Cooler shelters are free of charge to the community. They can be dropped off, clean and emptied out, if cats in your area are no longer using them.
To request a retrofitted cooler, please fill out the form below.
Donations: please drop off any hard-sided (no styrofoam or metal) 48 qts or larger (52+ preferred) coolers, dog-sized heated water bowls, Gorilla tape, Gorilla glue, straw or live traps at Feline Rescue during open hours. Coolers are retrofitted into winter shelters for free-roaming cats and distributed from October-February. IMPORTANT: only use dry straw (never hay which gets wet and moldy) inside of winter shelters.
Placement of shelters: out of inclement (snow, wind, rain etc.) weather, preferably under a roof to avoid deep snow accumulation. Place near a wall or other protected area on top of wood slats and stuff extra straw underneath. Tie or weight down the cooler with a brick in case of high winds; lash multiple coolers together. Form a U-shape in case of multiple coolers, with openings facing inward and a center access pathway, and cover with a heavy duty tarp that is tented to prevent collapse under the weight of snow. Keep snow and a pathway clear to the shelter(s).
Also provide a heated, dog-sized water bowl and dry food nearby (can use a plastic tote with a 6″ hole cut in the side for a food station.)