Winter is just around the corner time to start building Feral an Stray Cat Shelters

Here some tips from my friends at Alley Cat Allies on straw to be used as bedding in a feral or stray cat Shelters.

Straw and hay may look similar, but they’re very different when it comes to insulating your feral cat shelters.

Hay is used for animal feed—it draws and holds moisture, which you don’t want in your cat shelter.

Straw, the dry leftover stalks from harvested crops, repels moisture, making it ideal for keeping cats and other animals warm and comfy all winter long.

If you’re able to do a side by side comparison, the easiest way to tell whether you’re buying straw or hay is the price difference: while cost varies by region, hay should be two to three times more expensive than straw.

Straw is also usually tough, thick, lightweight, and yellow or golden in color, while hay is heavy and green. But hay comes in a number of varieties, so if you aren’t sure – ask the clerk!

So, where can you find straw? Check out these locations in your area to see if they carry straw for animal bedding:

• Pet supply stores
• Farm, livestock, or agricultural supply stores or catalogs
• Garden centers
• Try asking your veterinarian for local suppliers.
• If you live in a farming community, ask your neighbours!

What do I do with it? Loosely pack the straw on the inside bottom of the shelter—filling the shelter to the quarter or halfway point—to insulate it. Hands down, straw makes the best bedding.

Caregivers’ tip: Straw usually comes in bales, but you only need a fraction of a bale to line your cat shelter. Consider sharing a bale with other caregivers or holding a shelter building event in your community. The good news is that, when cared for properly, straw can last decades. Store straw off the ground (for instance, on a wood pallet) and keep it dry by storing indoors.

 Please support Alley Cat Allies They are the voice for all of the forgotten Cats an Kittens in this country.

This gallery is bought to you by Alley Cat Allies. 

 Gallerys of feral an stray cat shelters

 Read our other winter care tips.

 For more information on caring for feral an stray cats go to alleycat.org

With a little help from all of us we can make the life's of the forgotten street cats and kittens a little better an safer an with time they will find there furever homes because a little love an kindness can go a long way. =^..^=

If you have tips an idea on caring for stray an feral cats please leave a comment.

Goodbye to a loving feral mama kitty

Midnight was a 2 or 3 year old black feral mama kitty who showed up this summer looking for a safe place to have her kittens she came into the shop looking for something to eat she was so skinny an thin just a bag of bones with a fat belly full of kittens it took me two weeks softly talking to her laying on the floor to gain her trust so she would not run away all of the kitty's here at Paw Town Cats welcome her my joy joy kitty an misty kitty would sit with her an groom her they made her feel at home an a 6:30 am just like clock work Misty an Midnight kitty would meow to wake me up to feed them Midnight had her kitten by the Sistine (big under ground water tank) the only place which has trees an shade an was cool in 100 + heat of the summer then she would bring her kittens into the shop so I could see them an take them back where is was cool as time when on she would bring her kittens into the shop an then her an Misty kitty would eat together an Misty kitty would baby sit the kittens so Midnight could take a nap under an old motor home inside the shop which was cool she also made that her new home for her kittens on the 11th of September Misty kitty was the only one meowing to wake me up no Midnight an her kittens wore gone that was not like her something was wrong then on the 13th I found Midnight she was ran over by a car or farm tractor an by the tire marks the HUMAN driving made it a point to run her over. Now my sweet feral mama kitty Midnight is gone she is in the arms of Mother Nature free of this HATEFUL NON-CARING HUMAN WORLD an I am the dad to four kittens which are sweet an loving. I miss Midnight kitty she trusted me to keep her safe an I failed. Goodbye baby you are safe on the other side of the rainbow bridge please forgive me an I WILL keep your kittens safe bye bye my sweet feral girl Midnight kitty. =^..^=