Tuesday, December 19, 2017

The Hotel Cosy, Now Open

Yesterday, I opened Hotel Cosy, my latest capitulation to the care of the neighbourhood cats. A friend and fellow member of the Lethbridge PAW Society had an outside cat-house that was not being used. She thought I might have better luck, so she generously has donated it to the cats living near my apartment building.


It is a large insulated plastic tube. I don’t know how warm it would keep a cat, but the use of any cat-house I place outside my apartment depends on whether the outsider-cats have a spot already to sleep away the cold nights - or days, for that matter. If they have homes, if they have warm locations that they like, they probably won’t use this one. But if not, this new little hostel may prove inviting.


There was a door to it, but it was difficult for cats to use. As well, I suspect that cats living this way would prefer to see what was just outside their residence. This does, however, allow cold draughts to enter the tube-house. I thought of hanging a small towel across the door, but this would obscure vision as much as a solid door and, as well, flap in the frequent wind that we suffer here, probably scaring the occupants and certainly causing sleepless nights. I have also considered a a self-heating cat-bed, assuming I can find one to fit, but it was pointed out to me that it’s recommended a cat have the opportunity (ie. space) to get off the bed, if they become too warm, and as room is limited in the tube-house, a heated bed (self- or otherwise) may not be practical.


Certainly, cats do like the tube-house. It was inside my apartment for a day, and most of my beasts spent time in there. Renn felt comfortable enough to snooze, and even Cammie sneaked in. (That’s her, almost invisible in the dim light.) There is plenty of room for one cat, even my big boy. I saw Tucker curled up at the front, so two cats could snuggle close up. Since I have seen two outsider-cats roaming together, and eating together from the food-bowl, I know that there are at least two who may sleep side by side.





Last night, I observed one of those black cats down in the concrete ditch (my ‘patio’), which means she was probably investigating the tube-house; she was not frightened by it. I have also placed the food-bowl on the floor of the ditch, out of the wind. Someone ate from it, which is gratifying, as I always worry that a new position for food or water won’t be seen. But it is clearly visible from the old location. And I wanted to entice the outsiders at least to examine the new abode.

So now we will see if anything comes of this. If it happens at all, it may take some time. But I’m not going anywhere, and neither is the tube-house. It may prove a pleasant resort come the spring or summer; in any case, Hotel Cosy is now taking reservations.

9 comments:

  1. That looks pretty awesome, actually! Let's hope at least one of the cats makes use of it. You never know, Hotel Cosy could be booked up far in advance! :-)

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  2. What a wonderful Christmas gift to your feral guests. They will truly be grateful. I am glad that someone in the Society thought of you and offered the use of the Resort/Hotel.

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  3. I know what will work, because it worked for us...straw! Fill that cat tube with straw (remove the fabric mat, please) and they will come! Any moisture on fabric can freeze, which would freeze a sleeping cat when it's cold. We built an insulated cat cabin for our ferals, but The Hubby didn't want to use straw. The cats never used it. Then, I brought home a shopping bag full of straw from the local low-cost spay/neuter clinic, and VOILA...cats in our shelter! Give it a try, and thanks for helping these outside kitties.

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  4. we think that is a Kat Kabin - very nice and we hear very cozy. we bet if you can get it faced the right way and since it is up against that wall it should stay pretty warm. just make sure you check the blankets in there...normally we recommend straw for outdoor spaces in case the blankets get wet and freeze

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  5. Hotel Cosy sounds terrific. I'm so glad your community cats will have a shelter this winter. Eastside Cats and Random Felines are right to recommend using straw instead of towels or blankets in the cat tube. Anything made of fabric will get wet and freeze. In order to keep drafts from entering the tube, perhaps you could note from which direction the wind is blowing, and turn the shelter in the opposite direction or have the opening facing a wall. If you Google Alley Cat Allies you should be able to get a lot of helpful information about caring for ferals.

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  6. Alley Cat Allies are masters at what they do. They will be an excellent resource.
    Be sure to use straw only and NOT hay for the insulation bedding. Also, since the cat itself is the only source of heat being generated , some shielding of the opening to the tube is important since the animal cannot offset itself from the cold air entering the opening. I would say go with a heat pad. In your extremely cold temps, with an open door, I don’t think there is much chance to really overheat. If it does,, all the cat needs to do is turn over. My cats lay for hours upon end on their specialty heating pad for cats. ( I heat my little place t0 74F.). The cat pads never get that warm. Do not use a pad intended for humans as they can get too hot.

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  7. I love that all of your friends love the hotel. I am sure some pussy cat will be grateful for the warm rest.

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  8. That is a lovely little shelter for the cats. Even if it does get a draught, it should keep the worst of the rain and snow off any occupants. I hope your first tenant soon moves in!

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