Keeping the cats warm

Now that it’s starting to feel much colder at night you may be wondering how the cats get by through winter.

Whitey, Pet, Callie and Mittens live in a wooden shed which has bales of straw tightly stacked around it for insulation, especially on the windy side. On the floor inside there are interlocking rubber workshop tiles with indoor/outdoor mats on top. There are various levels in the shed and different beds are available – some with straw and some with blankets (as the shed is completely waterproof), some more enclosed like inside a styrofoam cooler and some more open where the cats can curl up together.

A few years ago, a “sunroom” was added which is popular. It faces south to get maximum sunshine and can get very warm.

On cold nights a small space heater kicks in.

The cats are fed inside the shed when the weather is cold and there is a litter box if they want to stay in. There are three different water bowls in the shed.

Blackie will not come to the shed despite our best efforts. She lives in a horse barn that is close by. We have built her a shelter made out of straw and she will sleep in it when it is very cold.

To keep her water from freezing, we bought her a heated water bowl.