So I went to the fishing part of WalMart and bought a Styrofoam cooler. I then went over to their plastic tub area and simply fit the cooler inside. The size needs to include being able to put the plastic lid on top with the Styrofoam cooler inside, (excluding the foam lid).
I then took a new razor knife and cut the hole in the plastic tub. I then placed the Styrofoam cooler inside and used a marker to mark the hole. I then used the razor knife to cut the next hole.
This is a very inexpensive process, $6.70 total. My outside cats wasted no time getting in each one of them. You can use pine needles to line the bottom. It should be very easy to clean whenever necessary. Some put a brick on top to weigh it down.
Joe - I have to tip my hat to you. Quite ingenious idea.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. Pine needles are ideal because they not only hold the heat they dry quicker then cloth if a wet cat were to use the box. Straw is good too.
ReplyDeleteBeezer, My Wife told me about the idea but I thought, am I going to find a plastic tub that will comfortably hols the Styrofoam cooler. It turns out Walmart actually has three sections, (in Berlin) with plastic tubs. The one shown is the least expensive and fits perfectly, as if it was made to do this. There are TONS of strays out there. Some even tape a piece of fabric to the front to cover the hole to stop the wind from coming is. I also heard some attach a large pvc elbow piping to the open hole where the cat climbs in and that too keeps the wind out. Nevertheless, it takes 5 minutes to make this one and I hope people follow suit.
ReplyDelete9:30, I agree. It's easy to get rid of and abundant here on the Shore.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago, I built a cat shelter using 2"x 4" studs, with an A roof (2"x 6" rafters), shingles, wood floor, and lined the entire inside with 1" foam sheathing. Then - I cut vinyl strips for over the door - to try and keep the heat-in. I also installed a 40 watt light bulb.
ReplyDeleteTo my surprise - the cats wouldn't enter the structure - and instead climbed in between the 2" x 6" outside rafters and occupied the attic of the structure.
Cats really do have a mind of their own.
cats will go where they feel safe. I even went to the extent a few years ago and bought a dog house, so they could have a place to go in out of the weather. They never used it. I have a spot under my out building that i have seen them come and go, I almost closed it up a couple of years ago but i didn't. I leave it open so that they can continue to use it. I hate seeing pets left outside in bad weather. Wish more people had compassion for them. Wild critters is one thing, but pets, If you are not going to take care of them properly then don't get them!
ReplyDeleteJoe my hat is tipped to you, I just made 60 of them and put them all over the neighborhood behind bushes trees, etc. I'm going to make another 30-40 to put out in the woods for sqirrels rabbits and such.
ReplyDeleteSo in the less than 3 hours Joe posted this, you ran out and bought 60 Styrofoam coolers and containers (shocked a Walmart would have that many coolers in stock), went home, made them, dispersed all throughout your neighborhood, then back on here to post about it? I call shenanigans.
DeleteToo bad you didn't slip cut a major artery with that razory knife and bled out all over the living room floor Joe boy.
ReplyDeleteRobinson, you vile piece of shit. I'll never shop in your store again. Anyone that disgusting doesn't deserve my money.
ReplyDeleteJohn Robinson, and a very Merry Christmas to you too.
ReplyDeleteOh, John, that's not too bright especially so close to Christmas. Think people should really see the REAL you? F-ing asshole.
ReplyDeleteI dont' go to Robinsons because I've never gotten good service there but I know a lot of others who do. I'll make sure they see Robinson's post here. They can go to Kuhns or Heron for their jewelry.
ReplyDeleteIs that the same John Robinson who was on WICO and put them out of business? The one that owns that dump over in the Twilley Center. OK. Good to know.
ReplyDeleteWild cats are responsible for the death of more wildlife then any other animal especially birds, hate to say it but if they don't have a home they should be euthanized and yes John Robinson too.
ReplyDelete12:09, Two wrongs don't make a right.
ReplyDeleteSalisbury Pewter really should find another vendor here in Salisbury. I won't buy the ornaments anymore because I can't stand the whole Robinson family especially their Mack Daddy idiot Johnny!
ReplyDeleteJohn, was that really necessary? Is business that slow for ya? Idiot.
ReplyDeleteThank u for this timely idea! I was looking for something like this for my back porch! Very clever. I read somewhere that an old pillowcase stuffed with Styrofoam peanuts are good for warmth. They can snuggle down into it & keep warm.
ReplyDeleteA few small drain holes in the lid couldn't hurt, so that if water gets in through the entrance it doesn't create a mosquito shelter.
ReplyDelete11:44 I'm a trucker w/ hart of gold. I pull to the dump everyday ran into Jen in the office house she told me about the shelters last week so I got the jump on makin em. I spend about $150 on cat food a week for them ol wilecats.
ReplyDeleteJohn Robinson, same on you, your parents didn't raise you to be the idiot that you are now. If they were still here they would truly be ashamed of you. You are the one with mud on your face. Your business has gone to the dogs. Ask anyone in Salisbury, they will tell you. You are just so jealous of Joe that you can't stand it. HA HA HA
ReplyDeleteJoe, I have a few pine trees in my yard and I hate the needles if you would like I will pick them for you. Just let me know. As for robinson screw you a$$hole.(map)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. I will share.
ReplyDeletePut some in Robinsons back yard and hope they claw his face when he takes out the trash....actually to late his business Is the trash
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent way to put to use an existing technology. IMHO - the cat shelter is even a better use than the original intended use of the Styrofoam cooler. THANKS for the tip.
ReplyDelete4:45, Friends of mine had a couple cats they needed someone to adopt. I posted them on SBYNews and Robinson agreed to take them. The family spoke directly with him, wanting to make sure they would remain INDOOR cats. Robinson agreed and within a week my friends caught them running around his business parking lot and immediately took them back. I wouldn't trust that man as far as I could throw him and trust me, that's isn't far at all. Especially when it comes to animals.
ReplyDeleteLooks who's talking about trust you FREAKING LOWLIFE.
Delete4:45 you were right to get those animals out of there. John is nuts, talking about his experiments to turn tin into gold he work late into early morning in his workshop in the back of the store doing strange experiments to make gold, not sleeping at all for days
ReplyDeleteIsn't it about time for Robinson's to have another fire or flood, or does that only happen when taxes are due?
ReplyDelete8:51, aka John Robinson. Not man enough to use his name.
ReplyDeleteIt would be so great if we could come up with a local vet that would be kind enough to fix these cats so the population would not keep growing. Would be happy to house them on the tree line....but don't want 30 kittens in the spring.
ReplyDeleteFirst - Joe - awesome idea!!
DeleteAnon 132pm I am a volunteer with Town Cats of Ocean City and we have a spay and neuter program where we will take the cats to the vet for spay and neuter at a reduced cost (we cover part of it). If you are on Facebook please message us there for more info or go to our website http://towncats.net
Nice counter tops.
ReplyDelete