DIY Feral Cat Feeding Station | EASY + CHEAP
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- Опубліковано 16 лис 2017
- Feeding stations are easy to build and can keep feral kitties safe and warm.
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With winter coming, there is a lot we can do to help outdoor and feral kitties. Aside from building them an insulated outdoor shelter, we can also build them feeding stations. These can keep kitties dry and warmer while eating, and can prevent food from getting damp as well. It only takes a few minutes to throw together a DIY feeding station that will help outdoor kitties out a ton!
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Carefree by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
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A tip for anyone who built this shelter and has a ant problem vaseline or cinnamon around the bowls deters ants really well.
😲!!!!!! omfg!!!! genius! i don't have one of THESE, but i feed strays around my place & that is some SRSLY great info that i can't WAIT to put to the test!!!!
Diatomaceous earth is even better.
If you can find the ant hill(s) HOT water, salt, vinegar & oil in a gallon container poured in the hole kills the ants.
I think cinnamon is toxic to cats. Not sure about diatomaceous earth tho, but that does a great job of knocking down the ants.
I love Snub Bug trays. Just ordered two more. Like a cookie sheet on feet that ants can't get onto. A life saver in the house (housecats) and in the garage (ferals).
awesome video. WE recently did the TNR with 8 adult cats from a neglectful neighbor who let their cats overpopulate our area. Three kittens were also rescued and happily adopted by Eden Animal Haven Sanctuary in Brighton, MO to one family. All three babies together forever and out from the feral cats we will continue to feed and help.
I will get my dad to help me make a couple of these so that the feral cats in my neighborhood can have a place to relax, safe from harm.
I had just as much fun watching your cats as watching you build the station.
It's so nice of you to bring comfort to the feral cats. Best wishes for a happy new year!
A $300+ for a feeding station has got me coming back to your DYI video several times...this time, I'm making this cheap version. 'Thank You' for your video!! :)
i truly enjoyed watching this. his sweet kitties are so adorable! they were his "building inspectors" lol! they wanted to make sure he was constructing this right! i think he got their approval! lol! so cute!
For the sharp spots you can also just take a lighter and melt the edges where you cut. I do that and it works really good
I feed feral cats in the rear/extra parking lot of my church (with the permission of the church). So, I can't be there all the time to watch it.
I built the _"I Don't Do Morning"_ Cats Buffet using cardboard box that my local grocery store gave to customers.
I put a brick, a metal bar and some rocks (I found around the area) inside and on the cardboard underneath; so, the wind won't blow it away.
Some months later, it's gone bad after the storm, even though, I covered it with plastic bags.
I upgraded it, made a better one, used trash bags to cover it, taped the bigger cardboard on the top as sloped roof with the note on the top _"Please have a little room in your 💗for the unfortunate homeless cats"_ because it got vandalised.
It's cheap, costs me like nothing, but it looks good and pretty sturdy.
I put at the parking lot, it survived 2 days, the 3rd day, some dirty thief stole it and also stole the metal bar, I stuck inside.
The dirty thief even took my old one (I used as cats shelter) and throw haft block away. I found it and had to reuse it.
Now, my area is getting winter storm, I built 2 cat shelters (also using cardboard boxes) and tape the notes all over saying *_"I've stolen this from unfortunately homeless cats, twice. Shame on me. Hahaha"_* then I draw the smiley face with missing teeth. 😄
I even wrote the notes on the box inside the plastic cover.
So, if the dirty thief(thieves) steals them again, wherever he/she/they take it to, people will realize it's been stolen from the homeless cats.
If they take it home, their children will see what shameless their parents are.
Btw, I have a tip for water bowl. To keep it's stable, I use velcro. So, if the cats stumble, it won't flip. Or in case the cats drink and the water getting low, the wind won't blow it away. But I still be able to take it off and wash it.
People will steal anything! Velcro is a great idea. Ty
I loved your video right off the bat when you said, "I know I need to clean off my bookcase, just don't look at it!" Get the important stuff out of the way first thing, is what I always say. LOL
I even Use the Hair Dryer to warm the shelter up I connect a pipe hole and pipe to the shelter to keep the cat shelter warm when it is outside but keep it in close connection to the house or if you have a garage and you own the cat, then put the shelter in the garage and you can still connect a pipe hole w/ pipe and take your hair dryer and hold it up against the pipe so that heat can transmit into the shelter which only takes seconds to warm up the shelter.
Great idea! If you're making several of these, get a hot knife. 😁. Also, loved watching your "helpers" cats are so funny
Made it! You're right, the hairdryer helped and it took no time. Thank you!
