Print PDF
Favorite
Email
This tutorial will show how to make an Outdoor Cold Weather 'Cat Condo'. Our neighborhood seems to have more than our share of homeless cats and my wife tends to feed all that show up. During the winter months the weather can be wet and cold (with a fair amount of snow), so about seven years ago my wife asked me to create shelters for the feral cats. The shelters last throughout the winter months and I get rid of them each Spring at the end of the rainy season, about the time when many of the cats start wandering off.
The ‘cat condo’ consists of two 18 gallon storage container “houses” measuring 18”W x 25”L x 14”H. The outer walls of the condo are created from one 4 x 8 sheet 1½ ” extruded Styrofoam insulation. The fronts are open so that the storage container “houses” can be removed for cleaning. The ‘condo’ has ledges on each level for eating & sleeping and extended sides for protection from rain and snow. The photo above shows the deterioration on the right side where kittens used it for climbing to the roof – all of the cats like using the roof to lay in the Sun or play, especially the kittens.
The inner storage houses had old clothes/blankets, etc, so even on the coldest of days (near –20F) the cats were warm and cozy. About the only time they wanted to come out on those days were to eat and then they went back into to the houses to sleep. Note: The storage container cat houses are re-used each year.
The ‘cat condo’ consists of two 18 gallon storage container “houses” measuring 18”W x 25”L x 14”H. The outer walls of the condo are created from one 4 x 8 sheet 1½ ” extruded Styrofoam insulation. The fronts are open so that the storage container “houses” can be removed for cleaning. The ‘condo’ has ledges on each level for eating & sleeping and extended sides for protection from rain and snow. The photo above shows the deterioration on the right side where kittens used it for climbing to the roof – all of the cats like using the roof to lay in the Sun or play, especially the kittens.
The inner storage houses had old clothes/blankets, etc, so even on the coldest of days (near –20F) the cats were warm and cozy. About the only time they wanted to come out on those days were to eat and then they went back into to the houses to sleep. Note: The storage container cat houses are re-used each year.
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1Tools & Materials
Tools needed:
- Long blade utility knife or sheet rock saw
- Carpenter’s square
Materials list:
Quantity Part Description Approx Cost
2 18 gal storage tubs (25” x 17 ¾” x 14 ¼”) $ 9.50
1 4 x 8 sheet 1 ½ ” extruded Styrofoam insulation $15.33
1 tube of construction adhesive (outdoor) $ 6.25
- Long blade utility knife or sheet rock saw
- Carpenter’s square
Materials list:
Quantity Part Description Approx Cost
2 18 gal storage tubs (25” x 17 ¾” x 14 ¼”) $ 9.50
1 4 x 8 sheet 1 ½ ” extruded Styrofoam insulation $15.33
1 tube of construction adhesive (outdoor) $ 6.25
| « Previous Step | Download PDFView All Steps | Next Step » |
While feeding and sheltering the cats is great, it is ony half the job! Spaying and neutering those cats is a MUST, given the millions of animals killed in our shelters every year!