Cold Weather Care for Community Cats
Watching out for those who need us most
When the temperatures plummet, kitties who live outdoors have little recourse. That's when we need to step in.
No matter how small your efforts may feel, it is crucial to do something to help feral cats survive!
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the various ways you can help outdoor cats to live through the winter. Without your help, many of them will die from harsh conditions. Even the simplest gesture could sustain a cat until spring, when conditions become more livable. From building a simple shelter to providing food and water, there's something everyone can do to help!
** If you live in the St. Louis area, Operation SPOT has free straw available for pick up at 2801 Clark Ave., St. Louis, MO 63103 from 8:00am-5:00pm seven days a week. This straw can be used as bedding for dog houses and other companion animal shelters. Dog houses may be available upon request.
Other locations for pickup can be found here.
** Another St. Louis resource is the St. Louis Feral Cat Outreach. The kind volunteers of this organization are experts when it comes to caring for feral cats. They can be reached at 314-669-5228 for information on cold weather care for cats, help with TNR, and other questions you may have about community cats.
** If you have the time and desire to do so, your neighborhood cats would greatly appreciate you constructing a homemade shelter for them. Find plans for simple but effective houses on these sites:
** Neighborhood Cats Winter Shelter
** Animal Kind Feral Shelter
** Alley Cat Allies Shelter Plans
** Please take a few moments to read our Community Cat brochure, which can be viewed online or downloaded.
** Finally, here are some general tips for helping our feline friends in the winter, thanks to Alley Cat Allies.
Remember, even if we cannot bring them inside and snuggle with them throughout the cold months, we CAN do something to help our feral friends. The only way to feel less helpless about homeless animals is by doing something, no matter how small it may feel, to help them.