OUR SHELTERS / STRAW

SHELTERS:

• WE ARE NOT ABLE TO SHIP THEM
• SIZE (approx):    In inches: L=22  x  H=15  x  W=12
• Appropriate for 1 (maximum 2) cat
  

COST – STRAW:    Always free!  Just please bring your own bag.

COST – SHELTERS:

• NEWLY MADE:  $15 per shelter OR $10 per shelter when you buy 5 or more shelters
• TRADE INS:  When you bring in a used shelter get a new one for $5
  • The plastic tote must be structurally sound 
  • The shelter must be emptied in advance
  • Trade-in’s not possible when picking up from Animal Alliance
• “REFURBS”
  • We take previously used shelters, wash them, re-line with them with new Durofoam, and fill them with fresh straw
  • Cost = $5
  • Size/color:  varies depending on what has been brought to us to refurbish 
  • Stock:  varies depending on how many used shelters are brought to us and when we have time to complete them;
    • Ask us if we have any
    • Not available at Animal Alliance

OPTIONS TO PAY FOR SHELTERS:

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE:  IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF SPREAD OF COVID 19 WE’RE ASKING THAT ALL PAYMENTS BE MADE ELECTRONICALLY

• • etransfer to tnrths@gmail.com
  • PayPal to sheltersfortorontostreetcats@gmail.comayPal transfer

OPTIONS WHEN/WHERE TO PICK UP SHELTERS/STRAW: 

1.  By appointment 

What:  new shelters, “refurbs” (if in stock), straw

How:  email torontostreetcats@gmail.com and we will find a date/time to meet you where we keep our shelters.

Where:   Toronto Humane Society (11 River Street, Toronto at the NE corner of River and Queen St E.)

2.  Animal Alliance offices

**DO TO THE COVID19 LOCKDOWN THEIR OFFICES ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE**

What:  new shelters only

How:  Call Lia at 416 462-9541 ext 24 to confirm their hours and that they have enough shelters in stock.

Where:  221 Broadview Ave (on the East side, south of Dundas, Suite 101)

When:  Mon – Fri during their office hours

3.  During our TNR spay/neuter clinics

**DUE TO COVID LOCKDOWN OUR TNR CLINICS ARE ON HOLD UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE**

What:  new shelters, “refurbs” (if in stock), straw

When:   on hold.

How: email torontostreetcats@gmail.com to give us a heads up you’ll be coming 

Where:  Toronto Humane Society’s High Volume Public Spay/Neuter clinic (11 River Street, Toronto at the NE corner of River and Queen St E.).

Click here for a map of the location.

The entrance to the clinic is a bright green door located on the north side of the Toronto Humane Society, near the back, next to the large garage doors on the loading dock (see the “map” directly below).

Once you enter the bright green door, go up the ramp to the entrance to the lobby of the clinic.  Advise any of the volunteers that you are there to pick up a shelter(s).

OTHER RESOURCES FOR STRAW  

October is the perfect time of year to find straw in stores – it’s sold for Hallowe’en/Thanksgiving decorations, fall dances at schools, you name it. But after Hallowe’en/Thanksgiving, it gets MUCH harder to find. You can get a whole bale of STRAW (don’t buy HAY for shelters) for under $20 and keep it in your garage for the season.

• Check your local nurseries, garden centers, and grocery stores (that sell plants).
  Contact local schools to see if they have any available (for free) after their Hallowe’en dance.
• Google search animal feed & farm supply stores (I did a quick search and there were ones in Caledon, Newmarket, Lindsay…)
• Hardware stores (i.e. Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Lowes, Rona, etc)
• Kijiji (that’s how Toronto Street Cats originally found our “source” for straw)

Where ever/however you look for it, make sure it’s STRAW you’re getting. Not HAY

TIPS WHERE/HOW TO PLACE CAT SHELTERS 

• Click here for some simple (but important!) tips for how to maintain your cat shelter (ie where to place it, how to entice cats into it, how to improve the environment around the shelter to keep the cats etc)
  

OTHER RESOURCES FOR FERAL CAT SHELTERS:

OSPCA NEWMARKET:  

• Shelters are made each fall by their volunteers.  
• $15 each (cash only).  
• A limited supply is available.  
• To inquire about available stock/arrange to pick up a shelter(s) contact Monica Seto, Manager, Shelter Health & Wellness:

Phone:  1-888-668-7722 or 905-898-7122, Ext. 383
Email: mseto@ospca.on.ca

Watch their youtube video showing how they make their shelters (it’s very easy – you can do it too at very little cost!)

STRAW  

HOW:  Available for FREE.  Just show up.  All we ask is you bring your own bag!

WHERE:  In the garage of the Toronto Humane Society (see details above re address, how to get to the garage)

WHEN:  The following dates/times: 

Jan 25:   10am – 3pm  LAST SATURDAY OF THE SEASON

• Straw not available at Animal Alliance