For Immediate Release:
December 1, 2008
Contact:
ELIZABETH PAROWSKI, eparowski@alleycat.org or (240) 482-1984
PATRICIA JONES, patricia@pjonesinc.com or (718) 651-7187
ALLEY CAT ALLIES OFFERS WINTER SAFETY TIPS FOR
FERAL AND STRAY CATS
Build plans for inexpensive shelters and feeding stations available on web site
BETHESDA – Alley Cat Allies, the national advocate for feral and stray cats, today issued its
annual list of easy and inexpensive tips to help feral cats this winter.
Feral cats spend their whole lives outdoors, and can be found all over the country, from the largest
cities to the most rural landscapes. They are not socialized to humans and can’t be adopted into
homes. Feral cats live amongst their own in family groups called “colonies,” and studies show
they are just as healthy as pet cats.
“We know that millions of people already help to care for the cats in their communities each day,”
said Becky Robinson, president of Alley Cat Allies. “While most feral cats are skilled at finding
their own food and a place to sleep, providing specially-built shelters and dedicated feeding sites
guarantee the cats a warm spot to escape the harsh winter weather and deter them from places they
are not wanted.”
To help the feral and stray cats in your community this winter, Alley Cat Allies suggests the
following simple steps:
Build an outdoor shelter and a feeding station.
Shelters are easy and inexpensive to build. You can use the plans available at
www.alleycat.org, or modify a pre-built dog house. Some manufacturers also sell pre-built
cat shelters.
The shelter should be elevated off the ground and sited in a quiet, unobtrusive area with a
minimal amount of traffic. A good-sized shelter offers a space just big enough for three to
five cats to huddle. The door should be no more than six to eight inches wide to keep out
wildlife and larger predators. Install a flap on the door to keep out snow and wind.
In addition to a shelter, you can build a simple