the video :)

[@Glaucidium810]

One of the reasons to put it up high is to protect the cat from predators (raccoons, snakes etc). .

[@janeentrujillo2833]

Fiver cat you are AWESOME. DEFINITELY A GOD SEND TO FERRILL CATS. THERES A SPECIAL PLACE IN HEAVEN FOR YOU. MUCH LOVE AND GOD BLESS YOU

[@Getlofi]

Wow, finally a proper cat house with good common sense tips.

[@stefanherns4541]

Thank You for this video, I learned something new, Thank You for caring about the cats!

[@suzain19]

You are doing a great job by providing food and shelter to the poor feral cats. Otherwise it's unimaginable living in a potentially dangerous world without food or shelter. And some people can be really cruel to animals. I guess, the cat houses that you've built are the coziest and the most welcoming for any homeless cat, especially in winter. Thanks !

[@hw.nelling6776]

The neighbour's cat always comes to our yard, she eats here, sleeps here, sometimes overnight. We would build up a small house for her for winter. Your video is very helpful. Thank you very much. And you are a good person!

[@FIVERCats]

Thank you - and thank you for caring about your neighborhood cat!

[@horseygurl143]

You built this for your wife? You deserve the Husband of the Year Award! What a cool dude. What a smart wife. What lucky ferals! You guys are my idol. My ferals needed for me to see this. Thanks!!!

[@mjgerges]

These are beautiful feral cat houses. I've been watching this same video for the past 5 years.

[@FIVERCats]

Glad you like them!

[@GODSpet]

Thank you very much for what you do and you a have happy family

[@meanowner]

You are a great man! More people need to take care of ferals.

[@kitten375]

I love this. Thank you and your wife for doing this.

[@rayarena879]

I agree. He really thought this out so well! Great to see that there are good people out there willing to help homeless animals.

[@johnzee691]

the best video for feral cat houses. the tips, above ground 1.5 feet (or...), front and rear entrance/ exit, hinged sloped roof for access. 3 great points, I would have thought of only one of them... but I haven't lived in a snow environment for long. the hay thing I've heard of and that is important. thanks

[@artclasscrush]

how thoughtful...love this idea.. god bless you for your kindness to animals

[@aditabah27]

you are very gentle persons... i hope happiness and healthy always with you.. god bless you...

[@fezziwig99]

This is wonderful. You are so smart to do this. I wish more people would, also, and be more considerate of them. Humans are sometimes so arrogant, and think they're the only species that has a right to live. If they're spayed and neutered, they are definitely an asset to a property, if large enough to provide their needs. They live peacefully among us.

[@nancypreheim3918]

What an awesome hubby! Thank you and your wife. 😻

[@myturkishangoracatmeonkitty]

This is a great idea. I need a shelter for my cat. She moved over here from next door after last winter was over with. Chantilly/Tiffany. Doesn't have an undercoat. Worried sick about her for this winter coming. Made a temporary shelter on my porch out of a box (front entrance, bed and escape route) until I can get to a Petco. It worked fine until a baby Copperhead showed up. I really like this cat. Her being there kept my nephew from getting bit. That means the world to me. She was actually smacking the snake around. Gotta do something soon. God bless you and your wife. :)

[@rinadeych]

Fabulous shelters! Kudos!

[@januarioqueiroz3122]

God bless you and your family...you have a golden heart!

[@lucieclayton10]

Bless you for you kindness

[@alisondominitz4387]

I have made our cats in italy a house like this they all sleep together in there as it gets snowy a couple of weeks a year i added some strips of cloth at the entrance which keeps it all very snug thanks so much they really appreciate it and makes me feel secure they are all right thank you thank you

[@FIVERCats]

That sounds wonderful! I am sure the cats are enjoying it!

[@danaleelavelle3708]

Thank you for taking this on. Your husband is great to be so supportive and use his talents for the cats.

[@MC-ez9lv]

Perfect honey do gift! This is one of the better videos. Simple to make but efficient! thank you for sharing this video to inspire feral cat lovers.

[@Anonymous-im9ob]

M C lol honey do gift!? I’ve been asking mine....he’s a union carpenter with all the tools ffs! He wants to see me build it first! Funny entertainment (he thinks), but I can do this I will be on point. No errors

[@claudiamandini]

How a about adding a solar panel in the outer roof, to keep a heat tube inside (like those to keep out the moist from the closets) for them to keep warm when it's cold as it gets? Congratulations AWESOME shelters!!!!🎉🎉🎉

[@sheenabizarre3711]

I use a solar pool cover to draw in heat. I just place it over the shelter.

[@ratherBeHappy]

Thank you for the video and thank you especially for taking such good care of the feral cats.

[@marieo6109]

You are awesome. Bless you always. We do TNR from time to time. We have 10 cats in the colony.