The EASIEST Way To Make a Feral Cat Shelter

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How to make a feral/stray cat shelter - There's so many different options when it comes to building an outdoor shelter for cats, this is the simplest and easiest out there…. I'm not saying this is the best, but it's more than adequate to keep some feral/stray kitties warm this winter! :)
*Other tips/options/considerations for this type of shelter...
1. You can use styrofoam or insulation board instead of straw.
2. ALWAYS use straw and not hay! - Hay soaks up moisture which makes the shelter cold and can also get moldy
3. You can add a second entrance/exit to the shelter if you're worried about predators in your area, I chose not to since this cuts down on the insulation of the shelter a lot
4. You can add plastic flaps to the entries/exits to help keep drafts out
There's loads more shelter options you can check out here: www.alleycat.org/resources/fe... --- The most important thing is to purrlease DO SOMETHING if you know of any feral or stray cats in your area that could really use a shelter this winter to keep warm :)
Thanks fur watching and remember to be nice to feral cats!
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Music - Easy Days 1 - Epidemic Music

[@poundlandspeedwagonrequiem]

I love people that give stray animals a home during the harsh winter.

[@deltafour1212]

"they never end up using the shelters tho lol" Really? I guess the 5 feral cats that are living in the 5 shelters I made, didn't get the memo.

[@alanguages]

@Bill Blass The response from deltafour1212 seemed rude, due to your absolute comment, that cats NEVER end up using the shelters. Implying making them is a waste of time. Making yourself the real asshole, not the person who actually made shelters that helped cats.

[@mischarowe]

@Bill Blass deltafour1212's response wasn't rude. Don't overreact.

[@karenmcgrantham6969]

love this guy and everyone that helps these poor strays

[@janettemcgregor5712]

I bought a nice heated/insulated cat house for this sweet feral cat that lives in our backyard.. we feed it everyday, he lets us pet him … but I don’t know how to get him to check out his home? Any ideas?

[@hollaitskimsta]

We made a shelter for one cat on our porch two months ago... Now we have 9 cats that visit, a heated tent/bed, a heated water dish, a live stream camera to watch them, and the occasional oppossum or raccoon.

[@realulli]

Link to the live stream? :-)

[@Loren8762]

kimmyhugs I envy you

[@shirleyj.6044]

Get them trapped and neutered by setting a trap, you should be able to get a lend of a trap from your local rescue centre. If you don't do this they will keep breeding and you will have more then nine cats to feed. TNR trap neuter and release.

[@eogg25]

Did you spay or Neuter them. such nice living accommodations. by the end of the year you will probably need about 27 shelters for each female you helped.

[@CherylBerryl]

@@archaicrevivalsYTchannel Just please make sure that they are all spay/neutered. If you need further tips for trapping. Go to www.AlleyCatAllies.org however, u NEED to have recovery cages for them to recoup after surgery. There might be some rescue groups, or just independent rescue people that are experienced in trapping, that have recovery situations set up, maybe they can help you with that. Just donate some funds to cover their expenses w/ the food & litter, hopefully you can get some Free, or at least low cost spay/neuter certificates. I've been trapping community cats for a long time, & believe me when I tell you, if they're not fixed, in no time flat, you will have more cats then you will have any idea what to do with! Fix them quickly, to get ahead of pregnancies!

[@cronopioazul5796]

I made this shelter from another video of yours long time ago for a stray cat during the winter, i went every day to feed her and giver her water, cause in my house they didn't want cats. finally my mother was touched by the effort I put in this cat and let me adopt her. Thanks for helping stray cats 🐱❤

[@twilit]

Good for you! So awesome!

[@daisycocoa2557]

Wonderful

[@vizzini2510]

Many years ago, I built something very similar for two feral kits. However, they would not use it until I cut a second opening. I figured they wanted an escape route in case a fox, coyote, or mountain lion came to visit.

[@maxximumb]

A great idea. One improvement I'd suggest is on the outer box, don't cut the top of the square opening. Carefully use a heat gun and warm the plastic so you can bend the flap up to form a gently sloping porch type roof. This will reduce the amount of rain that could enter the box. I had a second idea whist thinking about rain, maybe drill a couple of drainage holes in the low points of the outer container and cover with a fine netting or scraps of screen door mesh. This will allow any rain or condensation to drip out. One final suggestion would be to attach a clearly visible label to the box stating that it is a feral cat shelter and your contact phone number. If found by a hiker or suchlike, with the current social climate, you would not want to create a panic that results in the involvement of law enforcement. Maybe even liaise with them and give them the location of your shelters, so that if a concerned citizen finds one and calls the police, they can explain over the phone what the box is, and that it is completely safe.

