Build a shelter for the outdoor kitties

Update: Another goal not reached in 2007 but still one that I want to do. I recently found the list of supplies I need to build a shelter (see de-cluttering goal) so it’s just a matter of finding the money and getting started. In the meantime, the cats have been keeping warm and dry in the storage shed behind the house. Smoochy didn’t work out as an indoor cat since he never caught on to the whole litterbox concept. He’s back home with his littermates and turning into a big chunky furball with the rest of them.

shelter for one of the outdoor kitties. We’ve adopted one of them and just brought him home last night. He’s so stressed out that he’s panting and spending most of his time under the easy chair in the living room. He’s still really sweet though – somehow managing to make Sweet Pea look a little cranky. Maybe she’s just upset about not being the baby anymore. She’s had a lock on that title for 10 years though, so maybe it’s time to bequeath the crown and scepter to the new kid.

The cats haven’t been sleeping in the hall, so I guess it’s warm enough that they prefer to be outside. I still plan on building the shelter since it will also be a safe place for them to sleep. It’ll definitely have to be during a break from classes – maybe between Spring and Summer semesters…

even though we started this moving process almost a month ago. Everything ground to a screeching halt once classes started and I haven’t made any more progress on this goal. Fortunately, the kitties spend every night in the back hallway where I keep the heating pad on low. They’re much tamer now except for Hissy Fit. I can tell she’s just dying to swat me when I get a little too close. Sometimes I’ll reach out and give her a quick pet when she’s walking away or has her back turned. Then I quickly pretend to be doing something else when she whirls around and glares at me suspiciously. Soon she’ll be under my spell…

Made a list of all the building supplies I’ll need for the shelter. After subtracting all the items available here, it’s not a very long list but the size of plywood I’ll need is too big to put in the car. I’ll need to borrow my father-in-law’s pickup which probably won’t happen before the 15th since we’re due for an ice storm this weekend. Dang… really needed nice weather for this last weekend before classes start. Well, guess it’s a lesson not to put things off until the last moment.

Since we’re moving, the outdoor kitties won’t be able to hang out on the blanket and heating pad by the back door. It hasn’t gotten that cold yet this winter, but that’ll change in the next couple of months. I found plans for a cat shelter on www.kittico.org and I think I can get some of the supplies from the leftover building materials from my in-law’s renovations. I’ve been worried about the kitties not having a warm place to go this winter and this looks like it’ll be the perfect solution.