Since I have a few years experience caring for stray/feral cats, I thought I'd share a few tips on what I do for those that show up around here and decide to winter over. I never chase them away. Never. I may be their only food/water/shelter support during winter. If a stray/feral cat gets close enough for me to figure out its general health and sex then it's desperate. There's no way I'm going to chase off an animal that may possibly starve or freeze to death. I'm in central Indiana and our winters can be quite brutal.

     I'll discuss shelter first. Over the years, the little hobo cats  that have wintered over have stayed in everything from weatherproofed cardboard boxes to our garage. Just about anything you can waterproof can be used. To waterproof a cardboard box, just tape it closed, put it in about three big garbage bags, tape that securely, then cut a whole (tape around the whole so it won't come loose) and you have a sealed leak-proof shelter. It doesn't have to be fancy. But, it does need to be waterproof, kept from direct contact with the ground, have a hole just large enough for the cat to have access, any sort of bedding for warmth and facing away from the prevailing winter winds. And, if at all possible, placed under a bush or behind a shed close to where your little stray cat appears on a regular basis.

     Once you've made or found a box to use and know where to place it, it's also important to pile leaves or some sort of wind break around it. Breaking the blast of those cold winter winds will make a major difference in the survival and comfort of your "guest". Even if it's under a bush or behind a shed, every bit of insulation helps.

     I always go through clothes drawers for old sweatshirts, grab old bath towels, even small lap blankets and put those inside the shelter for bedding. They'll keep your winter guest warm and dry. Plus, I keep extras handy for weekly change-outs. Depending on the weather, this may need to be done more often. Dry bedding is the key. Straw is great if you can get it. But, you'll have to toss it out if it gets wet so I stick with what I have around the house.

     The food and water I put out are next to the shelter. I fill those at least twice a day. Once in the morning and again at night. If I see my little hobo out during the day then more food and water go out. The water freezes pretty quickly so it's really important to keep an eye on that. These little guys can dehydrate in the winter rather easily. I once saw a cat eating snow in what I assume was an attempt to hydrate!

     I keep the food and water next to the shelter so it's easy to keep tabs on my little hobo. Plus, he doesn't have to be out too far from safety when the weather gets nasty. Oh, if you don't see your little guest when taking the food and water out or going to change his bedding, talk to yourself, the cat, the ground. You don't want to startle/scare your little friend if he's snuggled up in his shelter. The last thing you want to do is scare him away once you've made the commitment for the winter. You may very well be his only hope for survival. Once you've decided to help, make it an all winter thing. Feed and water every day and keep dry bedding on hand.

     Finally, if you don't have an extra box or the funds to get one, ask for one at the local retail store or lumber yard. Get a friend to help make one. Ask for old towels and such from friends and family. Can't afford the "fancy food"? Save change and get a bag of the off-brand. Don't have extra bowls for food and water? Use those plastic containers most stuff comes in today or ask friends or family for a few. Use what you have or can get. You've already used your heart by deciding to help and that's the first step. When Spring rolls in and your little hobo is alive, you'll never forget the gratifying feeling. You saved a life that was more than likely tossed out, unwanted and left to die.