The DU Lounge

DarleenMB

(408 posts)

17. Bless you!

Wed Nov 14, 2018, 11:23 AM

Nov 2018

From one cat lover to another ... get some straw for the box. Not HAY, straw. Blankets get wet from the cats tracking snow in and then get just nasty. There are a number of really good websites that explain all this. Just google feral cat shelters. I have had as many as 5 strays/ferals that I tend to and winters here can be brutal. I have given up with trying to house them. They just won't use anything I put out. I even bought a really NICE wooden shelter that has two openings, and an enclosed inner "story" for them to snug up in. Nope. Not a one has even done anything except sit on the roof. tsk. But I feed and water them and just pray they all make through yet another winter.

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DIY Emergency Housing for Feral and Stray Cats during Winter. Quick and easy. [View all] Solly Mack Nov 2018 OP

Good job! sinkingfeeling Nov 2018 #1

I hope it's enough. People can be so mean. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #5

stray cats pamdb Nov 2018 #2

Thanks! I can add straw easy enough. I'll check it out while they are off doing whatever it is they Solly Mack Nov 2018 #4

You're a kind person. NT Rorey Nov 2018 #3

They looked so thin a few weeks ago. They have both gained weight since. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #7

Thank you! My friends did this.. they made a little wooden cat size house and put it on their... samnsara Nov 2018 #6

We run the risk of raccoons invading...if the cats don't homestead. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #8

Raccoons are our issue too. Rorey Nov 2018 #15

How wonderful! Happy laughs while reading. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #77

Yeah, that broken heart thing Rorey Nov 2018 #91

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope it all works out for the best for you both. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #92

Thanks, but he voted for -45 Rorey Nov 2018 #95

Oh. OK. I understand perfectly. I really do. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #98

Lizards Rorey Nov 2018 #99

Yes. IN the house. I like lizards but the size of the one she caught startled me. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #100

Kudos, Solly Mack gademocrat7 Nov 2018 #9

I hope so. Thanks, gademocrat7 Solly Mack Nov 2018 #10

We have one of these on our back deck. It has a heated pad*. It is under the picnic table and FSogol Nov 2018 #11

Very cool! Love the tire house. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #50

We have a good trap, spray, and release program here so the population has dropped in the last 10 FSogol Nov 2018 #60

We don't have a program here. It would be wonderful if we did. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #74

Thank you on behalf of the cats sweetroxie Nov 2018 #12

I love animals. Hate it when they're abused. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #51

You're a good man! Wonderful story, looking forward secondwind Nov 2018 #13

If I can catch them fast enough. They tend to dart the second they hear the door open. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #52

. JudyM Nov 2018 #14

... Solly Mack Nov 2018 #53

Thank you for your kindness. Scarsdale Nov 2018 #16

I hope we can catch them soon and get them a check-up. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #54

Bless you! DarleenMB Nov 2018 #17

I will look into the straw. Lots of it for sale around here. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #56

I seem to be the only person that hates feral cats... LakeArenal Nov 2018 #18

Ferals destroyed my screens on my porch. Dr Hobbitstein Nov 2018 #21

My state is a mess. No DNR to help. LakeArenal Nov 2018 #22

Florida is lousy with them, too. Dr Hobbitstein Nov 2018 #24

Trap them and release them at the Mayor's house. alfredo Nov 2018 #32

I did say today we need a trap. LakeArenal Nov 2018 #34

It was tongue in cheek. Check my post on feral cats. alfredo Nov 2018 #37

DNR helps a little, but doesn't solve the problem. janx Nov 2018 #47

If, at least, we had any animal control LakeArenal Nov 2018 #48

You're not alone in those feelings. NurseJackie Nov 2018 #27

I'm a bird lover too. I just can't see an animal harmed that way if I can help them. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #57

Thanks Solly. You're right, finding homes is the best solution. LakeArenal Nov 2018 #64

I agree. People who abandon theirs animals to the wild are pond scum. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #82

Tip of the hat to you and again, Thanks. LakeArenal Nov 2018 #83

TNR program here is pretty good Rorey Nov 2018 #97

Blessings on you for caring about the forgotten furbabies. pazzyanne Nov 2018 #19

I live on a military post and it ticks me off to no end when people move Solly Mack Nov 2018 #58

You are what they call "good people" Catherine Vincent Nov 2018 #20

Thanks. I'm a big softy. (at times) Solly Mack Nov 2018 #59

Helping feral cats survive the winter means MORE feral cats in the spring... NurseJackie Nov 2018 #23

Once he can catch them radical noodle Nov 2018 #28

I find them very easy to catch with a "Have-a-Heart" box trap... NurseJackie Nov 2018 #30

What about birth control feral cat food? alfredo Nov 2018 #41

Thanks! You the man!! Solly Mack Nov 2018 #62

Or do as they did in India, offer a transistor radio to those who get their tubes snipped. alfredo Nov 2018 #104

Not sure the cats want a radio. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #105

I'll have to do some market research. alfredo Nov 2018 #106

That should be interesting. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #107

