Kitty, it’s cold outside

Written by Carmen Dunn, former president of the Feral and Abandoned Cat Society, January 6, 2016

Helping outdoor cats survive in winter weather

As the colder weather begins, many of us cannot help but worry about the homeless feral, stray and abandoned cats in our community.

Feral cats may have become accustomed to living outdoors, while abandoned and stray cats may not be well adapted, especially once the cold weather hits. Regardless, all outdoor cats can benefit greatly from our help. Daily access to food, water and shelter are critical to their health and survival.

Providing a warm and dry spot for outdoor cats to sleep can be done in a variety of ways.

One is to construct a stand-alone shelter. Volunteers with the Feral and Abandoned Cat Society prefer to construct wooden shelters, with cat-sized entrances and legs to keep them up off of the ground, along with styrofoam insulation and straw bedding inside. There are several designs and types of materials that can be used for shelters. A handy online resource can be found at www.alleycat.org/Shelter-Gallery.

Outbuildings can also provide much needed shelter for homeless cats. Barns, storage sheds, garages, shops and warehouses all have great potential if you are willing to share them with a cat. Setting up an insulated space, possibly warmed by a heat lamp, with dry bedding could be a life saver. As an added bonus, having a cat or cats living in these buildings can help to keep the rodent population in check.

Shelters for outdoor cats should be set up in a safe location that is quiet, discreet so as not to bother neighbors, and easily accessible in order to clear snow away from entrances. When selecting bedding, straw is a much better choice than hay, as it resists moisture and its hollow stalks hold body heat well. Blankets are not always ideal, but if used, need to be dried out regularly as a cat's body heat generates moisture on the surface, which freezes in cold weather.

Having a daily source of fresh food and water year round is so important to a homeless cat's survival. Establishing a regular daily feeding time is recommended, and in cold temperatures, will increase the chances of a cat having access to water before it freezes. In the winter, if possible, place food up off the ground, on a pallet or in a feeding station, with protection from the wind. It will help to keep the cat's paws warmer and to retain body heat while they eat. In addition to dry food, if you are able to give wet food without it freezing, it will provide extra moisture and nutrients in the cat's diet while being easy to digest. When water is left out in the winter, use a dark-colored container and place it in the sun so it stays melted for a longer period each day.

Awareness and compassion can go a long way in helping these animals to survive in the cold winter months. It warms my heart to know that there are many kind people who care for the outdoor cats in our community. This Christmas, my wish is for every homeless cat to be fixed, fed, watered and sheltered.