download/print - Neighborhood Cats

Wood stationIf you or someone you know is handy, youcan build a station with wood similar to thehomemade one in Figure 5-3. Note how oneside is completely open. The roof overhangsthe front opening and is pitched towards therear so rain will run off towards the back. Thetwo by four “legs” on the bottom keep out rainand snow from the ground. To prevent rot, awooden station should be coated with latexdeck paint and the seams sealed with siliconeglue.Properly built wood stations will tend to lastFigure 5-3much longer than storage bins. You may beable to get scrap lumber from a home improvement store. You can also purchase aready-made station (Figure 5-4) from FeralVilla (www.feralvilla.com), a company runby experienced TNR activists who also produce high quality winter shelters. Minimalassembly is required. Smaller version is available.Keep your feeding station clean by lining thefloor with an industrial-strength rubber or vinyl mat(known as “runners”). That way you can removethe mat and easily wash it down. The mats can bepurchased at most floor stores or order online atTotal Mats (www.totalmats.com).• Automatic feeders and waterersFigure 5-4If feeding the cats regularly is a problem, an automatic dry food dispenser and anautomatic waterer can be put inside the station or at a spot protected from the elements.These gravity-driven devices are excellent when everyday access to the colony site is notavailable or when the caretaker will be away for a day or two. If you plan on puttingthese items inside a sheltered feeding station, be sure to check the station’s dimensionsfirst so you buy equipment that will fit inside. Also, don’t buy too large a waterer ifyou’re going to have to carry jugs to the colony’s site in order to refill them. If wildlifefrequents the site as well as the cats, avoid using automatic feeders unless the feedingstation is built to deter other animals from joining in (see Don’t feed the wildlife, below).The Le Bistro line of automatic feeders and waterers is popular and well-made. TheLe Bistro Feeder comes in sizes XS (holds 2 lbs of dry food), S (5 lbs.), M (10 lbs.) and L(20 lbs.) The Le Bistro Waterer also comes in XS (2 qts.), S (1 gal.), M (2.75 gals.) andL (5 gals.) Currently, they’re marketed under both the Petmate and Aspen Pet brands.You can find Aspen Pet Le Bistro products at Target (www.target.com). A search on30