Man Makes Winter Shelters For Stray Cats Out Of Discarded Coolers
Stray animals face a particularly difficult time during winter. When the temperatures drop, our homeless furry friends are still roaming out in the open while we’re sitting warmly and cozily at home. Luckily, there are people out there who are doing their best to make sure that stray animals have a warm place to sleep.
Philip Rogich is one of such people. The man based in Ogden, Utah is turning other people’s trash into little homes for stray and feral cats. Philip uses discarded coolers to turn them into warm and dry places for felines to sleep during the cold season. “I saw a Facebook post about a man making them and thought I would give it a try. I made my own post looking for old coolers and it kind of took off. I do a lot of charity work mostly with children. My wife and I are also animal lovers and I wanted to do something for them,” Philip told Bored Panda. “[I’ve made] 77 so far and have coolers to make 15 more.”
More info: Facebook | Instructions on how to build a shelter
“Normally, the cooler keeps things cold. We’re going to use it to keep animals warm”
Image credits: BatmanOfOgden
“Normally the cooler keeps things cold. We’re going to use it to keep animals warm,” Philip told the Fox13 news outlet. “I actually have a 6-inch drill bit and then once you drill the hole, you just use some pipe insulation to pad it,” he further explained. “They [the coolers] are already insulated to keep things cold, but they can be used to keep things warm as well. Old ones end up in landfills and the don’t decompose. I’m giving them another use,” he told us. When asked whether community members help to make the shelters, Philip told Bored Panda: “So far, I am the only one making them for my project. I’ve made a how-to video so people all over the world can make their own. I do have lots of people helping me place them.”
“Two or three cats could fit in a cooler this size!”
Image credits: BatmanOfOgden
“Everybody’s got a cooler in their garage that they’re not using,” the now-dubbed animal hero told the media. Philip says that together with a few items that you can find in any hardware store, you can turn a discarded cooler into a shelter. First, you’d have to drill an entrance hole with a 6-inch drill bit. Then, some three-quarter-inch pipe insulation should be added to line the entrance.
“[Feral cats] just disappear, get overlooked. They get cold in the wintertime, too. They’re living creatures”
Image credits: BatmanOfOgden
“And then on the inside, you just use a straw. Straw has been used for hundreds of years as bedding for animals and that’s because it has the ability to dry out,” Philip told the media. “And there you go! A cat cooler! Two or three cats could fit in a cooler this size!”
“People donate old coolers, straw, and money. I had no idea this was going to get so big. It started with a Facebook post asking for old coolers. Then the local Fox station did a story on me. The story went national. I’ve been hearing from people from all over the world. I’m glad to be a catalyst for bringing a little good to our four-legged friends,” the animal hero revealed to Bored Panda.
Here’s what people online had to say
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I have these near my hometown pool. there's a forest and behind all the poison ivy and thorned trees, there are coolers and totes filled with old blankets and torn towels and when i went to see if there were any cats i found a liter of kittens!!! it was already like 36 degrees so i took the kittens, drove to the nearest shelter and dropped them off. they all have great homes. even the grey tabby i found in the litter. i adopted him myself and named him thistle. i have a picture of him too. bless him :3
Did you also take mom, or did you only steal her kittens?
Load More Replies...
As good idea. I made a dog proof litter box for my cat since getting my nasty wiener dog who thought kitty poop was brownies!
Kitty Krunchies! Our long haired mini loved those. People think I'm not a dog person because I won't let them lick me anywhere near my face, but it's just I know where their mouths have been.
Load More Replies...
This is an excellent idea, and used all over the country by TNVR (Trap Neuter Vaccinate Return) rescuers. Contrary to popular belief, it's not actually necessary to drill a second entrance/exit; that actually compromises the security of the shelter and raises the wariness of the cat so much they can't relax inside. If the one entrance hole is small enough (and he's doing it right) no other animal will try to enter. Clearly he did his research and has spent a little time and effort making life better for the homeless cats in his area.
A lady at my work helps do this with a friend of hers. Where we work there’s a park next door with several stray/feral cats. They catch them spay/neuters them and then puts them back in the park since most don’t like people & won’t be good democraticed cats. She’s a awesome cat lover.
I've done the cheaper version of this with the styrofoam coolers and storage tubs and straw, but this is amazing! I tried making one because I know we have semi-outdoor cats in the neighborhood, but as far as I could tell it never got any use.
Sometimes a smell will put off a cat. Try rinsing out with vinegar water, letting it dry in the sun and then repacking with fresh straw. It would not hurt to put a few cat treats in there either. Someone will get curious and realize it is the perfect home for their cold little bodies.
Load More Replies...