That s still to be seen alfredo Nov 2018 #118

Cats are invasive species. The best we can do is trap then spay or neuter. alfredo Nov 2018 #33

Not rational. Jakes Progress Nov 2018 #39

Oh, good grief. NurseJackie Nov 2018 #42

Oh. good grief. Jakes Progress Nov 2018 #44

What makes you believe that I'm *shooting* feral cats and dogs? NurseJackie Nov 2018 #46

I don't know what it is about cats Jakes Progress Nov 2018 #121

Hi, Jake's Progress! NurseJackie Nov 2018 #123

That's why I plan to have them both fixed once I can capture them. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #61

Not if they are fixed. All of ours are. n/t FSogol Nov 2018 #63

No if you trap, neuter/spay and then release them back into their former lives there are no babies. pazzyanne Nov 2018 #67

Sorry. I don't want ANY feral cats shitting in my garden and spraying my shrubs. NurseJackie Nov 2018 #81

LOL!!! pazzyanne Nov 2018 #94

So you value your garden and shrubs. zanana1 Nov 2018 #110

LOL! NurseJackie Nov 2018 #111

I won't write what I'm thinking. nt zanana1 Nov 2018 #115

Neither will I... NurseJackie Nov 2018 #116

Good on you. byronius Nov 2018 #25

Thanks, byronius Solly Mack Nov 2018 #65

Good work radical noodle Nov 2018 #26

I had to do something. Temps were going to drop below freezing Solly Mack Nov 2018 #66

That's the best idea I think. janx Nov 2018 #73

I can tell the tabby has been on his own longer than the gray/blue. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #79

I hope so radical noodle Nov 2018 #103

Feral cats annually kill *billions* of song and ground birds in the USA Crash2Parties Nov 2018 #29

The "forest dwelling" cats also bring ticks and fleas into our property... NurseJackie Nov 2018 #31

So do eagles and hawks. Jakes Progress Nov 2018 #36

I never had six to eight hawks or eagles hiding on my deck to kill birds. LakeArenal Nov 2018 #38

You do not understand nature. Jakes Progress Nov 2018 #43

Well with all due respect. BS LakeArenal Nov 2018 #45

You make many rational arguments and offer explanations... NurseJackie Nov 2018 #49

You use the word rational. I do Jakes Progress Nov 2018 #122

Ah... another smear. How very charming. NurseJackie Nov 2018 #124

The world is bigger than your back yard. Jakes Progress Nov 2018 #119

... NurseJackie Nov 2018 #125

Oh you win. Everybody, cats are allowed everywhere including private property. LakeArenal Nov 2018 #126

I know. I'm a bird lover too. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #68

Not true. It's a drop in the bucket compared to the number killed by windows. Coventina Nov 2018 #112

Now don't get all factual on us. Haters 1 Jakes Progress Nov 2018 #120

Yeah, I know. It's pretty sad. n/t Coventina Nov 2018 #127

This message was self-deleted by its author Coventina Nov 2018 #113

Hey, those cold kitties think it's a castle and that's all that matters. It's great. catbyte Nov 2018 #35

lol! Great story! Solly Mack Nov 2018 #69

It's a great thing you're doing. It's not their fault they're on their own. It's ours. catbyte Nov 2018 #78

Oh, my! lol. I love opossums! Solly Mack Nov 2018 #80

Good on you. Jakes Progress Nov 2018 #40

Different people gonna be different. It's all good. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #70

Wonderful idea. I wish you extra special karma. dewsgirl Nov 2018 #55

Thanks. I'll need something to help earn their trust. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #71

Well, this thread sure took an unexpected turn :-( IcyPeas Nov 2018 #72

It's DU. Happens. No biggie. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #75

Illegitimi non carborundum Coventina Nov 2018 #117

Kick lunasun Nov 2018 #76

I'm an animal lover too, and I admire what you've done for those feral cats red dog 1 Nov 2018 #84

I'll check into the cages. Thanks. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #85

What state do you live in? red dog 1 Nov 2018 #86

Small town, backwoods SW- CENLA, Louisiana. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #87

Here's a website that might help red dog 1 Nov 2018 #88

Thanks! Solly Mack Nov 2018 #89

Good luck! red dog 1 Nov 2018 #90

Thank you so much for caring for the kitties. We need more people who possess empathy. It's so BlueInRedHell Nov 2018 #93

Thank you. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #96

Solly Mack Earth Angel blm Nov 2018 #101

Ha! Nah. lol :) Solly Mack Nov 2018 #102

Good on you, Solly Mack Bayard Nov 2018 #108

Thanks, Bayard. Your menagerie sounds wonderful to me. :) Solly Mack Nov 2018 #109

I made something similar TuxedoKat Nov 2018 #114

Thanks, TuxedoKat Solly Mack Nov 2018 #129

You're welcome TuxedoKat Nov 2018 #131

I can get a deal on it. We have two vets we use. One because the other one is Solly Mack Nov 2018 #132

Sometimes I have put Hot Hands inside thick winter gloves. raging moderate Nov 2018 #128

Wow. Thanks. Never heard of them before. Solly Mack Nov 2018 #130