Well, I'm back up to 10 cats here...

[Contrary1]

Lost one stray earlier this year. "Possum" was just to sick to save. The vet figured he had a major disease going on. A fever of 104. He even had broken molars; a sure sign of a very rough life in the wild.

And now, I have gained two more males. "Tux", and the one I haven't named yet. These guys don't like each other much. They fight, run every time I open the door. Maybe I will be able to trap one or both of them, and have them neutered.

Scarlet, my sweet female feral who has been around for about eight years; (fortunately, I trapped and spayed her years ago) is a bit confused. Her shelter is being squatted on by these two new arrivals. I will be heading to the hardware store tomorrow for the supplies needed to build a couple new shelters.

Just feeling a bit sad tonight. It never seems to end. So many homeless and discarded animals.

[Behind the Aegis]

1. What kind of shelters do you build?

The weather in NOLA has been horrible. I have been so worried, but I have an indoor kitty, so I can't let the others come in the house to stay. I heard a fight tonight, and then I saw one limp onto my front porch, but he is a true feral and doesn't let people near him. Fric and Frac live under my house (mine is raised on piers), but there are others who come for visits. I'd love to have a place for them to stay. I have to be careful though, we also have raccoons and I don't want them taking up residence ( coming by for a snack is fine). Ideas?

"Just feeling a bit sad tonight."

Me too! I saw a news report about a dog who was hit by a car, his owner did nothing, the neighbor saw and called animal control. They will have to amputate his front right paw from the mid-joint down. They showed him "walking" on his destroyed leg and I just lost it.

So, sympathy :hug:

[Contrary1]

2. The shelter the cats seem to like best is one I made with two plastic storage bins.

Easier to keep clean than a wooden one. I had one container I wasn't using, and a neighbor was throwing a slightly smaller one out because the bottom was cracked. You can find them cheaper than what the plans show. I used straw for insulation, packing it in between the containers, and then on top of the smaller one.

With your house raised, this kind might work well for you.





http://www.pacthumanesociety.org/core/WinterShelter.htm

[Behind the Aegis]

3. THANKS!!!

I actually have some old bins like that (no straw, will have to find some). As my house is 3.5 feet off the ground, these would slip easily under the house in a crevice (to cut down the horrific wind off the Mississippi (I am 4 blocks away from the river)). I really appreciate the information!

[Contrary1]

5. Here's an idea in case you can't find straw...

Shred or tear up some newspaper and put it in plastic bags. You could then cram the bags along the sides, bottom, and top of the smaller bin before closing it up.
The whole idea is to try to keep the insulation as dry as possible. Your kitties will love you!

[Behind the Aegis]

7. May be a stupid question...

...but how is it in the summer? Obviously, severe cold is not common for NOLA, but severe heat and humidity are. Would it also be a safe environment in the summer (especially under my house)? Thanks!

[Contrary1]

8. Not a stupid question at all...

The cats (at least the ferals that show up here), don't tend to use the shelters much in the summer unless there is a heavy rain. I think yours would probably do the same, but you might need to experiment a bit to find out.

Maybe you could move the shelters out from under the house once it gets very hot and humid into an open shaded area, to provide better air circulation.

[BrklynLiberal]

6. This is a fantastic link. I am forwarding it to everyone I know who rescues cats..

Thanks!!!

[emilyg]

4. Bless you. I'm always

around 12. Try to adopt as many as I can.