In our story about Barbara and her colony of community cats, we mentioned making community cat shelters out of plastic storage bins. This is a simple way you can make a difference for feral cats in your area—it helps to keep them safe from predators and exposure, and can even help make Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) easier.
Materials
- Lidded plastic storage tub (20–30 gallons)
- Permanent marker
- Hair dryer
- Jig saw or box cutter
- Straw (not hay)
- Reflective insulation sheets
- Duct tape
Steps
1. Mark and prepare the bin. Trace a circle approximately six inches in diameter with marker on either side of plastic storage bin. These will be the entrances and exits from the shelter, so be sure cats will fit through them.
2. Cut the entry/exit holes. Use hair dryer to warm area for 1–2 minutes. Once plastic is warm and pliable, use jig saw or box cutter to cut holes where marked. Line the edges with strips of duct tape to make the edges safe.
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3. Insulate and line the interior. Line bottom of bin with a thin layer of straw, then line inside walls with sheets of reflective insulation sheets. Add holes to insulation sheets that line up with holes in storage bins—you can leave the insulation semi-attached to create door flaps.
4. Position the shelter. Place lidded bins in a safe, sheltered space with both exits clear. Community cats thank you!
Further reading and more ideas:
- Living With Community Cats
- Spay and Neutering Community Cats (PDF)
- How to Build an Outdoor Shelter (Alley Cat Allies)
- How to Build Community Cat Houses (Lifeline Animal Project)
- Build Your Own Shelter (Cats in Action)
