12/10/2025
📣 To the communities we serve, collaborate with, and aspire to partner with as we work together to strengthen animal wellness initiatives:
As temperatures drop, it becomes extremely dangerous for dogs and cats to be outside without proper, insulated shelter. The safest and most compassionate choice is always to bring them indoors. If that isn’t possible, please ensure they have a fully insulated, wind-proof shelter, adequate food, and fresh, unfrozen water (use a heated bowl when possible, or refill multiple times a day).
Below is a step-by-step graphic showing a simple, effective way to build a straw shelter that keeps animals warm in extreme cold.
Important Tips for Building Straw Shelters:
1. Start with a pallet to lift the shelter off frozen ground — this reduces heat loss and prevents moisture buildup.
2. Stack square straw bales tightly around all sides of the pallet to form thick, wind-blocking walls. The tighter the bales fit, the better they insulate.
3. Create a small entrance — just big enough for the animal to squeeze through. Smaller openings hold heat better.
4. Add a roof using a sturdy board, plywood sheet, or an additional layer of bales. Cover the top with a tarp or other waterproof material to stop moisture from seeping in.
5. Fill the inside with loose straw — not blankets. Straw stays dry, insulates well, and allows animals to burrow for warmth. Blankets get damp, freeze, and can make them colder.
6. Face the doorway away from the wind (south or east is usually best). You can also place an extra bale as a windbreak in front of the entrance.
7. Check the shelter daily — top up the straw, ensure the interior stays dry, and clear any drifting snow from the entrance.
We’re grateful to share that another 165 straw bales have been delivered and dropped off at Martina T.’s, thanks to our incredible volunteers — Sherryl, Gregg, Randy, Martina, Les, and Lorne. To arrange pickup, please message Martina on Facebook. Bales are $5 each, and e-transfers can be sent to [email protected].
A properly built straw shelter can be life-saving in these temperatures. Thank you for caring for your animals, and please also consider building an extra straw shelter for the stray animals in your community. 🩵
