Make Use Of An Old Trash Bin With A Simpler DIY Outdoor Cat Shelter Idea

There are plenty of wild critters that frequently visit and sometimes reside in backyards and neighborhoods. While welcoming some creatures into your space by turning your garden into a certified wildlife habitat can be beneficial for flowers and shrubbery, there are others that are more like nuisances. Installing a fence or creating barricades in your yard will help keep annoying animals and pests out of your garden, ultimately protecting yourself, your fellow home dwellers, your pets, and your greenery. Then, there are those creatures that fall somewhere in between; they aren't animals you think to actively invite to enhance the yard, but they also aren't necessarily pests you need to deter. Feral or outdoor cats are a perfect example of these critters that sometimes just need consideration and a helping hand when they wander into the neighborhood, something you can offer easily enough with a simple DIY — repurposing an old trash bin to make a cozy kitty shelter.

These recycled cat refuges help felines all year round, protecting them from rain, snow, and potential predators. They could also provide an outside safe haven for your own indoor-outdoor cats. All you'll need to make a warm retreat for your furry friends are an old plastic trash bin and some straw for insulation. If you don't have a bin, you can also use medium to large plastic storage bins that may be sitting empty in your home. The longer the plastic container, the better, as it provides more space for the cats to burrow into for safety and comfort. Plastic bins are also the preferred material, since they aren't easily broken down by the weather and elements, nor do they trap heat and cold like their metal alternatives.

Prior to assembling your outdoor cat shelter, decide on the best place to put it, whether on your deck, under your deck, or under an exterior staircase or awning to provide more coverage for the cats. It's also important to create an elevated platform for the cat shelter to lie on to prevent water from seeping into the door. This can be constructed from concrete blocks, bricks, or wood. Clean the bin, and line it with straw to sufficiently insulate the shelter, ensuring it has enough material to retain and maintain heat. Using straw as insulation instead of foam, cloth, or old bedding is preferable, since the latter is prone to retaining moisture and creating a disagreeable home for kitties. Rather than remove the lid to make a large entrance, leave it on the garbage bin and secure it closed. Cut a small hole for cats to enter (about 6 inches wide), as this will help keep larger animals out.

Turning an old trash bin into an outdoor cat shelter is a great way to repurpose the large plastic container that would otherwise find itself in a landfill. Pair it with an outdoor feeding station to ensure your community cats are safe and healthy. By transforming it into a safe haven, you'll not only help the environment but also provide an outdoor oasis for the four-legged creatures that contribute to neighborhoods and communities (though you may need to take a few safe steps to keep cats out of your garden). Community cats are great for the neighborhood because they can help reduce the rodent population, improve the emotional and mental well-being of individuals in the neighborhood, and inspire compassion and a sense of togetherness.