Idea, I bought a $5 outdoor pet non freezing water bowl. Found a food dish that was almost the same size as warmer. Putting the food atop the water warmer, prevented even wet food from freezing. I think our coldest temperature the winter of 21-22 was -17 F.
I just made this and it turned out awesome! I’m so glad I found this video. It was really easy, as I had most of the supplies on hand. My Piper will definitely appreciate having her food in a dry place during the winter. Thank you so much!!
Omg I love your cats. Have to watch again and see the actual purpose of the video,
Great job! The hair dryer idea is genius. You could also add a clear, flexible sheet of vinyl sheet (I bought some in Walmart's fabric department) in the front, attach it at the top of the face of the box, and cut a couple of slits from top to bottom for the cats to get in and out. This would protect more against cold and rain/snow. P.S. Your cats are so mellow and cute.
Super idea!
Linda, yes. The clear plastic by the yard table covering.
You have a good heart.😻
An old cooler works, too, & you can get one from a thrift store or garage sale. The Styrofoam is already covered in plastic &they will stay warmer, as will the food & water.
I really liked your idea about the 2"x4"'s.
I always keep a watch for Coleman and Igloo coolers along the road. I have also advertised on Craigslist and Freecycle to ask for them.
Use an electric food dish for water and wet food. I use both bowls included with the feeder for wet food because I have a large electric bowl for water on the front porch that is there for all critters. I also include a bowl of dry food on the side with the wet food. I always feed them at the same time every day, and the feral kitties have learned what "come on, kitty, kitty" means. 😻
I love how your cats are examining it.
If you don't have boards, can use big chunks of styrofoam.
Glue or tape into place
One more comment, what you said about other animals coming to the feeding station is so true. I have a stray who came to my place as an older kitten and he’d been attacked by a raccoon. It was horrible. I thought he may lose his tail. So everyone should be aware of that danger. After lists of TLC and the gravy style cat food, Sweetie Pie is good as new and he’s the most loving, smart and sweet kitty I’ve met. (4 year old granddaughter named him). Raccoons carry disease and can be very viscious.
Coons will kill and eat kittens
My magic cat (appeared out of nowhere) is fed twice a day, approximately at the same time, along with the inside dogs.
Magic kitty has half an hour to eat, or the cannned food mixed with dry Kibble goes in the garbage. That works for us to keep other wild animals away, but it seems everyone has their own system.
Didn't know there was a dedicated community caring for strays. Amazing humans do exist.
Great video with adorable background models.
I do something similar. I feed my feral same time as my indoor cats, kibble and wet food. Dinner is put out and as soon as the sun starts to set I pull in the feral cat’s food to avoid raccoons and possums. Just made the feral car an outside shelter but can’t get him attracted to it yet.
You can sand the edges too instead of duct tape
Squirrels will clean it out in 5 seconds. Place a margarine tub insde and above it a plastic tube. Will have to drill a hole above for it. Seal with RTV sealant. A PVC tube will work well and they already have a cap availble. Then fill with Friskys and watch to see how often to fill it. Probably once a week. Cat eats and makes room for Friskys gravity feed.
IT FELL ON HER OH MY GOSH!!!!! Also this is really cool!! Love this diy!
Thank you very much!
We'll be putting this demonstration to good use. Many Ferals here!
Need to find a way to keep water from freezing!
Need like a bird bath heater ring without a cord to plug in to outlet.
Thanks Again,
The need is real and out of control. At least here.
Definitely Steven! Best of luck with all your endeavors!
You're awesome dude!!!! Your cats are too!
Loved the video! This is a great idea. Liked the simplicity of it and the materials are not expensive. Same with the tools. They are present in almost everyone's home. You were very quick and did not drag it out like some other videos and your tips were very helpful. My favorite part was your 3 adorable cats. They are video stars.
Keep up the good work.
Great video! Perfect! 🐾🐱!
Thank you for all the good videos - you are helping a lot of cat parents!
Thanks! I hope it's helpful and works for some people!
Love your cat helpers/testers
I'm loving you already. I mean really this video is really helping me out because it rains alot where I'm at and soon the snow is coming in. So again thank you !!
Love this video! I am ready for getting a tote and gonna make it today, because the forecast says it is gonna rain all day long and my feral cats are waiting for their food... literally they are staring at me in the backyards 😭
I know the feeling
You're a saint and your black kitty is using that box to show off her gorgeous tail....are your cats vain about their tails?.mine are!
Great videos. Not many guys like cats (anyway,not around their buddies 😂). I love watching your videos, easy instructions in plain language, plus you’re cute as a bug’s ear ;-)
Great job!!!!! I love your DIYs!
