KEEPING COMMUNITY CATS SAFE AND DRY THIS WINTER

As the temperatures start to drop and the rainy season approaches, it's time to start thinking about the cats who don't have a warm house to go home to at night.

Here in the Central Valley, we're lucky our winters are generally mild compared with many parts of the country. But cold temperatures combined with rain, wind and wet fur can still be dangerous for an outdoor cat. And with forecasts calling for a potentially wetter winter, now is a good time to make sure the cats in your neighborhood have somewhere safe and dry to escape the weather.

The good news is helping them doesn't have to be expensive or complicated.

A DRY SHELTER CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE

If you care for a colony of community cats, one of the best things you can do is provide an outdoor shelter where they can get out of the rain and wind.

The most important thing is the shelter stays dry.

A shelter should have a small entrance that is just large enough for a cat to get through. A smaller opening helps keep rain and wind from blowing inside, helps the cat retain body heat and can also protect a cat from predators.

You can purchase outdoor cat shelters, but you can also make one yourself with inexpensive materials.

One of the easiest DIY shelters uses a large Rubbermaid-style storage container.

Simply cut an appropriately sized opening in the side of the container, add insulation if desired, and provide dry bedding inside. The lid keeps rain out, and the plastic container helps protect the cat from wind and moisture.

And you don't have to be particularly crafty. If you can use a box cutter and have a storage container, you can make a basic shelter.

There are several ways to build an inexpensive outdoor cat shelter. The photos below show how a simple plastic storage tote, some Styrofoam insulation, and straw can become a warm, dry place for a community cat to escape the winter weather.

STRAW IS YOUR FRIEND

When it comes to outdoor shelters, straw is a great bedding material.

Straw helps insulate the shelter and doesn't hold moisture the way some other materials can.

Avoid using blankets, towels or other fabric as the primary bedding in an outdoor shelter.

Once they become wet or damp, they can actually make the shelter colder rather than warmer.

And remember to check the shelter regularly. If the bedding becomes wet, replace it.

A shelter that is supposed to protect a cat from the rain isn't doing much good if the inside is soaked.

WHAT ABOUT A HEATED BED?

If you have access to electricity near your shelter, a heated outdoor pet bed or heating pad designed specifically for animals can provide additional warmth.

But safety is extremely important.

Only use products that are specifically designed for outdoor or animal use, and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Outdoor-rated equipment and protected electrical connections are especially important when rain is involved. Never use a household heating pad that isn't designed for animals or outdoor conditions.

If you don't have a safe electrical source, don't worry. A properly insulated, dry shelter with appropriate bedding can still provide a huge amount of protection from the elements.

KEEP FOOD AND WATER PROTECTED

Cold and rainy weather also means paying a little extra attention to food and water.

Try to keep food somewhere covered so it doesn't become soaked. Wet food can spoil more quickly, and dry food obviously isn't very appetizing once it's sitting in a puddle.

Water should also be protected from rain and debris and checked regularly.

If you're feeding multiple community cats, keeping the feeding area separate from their sleeping shelter can help keep the shelter cleaner and drier.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT CARS

Winter weather also creates another danger for outdoor cats: cars.

When the weather is cold, cats may crawl underneath vehicles or into warm engine compartments looking for shelter.

Before starting your vehicle, especially if you know there are community cats in your neighborhood, take a quick look underneath and give the hood a gentle tap.

It only takes a few seconds, and it could save a life.

CHECK ON YOUR SHELTERS REGULARLY

Once you've put a shelter outside, don't just forget about it.

Check it regularly to make sure the entrance hasn't become blocked, the bedding is dry, the shelter hasn't shifted or become damaged, and rain isn't getting inside.

You may also discover that the cats have decided they prefer a different location!

That's okay. Cats can be very particular about where they sleep. You may have to experiment with placement until you find a spot they feel comfortable using.

Try placing shelters in a quiet, protected area away from heavy foot traffic. If possible, position the opening away from the direction of prevailing wind and rain.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING

Sometimes we see a community cat outside and think, I wish I could bring every cat home.

Believe me, I understand that feeling.

But helping doesn't always mean bringing a cat inside.

Sometimes helping means putting out a shelter.

Sometimes it means making sure a colony has food and clean water.

Sometimes it means getting a cat spayed or neutered so there aren't more kittens born outside next spring.

And sometimes it means simply noticing the cats in your neighborhood and deciding that you're going to do something to make their lives a little better.

A simple Rubbermaid shelter may not look like much to us.

To a cat sitting outside in the middle of a cold, rainy night, it can mean everything.

So before the winter rains really get going, take a look around your neighborhood. Is there a community cat who could use a dry place to sleep?

If there is, consider making a shelter.

It doesn't have to be fancy.

And that small effort can make a very big difference to a cat who has nowhere else to go.

REMEMBER TO KEEP CATS SAFE THIS WINTER!