[@maxximumb]

We've got a little wooden animal house in our garden for stray cats during cold weather. However it seems to be popular with a couple of local hedgehogs.

[@oskarwinters1873]

don't worry it doesn't look like a bomb, it is next to cat food bowls most people are not that stupid. (well there are some people but usually the police know what to follow up and not). Hell even most airports don't bother if you tell them about a suspicious bag....if you do actually report one they just say yeh it's an airport there are unattended bags everywhere.

[@mrpoolplayer6379]

A porch cover can be glued on...

[@zinkadu]

I wonder how you can lure the cats to go into the shelter.? I've made 2, but I'm not sure if they use them.

[@evaeva1932]

put them in a sheltered area, under a pine tree, or bush. Once they find it they will use it, especially in the colder months. usually one cat per tote. Straw is great, NO HAY. The only thing I do different is make a second hole adjacent to eh first, as an escape hatch. I glued heavy plastic over the openings to keep the wind out. @@zinkadu

[@michellegriff13]

Why do I start crying whenever I see people doing good things for animals? It touches my heart in ways that only tears can explain. Darn it Chris!

[@SuperAcedos]

It’s called Humanity Maybe you can get 2 out of twenty on a good day Get what? You ask Human I answer

[@smallworldafterall09]

hee hee! Same! @Michelle G. ♥️

[@Bearwithme560]

lt means you have empathy. ❤

[@mrpoolplayer6379]

@@Bearwithme560 I do the same thing & I'm 81.... I LOVE Animals...

[@Bearwithme560]

@@mrpoolplayer6379 🤗

[@wesleyvl8572]

We needt more ppl like you in the world

[@ricksguardian4309]

Become one and there will be!

[@pawwalker3492]

@@ricksguardian4309 absolutely! There are always comments about "needing more people like ... in the world. All that's needed is to act. Caring for community cats can sometimes be heartbreaking, but think of the change you make in those cats' lives 💞 It's worth it. More people should realize how a small act of kindness could have a big impact. Caring for ferals, or anyone, makes such a difference.

[@laurelgirard8475]

You are so kind helping feral kitties & spreading the word about their plight!

[@Gladiusxx]

Made one of these for my porch cat two months ago using your last tutorial!! She loved it, slept in it every night.. But she eventually moved in with us 😊

[@izzy1221]

We must protect the poor kitties from the cold!

[@awsomeproductions6733]

Or Australian hunters

[@sids1d]

Aw the two cats were in love ❤️

[@rmgdrow]

Thank you for showing this. I had two cats show up in our back yard that will no let us get near them and to smart to go into a animal trap. I opened up our shed for them to get out of the wind but was worried that, that wouldn't be warm enough. After seeing this we got followed how you did and put some bedding in it and now I know they have a warmer place to bed down for the winter into they trust us enough to come closer and let us help them more.

[@CherylBerryl]

If you live in a colder winter climate (Chris lives in FLA, so he doesn't have to super insulate the houses). Then, check out my comments that I posted, explaining what works well for cold Winter's. The post is a bit long, but the information is important to know. I've been caring for MANY community cat colonies for 16 yrs. PLEASE! Do NOT delay in getting these cats trapped! They will multiply like you cannot believe! You NEED to get ahead of any kittens being born. Please don't think that it's ok that more kittens are born into this world. It's very difficult to find rescues to take them, and each SINGLE litter born costs a rescue group HUNDREDS of $$$ when all is said & done between food, litter, toys, getting each of them tested for FeLV/FIV, vaccinations, & each of them spay/neutered. And, that's even if a foster can even be found. MOST of us rescuers, are INUNDATED with kittens & cats, & do NOT need to be burdened with more! There are "tricks of the trade" to be able to easily trap them, contact an experienced TNR rescue group or independent trapper for help/guidence. Often, they will have a drop trap, & those I use when there are REALLY hard cats to trap, but honestly, most will go in a regular trap, but they MUST have food withheld prior to trapping (no food the night before trapping). I know it feels bad to have to do that, but it MUST be done. One day or evening without food is not cruel, what's cruel, is letting them procreate, to have more of them having to spend the rest of their lives on the streets! You will have a TON of cats in the blink of an eye! Believe me! Please do not delay!!!!! For more information, & for a directory of possible people in your area that could help you trap, or teach you how to do it, go to www.AlleyCatsAllies.com ** Important: You MUST have proper recovery cages for after surgery. Some experienced trappers might be able to help you with at least recovering them, or some might even be willing to help you trap them as well. Sometimes you can get free certificates to get them fixed, or at least low cost certificates.

