Feral cats get winterized homes from animal rights groups

Some local animal activists are going the extra mile to get feral cats out of the cold.

They're building intricate shelters out of styrofoam boxes, straw and plastic totes.

SNAP for Cats is one of a number local groups building the boxes. The Spay Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) tries to eliminate pet overpopulation by providing low cost spay and neuter alternatives for cats and dogs.

So far this season, it has distributed about 35 shelters in Windsor-Essex.

"These cats are God's creatures, too. They need to be cared for," said Karen LLoyd, who speaks for the group. "It's basically common sense. If it's cold outside, these guys need shelter. They're cold. It's the same for any wildlife that's out there."

Lloyd says the shelters are placed with the permission of the property owner.

Lloyd says the demand for cat shelters has increased as the temperatures drop.

She said the boxes keep the cats dry and warm.

"Straw works better than blankets or coats or anything like that. Straw stays dry, where if the cat goes in wet, the moisture seeps down through the straw and melts down to the bottom," Lloyd said. "The cat stays dry by sleeping on the top of the straw.

"The blankets, they will freeze and the cats just end up sleeping against frozen blankets."