Whatever you decide on as a cat house, consider getting a microwaveable pet warmer to keep him cozy at night.

I once had a cat who decided late one fall to move out of the house when we got our third dog. Once I realized that he had no intention of hanging out or sleeping indoors that winter (I'm in New England), I borrowed a medium-sized igloo from a friend and put it out on the front deck facing south (conveniently facing towards the slider, so I could keep tabs on him). I filled it with an old down throw and some towels. I'd heat the saucer in the microwave every night before going to bed, tuck it under some of the bedding, and there he would curl up all toasty and warm. He'd come into the house a few times a day to eat, but would then insist on being let out again.

The system worked well throughout a long, snowy New England winter. Some mornings I'd peek out through the slider and seem him curled inside the snow-covered igloo... he'd come out when I called his name and he would would be warm all over. I'd see him napping in there during the day sometimes too.

He spent the winter like that, then decided to rejoin the family in the spring... By then the puppy had learned---from the other, indoor, cat---how to behave.

You can google "microwaveable pet warmer" to see some different types... I used the "SnuggleSafe Pet Heating Pad" - looks like a pink frisbee.

Good on you for thinking and caring for this lucky guy.

Here's an easy-to-construct shelter for feral cats.

(This photo is from Charm City Animal Rescue, Baltimore; I'm not sure of the original source.)

Sue

Here are some links, but the one Sue posted is the basic idea. Easy, inexpensive and definitely doable for those of us who aren't handy.

The igloo-style are expensive, aren't they? Use that money for kibble!
Good luck to you an your stray.

http://www.neighborhoodcats.org/HOW_TO_FERAL_CAT_WINTER_SHELTER

http://www.urbancatleague.org/Shelters.html

http://www.alleycat.org/Page.aspx?pid=631

http://www.spayandstay.org/wintershelter.htm

You can also stick a styrofoam cooler in the container, lined with a mylar camping blanket, or just use the cooler/blanket by itself, although that does look pretty bad. You do want to line the styrofoam though, just to keep the cat from scratching at it.

I have a cat that is strictly outdoors. I took a covered litter box (clean, of course) and lined it with fleece pads. It's on my porch, out of the wind. It is covered with mover's quilts and has a kind of eskimo entrance with a towel that flaps over it.

My cat gets food several times a day, and fresh water several times a day too. We have temperatures that will dip below zero, so I know my cat is comfortable and well cared for.

I think what Sue posted is great. I'd do that.

THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH!

The Feral Shelter looks like something even I can do!!!
Wonderful Ideas & Suggestions!

Thank you all again for caring so much to help me and my "outside" boy have a safe warm place to live & be loved.
~~ kat

My friend from the Rescue says she buys styrofoam coolers when they're on sale and cuts them down, to fit inside the outer box. She also uses the microwaveable disks to heat the shelters.

I just looked at JoMuir's links; they have some construction details that may be helpful.

I haven't tried this myself, as our cat is strictly an indoors cat (though she would dearly love to explore the great outdoors).

Sue

You could do something like this - http://i.imgur.com/UBl0ni6.jpg

My feral cat is very suspicious of anything I set outside but wonderfully settled into this custom-built house after a couple of days. Initially I bought this - http://superblog.co/the-kitty-tube-outdoor-cat-house-review/ - but he never really used it so that was a waste of money. I tried enticing it with cat nip but he only stays inside The Kitty Tube for about a minute or so at a time before heading back out. I followed the instructions on how to build this one from a YouTube video and he likes it! My only problem is the lid leaking at the hinges when it rains too hard outside. I could caulk it but I'm afraid I won't be able to lift the lid anymore for cleaning purposes. Any ideas to keep it from getting wet inside? I'd really appreciate it so thanks in advance!

I saw a photo one time of a large wire cage built close to one of the windows. The cats could leave through the window then be in a cage with walkways built so it could be up high or down on the ground. If I lived where I could do that I would and also have litter box on the outside where the cat would have access and I could empty it and wash it outside the cage.

Edited to say it was a large cage, larger than a walk in closet.

This post was edited by EmmaR on Tue, Apr 8, 14 at 21:08

Thank you for posting that. When I first read the OP, I thought it was a question about letting a cat out to play and to confine it where it would be safe. My apology. I forwarded the photo to my sis because she feeds feral cats.

You could use duct tape to cover the hinges so it wouldn't leak. That would be easily replaced.

Thank you for posting that. When I first read the OP, I thought it was a question about letting a cat out to play and to confine it where it would be safe. My apology. I forwarded the photo to my sis because she feeds feral cats.

You could use duct tape to cover the hinges so it wouldn't leak. That would be easily replaced.

When we moved to our new house we had "1" cat his name was "Token" he was always an inside cat...he loved to sit on his window shelf and watch the birds and other wild life...we moved from the city to the country and live it...! We noticed a couple of other cats hanging around then they "we" all became friends. ..the other cats never left...! Then it started to get cold and colder outside. ...so we took a roll of clear plastic and small strips of wood and closed the whole back porch in with a lil' slit down one side of the steps so they can get in/out of....we made a nice lil' place for them to be warm and snuggly all winter....! We have done this for the past 4 years now.....and just bought the stuff this past weekend to do it again....! Soooo......I'm guessing the cats are happy and now "ours" Lol ♥

I have 3 inside dogs, 2 yorkies and a mixed breed! we now have a cat that has taken up residence on our deck! My husband and I have feel in love with it but it is so afraid and after several weeks it is finally letting me touch it but just a little bit! We took a box and made it a house with a heated blanket inside today but it hasn’t went in? I am going to buy it a real house but I just want it to be warm for now! How do you get it to go in?

maybe you could try putting a small bowl of food inside, something stinky (tuna, etc.) that he will be able to smell to coax him inside. if it's warm enough with the heated blanket, it won't freeze as quickly.

Try putting catnip in the house to make it go inside.