[@kodasmom2461]

Awwww that poor tabby has a head tilt poor darling

[@michellegriff13]

Poor baby I noticed that too. But that other cat really loves he/she and the face was very healthy and pretty.

[@lindavenne8038]

Amazing! 👍👍💟💜💖 You are one kind soul! 😍

[@JenniferMoralesFelineFilms]

That was awesome! This is such a great idea for the upcoming winter! 💞

[@crackle295]

That was *paw*some

[@laural.9737]

You are a caring and good man. Thank you for helping.😀👍❤

[@JerichoAndFriends]

You are a hero to cats everywhere! ❤️

[@resplendentpeace]

This is the first of these DIY cat shelter videos I landed on, and its simplicity is just brilliant. There's no reason to attempt any of the others when this is so easy and so effective. The only thing I plan to do differently is to put the door on the long side instead of the short side, so my feral friend can enter and then turn, so the cold air won't blow in on him directly. GREAT job.

[@ubetchaslots]

I heard to put to an entrance and exit on 2diff sides in case a predator 😳 comes in 😢on a kitty inside the box ugh like they don't have enough odds against em ugh bless thr homeless abandoned and not forgotten💌💌💌

[@1969Kismet]

If I had a knack for loving humans, I'd love you. You are a champion!

[@nealrose8653]

I made 4 of these, step by step. I live well off the beaten path and have 4 cats that stay on the property. I have a 5th, the lone surviving kitten of one of the females that I've bottle fed since he was 10 days old, but hes never been outside. 😀 Hes only 12 weeks old now.

[@ChickenSlatt]

Those cats were so cute

[@bdf2718]

I'd have put some straw on the bottom of the bigger tote before putting the smaller tote in.

[@JillVirus01]

Thank you for this! I’ve been feeding 3 stray cats this past month and one sticks around my driveway most of the day and sleeps under the car so I want to build him a small home ❤️

[@billycraft3885]

Ohhhhh cute

[@alexisrivas307]

Those cats love you.

[@pihksvein9664]

I made similar last winter but it got filled with condensation in the bottom. So I made small vent holes in the top side to allow for better ventilation.

[@cberger9447]

FWIW-You can usually get a bag of straw for free from your local feed store if you agree to sweep it from the straw area. It will be clean and safe, just remember to ask first and only take loose straw from the ground around the bales.

[@skye3212]

I love that u care about animals so much that u even build a shelter for them I do that’s why I stay in ur channel

[@verduzco55]

I’m gonna make one for an alley cat I see around my block🥺 his a cute ginger! I wish he was as lucky as my three cats being loved and warm.

[@nailyagain1401]

jay Verduzco I feel the same way about five cats I'm feeding outside. My two cats are so spoiled, and those poor cats have to live out in the cold 😭 it's 38 degrees and it's raining 😩😩😩

[@em1osmurf]

had upside down trash tub, years ago. mama kitty and her early spring babies lived in it,and my wife Socialized her so they became stars at the local shelter. this works. keep it up, chris! ps: Tammy and yer 4 babies all got good Forever Homes

[@lisavanvegan]

Yay! I did the same thing for my Chicago cat friends, but I didn't elevate it. Great idea!

[@smokinjim5885]

How wonderful it is to see a man take action to help save some feral cats from a frostbitten fate. I thought of you recently as I also have an orange cat, named Wolfe, and recently acquired a new tenant who brought with him, against my better judgement, his big black kitten, Chip. After some loud hissing on Wolfe's part they finally became friends and are now sleeping buddies. I wish I could put a picture in here because they look remarkably like Cole and Marmalade.

[@buckeyehockey1979]

I have a feral that visits. Well he is friendly now. He made a little nest in our bushes. It is under a hangover from our upper level and the porch in beside it. It is sheltered from most weather and there is a old mulch bed. I tried getting him one of the self heating pads, but he won't use it. I leave it out anyway just in case. But this is a neat idea.

[@lisavanvegan]

It snows a lot in Chicago so I put a wooden panel over top so snow doesn't get inside

[@elainecampbell8083]

That's so wonderful that you are helping them. Your are their only hope to survive. Thanks for stepping up!

[@ceeenloud7957]

wow you are really such a good person. hope everyone can be like you helping and feeding feral cats unconditionally. sending love from Philippines ❤️

[@robjohnson1138]

There are several stray/feral cats in our neighborhood. I‘ve found footprints in the snow on my front porch - I think they thumb their noses at my cats through the window. I’m going to try to put together a couple of these shelters for my backyard. Maybe I can get a camera in there to monitor the goings-on.

