Time to get prepared for weather changes

[Siwsan]

I've got 4 shelters out for the ferals. They all got fresh straw and I 'reinforced' the biggest one. It's a big old carrier. I removed the door and had made a gallant effort at blocking the vents to keep out the rain. It's where Arthur and his litter mates were born so I guess it's not too shabby.

I cut open an empty kibble bag (VERY strong plastic) and duct taped it down. I'm also going to stabilize it with a lid from a plastic tub to use as an awning. That will help keep precipitation from getting inside.

I know I'll have to get something stronger to hold the plastic in place, but this will do for now. What I want to find is some sort of insulation to put between the carrier and the bag and some straps to hold the bag in place. I might try making those, myself. Maybe some sort of strong binding with Velcro to hold it together. I'm thinking of repositioning it so the opening is facing the house. That should cut down on wind AND I can keep an eye on things from the sun room window.

One thing for sure, my brain is kept relatively agile trying to come up with ways to take care of these sweeties.

[2naSalit]

1. Nice job!

That will do for now. Turning it away from most of the wind is a good idea. Do you have something, even bag material, that could stretch across the first 6 - 8+ inches at the bottom of the opening? Could be taped to the sides?

An awning will surely help too. Such a labor of love, wish I could be there to help... I would work for kitten snuggles during break time!

[Siwsan]

6. I was thinking the exact same thing

Maybe even cut some Styrofoam. I always hold on to that when it's in any packages I get.

[2naSalit]

8. Almost anything...

Would do to keep the breeze out of the straw which will help keep those little kits warm. Styrofoam is a great insulator. When I made a shelter for Mikey, I used an old carrier but I also found a clean styrofoam shipping carton from Omaha steaks, cut an entry hole in it and put it inside the carrier.It sits back inside the carrier a few inches so there's a kind of vestibule to it. I also packed old, torn up blankets around to styro box inside the carrier so it's super insulated and the opening is small enough that he can defend himself from inside. He uses it in the colder months but he does sleep in the house at night then too. In summer, he lives outside as he always has and he has now found several safe spots when he's in need. He has learned to not walk out in the open due to eagles, hawks and owls.

There are lots of ways to do it and you've got good ideas!

[blm]

10. Large sized padded mail pouches are moisture-resistant

and good insulation. And should fit easily between your carrier shell and plastic

[thatcrowwoman]

2. Tikkun Olam, my friend. You are repairing the world.

Thank you for sharing your continuing KitCats saga with the community of readers and commenters you have brought together here, Siwsan.
It gives me something to look forward to each day.

You are a powerful care~giver with a generous spirit.
Your caring and generous spirit always lift mine.
It’s a precious blessing.
Finest kind, Siwsan.
Many thanks for being a beautiful spark of light in these challenging times.
🕊💫🩵tcw

[Polly Hennessey]

5. CrowWoman, you speak eloquently for me.

I look first for Siwsan posts. They make me feel like I’m in a better world. I like your “repairing the world”. 🤗

[justaprogressive]

3. ...not a criticism

but I suspect that the fibreboard will soak thru and warp...

+1 on an awning

[Siwsan]

4. There's no fiberboard

The carrier is plastic.

[justaprogressive]

15. The object the carrier is sitting on

is fibreboard, water damages it easily

[Siwsan]

16. That is a concrete paver.

The wheels on the bottom of the crate make it difficult to elevate on anything. I've got some old fence posts that might do but they will have to be cut to size.

[justaprogressive]

17. eyesight no doubt failing :)

Sure looks like fibreboard...

[Nanuke]

7. Just a thought.

Could bunji cords be used to wrap around to hold coverings and insulation in place?

[2naSalit]

9. You'd need a bunch of them...

And they'd have to be pretty long.

[Bayard]

11. I would put a couple of regular sized bricks on top at either end,

Then use zip ties through the vent holes to fasten the plastic and bags to the crate, if you don't want to put bungees around it (did you save the string from the straw bales?). Old towels are good insulation if you put them under the other layers.

You could also put half a board in front to block the wind, or even another bale of straw.

Good luck!

[slightlv]

12. I wish we were closer, physically, Siwsan

Right now, I'm advertising on the Buy Nothing forum in my area, trying to get rid of TVs and extra stuff I have in my house. I'm reconfiguring the house. It'll grow as I go through the rooms. I'd love to have you just go through the house, looking to see what you could use for the ferals. I know there's much you could put to good use, and it pains me we're so far apart. As it is, I've helped women "escapees" (their phrasing) from TN and TX so far get set up here with TVs and furniture. Later will come computers as I rebuild what I have into working systems for them. It started at first just to get rid of "junk" so I could walk thru this house without hurting myself, but now, after seeing the look on these women's faces, it's become so much more. I remember being them in my earlier days... only now, in today's world, it's so much worse.

I've bought some of these large, cheap totes that I had used to keep kibble in... they're all hard, clear plastic. I cut a large circle out in one of the ends as an entrance/exit and added straw for bedding. Facing away from the weather, I found it makes a good home for a couple of the ferals in my area that are bonded. I keep it out by the fence... far enough away from house they're not scared of being too close to the humans, but close enough I can feed them easily.

[Mr.Bill]

13. For insulation,

see if a craft store has sheets of styrofoam. Gotta keep those kitties warm.