Thank you so much !!! I am a cat recuse from Maryland and I care for 25+ cats daily
This is so amazing, I once did something similar with a foam cooler and it took a while, but eventually, a cat stayed there and stayed warm that cold winter night, wrapped in a fluffy towel :)
I love it. We live in rural area next to a wildlife refuge. We are at end of road so we often get "drop offs" of strays. We have an old camper that's no longer useable so ive set up food dishes etc in there for our feral cats. Last summer I was noticing babies & they were not healthy. We spent 4 weeks getting the little ones out & to a rescue, then came live trapping all adults. They were spayed/neutered and returned to camper. They are now part of family and im trying to get friendly with them so I can tame & find forever homes. I will keep the two that was born here. But in meantime, its getting cold out. I've set up a secure box inside camper & put a heavy duty heat pad inside which I can control from house. Its still dangerous with cords, so this is an amazing idea. I'm printing out instructions & getting busy on this! 🐈
How wonderful of you! I've been fortunate enough to home 2 ferals in my lifetime so far. Take a LOT of patience and just being there. Sometimes I would just sit with them while they ate. I made sure they knew who was bringing the food, and when. Cats like routine very much. Then I began adding a few Temptations, slowly leaving them closer to where I would sit. Eventually they let me pet them while they enjoyed their treats and then it just transitioned into more pets, sitting near me, cuddles and eventually they would lick me. I loved those babies!
Load More Replies... A great man with a fabulous idea, and a big heart, other comments suggest you take them to a free Clinic, yes to reduce the unwanted kitten population, also, once the kittens have been fixed, they can be adopted as they have not had time to become feral !!!
“[Feral cats] just disappear, get overlooked. They get cold in the wintertime, too. They’re living creatures” - too many of us don’t treat animals with the respect and kindness they deserve. Kudos to Phillip for having the compassion to do what he can to help them out when they need it.
You are so right, Ace. Animals DESERVE kindness and respect. They will give it in return once trust is established. Unfortunately, some ferals (and just too many animals, period) develop such a fear of humans due to the abuse some savages inflict for no reason other than cruelty. I would like to see stronger, more severe punishments for those who abuse animals.
Load More Replies... Some people don't like cats because they have sent many songbirds to the brink of extinction. They are an invasive species. That's why I'm a fan of TNR and Birdsbesafe collar covers for domestic cats who go outside. My one cat still seems to be able to catch mice (good) and pregnant lizards (sad), but no birds.
Load More Replies...
A few months ago my family kept seeing a dark red Bengal cat around my house. It's been really raining lately, I hope this cat is alive and found shelter. The rain drove the cat away, but he/she might still be here, hiding. I'll try to do the best I can to help the poor, homeless, and freezing cat.
I hope he has some way of securing these so they don't get blown away. (We've been experiencing 60+ MPH winds intermittently for the past month, so this is a legitimate concern.) But it's a great idea.
My brother and wife has done this for many years here in Ontario Canada. He has looked after,taken in, dozens and dozens over the years. He manages to get money from many of us for vet bills over the years.Where I live it gets to minus 30-40 some nights/days so these little homes save lives.
Cats generally only fight at the last resort, they try to avoid each other, (indoor cats can get in more fights in or out cos they always see each other). Strays outside give warnings and they'd rather walk away than fight. There are obviously exemptions.
Load More Replies...
Here in Chicago we have a huge group who TNR, and make houses, they are the best :)))))
Cats love squeezing in through tight spaces. They're generally very skinny under all that fluff.
Load More Replies...
I understand you mean to be kind. This is great. BUT Feral cats are a nightmare in Australia. They devastate wildlife. If in a city, animal welfare would suggest TNR *program to decrease the number of kittens born outside which then frequently die of starvation, exposure or disease.
T.N.R. Trap neuter return. They also get vaccinated. >>>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvkjTh4aWfc
Load More Replies... I have these near my hometown pool. there's a forest and behind all the poison ivy and thorned trees, there are coolers and totes filled with old blankets and torn towels and when i went to see if there were any cats i found a liter of kittens!!! it was already like 36 degrees so i took the kittens, drove to the nearest shelter and dropped them off. they all have great homes. even the grey tabby i found in the litter. i adopted him myself and named him thistle. i have a picture of him too. bless him :3
Did you also take mom, or did you only steal her kittens?
Load More Replies... As good idea. I made a dog proof litter box for my cat since getting my nasty wiener dog who thought kitty poop was brownies!
Kitty Krunchies! Our long haired mini loved those. People think I'm not a dog person because I won't let them lick me anywhere near my face, but it's just I know where their mouths have been.
Load More Replies... This is an excellent idea, and used all over the country by TNVR (Trap Neuter Vaccinate Return) rescuers. Contrary to popular belief, it's not actually necessary to drill a second entrance/exit; that actually compromises the security of the shelter and raises the wariness of the cat so much they can't relax inside. If the one entrance hole is small enough (and he's doing it right) no other animal will try to enter. Clearly he did his research and has spent a little time and effort making life better for the homeless cats in his area.
