A few days ago I diaried about our feral pootie Copcar, asking for ideas about how to shelter him from the cold. Brrr!! I knew the temps were going to plummet and Copcar wasn't keen on the nest we had provided so I wanted ideas. You responded, Persiflage and I brainstormed and he went online for ideas.
Copcar haz a shelterz he is using, as I write this, and I wanted to share with you all in case you face the same dilemma.
Copcar sez followz meh below teh foldz.
As I wrote in the diary we purchased a kitteh heating pad online from Amazon.com. We introduced him to it and he seemed to like it, just not in the nest we created for him.
After discussion in my diary Persiflage went online again, seeking shelters available for ferals and ideas of how to either purchase or build them.
He found the very thing at UrbanCatLeague with instructions how to put it all together.
We modified the idea and used one container instead of two because we have a heating pad. (The UrbanCatLeague recommends two containers, one nesting inside the other and insulated on the bottom and sides between the containers with straw.) Inside our one container is the heating pad with a towel surrounding it to keep teh kitteh snug. Under the pad is a rubber mat with a thick towel on top of it to retain warmth. Because the plastic is clear he can see outside and make an escape if predators come to call!
I was nervous about whether or not he would even try it, even enter it, but as soon as we put it down on his favorite spot to hang out while waiting for his food he came over to it, sniffed it, put his two front paws in it and then went in and laid down. I have to say I was amazed.
Since then Copcar has spent each night in his box and doesn't come out until morning when I take him his A.M. food. When the sun is up he spends his time in our yard in the pine straw, stretched out soaking up the rays.
We have also upped his feedings of protein and fat to help him stay warm. During the warm/hot months we change this a bit since the poor thing is trying to stay cool. He may be a bit confused but is faring well.
Thanks to all who offered ideas. I wanted to let you know it is working well and make sure any of you facing the same dilemma we have that there is something that can be done with little expense. Something to make a pootie's life more comfortable and maybe even save his life.
View One of Copcar with food and shelter and the shelter itself.