Awesome video. You have such a kind heart. Your cats are so funny!!!
Love this idea for my colonies
Great information 👍 dude! And I love your cats! So funny in and out of the whole production! Wouldn't have it any other way! Thanks 😊
Great tip. I never knew bugs didn’t like that stuff.
Vanna White ain't got nothing on this crew. I love how the longer the video the more helpers showed up.
By "helpers," I presume you mean the cats? lol.
Just what I needed!
Thank you for all your helpful advice. I will be making one of these for the stray cats I'm currently feeding! Your cats ate adorable BTW!
great video! love the JMU shirt too! Go Dukes!
Bless your soul!
Pretty kitties😻
Wonderful! Thank you!
SO FLUFFY
:) :)
From an old plastic specialist QC and a crazy cat man. Where you are taking and putting duct tape after you have cut the lid you can do the same thing only better with your hair dryer and a metal spoon or something similar you heat the plastic until it becomes soft and then you round the edges. That way you don't wind up with duct tape stuck in a cat. Heating a sharp corners or sharp edges is excellent. Example cracks or breaks sometimes you can even seal it back.
Keep up the good work glad to know there's other people like me
Coarse sandpaper works too 😊
Soooooo loved the tutorial!! Thanks. However, the black cat stole the entire attention and show. Especially at the end with the tongue hanging out....Subscribed!!!
Thanks! I have good shelters. Bought a heated water bowl this year. But have been using cardboard tortilla boxes (from Aldi) upside down as they have a similar shape. They don't last long and I have to keep a supply. I'm going to try this for sure. I thought it would be way too difficult to cut the plastic. It was helpful to see you put it all together.
Someone commented on vinyl strips. Made me think of those curtains some businesses use to keep the cold out from the dock to an office area. I'm thinking heavier clear vinyl cut with 2 inch wide fringe to about 2 inches to the top....if not in a hot location and enough circulation. Might be ok for a cold windy day. Can be a removable item. Or not needed if shelter is moved so rain/snow falls towards the closed side.
You are awesome! Thanks
Omg you people are adorable!
Good DYI love your helper..
Need to make something like this but bigger for a very savvy feral that will not step into something that looks like a cage in anyway. Someplace dry and a bit warm in frigid Midwest winters. He is getting older now, there are five, so I have to make sure he personally is fed or he will get none, he waits for me to see him and bring him food but will not get inside any contraption I have created for him thus for. Took me a over a year to get him for TNR after everyone else had been done, he is super street smart and remembers everything. Just need a warm dry place for him to wait for food and to eat it.
Just seeing your comment so this may not be pertinent to you now. I have a couple of ferals that ate not comfortable going into the feeding station I made out of a foam cooler. I think they may be more comfortable using something they can see through so am doing one using a clear tub.
Excellent. This is exactly what I was looking for.
Awesome!
that is great that works great.
Hair dryer!!! Wish I knew before winter shelter time.
Now you'll be all set for next time!
Heat guns at harbor freight $20.00; that will ruin your hair dryer; and you need to do that outside b/c of the fumes.
Thank you for the video . I am going to make one! Outside with my heat gun. LOL 😉❤
I’m a kid, and I still can’t do this 😔 I’m trying to make a raccoon and skunk proof feeding station for stray cats in my area, and I need it to be cheap and really, really easy. I can do something with wood with my grandpa, and I can buy a bucket, but I still won’t be able to do this because it isn’t raccoon and skunk proof.
Wow, you're a kid and love stray cats 👍👏
I made it using cardboard boxes from grocery store, cover with plastic trash bag for rain proof. It's very cheap and easy, but it's absolutely not a raccoon and skunk proof.
I have some suggestions :
1. I don't know what skunks dislike, but raccoons dislike mints and strong smell like garlic.
But you need to grow those tree around the area 😞. So, more work for you to do. 😔
If the feeding station is on your backyard, it's ok, if it's located out there or in the wild, it's impossible and who knows if they're hungry, they will adapt to those smelling plants, too.
My feeding station is at the parking lot of the church.
Raccoons also dislike prickly plants (but it's not good for cats)
2. If feeding station is in your backyard or around your house, you can keep the area well lit with floodlight. Use motion-sensor lights if you don't want to leave the lights on all night. They will come on as soon as a skunk enters the area.
3. You can do something with wood with your grandpa, build a barrier around the feeding station.
Skunks do not jump or climb. If you have only a skunk problem, this barrier does not have to be tall. Since your problem includes raccoons, which can climb, this barrier needs to be around five feet tall.
