Purr-fect pads
More than 10,000 stray cats roam New York City's streets, and the harsh winter months are particularly difficult for these homeless felines. Luckily, these cats have Leslie Farrell. When Farrell moved to a part of the city that was home to a colony of feral cats, she did what she could to help them, including building a small shelter. “As I was building it, I thought to myself, ‘I work in the architectural industry. I should ask architects to build shelters’,” Farrell says.
Thus was born Architects for Animals, a fundraising initiative that culminates in a one-night event known as Giving Shelter that benefits the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals. Architects design and build creative outdoor winter shelters for the city’s strays, which are displayed at the event and then donated to caregivers with NYC Feral Cat Initiative to be put to use. Take a look at these inventive shelter designs, and check out the video below to learn more about Architects for Animals. (Text: Laura Moss)
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Comments
It is very unfortunate that there are thousands of feral cats that probably will never know love or have a home. Since we the people have caused this problem, we should try to do something about it so that these cats can live out their lives. They deserve this much! I belong to an animal organization that has low cost spay & neutering & we are starting with the TNR program. We also have members who spend their own money to help with this program. However, it is also the.... More
Lovin that people care for these kittys. Keep up the good works. I'm sure a cold hungry kitty cares little about gene pool and spaying. They just want Tuna
I don't much like this approach. By providing them with a home and sustenance you are allowing them to continue to procreate within their own colony thus leading to disease, a poor gene pool, and the potential anger and frustration of surrounding neighbors which in-turn may lead to abuse or poisoning.
As someone else said, put the time and money in to a trap / neuter / release program whereas these cats could live out their lives and not continue to add more cats to the issue.
After being trapped, neutered and released these cats need somewhere to shelter from the elements. Let each group focus on what they do best - TNR groups do that part, architects create the homes.
If you read the article, THEY DO TRAP SPAY/NEUTER AND RELEASE THEM BACK TO COLONY, so your thoughts should be re-considered!
Feral colonies are TNR, which is trap neuter, return. no more kittens :)
So, not stupid.
First of all, with or without shelter, they will procreate. Perhaps some of these cats have already been trapped/ neutered and released but they still need shelter and protection. For the ones that have not been neutered, it will provide them with some protection from the elements. There are organizations putting money in to trap/neuter/release but there are unfortunately so many strays. I think we need to look at the situation holistically. These are living creatures.There are many ways we can.... More
I would much rather see money being put into spay/neuter programs. This program is just adding to the problem of feral cats.
No - it's providing necessary shelters for those cats which have been trapped, neutered and released.
Did I miss something? The money raised by these creative shelters is benefiting a program that spays and neuters. While I agree that spaying/neutering is the most important issue in controlling feral cat overpopulation, I don't see why some monies can't also be used to keep cats from developing frostbite or from the discomfort of having no respite from the cold--and why that can't be done without rebuke or "I'd rather..." Good job by these folks. No one organization call solve all the.... More
I've seen this before. It's a great idea. It's unfortunate that there are so many pussycats who aren't valuable members of a loving, caring family. I'm just so thrilled that there are so many humans who love animals and care enough about them to help when they're in need. God bless ALL animals! xo xo
Creative? Absolutely. Utilitarian? Not so sure.
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