Upstate New York winters in Cattaraugus County bring sustained sub-zero temperatures and heavy lake-effect snowfall. Outdoor colonies require dry, windproof, well-insulated shelter to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.
Critical Rule: Straw, Never Hay or Blankets
Blankets and towels absorb feline body moisture, freeze into solid ice sheets, and cause fatal hypothermia. Always use clean oat or wheat straw. Straw repels moisture and allows cats to burrow for warmth.
The 30-Gallon Storage Tote Method
- Use a heavy-duty Rubbermaid Roughneck 30-gallon tote with locking lid.
- Cut a 6-inch circular entrance door 4 inches above the ground to keep snow out.
- Line interior with 1-inch extruded polystyrene rigid foam insulation.
- Fill interior 1/3 full with loose straw bedding.
- Elevate the shelter onto wooden pallets or cinder blocks to prevent ground freeze.