A lady at my work helps do this with a friend of hers. Where we work there’s a park next door with several stray/feral cats. They catch them spay/neuters them and then puts them back in the park since most don’t like people & won’t be good democraticed cats. She’s a awesome cat lover.
I've done the cheaper version of this with the styrofoam coolers and storage tubs and straw, but this is amazing! I tried making one because I know we have semi-outdoor cats in the neighborhood, but as far as I could tell it never got any use.
Sometimes a smell will put off a cat. Try rinsing out with vinegar water, letting it dry in the sun and then repacking with fresh straw. It would not hurt to put a few cat treats in there either. Someone will get curious and realize it is the perfect home for their cold little bodies.
Load More Replies... Thank you so much !!! I am a cat recuse from Maryland and I care for 25+ cats daily
This is so amazing, I once did something similar with a foam cooler and it took a while, but eventually, a cat stayed there and stayed warm that cold winter night, wrapped in a fluffy towel :)
I love it. We live in rural area next to a wildlife refuge. We are at end of road so we often get "drop offs" of strays. We have an old camper that's no longer useable so ive set up food dishes etc in there for our feral cats. Last summer I was noticing babies & they were not healthy. We spent 4 weeks getting the little ones out & to a rescue, then came live trapping all adults. They were spayed/neutered and returned to camper. They are now part of family and im trying to get friendly with them so I can tame & find forever homes. I will keep the two that was born here. But in meantime, its getting cold out. I've set up a secure box inside camper & put a heavy duty heat pad inside which I can control from house. Its still dangerous with cords, so this is an amazing idea. I'm printing out instructions & getting busy on this! 🐈
How wonderful of you! I've been fortunate enough to home 2 ferals in my lifetime so far. Take a LOT of patience and just being there. Sometimes I would just sit with them while they ate. I made sure they knew who was bringing the food, and when. Cats like routine very much. Then I began adding a few Temptations, slowly leaving them closer to where I would sit. Eventually they let me pet them while they enjoyed their treats and then it just transitioned into more pets, sitting near me, cuddles and eventually they would lick me. I loved those babies!
Load More Replies... A great man with a fabulous idea, and a big heart, other comments suggest you take them to a free Clinic, yes to reduce the unwanted kitten population, also, once the kittens have been fixed, they can be adopted as they have not had time to become feral !!!
“[Feral cats] just disappear, get overlooked. They get cold in the wintertime, too. They’re living creatures” - too many of us don’t treat animals with the respect and kindness they deserve. Kudos to Phillip for having the compassion to do what he can to help them out when they need it.
You are so right, Ace. Animals DESERVE kindness and respect. They will give it in return once trust is established. Unfortunately, some ferals (and just too many animals, period) develop such a fear of humans due to the abuse some savages inflict for no reason other than cruelty. I would like to see stronger, more severe punishments for those who abuse animals.
Load More Replies... Some people don't like cats because they have sent many songbirds to the brink of extinction. They are an invasive species. That's why I'm a fan of TNR and Birdsbesafe collar covers for domestic cats who go outside. My one cat still seems to be able to catch mice (good) and pregnant lizards (sad), but no birds.
Load More Replies... A few months ago my family kept seeing a dark red Bengal cat around my house. It's been really raining lately, I hope this cat is alive and found shelter. The rain drove the cat away, but he/she might still be here, hiding. I'll try to do the best I can to help the poor, homeless, and freezing cat.
I hope he has some way of securing these so they don't get blown away. (We've been experiencing 60+ MPH winds intermittently for the past month, so this is a legitimate concern.) But it's a great idea.
My brother and wife has done this for many years here in Ontario Canada. He has looked after,taken in, dozens and dozens over the years. He manages to get money from many of us for vet bills over the years.Where I live it gets to minus 30-40 some nights/days so these little homes save lives.
Cats generally only fight at the last resort, they try to avoid each other, (indoor cats can get in more fights in or out cos they always see each other). Strays outside give warnings and they'd rather walk away than fight. There are obviously exemptions.
Load More Replies... Here in Chicago we have a huge group who TNR, and make houses, they are the best :)))))
Cats love squeezing in through tight spaces. They're generally very skinny under all that fluff.
Load More Replies... I understand you mean to be kind. This is great. BUT Feral cats are a nightmare in Australia. They devastate wildlife. If in a city, animal welfare would suggest TNR *program to decrease the number of kittens born outside which then frequently die of starvation, exposure or disease.
T.N.R. Trap neuter return. They also get vaccinated. >>>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvkjTh4aWfc
Load More Replies...
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