THE MAKING OF A CAT HOUSE

When I first posted about feeling sorry for a neighborhood feral cat I was a little surprised by the interest of readers. I also found a lot of people who took the time to offer suggestions and practical ones at that.

I seized on the idea of providing shelter for the animal. Others focused on my thought that dry food might be better that canned food because of the below 20 degree temperatures the area is experiencing currently. So I decided to act.

Shelter was in the form of a cardboard box the once housed my last computer. It needed modifications so applied to the Planning Board and was granted several exemptions to the Building Codes. I was allowed to make a door and I did this in one end. I cut out a door and fully removed the piece of cardboard. I then used packing tape to use as an overhead hinge and the door will now open in or out with the tape serving as a hinge.

In the other end of the box I cut a 4” by 5 ½ inch slot and covered the hole with a clear plastic report cover and Voila, a window.

I used an old bathmat as a floor cover, and also placed a couple of old car wash towels inside for blankets. I filled a plastic shoe box lid with kitty litter and put in in one corner. This was beginning to look pretty great.

I upended the box over the mat and made sure the two top cover flaps were extended out on the sides. I used old paving stones on the cardboard ends to hold it securely in place. I put water and dry food in old plastic dishes and bowl inside the dwelling.

When I finished it looked so good I was proud not only of myself but also those who had taken time to offer me their experience and knowledge in making a safe home for one of God’s creatures, a Feral Cat.

The one thing that I was unsure about was if the cat would get bored about the dry food. This cat has been here about 5 years and has survived at least two hurricanes and several nor’easters including the infamous Sandy. It is a hardy animal with well-honed survival skills.

I cast my eyes around the yard looking for inspiration. The answer was right in front od my eyes. I took down one of my Bird Feeders and filled it with Bird seed. I then placed it on the deck a few inches from the cat’s door.

Perfect, the opportunity for the occasional hot meal. Problem solved!!!! I want to thank all of you whose suggestions has resulted in me now having my own Cat House. You are to be commended for these kind concerns.

Last night I went to dinner and a movie with Doris. After last weeks’ fiasco of her choice of a movie I had earned the right to choose. I opted for Jack Ryan the prequel for all the other Harrison Ford movies following the career of Jack Ryan. It was an action movie and thusly not Doris’ cup of tea but she was a good sport.
After the show as we sat in a Coffee House having desserts I asked her opinion and she said that is wasn’t too bad. I had enjoyed it because it fit into place in the entire Jack Ryan tapestry. I said to her the tag line from her previous choice “ Eat the fish “ Julia Roberts shouting demand to her family.

By the way the placing of the Bird Feeder for the cat was only a passing fancy and has not been done,
Yet.
I had no desire to see a crowd of protesters in front of my house with signs to Ban the Bird.