Some great info from indyferal.org In cold weather, shelter is actually more important for stray & feral cats than food. Even though feral cats build thicker coats for Winter, they can quickly succumb to hypothermia, particularly in rain & snow when their fur gets wet and doesnt insulate as well. Also, stray & feral cats are more prone to parasites, respiratory infections and minor illnesses. Combined with cold, wet weather, these relatively minor maladies can quickly prove fatal. In emergency situations in Winter, if you do not have quick access to a shelter.....a strong cardboard box or container preferably weather proofed with plastic, trash can turned on its side, large plastic tub turned upside down with a door added etc, can provide a temporary solution until a more permanent shelter can be obtained. Its more important to do something to protect the cats from the cold and elements than to wait for the right shelter. Unless you operate a managed colony, dont underestimate the number of cats in your area...you may only see one or two, but there are probably more. Try to provide more shelter space than you imagine needing. Bedding, location, and other considerations Bedding material typically consists of straw, or wood chips & similar materials. Cedar bedding materials may be added in small amounts to provide flea resistance. Alternately, we recommend a sprinkling of a high quality, veterinarian recommended, cat-safe flea powder in the bedding. Do NOT use blankets, towels, etc. inside the shelter! The inside will be exposed to moisture from outdoors and the cats themselves and fabric tend to mold and mildew. We believe thick straw bedding to be preferable to insulation alone, since the shelter has an uncovered opening into the living space. The insulation would help prevent radiated heat loss, but not drafts coming in. On the other hand, thick straw bedding allows the cats to nest and curl up into heat-conserving positions with the bedding providing a wind-break and insulator. In some cases, tacking strips of cloth over the shelter openings can provide additional protection from drafts, but may require additional training to get the cats to enter the shelter. In very harsh conditions, caretakers may wish to provide weatherproof dog-house heating pads. These are constructed of sealed, heavy plastic with damage-resistant cords. Only use these if you can safely run power to the unit using a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). The GFCI will disconnect the power in the event of a short circuit or damage to the cord. When plugging a heater cord into an extension cord, make sure the connection does not lay on the ground where it might be prone to water. Special waterproof extension cords are available at hardware stores. Locating the shelter is also an important topic. IndyFeral recommends using neutral and earth tones to blend with the environment. We recommend that shelters be located away from areas of vehicle & foot traffic. Locating it in a wooded area, or in the margin of a wooded area is ideal, as this provides cover from the elements and makes the shelter less obvious. In more developed areas, locate the shelter behind buildings or someplace where it will not be disturbed. Cats will shun shelter if they are disturbed there regularly. Orient the shelter to block the entrances from receiving direct wind and rain/snow. In central Indiana, the prevailing winds are usually from the south to the west. It may also be helpful to place sturdy building materials adjacent to the entrance to provide additional wind protection -- about 12 from the entrance would be fine. Make sure that if you place anything over or around the shelter that it is anchored firmly and will not blow or fall over in front of the entrance. Ideally, we suggest that stray & feral cats have access to heated shelter with clean dry bedding. Recognizing that it may be difficult, if not impossible to provide this, IndyFeral has compiled a list of resources for buying or making shelters for cats. Outside Shelter Resources Are you looking for the shelters IndyFeral used to sell? FeralVilla is now producing and selling them. These outdoor shelters are constructed from durable, weather-resistant, all-wood construction. They are insulated with a non-toxic, foil-faced insulation that reflects their body heat. The bottom parts are made from rot & insect resistant wood and may rest directly on the soil. The roof comes off for easy cleaning. That cleaning would consist of removing old bedding material or other debris and putting in fresh bedding. Electric heating pad and heated water bowls: Make sure they are rated for outdoor use If you have an outlet handy, you can safely provide some extra warmth for the cats with an outdoor rated electric heating pad and keep their water from freezing by using an electric heated water bowl. These products can be found in many pet supply stores or online through Amazon or other online retailers: Amazon: K and H Outdoor Heated Kitty Pad Amazon: Heated Water Bowls CozyWinters: Heated Pet Products Above: A quick and simple shelter can be made out of an inverted clear tote placed over an outdoor rated heating pad, with an entrance cut into the side. Non-Electric Heating If you don’t have access to an electrical outlet for the cats consider a SnuggleSafe thermal disc. It is a plastic disc with a special thermal compound inside that stays warm for hours when heated in a microwave for 5-7 minutes. Wrapped in a cloth the cats can’t open, the disk is a great way to provide warmth. They are also often available at pet supply stores or through Amazon: SnuggleSafe discs
Posted on: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 20:57:42 +0000
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