Anyone have experience with winter shelters for feral cats?

[spinbaby]

I’m investigating options for the colony where I’ve been trapping. I’m not sure how many cats total, but I’ve trapped ten so far, fixed and returned nine, and there are still a lot of cats without ear tips about. So any solutions would have to be inexpensive. I’ve looked over a lot of plans for shelters. The plastic storage tub solution seems to be not very substantial. I’m leaning toward using large coolers with openings cut into the sides.

[IcyPeas]

1. Ally Cats advocates mentions 2 types:

THANK YOU FOR TAKING CARE OF THE CATS

https://alleycatadvocates.org/communitycat-care-center/creating-winter-shelters/

[Blue Owl]

2. K&R for the outdoor kitties

n/t

[soothsayer]

3. We do a cat bed with a weatherproof heating pad under it

And a heat lamp above it, out on a carport (so, under cover).

Otherwise those igloos or cat playhouse looking things are good because they can snuggle up.

[spinbaby]

6. Sadly, no such luxuries

We need to go with straw-stuffed shelters.

[fierywoman]

4. Do you follow the Tiny Kittens site on youtube? They're just outside of Vancouver

and are heavily involved with ferals -- they could probably give you good advice.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeL2LSl91k2VccR7XEh5IKg

[BainsBane]

5. You can make shelters for them

https://www.arl-iowa.org/news/pet-tips-/keep-feral-cats-warm-in-the-winter/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxuWqtb3-6wIV8Ql9Ch29hQMzEAAYASAAEgLOrPD_BwE

[spinbaby]

7. I'm trying to decide what kind to make.

I’m kind of leaning towards this: