This is a FREE information site!
Part of EdDx Educational Series
Part of EdDx Educational Series
How to make a
>>PHOTOS and ILLUSTRATIONS on this site<<
Feral Cat Shelter Escape Hole Cutting
Cheap, Easy to Make, and Easy to Handle
EducationDx
©2018, 2023
©2018, 2023
Except...
...you will NOT complete the cut of the entire hole.
Now that you have located the spot and measured for the side escape hole, you will follow the same procedure as you did for the front or entrance hole--
The hinge will move in or out; it is relatively firm, and will take very little effort from the cat to open it. The plastic is pretty tough and will not flex with just a breeze. Probably, the escape hole won't be used much--unless the cat likes to get his/her back scratched!
The door will remain almost closed--just enough open space to let the cat know s/he can escape! After the cat gets comfortable and feels somewhat safe, s/he might pile the straw against the escape hole to stop the slight draft. Can you say anthropomorphic? No--I just observed it!
The door will remain almost closed--just enough open space to let the cat know s/he can escape! After the cat gets comfortable and feels somewhat safe, s/he might pile the straw against the escape hole to stop the slight draft. Can you say anthropomorphic? No--I just observed it!
Next, you will drill about 6 drain holes in the trough area that follows the perimeter of the inside floor of the shelter. Drill a 3/8" hole in each corner of the trough channel and one in the middle of the trough channel on each side. Try to make the hole in the middle area of the trough.
This will help any rain/water that gets inside to drain out through the bottom.
This will help any rain/water that gets inside to drain out through the bottom.
Use needle nose pliers to help pull out any sharp remnants from the drilled holes in the plastic.
Sand the holes with a piece of 60 grit sandpaper--just to remove any sharp edges. Feel around the hole for any sharp edges.
Sand around the inside edges of the shelter entrance and escape holes (sand the inside and outside perimeter of the escape hole door) . Sand the inside of the hole as well as the outside. Run your fingers around the hole to feel for any sharp edges.
Since the material is plastic, you don't have to apply a lot of pressure--just enough to get the sharp points smooth to the touch!
Vacuum, then wipe the shelter with a damp cloth or paper towel to get all the dust and plastic particles. Then dry it with a cloth or paper towel.
Looking good! It's ready to go outside. You can paint it or use it as is.
What else is there to do with the cat shelter?
>>PHOTOS and ILLUSTRATIONS on this site<<
How to make a
This is a FREE information site!
www.EducationDx.com
Note: Larger computer screens will show larger materials!--and more detail!!
Feral Cat Shelter: Escape Hole Cutting
Cheap, Easy to Make, and Easy to Handle
Note: You can right click on some items to view an enlarged version
Note: You can right click on some items to view an enlarged version
Study the measurements for the escape hole.
Note: You can right click on some items to view an enlarged version
Now that you have located the spot and measured for the side escape hole, you will follow the same procedure as you did for the front or entrance hole--
Except...
...you will NOT complete the cut of the entire hole.
View of the escape hole from inside the container.
View of the escape hole from the outside.
The hinge will move in or out; it is relatively firm, and will take very little effort from the cat to open it. The plastic is pretty tough and will not flex with just a breeze. Probably, the escape hole won't be used much--unless the cat likes to get his/her back scratched!
The door will remain almost closed--just enough open space to let the cat know s/he can escape! After the cat gets comfortable and feels somewhat safe, s/he might pile the straw against the escape hole to stop the slight draft. Can you say anthropomorphic? No--I just observed it!
Next, you will drill about 6 drain holes in the trough area that follows the perimeter of the inside floor of the shelter. Drill a 3/8" hole in each corner of the trough channel and one in the middle of the trough channel on each side. Try to make the hole in the middle area of the trough.
This will help any rain/water that gets inside to drain out through the bottom.
This will help any rain/water that gets inside to drain out through the bottom.
Use needle nose pliers to help pull out any sharp remnants from the drilled holes in the plastic.
Sand the holes with a piece of 60 grit sandpaper--just to remove any sharp edges. Feel around the hole for any sharp edges.
Sand around the inside edges of the shelter entrance and escape holes (sand the inside and outside perimeter of the escape hole door) . Sand the inside of the hole as well as the outside. Run your fingers around the hole to feel for any sharp edges.
Since the material is plastic, you don't have to apply a lot of pressure--just enough to get the sharp points smooth to the touch!
Vacuum, then wipe the shelter with a damp cloth or paper towel to get all the dust and plastic particles. Then dry it with a cloth or paper towel.
Looking good! It's ready to go outside. You can paint it or use it as is.
What else is there to do with the cat shelter?
EducationDx
©2018, 2023
©2018, 2023
www.EducationDx.com
*Disclosure: Some links on this website are associate links and are used to help illustrate what an item looks like, and you can decide if you want to just look or purchase the item. "As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases." We receive a small commission (that helps support this website) if you actually purchase from this company, but the price to you remains the same.
You can hover over any link to see if it is an Amazon link, if this matters, or a link to a page on this website or to a reference page, e.g., Smithsonian Institution, bookmark on this website, etc.
You can hover over any link to see if it is an Amazon link, if this matters, or a link to a page on this website or to a reference page, e.g., Smithsonian Institution, bookmark on this website, etc.
*Disclosure: Some links on this website are associate links and are used to help illustrate what an item looks like, and you can decide if you want to just look or purchase the item. "As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases." We receive a small commission (that helps support this website) if you actually purchase from this company, but the price to you remains the same.
You can hover over any link to see if it is an Amazon link, if this matters, or a link to a page on this website or to a reference page, e.g., Smithsonian Institution, bookmark on this website, etc.
You can hover over any link to see if it is an Amazon link, if this matters, or a link to a page on this website or to a reference page, e.g., Smithsonian Institution, bookmark on this website, etc.