31 October, 2016

Autumnal Clean Out

Mama's House, as I sweep it out

Snoopervisor, Patty O'Malley

Mama's House, filled with new straw

Old straw in The Cat Hotel, showing
'cat nests'

Kinda made a mess...

Everything cleaned up and ship shape again!

She ain't pretty, but I'm hoping
we've created a cat paradise!
Happy Halloween, everyone!  This is the time of year that we winterize the 'O' Cats's shelters.  I clean out the straw that was fresh in Spring, add a warming mat to the bottom level of The Cat Hotel, and make sure all seams are tight and weather-proof.  This year, I purchased a package of straw that came sealed in wrap, in the hopes that there would be no added critters, such as fleas.  This straw was chopped up, instead of long pieces.  I put in a TON of straw, just in case the chopped up stuff is somehow lacking in nesting power.  I worry every clean out time, feeling that I'm going to chase the cats away, but within a couple of hours I witnessed Sweetie going into The Cat Hotel, and that put paid to it! The Hubby also added a layer of hard styrofoam inside one of the new cardboard boxes, on the advice from his brother who said it reflects body warmth.  We'll see how the cats like that.

Of course, I will continue try enticing them both up the Stairway To Heaven and inside, but for now I know that they are as buttoned up for the cold as I can make them.  The warming pad will be plugged in once the overnight lows get below freezing, and it has a gentle warmth.

Happy Halloween!




14 comments:

  1. What a wonderful place for a kitty who won't come in from the cold! It is so kind of you to make sure she is cared for.

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  2. what a wonderful thing you are doing! My cats would be comfy at that hotel!

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  3. Dat's pawsum. We're purrayin' da kitties take da stairway to "heaven" tho'.

    Luv ya'

    Dezi and Raena

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  4. Oh, that is a lot of work. We don't think you could ever drive away the O cats - they are familiar with the routine too. Plus, they love you.

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  5. guys...we haz mizzed yur blog fora few heer ....coz de food servizz gurlz werk izza bass terd N de inter net izza bass terd N burdz iz all wayz a bass terd......itz just been a bass terd kinda few dayz.........happee howl o ween ♥♥♥♥♥

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  6. The purrrfect winter home for outside kitties.

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  7. Sounds very comfy to us! We hope you left a treat on the pillows. :-)

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  8. Great jack o'lantern! I hope they decide to come in, but it sounds like they will be warm no matter what. Happy Halloween!

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  9. Patty and Sweetie are so lucky to have such a wonderful place to stay!
    I love your cute pumpkins!

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  10. Looks like a cat's paradise to me--and I think it's pretty! The kitties in your area are fortunate to have you looking out for them.

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  11. We do the same with our cat shelter. happy Halloween.

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  12. Yippee for fresh straw! We cleaned our shelters out before our rains set in and love seeing our neighborhood strays and feral using it soon after, too!

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Mee-row!
Thanks for your comments; we LURV them! Purrr....