I think adult cats can jump and climb in and out of 5 foot tall barrier, but not the kittens 😿
Sadly, those suggestions got some problems. But I hope with the love of unfortunate homeless stray cats and your skill, you will create and figure out some way. Then, the stray cats in your area will be happy. God bless.
Thanks for sharing very nice 👍 i
красивый кот 😻
Just put the tote up on cement blocks about 5-6:inches from ground..ants can find it no matter but they'll have harder time..also..you can put the food dishes with another dush underneath filled with avout a 1/2 inch water..the ants will drown..
Nice feeder but how do you keep from attracting possums, raccoons, rats and mice? I was putting dry cat food in my garage for the neighborhood stray cats and was very pleased that it was disappearing until I discovered a very happy possum was scarfing it down.
Possums gotta eat, too! ;-)
nice!!
I know it's been awhile, but can you not cut across top, and bend it like an awning. You can heat with heat gun, bend and hold until it cools.
I am doing something very similar for our cat visitors. And it works fine. 🙂
You mentioned how to keep the lid in place...
You could place one cat on the lid and leave them there. 😉
😅
Raccoons and Possum will love this too. LOL
Your black cat is precious. Love his/her eyes, how they stand out. Thank you for the tips.
**please pin this will help everyone* Great channel but from years and years of experiences in many diff states with diff climates..2 other tips.
1. instead of using the hair dryer, USE A SOLDERING GUN OR IRON .IT MELTS RIGHT THRU THE PLASTIC once it's been warmed up. Ya u will have to deal with the smell, and watch u don't touch the pieces u have made the hole in until they cool off.
2. Or use a large set of snips, like used to cut siding after u get ur initial hole where the snips can fit in, I've seen people use rose sheers/pruners too.
I wish I could figure out a way to make a feeding shelter for the feral cats that the opossums cant get into.
I know you mentioned that wet food is not ideal unless the feral cat comes right away, but I don’t want to stop feeding my feral during the winter. I’m afraid he will never come back if I don’t feed him his usual wet food too. I have a heated house, a heat pad and heated bowls. Is there a trick to possible keep the wet food from being cooked in the heat bowl or frozen from being directly outside. I love your videos and I will take any suggestions. Thank you.
Adorable video! Usually the city I live in is cold and rainy, but ironically now it's actually pretty warm. Also, my family just got a new litter of kittens, originally it was 4 kittens, but we took 3 as the other one is positive for Leukemia. We WOULD be able to take the whole litter, but if we did we would have to keep the 3 and 1 separate. They're all black, and very shy and un-socialized. Anyways, this comment was all over the place. :D
Hamfamfan47 Where did Fevl+ go to? Honestly I'd be very wary of taking one in....but I'd feel very guilty.
Also rare for only 1 to test positive....have them retest using a blood panel.
I dont know how old these kittens are but esp if young there are many false positives.
I have a dog crate in garage that I am hoping to do something like this for the strays that are in my backyard. It's snowing and the containers I have for them are now buried!
Great.😻😽
I've got two siblings one is obviously a Tom and I need to try to approach him on the ground in the first instance, and get him neutered, I will hang on to him while he recuperates then (it always depends on the individual cat!) try to re home or failing that, release in the same place you picked him or her up. Then continue to feed and watch out for its welfare. Same for the other, more timid one I don't know if it's a male or female but even though I have two I might just keep this one. My neighbour, and fellow Scot living in London, Joe feeds them both too...I don't know if he knows there's two...I think he thinks its one really hungry cat lol! Anyway, I know Joe wants the cat and he's on the Ground floor on the opposite side of the garden so that would be ideal for the tom. I have a strong premonition of a third cat!!!
A scrap piece of styrofoam between the tote and the boards will insulate too. Just make sure your screws are long enough and don't go too tight.
Cats eat Styrofoam & can choke.
@@buradley1733 That sounds like an individual cat problem. I have a cat that swallows carpet fibers, but she has no interest in Styrofoam.
I think you made a nice raccoon feeder there..
I've got a huge range of cutting blades circular and other, for my Dremel does that help? I don't use hairdryers only straighteners.
I thought about using my Dremel too or the Sawzall
Lucky girl! I would have loved having a husband who did things like this. My ex would be highly offended if i asked him for help. Just venting.
I tried a feeder like this on my porch before. Snow and rain kept getting inside. How do i stop this??
I have a problem with racoons eating all of my feral cat food, what can I do to keep them out and still let the cats in?
very nice likee
They were sheetrock screws.
