So many of my friends and clients care for outdoor, stray cats. They lovingly provide food and water for those left to fend for themselves in the lonely streets of our cities. Cats are creatures of habit and return to an area where they know they’ll be cared for. Feeding and providing water provides the most basic need to help them stay strong and healthy. The real challenge is keeping them warm and dry.

I found this great post at Urban Cat League that details DIY instructions for making a kitty shelter for those homeless felines in your world. This is so easy and inexpensive, it can be done in about 30 minutes.

The detailed instructions of how to make this outdoor kitty shelter can be found at Urban Cat League. The basic idea is using 2 plastic totes, one that fits inside the other. Holes are cut for access. The empty space around the inside tote is filled with straw for insulation. Straw or a mat on the top of the inside tote also helps to maintain warm body temperature before the large tote’s lid is snapped on. Finally, the post suggests drilling 4 drainage holes at the bottom to help keep the shelter dry.

I applaud those unpretentious cat lovers who only want to help. Our cat overpopulation is appalling, but with these unsung hero’s help, some lucky cats will have a warm, dry, safe place to rest their weary bodies.

To those who care for outdoor cats, thank you!