Typically when I write for Blog the Change I write about dog causes, and honestly there are so many near and dear to my heart, I’m sure I could come up with another one, but today’s post is about cats.

You read that right, it’s about cats.

I was reading an article recently (why don’t I book mark these things?) where the author indicated there are far more homeless cats than there are dogs.  To me this makes sense (and please, cat people feel free to correct me if I’m wrong),  for the following reasons.

• Cats typically aren’t as dependent on people as dogs are
• Cats can be more independent  or sometimes more skittish than dogs
• Cats have a hunting instinct which often times takes them away from civilization
• Cats produce more off-spring than dogs do (one to two litters per year vs one per year for dogs) (Source  ASPCA)

What really got me thinking about this is, I saw a cat at work.  No, the cat wasn’t working.  (Although I did watch a cat catch and play with a chipmunk once, it was truly fascinating).  What I meant was I saw a cat outside the building where I work.  I was outside talking with our maintenance guy when we saw this cat approaching the garage.  I called to the cat and took a few tentative steps in its direction, but it slunk around the garage and into the woods.

I work on a busy road, but the building is in a small plaza and we are in the back.  There are woods behind us, as well as a walking trail and there are some condos/apartments on the other side of the trail, so it is possible this cat belongs there, but I don’t know.

It’s been cold here (it’s January after-all) and the poor little cat stayed on my mind.  Then we got snow and as I walked up to the door at work  I saw little cat tracks walking past it. I thought about the poor cat and wondered how can I help it?

Then I remembered a photo I saw on Facebook on how to make a shelter for a cat out of a Styrofoam cooler, I checked with building maintenance first to make sure it wouldn’t be a problem.  We discussed the location (sometimes I see kids in the parking lot cutting through or using skateboards and don’t want to make the cat a target) and agreed upon an area that houses the air conditioning units, as it’s protected by a small wall.   Next I consulted Mr. Google and headed to the store.

I bought a cooler for $3.99 at my local grocery store.

Just a cooler, you know the kind you grab to throw a six pack in on your way to the beach.

I removed the top and set it aside.

Hubby gave me a utility knife but I struggled getting the blade all the way through the Styrofoam so I used a paring knife.  (Shhh, don’t tell him, he’s always telling me I used the wrong knife for the job.) 😉

Use your knife to cut a door.

Once the door was cut, I put the top on and flipped it upside down so the top became the bottom.  I tried using  T-pins to secure the two pieces together, but in the end I used tape.

Hubby suggested I use the cut out piece to make a type of awning over the entryway, so I used two T-pins to secure it in place.

I’m not sure I like the awning and I’m pretty sure the cat will care less.

I may or may not leave the awning.  My concern is it will fall down and scare the cat.

I’ve read online some people have used those reflective blankets you get for camping to line the inside of the cooler, but the suggested material for the inside is hay.  Material can get wet and freeze, but hay will dry out quickly and the cat can burrow inside the hay.  The Styrofoam will keep the cat’s body heat inside the house and help keep the cat warm.

I will place a brick or heavy rock on the top of the house to keep it from blowing away and I will face the door of the house close to one of the building walls to help keep the weather out and make the house warmer.

I also bought some cat food but decided at least for now I’m not going to feed the cat.  I don’t want it to become dependent on the food because what would happen if I found another job?  Who would feed the cat?  BUT I’m hoping once the cat starts using the house eventually I will be able to catch it and take it for vetting.

I’m also going to set one of these up in a treed area by my house, because I’ve seen cat tracks across our front steps as well as noticed a cat watching us on our morning walks.  I’m not sure if it’s a stray or not, but I’d rather try and help than not.

The whole cooler house too me less than 10 minutes to make and less than $5 for the needed materials.  It’s a quick and easy way to help the feral cat population.

For more ideas and examples of how to set up a cat shelter, check out Neighborhood Cats.  If you know of an area with a feral cat problem check out the Feral Cat Project for ways you can help.

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