Colony Cats Reuses Styrofoam Coolers by Turning Them Into Cat Shelters

Colony Cats is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose primary mission is to address cat overpopulation in central Ohio through public awareness and spay/neuter efforts. Since 2002, they have facilitated spay/neuter of nearly 9,000 cats and dogs, and placed more than 7,500 pets in homes.

A core element of their program is offering specialized help for feral, stray, and abandoned cats. They assist compassionate caregivers who are feeding and watching over homeless cats by providing  trap-neuter-return (TNR) and other support services including food, shelter, vaccines, and additional vet care for injuries/illness, as well as educational resources.  TNR is the recommended approach for spay/neuter of homeless cats that are too timid or feral to be handled. Cats are humanely trapped, altered, eartipped (while under anesthesia, to signify that they are fixed), given a rabies shot, treated for parasites, and are returned to their territory after recovery for ongoing supervision by their caregiver.  The spaying/neutering controls the cat population, the vaccinations and medical care ensure they are healthy, and releasing them back into their natural territory controls the rat population.

For the cats that are returned to their natural territory, shelters are set-up to protect them from the elements.  Volunteers make shelters by reusing Styrofoam coolers.  Doors are cut in them and they are filled with straw to keep the cats warm especially in the fall and winter months.  Colony Cats is always looking for Styrofoam coolers in good condition that are at least 24 inches by 18 inches.  Coolers can be dropped off any time at the Colony Cats Adoption Center at 2740 Festival Lane in Dublin.  If the center is closed they can be left in front.  Dry bales of straw (not hay) are also needed and can be dropped any time.  This is a great way to recycle decorative bales of straw when you are done with them in the fall.  Other needed items are listed on their website http://www.colonycats.org/.