Community Cat Care Tips
Outdoor Cat Shelters and Feeding Stations
Even though community cats grow thicker coats for winter, they can quickly succumb to hypothermia. This happens particularly in rain & snow when their fur gets wet and doesn’t insulate as well. Community cats need shelter to help stay safe and healthy. We offer outdoor cat shelters for the public at both our shelter and clinic locations. A donation of $5 is required per cat shelter. Please call ahead to make sure we have shelters available since quantities are limited.
Unless you operate a managed colony, don’t underestimate the number of cats in your area. You may only see one or two cats, but there are probably more. Try to provide more shelter space than you imagine needing.
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 it may make cats less likely to enter. 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. We recommend using neutral and earth tones to blend with the environment. Shelters should 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. 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 avoid a shelter if they are disturbed there regularly. Position the cat shelter to block the entrances from receiving direct wind and rain/snow. It may also be helpful to place sturdy building materials adjacent to the entrance to provide additional wind protection (about 12″ from the entrance). Make sure 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 community cats have access to heated shelter with clean dry bedding.
Winter Protocol for Community Cats
Trapping
- Cold temperatures
- Can get below freezing
- Cat in trap = no place to hide or escape freezing temperatures
- Make sure trap is not set out all night
After Surgery
Make sure the cats have access to:
- Food (dry cat food won’t freeze)
- Water (deeper dish, rather than shallow)
- Shelter – insulation is best to cover against the wind. When temperatures are below freezing or stay below freezing, they MUST have a proper enclosure for staying warm. NO barn, or shed. Everything MUST be heated until temperatures rise back into the teens.
- If this cannot be followed, we will NOT perform surgery here.
Winter Care Tips:
- Provide fresh food and water.
- Use caution even when using ‘pet safe’ salt.
- Check your car and engine before you drive.
- PROVIDE A SHELTER!
Keeping Cats out of Gardens and Yards
One of the most common sources of hostility towards community cats are people who don’t want them in their yards, gardens or other parts of their property. The best approach often is to respect their views and offer to work with them to keep the cats out.
