IndyFeral opposes feeding bans for stray and feral cats. These bans are inherently cruel and do not come close to achieving their intended goals. Feeding ban laws, ordinances and policies are misguided policy and wholly ineffective. The logic behind feeding bans or instructing people to stop feeding stray and feral cats is that if there is no food available, the cats will go away. This is not true and in fact only makes the problem worse.

Read more about why feeding bans don't work to eliminate stray and feral cats

Read our Outdoor Shelter and Feeding Station Idea Sheet

In cold weather, shelter is actually more important for stray & feral cats than food. Even though feral cats build thicker coats for Winter, they can quickly succumb to hypothermia, particularly in rain & snow when their fur gets wet and doesn't insulate as well.

In emergency situations in Winter, if you do not have quick access to a shelter.....a strong cardboard box or container preferably weather proofed with plastic, trash can turned on its side, large plastic tub turned upside down with a door added etc, can provide a temporary solution until a more permanent shelter can be obtained. It's more important to do something to protect the cats from the cold and elements than to wait for "the right" shelter. Unless you operate a managed colony, don't underestimate the number of cats in your area...you may only see one or two, but there are probably more. Try to provide more shelter space than you imagine needing.

Bedding, location, and other considerations

Thick straw bedding allows the cats to "nest" and curl up into heat-conserving positions with the bedding providing a wind-break and insulator. In some cases, tacking strips of cloth over the shelter openings can provide additional protection from drafts, but may require additional "training" to get the cats to enter the shelter. In very harsh conditions, caretakers may wish to provide weatherproof dog-house heating pads. These are constructed of sealed, heavy plastic with damage-resistant cords. Only use these if you can safely run power to the unit using a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). The GFCI will disconnect the power in the event of a short circuit or damage to the cord. When plugging a heater cord into an extension cord, make sure the connection does not lay on the ground where it might be prone to water. Special waterproof extension cords are available at hardware stores.

Locating the shelter is also an important topic. IndyFeral recommends using neutral and earth tones to blend with the environment. We recommend that shelters be located away from areas of vehicle & foot traffic. Locating it in a wooded area, or in the margin of a wooded area is ideal, as this provides cover from the elements and makes the shelter less obvious. In more developed areas, locate the shelter behind buildings or someplace where it will not be disturbed. Cats will shun shelter if they are disturbed there regularly. Orient the shelter to block the entrances from receiving direct wind and rain/snow. In central Indiana, the prevailing winds are usually from the south to the west. It may also be helpful to place sturdy building materials adjacent to the entrance to provide additional wind protection -- about 12" from the entrance would be fine. Make sure that if you place anything over or around the shelter that it is anchored firmly and will not blow or fall over in front of the entrance.

Ideally, we suggest that stray & feral cats have access to heated shelter with clean dry bedding. Recognizing that it may be difficult, if not impossible to provide this, IndyFeral has compiled a list of resources for buying or making shelters for cats.

Are you looking for the shelters IndyFeral used to sell? FeralVilla is now producing and selling them.

These outdoor shelters are constructed from durable, weather-resistant, all-wood construction. They are insulated with a non-toxic, foil-faced insulation that reflects their body heat. The bottom parts are made from rot & insect resistant wood and may rest directly on the soil. The roof comes off for easy cleaning. That cleaning would consist of removing old bedding material or other debris and putting in fresh bedding.

Electric heating pad and heated water bowls: Make sure they are rated for outdoor use

If you have an outlet handy, you can safely provide some extra warmth for the cats with an outdoor rated electric heating pad and keep their water from freezing by using an electric heated water bowl. These products can be found in many pet supply stores or online through Amazon or other online retailers:

• Amazon: K and H Outdoor Heated Kitty Pad
• Amazon: Heated Water Bowls
• CozyWinters.com: Heated Pet Products

Above: A quick and simple shelter can be made out of an inverted clear tote placed over an outdoor rated heating pad, with an entrance cut into the side.

Non-Electric Heating

If you don’t have access to an electrical outlet for the cats consider a "SnuggleSafe" thermal disc. It is a plastic disc with a special thermal compound inside that stays warm for hours when heated in a microwave for 5-7 minutes. Wrapped in a cloth the cats can’t open, the disk is a great way to provide warmth. They are also often available at pet supply stores or through Amazon:

• SnuggleSafe discs

A piece of plywood leaning against a wall can provide a sheltered area for feeding cats. It is cheap, easy, inconspicuous, and can be moved or taken down when not needed.

LEFT: An unused igloo-style or other plastic doghouse can make a good feeding station for cats. If you do not have one, they can often be found at garage sales for much less than the price of buying new.

RIGHT: A large plastic tote can be converted into a feeding station easily by cutting a large opening in the side. The food can be tucked around towards either end, keeping it well sheltered and allowing multiple cats to feed at the same time.

LEFT: A simple wooden feeding station can be built by anyone with basic wood-working skills. This example, built by Habitat for Dogmanity through the "Habitat for Catmanity" program, is open on one side, has an overhanging slanted roof to draw rain away from the opening, is deep enough to hold cats and food dishes, and is slightly raised off the ground.

RIGHT: Another wooden feeding station design, this example is open on all sides, which offers less protection from the elements but allows more cats to feed at one time.

BELOW: More ideas for simple, quick feeding stations.

• Alley Cat Allies' Feral Cat Shelter Options Gallery lists several options available for feral cat shelters.
• The one that probably started it all, the design and building instructions available from Alley Cat Allies.
• Neighborhood Cats' Feral Cat Winter Shelter page
• LoveMeow.com has a video showing how to make a tote-style shelter
• Urban Cat League's Shelter Page. This page has instructions to buy or build various tote-based shelters.
• Feral Cat Caretakers' Coalition Shelter and Feeding Station Page
• The Outdoor Pet Feeder helps prevent insects and birds from getting into cats' food.

Indianapolis Pet Food Pantry, 456 Holmes Ave, Indpls. IN 46222. The pantry is open for dog/ cat owners and colony caretakers every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from Noon-4:00 pm. Animals must be spayed or neutered. Operated by FIDO, www.fidoindy.org, call 221-1314.