Water

Outdoor cats need clean water daily and during all conditions. Do NOT give cats milk. Throughout the winter months, here are tips to keep the water from freezing:

1. If possible, refill the bowls with hot or warm water. A pinch of sugar stops water from freezing as quickly, and provides an added energy boost.
2. Use heated water bowls (if near an electrical outlet).
3. Keep the water in the sun and use dark colored bowls that will absorb the sun’s heat.
4. Use wider and deeper bowls.
5. Insulate the bowls.
6. Use double-layered bowls - they have an insulated air layer between the surface the water touches and the surface against the ground.
7. Place the water dish inside a small styrofoam cooler to slow the freezing.
8. Surround the top and sides of the feeding area with plexiglass to create a greenhouse environment for the water.
9. If there is a water source like a spigot, run the water slightly, since it won’t freeze as quickly as still water.
10. Shield the bowl from wind.

If you notice that the cats are not using the water you provide, try moving it a short distance away from their food. Cats sometimes prefer this arrangement.

Feeding Locations and Stations

Overview

Though it is not a requirement, building a feeding station and establishing a specific area for feeding can help camouflage where the cats eat and make colony management easier on the caregiver. The goal is for this area to not be visible to the public. Feeding stations help deter insects from the food by raising it off of the ground; having a roof protects the food from the elements. It also helps with Trap Neuter Return efforts, since cats are fed at the same place every day, making it easy to know where to trap. Also, you can gradually and easily move the feeding stations when needed to address neighbourhood concerns. In colder climates, feeding cats at a regular time and place ensures that the cats know when and where to go to be fed.

Assembly

You can find a sheltered spot or build a canopy to cover the food. See examples and ideas for feeding stations below. Suitable feeding stations can easily be fashioned by someone with basic carpentry skills or with household items. It is important to camouflage the feeding station as much as possible. One way to do this is to paint the shelters with dark green or brown paint.

Examples:

• Alley Cat Allies Feeding Station (pdf)
• For a simple, protected feeding station, try attaching a domed plastic rubbish bin lid to three or four wooden posts.
• Cut cat-size holes in large plastic tubs or rubbish bins.

Location

Location of the feeding stations is also important. Food should be situated away from high traffic areas and not too close to the cats’ shelters, where they sleep or the place where they eliminate. Some caregivers create a feeding station in their garage, shed or car port if the colony is behind or near their home. When colonies live in a workplace environment or campus, caregivers sometimes work with maintenance or grounds departments so that cats can be fed in outbuildings, which aids in reducing visibility to colony feeding areas.

Cleanliness

It may be obvious that a cluttered area with debris will call undue attention, but it is worth stating here to emphasise its importance. Besides any empty food containers you use for the cats, there may be other rubbish and recyclables. Removing all of this daily or weekly will help make the feeding station sanitary and unobtrusive. Many caregivers realise that it's important to pick up the rubbish in the area, even garbage they didn't create. This helps avoid possible health code violations and maintain positive relations with the local residents.

Deterring Insects

In addition to raising the food off the ground, other ways to deter insects from cat food include the following:

• Surround the food bowl with a ring of baking soda.
• Place a tray, or flowerpot tray, with about half an inch to an inch of water in it on the feeding station platform and then place the food bowl on the tray.
• Keep your feeding areas clean, especially in hot, humid weather and always remove feeding dishes within 30 minutes.
• Cut back, or completely cut out, the amount of wet food that you feed, because dry food tends to attract fewer bugs. Be sure to add more dry food to compensate.
• Elevate feeding stations slightly off the ground and surround them with a line of food-grade diatomaceous earth without chemical additives (available from some natural food stores and environmentally conscious pet-care supply companies). The diatom dust should be reapplied after rainstorms. Note that diatomaceous earth sold for swimming pool filters is not safe to use for this purpose.
• Alley Cat Allies' list of tried and true ant proof bowls for food and water for your feral cat colony. (Note: suppliers are American.)