[@TheGreatGig73]

All this is great and much appreciation to the people who help as long as the cats all get fixed

[@christianrobinson1761]

U have such a kind heart …we need more ppl like you …thank u for taking care of the homeless kitties

[@bronny172]

Fantastic. I hope those kitties stay warm, cosy and safe. 💜💜💜💜💜

[@catlover1854]

looks so cozy.

[@cheryl6404]

Love this idea. I am implementing. I have a momma kitty that showed up here at my barn and now little babies. She didn't look like more than a baby herself. She and babies have been living in hay bales...I love the pallet idea for stabilizing the "house"! Thank you for caring for wild kitties...

[@maryg3143]

Thank you for helping

[@tonyab1972]

This is beautiful. It doesn't cost much and it will mean the world to a cold animal. I'm going to do this too. Thanks for sharing.

[@sherylynhilyard3402]

Your awesome I take care of two hundred cats every day and the struggle is real thanku for caring

[@thejudgmentalcat]

Who disliked this video? Why? ....people.

[@michimelody4036]

Straw grows mold really easily? I mean you get any water in there and you've got the perfect environment for mold growth. Why do you think straw is held in sillos with heaters to dry it out now. Then what animal is going to want to go in there. There's no over hang on it, there's a huge gap in the front.... Nothing showing how to seal the gap. Anytime you've got one of these shelters mold is a huge issue. You don't want the animal to abandon it because it's inhabitable especially during the winter. Good idea, just not well thought out when it comes to the insulation.

[@emilytrevino4023]

Because this is just contributing to the problem of stray cats u idiot

[@dawngarcia2878]

@@emilytrevino4023 omg you are so correct. Cats are okay but they become pests because of irresponsible dumb owners. If dogs get out with a leash on, why can't cats? Then they breed or just be left in the open and become pests just like their owners. These prey on innocent wildlife and pet birds rather than rats. Very detrimental to society and environment.

[@emilytrevino4023]

Dawn Garcia THANK YOU I figured ppl would come at me for my comments but this is a huge problem!!! And all this is doing is contributing!

[@pauladeensbuttbutter]

Dawn Garcia You are absolutely incorrect. To leave these cats without trapping, neutering, and releasing them is the problem. Trapping strays, neutering, and releasing them back into their neighborhood is the best solution. These kind people who build stray cats shelters and watch over them making sure they are spayed and don’t reproduce and can live their life comfortably and fed are the best solution. Leaving them to suffer and die because humans are stupid is the most selfish thing you can do or think of. These kind people helping cats are the best, taking on other people’s responsibility that they failed and helping the community at large.

[@mollyratcliffe2571]

So glad I fell upon this video. We moved home around 7 months ago and have ended up feeding a neighbours cat after she has fallen on hard times. I now need to make him a safe space as we go into the colder days as he isn't ready to come indoors yet. I can't thank you enough for thins

[@greenbeagle13]

Wonderful, compassionate human being... My kind of human. 🧡🧡

[@fabricatedreality8218]

I need to make five of these. Thank you for showing me.

[@sjbock]

It rains a lot where I live in south Texas so I always have to add come kind of flap over the entry holes in my outdoor cat shelters. Also, most of my outdoor "community cats' don't feel very comfortable about going into a shelter with only one entrance and no exit. They don't want to feel trapped if an intruder is at the entrance.

[@Bryan-Hensley]

You can build a platform off the ground about 6 inches with multiple holes around the bottom then cut a hole in the bottom of the cat enclosure. It gives them alot safer feeling. It's more work than most people will do though

[@Mr.redacted.]

If you don't cut the top edge of the door, then heat it, bend up it will serve as an awning. Using a piece of wood to bend against and another piece to bend the hot plastic will protect your hands and make a nice straight bend. Leave it at an angle so rain will run off.

[@konniesalas1977]

That is such a beautiful thing to do I can't wait to do it for my little strays outside ♥️

[@crunchykitkat7957]

Glad to see you back :)

[@msbrown3770]

Thanks for this simple solution for a stray that I've been feeding and caring for by making sure it has flea and tick repellent. I was stressing about the cold weather we're gonna have, now I feel so much better for my feral😊

[@lazaruscharity1121]

glad to see you updated this video to include the sister cats.

[@robertaswanson5633]

This is the simplest video I've seen on this subject. Thanks.

[@kelleystephens6752]

Awww the cats are so sweet!😻 Thank you, Chris!!!!

