Pet cats living outside and stray & feral cats have a really hard time in winter—those low temperatures can be deadly. Â If your neighborhood has cats living outside and if your living situation allows, here are some inexpensive, DIY shelters you can make to give them a warm, dry place to sleep.
Obviously, don’t place the house where a dog can get to it, or where your indoor cats can see it, if your cats are threatened by strange cats in their territory. Â Seeing a strange cat outside can disturb indoor cats and trigger redirected aggression where they attack other cats in your house. Â If there are predators like raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, etc. in the area, cut a hole in the front and the back of the shelter so cats have a way to escape.
The Urban Cat League has several designs for easy, low-cost shelters.  The styrofoam cooler house is probably the easiest and cheapest shelter. (Find instructions & materials needed here.)  The shelter intentionally tilted so that in case any water gets inside, the high end stays dry for the cat.
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The picnic cooler house is also pretty easy and used coolers can often be found at thrift stores and garage sales. Â (Find instructions & materials needed here.) Â This shelter will be quite durable. Â It’s also tilted to the high end stays dry even if water gets inside.
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The insulated storage bin house is lined with foam core insulation that’s moisture resistant and has a foil covered side to reflect body heat back towards the cat. Â (Find instructions & materials needed here.) Â This shelter has drainage holes for any water that might get inside.
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The foam core insulation house is made by bolting together the rigid foam insulation using large washers. Â (Find instructions & materials needed here.) Â This design places the entrance higher to keep bedding inside. Â It also has drainage holes.
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The Ian Somerhalder Foundation (yes, that Ian Somerhalder) has a design for an insulated 2 bin house. Â This is another easy one that doesn’t take much work or require many tools. Â They also suggest lining the inner compartment with a mylar blanket to reflect the cat’s body heat. Â These blankets are found in the sporting or camping section of discount stores.
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This insulated condo won’t win any beauty contests, but it is clever, low cost, and easy to make. Â The exterior is rigid foam insulation glued together with heavy-duty construction adhesive. Â Two storage bins serve as the inner compartments.
