Build a comfortable kennel to give cats shelter from the winter cold

The drop in temperatures in the heart of winter is not only a problem for us, but is also one for those animals that cannot enjoy shelter inside houses - as happens to many cats that may prowl around near our homes. However, it is possible to help them shelter from the most intense cold with kennels built with DIY techniques and using easily available and very cheap materials.

These DIY projects are making kennels with good thermal insulation and being waterproofed, which could come in handy even in the coldest homes. Read on to find out how to make them:

Pixabay, BC SPCA/YouTube (video tutorial)

What is needed:

• 2 sturdy plastic boxes, those types with lids used to tidy up the house - one of which is smaller than the other, so that it can be inserted inside each other. Two different shapes are also fine, just as long as there is a space all around so you can better isolate the gap between the two. An excellent alternative is to replace the inner box with a polystyrene one, such as those used to transport fresh food on long journeys. You could ask for one at some grocery store (cheeses in particular).
• Straw, but also newspapers, polystyrene chips will do.
• A utility knife or hacksaw for drilling holes in the plastic of the containers.
• (Optional) a piece of wood or pieces of equal thickness to act as feet to keep the kennel off the ground.
• Felt tip pen.

How to proceed:

• Arrange the wooden base in a spot sheltered from too much wind and possibly even rain.
• Take the largest plastic crate and draw a circle or door where the cat will enter.
• Cut out that piece of plastic to create the opening. The edges will probably remain a little sharp: you can then file them or line them with a bit of thick tape or duct tape (like the one for bodywork).
• Fill the bottom with a thick layer of straw, newspaper or Styrofoam.
• Place the smaller container inside the bigger one, and draw the opening in correspondence with the outermost one. Cut that too and line it if necessary.
• Continue to fill the gap between the two boxes with straw.
• Also put some straw on the bottom of the innermost box, placing an old cushion, sheet or pillow on it.
• Close the smaller box, covering the lid with more straw.
• Then close the lid of the larger box as well

The kennel is ready to accommodate cats!