Great idea. I've made about 15 winter shelters. But I'm trying to figure feeding stations that will work for several cats. I feed anywhere from 18- 28 a day. Any suggestions for alot of cats feeding area??
You may have figured this out already, but your predicament got me to thinking about how chicken fanatics use long pieces of 4" PVC pipe as DIY automatic feeders for feed, crushed oyster, etc.
You could probably cut holes to fit the pipe(s) in storage bins and use Flex Seal or outdoor duct tape to prevent rain leaks.
You think testing out large mouth guinea pig or rabbit waters may work? In the summer anyway. I am sure you can hang those with zip ties or puncturing holes for the holders to fit into.
Oh wow! ... How in the *world* can you afford to feed that many?? 🙀
To keep ants, and other crawling bugs, out of the food, put the bowls in pie pans (or other similar, shallow bowls) with a bit of water and Dawn dish soap.
or food grade Diatramaceous Earth (Tractor Supply or health food store). Won't hurt kitties.
Or sprinkle cinnamon around the bowls,ants hate that stuff
Will this keep birds from eating the cat food?
Ok I'm CONFUSED WHERE DO YOU PUT THE WOOD? Does it sit on the ground? Makes no since . You said wood 1 foot plus around what holds it off the ground? What makes it Racoon proof it's still on the ground.
I can't be that dumb lol to not under stand this please explain
make catlantus with all your builds stuck together
If I had a big enough living room, I would :Dl
I live in an apartment that faces a wooded area. I have never lived in an apartment until my kids went to college and I sold my home. I'm surprised how many abandoned cats there have been that I have rescued. At this apartment, there are not as many university students and it is quiet. But there are still several stray and feral cats. I have rescued 2, but it's winter. I'd like to make this station, and surely the Habitat for Humanity ReStore will have the lumber. I have the other supplies. My concern is that even though it is mid-February, skunks are coming out of hibernation (I've seen the same one come and eat from the bowl I have been leaving out), birds, there are plenty of squirrels (we also have black squirrels here in Kent, OH!) that will be able to get to the food before the 2 feral cats do. What recommendations do you have to prevent other critters from coming into feeding station in winter months? Also, I live in the "snowbelt" of N.E. OH, so we get our fair share of snow and - 20+ windchill. Thanks
Hi Debbie, I also live near the woods and in Iowa so we see plenty of snow. I have a feral that I feed and shelter in the winter. I have a big problem with raccoons, possums and occasionally skunks getting into his food bowls and his heated shelter. The squirrels don't bother his food. I put out his food and water (he has a heated food and water cafe') at dawn and take in at dusk. That is the only way I have found to stop them from eating his food as they are nocturnal animals. If you do put out shelters, make sure the food is at least 15feet away from the sleeping shelter. Good Luck and thanks for caring for the ferals...they can be FABULOUS!! I know bc I have 4 💜💙💚🧡
It’s impossible to keep the other critters away so you’re right about making sure the food isn’t too close to the shelter.
The fact that you didn’t know what setting was high on the blow dryer
what about preventing raccoons?
i just use the tote the way it is and cut an entrance bigger than a normal shelter..no problems..
good deal
Try using a jig saw next time
Cats need a heated pet bowl so water does not freeze.
I have a raccoon (or 2?l suddenly show up- eats ALL the food & carries the dish a few feet away.
Last night the cats got there first so the coon found my bedroom window open & tried to climb up to alert me they need more food!!! Any idea how to build your station & keep the coons away?
Oh, gees. Raccoons tried to climb up your window and alert you. Oh, dear. 😱
Did they climb up ?
I just gave a comment suggested a kid to build a 5 foot tall barrier around the feeding station for raccoons proof.
Now, raccoons are so morons (ate all the food and carried the dish few feet away)
Lucky me, the area I feed homeless cats doesn't have raccoons. I hope they would never come there.
😍🐈🐈🙏💝🏡
Your cat gave you a rasberry
so how do you keep the ants out?
It's been 4 months and he didn't answer your question. He doesn't know how.
I'll give you a tip. This is my tip, not this guy's .
I sprinkle the flour around it, the ants can't crawl through the flour, they will cover in flour, but it's safe to the cats.
My feral cats feeding station I made cheap by cardboard box from market (I have a comment about it in this video) had ants problem, too. I treated with flour, no more 🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜.
I give you another tip for the water bowl. I used velcro on the bottom of the bowl and the box.
why wont the squirrels take over the cat shelter, once I build it. There are alot more squirrels than stray cats in my neighborhood.
Squirrels live in trees and they are prey to cats 🙀