[@gigiw.7650]

So simple, even I could do it! Thanks Chris. 😻

[@gkat2278]

Those babies are beautiful 😢 thanks for what you do. I have taken in 5 ferals and they have become house cats, but 2 more have shown up at my office so I am caring for them as well and will be making this shelter for them.

[@nateschaefer6830]

I just gotta like this!! Keep up all of your amazing work!!!

[@distortedsoul84]

This cats look like they love each other ❤️❤️

[@oilsaromatherapywithscotta6149]

Thank you for helping the cats, Chris!

[@debbieboring3422]

Good Man Thanks for the Heat idea that really helps. FL and AZ still get cold winter is winter no matter where your are.

[@claricequinlan3240]

This is so sweet! Bless you heart! 💜

[@luChewy8458]

You are such a good person! Thank you Chris the Cat Man!👱‍♂️🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈💜🙋‍♀️

[@TheSplendidus]

ohhh man, your dedication........ love it! gonna do it tooooo

[@luckyx16]

What a great simple idea.

[@trinasplace3641]

I also fixed one of these for a wild outside cat of mine .. Chris I was message you back in the summer about the cats are rescued all together counting the ones that had kittens that are rescued came out to be 79 I made a couple video showing a few of my cats watching you inspired me to make videos myself .. and i have learned a lot from you also

[@mrscoffeebeanqueen]

The stray I care for, Babette, thanks you sir!

[@ladybird8886]

Thank you man. I’m looking something like this

[@adamchiaramonte7883]

I live in new Hampshire. It's been a cold winter. I just turned my garage into a feral cat shelter. It dont have heat but I built a few boxes like that. But not as good. We need more ppl like this in the world. I'm always looking for more ways to help them

[@PunkyNerd]

I still use your video to put my shelters up every year. 🙌🏽🐈‍⬛

[@Cormamin]

EXCELLENT tutorial. My tip is to use a hairdryer to warm the plastic while cutting - if you smell plastic, you're doing it wrong! Makes it so much easier. I made two of these with that method in under 20 minutes.

[@katherinepeace3564]

1:38 I swear no matter what the color.. cats have the most prettiest eyes

[@amberjames987]

Those ferals are cuddly. 💜🐈💜

[@orchidgirl0571]

That's a very awesome and super sweet!

[@janejames9173]

😊😊

[@RubbiDuckiLuci]

I ended up with a calico during winter not too long ago. She was cold, sick, and starving... Dx I gave her a whole can of food and brought her inside immediately. x3

[@jonilynn10]

Thank you!😻✨😻✨😻

[@johngalt97]

You could make it like an igloo by making the entrance low and having a shelf higher than the top of the opening. This would trap the heat the cat is making already.

[@tashaferrar15]

AHHHHH! I LOVE THIS MAN!

[@1955darcy]

That is a great idea Chris......I like the idea a lot. Those feral babies are getting a great gift of warmth

[@judybuessing5143]

Thank you for this video.

[@MIMOJIJON]

You are an angel~👍

[@ladyvictoria8]

Only a good man would care for cats..Thank u for helping them and teaching the public..

[@dianadobson2154]

You are a AWESOME man. Keep up the great work.🐈🐈🐱😻😻🐾🐾🐾🐾❤😊

[@Renka_dew]

I really like the opening’

[@lulusaintly631]

Thanks for this. There is a feral colony near where I live and I will follow this system to make them something.

[@elliej11j68]

Brilliant!! Going make one of these.

[@MrAnubis51]

You're a wonderful person! May my dear Lord bless you!

[@annurg533]

People like you are fun

[@patriziaambrosi623]

Thanks Chris it's a very good idea....😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@groovynipple7092]

Perfect! Thank you!

[@juliahoiles9803]

I love that idea the cats are beautiful and hopefully a lot safer.

[@Fauxlie]

THANK YOU FOR THIS !

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

Keep the hole up higher so the rain does not hit the ground and bounce in and make the straw wet. Keep the hole small about the diameter of a cereal bowl, about six inches.

[@Kennedy4OurCountry]

Excellent! Thank You!

[@kG-lj1mp]

Omg catman chris and all you're amazing, we have a litter of semiferal babies and a mama who is the best mama ever and we made a couple of shelters but not as well as you , we will restart them and do it this way 😊I've been so worried about them, feeding them and we play with them, so sweet, trying to find them homes and free or cheap spay and neutering ! Love your posts and love for your furry babies , thanks so much, yours is the simplest ones I've seen!

[@ClandestineGirl16X]

oh i love this!

[@hildachacon001]

You’re the best!! 😻💞