11/29/2025
When a bad storm or sudden cold snap is arriving soon and time is of the essence, use the design described here to quickly build an adequate temporary shelter. You'll need a cardboard box, duct tape, shredded newspaper, a pair of scissors and either a plastic drop cloth that's 3 millimeters thick (a common item in the paint department at Lowes, Builder’s Lumber, or Gillman’s) or contractor trash bags at least 3 millimeters thick. To assemble:
(1) Take the cardboard box (cardboard is actually good insulation) and tape all the seams shut with duct tape.
(2) Wrap the box completely with the drop cloth or trash bags, cutting the plastic as necessary and making as few seams as possible. Secure onto the box with duct tape, liberally and tightly wrapping the tape around the sides of the box and sealing any seams in the plastic. This will make the shelter waterproof.
(3) Cut a doorway in one of the shorter sides of the box approximately 6 inches by 6 inches, leaving the bottom of the doorway a few inches above the bottom of the box to prevent flooding. Use duct tape to secure the loose plastic around the opening onto the cardboard.
(4) Place shredded newspaper inside the box, filling it up to the bottom of the doorway in front and a little higher towards the back. The cats will gain added warmth by burrowing into the newspaper.
For added insulation, start by placing a slightly smaller cardboard box inside a larger one and fill the gap between them with rolled-up newspaper. Then proceed with steps 1 through 4, above, being sure to cut the doorway through both boxes.
And Friends of Feral Felines added in the comments:
•This is meant only as a temporary emergency shelter
•A slightly smaller box inside of the outer one adds an additional "layer" of insulation.
•Keep the entry hole small (6" is big enough for MOST cats) and the box "SNUG" to prevent heat loss.
•Shelters keep cats warm by concentrating & reflecting the cat's own body heat. Think of the cat as the heater and the shelter as a small room.
•Straw (not hay) provides the best bedding. Its hollow stems hold air to insulate, and its shiny outer layer repels moisture.
•Hay, cloth, rugs, blankets, towels, pillows, pet beds or any absorbent bedding should be avoided. They ABSORB moisture (from the air & animal's coat) and can freeze into an ICE PACK, actually robbing a sheltering animal of precious body heat.
