SHAWANO, WI – As temperatures drop, the Shawano County Humane Society is urging residents to take simple steps to help protect stray and feral cats during the winter months. Kris Tetting with the Humane Society says community-made shelters can make a major difference. “We could get some cat shelters for some of the feral cats or the neighborhood cats,” she said, noting that shelters can be built easily from plastic totes or Styrofoam coolers.
Tetting stresses using straw, not blankets, for insulation, as straw stays dry and provides better warmth. She also encourages residents to set out food and water to help cats get the extra calories they need to survive the cold.
With colder winds pushing animals to seek warmth, Tetting warns that outdoor cats often crawl under car hoods or into engine compartments. She says one simple precaution can save a life: “Before you start your car, if it’s outside, maybe bang on the hood a couple of times and get them out before you start going.”
Tetting also urges people to avoid harsh chemical ice melters and instead choose pet-safe products to clear sidewalks and driveways without harming animals.
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