During the winter of 2007-08 I became involved with several small colonies of feral/semi-feral/stray cats in my neighborhood. For some reason, there are a lot of cats in the area of Allen Expressway and Ridelle Avenue that are homeless and living outside. They are caught in the endless cycles of constant breeding and the ongoing effort to survive. Needless to say, winters are extremely harsh for any creatures that reside outside, so keeping these poor cats alive during that first winter was really a difficult endeavor. The constructing of shelters for the cats became a foremost necessity. When I learned from an associate that one of these poor bedraggled-looking cats was crawling into a cold metal BBQ to seek shelter from the snow and wind, I was aghast. How could any animal find sufficient protection from the bitter cold in something like that? I realised that food wasn't enough for these cats. Shelters were a must. With some experimentation, I was able to devise a relatively easy and inexpensive way to provide the local feral and homeless cats in my area with insulated shelters. They worked beautifully and I was thrilled. I made as many as I could and I donated them everywhere I could. A friend suggested that I make more shelters and sell them to others who need them. Hence, the insulated winter cat shelters that you see for sale on these pages.

I absolutely know that there are many kind people out there that are feeding feral and homeless cats that they have discovered in their community - in their backyard or in local parks or industrial areas. I am certain that many other people struggle with the discomfort of knowing that these lovely creatures suffer terribly in the sub-zero temperatures, relentless snow and bitter winds that characterize our winter months. Insulated shelters are an easy and reasonably priced solution to this issue.

In working with feral cats during the winter, it also became apparent that there was another weather-related problem. The wet food and water that I was putting out for the cats was freezing so quickly that they couldn't get a chance to consume anything before it turned into a hard solid block. Again, as was born of necessity, I began to experiment with possible solutions. Viola! - the food warming trays. These trays utilize heated gel packs. This expands the window of opportunity that the cats have to consume the food and to drink the water before everything freezes. I was so pleased that last winter during 2008-09 my food bowls were being consistently licked clean! Before using the warming trays that never happended! It was really gratifying to know that the food was not being wasted and that the cats were receiving enough hydration to be healthy even during the awful months of winter. I also really liked the idea of actually providing the outdoor cats with a "warm meal on a cold day".

I continue to act as the caregiver of a small colony of feral and semi-feral cats nearby. I provide them with food, water and shelter. I conduct TNR (trap-neuter-return) procedures on an ongoing basis. This is especially important as it helps to control the cat over-population problem in the city of Toronto and, most importantly, it significantly improves the quality of each cat's life. Of the cats that I trap which are sufficiently socialized to humans to be adopted, I seek out really good homes for them. Of course, I've personally adopted two of these cats myself. The kitten,"Daisy", whose sweet face graces the front page of this website, was captured on Jan. 6, 2009. She was so tiny - only 1.7 lbs and she had some health problems. I was so thrilled to be able to grab her and to help her. She is in my home with me now and she's wonderful. I was also able to capture her mother in March of this year as part of my TNR efforts. She was very friendly so I was able to have her adopted by a friend after she was spayed. I am so pleased to have had a happy ending with these little ones!!

Caring for and about feral and homeless cats is a selfless act, an act of kindness.

If you would like to support my ongoing efforts, assistance of any kind is warmly appreciated and very much needed. I am very happy to accept donations in the form of cat food, money or personal effort. Please contact me for details.

Or financial donations can be made directly to the veterinary clinic I work with or to the Toronto Cat Rescue, which enables me to receive reduced rates for veterinary services. It's really a great arrangement that I'm so pleased to make use of. To contribute to my vet, contact Birch-Dan Animal Hospital, 556 Danforth Rd, Scarborough, Ontario M1K 1C6. Ph. 416 266-1377. They do excellent work with feral cats. Donations can be made on my behalf in person, by credit card over the phone or by cheque. Please send to the attention of Lori, to be credited to my account.

Or contributions can be made on my behalf as well to Toronto Cat Rescue, PO Box 41175, Rockwood Postal Outlet, Misssissauga, Ontario L4W 5C9. Ph 416 538-8592. Please note that the donation is to be directed to myself, for the purpose of veterinary services for feral cats, to the attention of Linda Weeks, who manages this. Note: for Toronto Cat Rescue donations, tax receipts will be issued to you.

The sale of these shelters and trays is an attempt to both improve the quality of life for as many cats as possible, as well as to enable my ongoing personal work with cats.

Thanks so much for your acts of kindness towards cats and all living creatures.