Make your own Community Cat Shelter!

Outdoor and community cats face harsh weather year-round, from freezing temperatures and snow to rain and strong winds. Providing a simple, insulated shelter gives them a safe place to stay warm, dry, and protected from the elements. These shelters can be life-saving, helping cats conserve energy, avoid illness, and feel secure during extreme weather—especially in the winter months. The wonderful people at Alley Cat Allies have put together a helpful step-by-step DIY guide and video instructions to making your own shelter.

Alley Cat Allies - How to Build a Shelter

Materials You’ll Need

  • Large plastic tub (~30 gallon) – main outer shell

  • Small plastic tub (~20 gallon) – inner insulated layer

  • Box cutter and scissors – for cutting openings

  • Permanent marker – to trace holes

  • Hair dryer – softens plastic for easier cutting

  • Thin Styrofoam slab – adds insulation

  • Straw bedding (not hay; straw repels moisture)

  • Plastic flowerpot – becomes the entrance tube

  • Lids for both tubs – seal and protect shelter interior

  • (Optional: duct tape for reinforcement)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Mark the Entrance
    Place the plastic flowerpot against the side of the large tub and trace around it with a marker.
  2. Soften & Cut Hole
    Use a hair dryer to warm the plastic so it’s easier to cut. Carefully cut out the entrance with the box cutter.
  3. Add Styrofoam and Insert Small Tub
    Place the Styrofoam slab on the bottom of the large tub, then nest the smaller tub inside.
  4. Cut Match Entrance in Small Tub
    Align with the big tub’s hole, trace, soften, and cut the small tub’s entrance the same way.
  5. Insulate with Straw
    Fill the space between the two tubs with straw — this traps heat and repels moisture.
  6. Add Bedding
    Fill the small inner tub generously with straw for cozy cat bedding.
  7. Create the Entrance Tube
    Cut the bottom of the flowerpot, and slide it into the holes of both tubs — this becomes a draft-reducing tube entrance.
  8. Close It Up
    Put lids on both tubs to weatherproof the shelter. That’s it!

Helpful Tips for Winter Weather

  • Use straw, not blankets or towels — fabrics absorb moisture, get cold, and can freeze, making shelters colder.

  • Place the shelter in a quiet, protected spot (e.g., beside a wall or under cover of bushes) away from strong winds.

  • Check regularly and refresh bedding if straw becomes damp or dirty.

  • You can add another entrance as an emergency exit in case predators block the main one.

How This Shelter Works

This design uses two tubs (one inside the other) with straw in between to trap warmth and slow heat loss, giving cats a warmer, drier place than simply lying on the ground. The flowerpot entrance helps reduce drafts and prevents rain or snow from blowing inside.