DIY Winter Shelter for Stray Cats

With the cold weather approaching, the Erie Humane Society continues to receive a high volume of calls regarding stray cats. Here at EHS, we are currently housing more than 220 cats and kittens. As a no-kill shelter, we maximize every area we can possibly house cats/kittens, and utilize our amazing foster system. There is only so much kennel space, and we are doing the best we can with the resources we have to continue to take in as many cats as possible.

As part of our no-kill operation, we manage cat admissions based on open kennels, and schedule appointments accordingly. We understand that this may frustrate some community members, however if we are out of kennel space, we simply can't take in cats until a kennel opens up.

If you are concerned about stray cats in your area, please call us and schedule an appointment to bring them in at (814) 835-8331. We graciously ask for your kindness to our staff, as they are doing everything they can to accommodate as many people as possible, while still holding to our no-kill mission.

In the meantime, you can create a simple winter shelter for your local strays by following the instructions below:

These are some important things to keep in mind when constructing the shelter:

• Strong insulation – needed to trap body heat, which turns the cats into little radiators. Use straw, not hay or blankets.
• Minimal air space – a smaller interior area means that less heat is needed to keep the occupants warm.
• Have the entrance face a wall so only cats can get in and out.
• Stick to straw! Blankets, towels, flat newspapers, etc., retain wetness and should not be used. They absorb body heat and will make the cat colder.

Check out this post from Alley Cat Advocates for more tips and points to consider when creating your winter shelter.

Show off your work!

Post a picture of your completed cat shelter to social media and tag @eriehumanesociety, so we can see your masterpiece!