I'm working on improving the shelter on the deck. (pic)

[Siwsan]

There's a wood rack with a tarp beneath the wood. A picnic bench pushed tight against/beneath the wood and it's topped by an old plastic shutter that has no openings beneath the slats. It is against the enclosed porch and under a roof overhang. This weekend we are going to put some pavers beneath the legs of the rack to raise it and make a little more space but there's room, now, for an old (cleaned) litter pan filled with straw. I blocked off the open end with some cat litter jugs filled with water. Of course some more improvements, a lot more reinforcement, insulation will be added before Winter.

The kittens were already using the smaller version and now this should make room for their moms, too. If we get that rain, I'll better be able to see what needs tweaking.

I'm brainstorming some other shelter ideas, too.

[2naSalit]

1. They seem to like the spot...

I'm sure any improvements will be appreciated.

[Siwsan]

3. The little kittens and their mom are using it. Dylan, Rhys and Merlin now have a bachelor pad.

They are using the blue cooler chest shelter.

[2naSalit]

10. That's good.

It's easier for them to sort things out when they have choices. Three gold stars for you!!

[JMCKUSICK]

2. Think 4 or 5 Pallets

We built one last year out of pallets, and hay building 3 sides plus a roof or breaking them down and getting fancier with all that nice wood. I know i get them for free from places like Rural King etc...then add hay and it allows for easy adjusting to where the storm or wind is coming from to enhance the shelter. We set it up with a large square piece of wood making the entrance natural and small enough to hold sone heat etc.

[Siwsan]

4. I do want to get some pallets

I'm wondering if they have some at the school system where my brother works.

[Katcat]

5. Try your local Lowes if you have one

If you don’t you can call around and ask any businesses if they have spare pallets to build a kitty shelter. I know we got some from a corporation where my son works, they get material delivered on pallets.

[Siwsan]

8. Unfortunately we don't

I'm going to put the word out for friends to keep an eye out for them.

[2naSalit]

11. Shouldn't take long...

If there are any stores or hardware or almost any kind of medium sized store could have them out behind the place. Sometimes they pile them up next to the dumpster. You and you brother could go for a drive on a weekend day and probably find what you need in a short time. Also construction sites.

[canuckledragger]

13. grocery stores tend to have lots, at least where I live.

They'd have so many leftover ones that that some stores would cut them up, fill up those huge paper biodegradable bags meant for leaves with them, and sell them as cheap firewood.

[fierywoman]

7. You're a good human.

[niyad]

9. awwwwww, it is clear that the littte ones approve.

[Aussie105]

12. Cats love their 'safe places'.

You are doing real good on that front!

Ours has his daily routine all lined up.

Sleeps somewhere outdoors (?) at night.

On a sunny day, he sits on the recycle bin in the full Sun. (Winter here.)
Then moves to the iron roof for more warmth.
Stretches out on the shade cloth covered pergola he uses as a hammock when he gets warm enough.

Bleats pitifully at me from a great hight when he is hungry so I can lift him down and carry him inside for a feed.

And the converted guinea pig hutch for emergency use in inclement weather. Hates wind, hates rain.

Spoilt rotten, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Stray cat. He adopted and trained us, not the other way around. Cats are like that.

[Donkees]

14. I wonder if there is cause for concern about brown recluse spiders and the wood pile

[Siwsan]

15. I recently moved some of the wood to the rack and kept an eye out for any creepy crawlies

Didn't see any.