Another Merry Mancat Monday?

Hello, friends! We didn't mean to yet again disappear this weekend. It was for a good reason, though, because this here human got to visit with her grandma. My grandma and her husband were sick with the flu during the weeks surrounding Christmas, and so we hadn't yet celebrated the holiday with them. So this weekend turned into a last-minute yet lovely visit with them, though it meant I didn't even look at my computer, hence yet another absence from us. 

With our continued Christmas celebrations with family, and given the fact that our Christmas decor is indeed still up and will likely be up until next weekend, we're still feeling pretty festive. That, and tired, much like Evan looks here.

For anyone truly done with Christmas, we do apologize for the next couple of posts. Sort of. Tomorrow we'll finally be sharing who our Secret Santa Paws was and what all wonderful gifts we received from them. We waited to open all the gifts until Evan was home from his hospitalization for his urinary blockage, and until he was feeling like himself again so that he could enjoy the fun. That means we opened the amazing gifts last week, and we intended to share that all with you this weekend, but that got a bit derailed, as mentioned above. So, tomorrow's post will be good and festive yet again. We also still have a couple neglected Christmas doodles to share so that they don't go to waste, like this one.

It may not technically be the Christmas season anymore, but have a merry Monday anyway!

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Tip of the Day

Today's discussion on shelters for outdoor ferals in the winter is to make sure you regularly check said shelters, to ensure that they are in good condition. Such checks should include looking for leaks and making sure that the shelter is dry inside. It is also, of course, important to look for broken or loose parts and pieces. These sorts of checks are especially important after storms or high winds, in order to ensure that no parts of the shelter broke loose or are posing a risk to the cats using the shelter.

In addition to regularly checking outdoor cat shelters for damage, also check to make sure that the shelters are clean and as sanitary as possible. If you are using straw as bedding in the shelter, regularly check it for dirt or excrement, and determine if it needs replaced or replenished. If cloth bedding material is being used, regularly check to make sure that it is dry and clean, and remedy it if it is not. There are many factors that go into maintaining a comfortable and clean shelter for ferals, also of course including food availability. So, if you are caring for outdoor cats, try to regularly check shelters to ensure that all is well and safe for potential inhabitants.

Another tip in this same line of thought is to ensure that shelter doorways do not become blocked by snow or anything of this sort. If it snows, check the shelter and clear away any snow that might threaten to block the doorway. This will ensure that the feline inhabitants can enter and exit safely and without feeling trapped. Also check for anything else that might block the shelter entrance or cause a similar issue, such as if a thunderstorm or wind knocks down or blows around tree limbs or other debris. In such cases, of course ensure that the shelter entrance is not blocked, but also that the shelter did not suffer any damage. When you are caring for ferals and other outdoor cats, offering them shelter might mean you have yet another little home to look after, but it will be for a very good cause.