Sunday, November 5, 2017

When Water Doesn't Freeze



The cosy apartment has become much cosier over the last week with a blizzard that dropped several inches of snow on southern Alberta and reduced temperatures to double digits below zero (Celsius). There are a number of stray cats in my neighbourhood, and several others who have homes but who are allowed outside. For these, I have been placing a bowl of water on the patio (concrete ditch) outside my apartment for some months. Now, that water freezes every night.


I bought a heated water-bowl this weekend. It’s actually a dog’s dish, but I have placed it outside for the benefit of the neighbourhood’s cats; I hope they don’t disdain it because it was originally meant for canine drinkers. I ran into a problem immediately, as our apartments do not have outside electrical outlets. As strange as it is, there is no way to have barbeques, radios or other appliances outside during the warm months, unless an extension cord is used to connect them to a power-supply inside. And in the cold months, even that solution cannot be used, as it is far too cold to leave doors open, even by a slender amount, for the passage of a cord.


However, conversing with a fellow tenant, who has a similar water-bowl put out for similar purposes (though on another side of the building), I learned of a means around this problem. I followed his example and purchased a light-bulb socket with integral outlets, and plugged my new bowl’s cord into that. I must remember to leave the outside light switched on at all times, but simply loosen the bulb enough so that it does not shine continuously.


Furthermore, I can place the bowl on the parapet of my ditch, thus obviating the need for an extension cord to the socket. This morning, after a night of water being left in the bowl, I noted that the water had not frozen. It was cold, but definitely liquid. There were no paw-prints in the snow around the bowl, however.


To be honest, I don’t know if any cat ever took advantage of the refreshment I made available. But several times at night, I noted my beasts staring into the darkness, at the spot where I had left the bowl. They were staring in the way cats do at other cats, intruder-cats, so I think some thirsty animals have visited the bowl in the past. If they choose to do so in the winter, they will find it filled and ready for them.

11 comments:

  1. Good for you! The cats will figure it out, because I've read that access to liquid water is more important to cats in the winter than food. Keep us updated on the progress, please!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a wonderful way to help care for the poor cats outside. You are very thoughtful. But snow so early, hopefully followed by a Chinook.

    ReplyDelete
  3. How can outdoor cats survive outdoors in your harsh winters? How very sad. Thank you for helping them. Converting the socket to an outlet is a wonderful idea. I may try to adapt something like this for both water and food.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That is kind of you to think of the neighborhood cats. We don't get snow like that here- it must be tough for the cats living outside.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I admire that--- the giving of water to the poor cats left to fend for themselves. Life giving water.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great idea! I think the cats will figure it out too, and any other wandering critters. It's good of you to do that!

    ReplyDelete
  7. That is a terrific idea! We will never have snow here or weather that lasts long enough to keep things frozen but that device is good to know about!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Excellent idea and thanks for helping those in need

    ReplyDelete
  9. That is very kind of you. I am sure those cats will soon realise where to come for a much appreciated drink.

    ReplyDelete
  10. that is very nice of you...and what a great idea (the light socket thing)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Very good of you John. I'm sure some animal, cat or no, will appreciate it. We don't seem to have many outdoor cats, thankfully, but we do have bunnies. When the snow gets deep I usually pick up some feed for them. I'm not sure my neighbours appreciate it, but I can't bear the thought of them starving.

    ReplyDelete