When Tina Galloway placed a heated cat house in her yard, she didn’t imagine it would draw so much attention from other animals.
She wanted to create a safe, warm space where the feral cats could rest, eat, and eventually be TNR’d (trapped, neutered, and released).
From the first night, the house proved to be a success. Five stray cats were happy to find much-needed shelter and food, and they moved into the cat house.
However, shortly after setting up the cat house, something unexpected started happening that left Galloway surprised.
Late-night footage revealed that other creatures started visiting the cat house. The animals took advantage of the shelter in surprising ways.
A Simple Plan
Galloway wanted to give the neighborhood cats a safe place to go. She had volunteered with rescue groups for years and understood how important spaying and neutering were.
The heated cat house in her yard offered warmth during cold nights and shelter for stray cats to gather until they could be TNR’d.
She didn’t wait long to see results.
“The cat house was used the very first night and has had visitors around the clock since,” Galloway told The Dodo.
The same five stray cats liked the shelter and they made it their regular stop. Watching them relax inside filled Galloway with hope. It felt like the start of something good for them.
Unexpected Visitors
Since Galloway was curious about how many animals were coming by the cat house, she placed a small camera inside. Once she saw the footage, she was stunned.
It turned out that the cat house wasn’t just a refuge for cats anymore. Other animals had discovered it too.
“I was surprised to see a raccoon (2 different ones) and a possum stopping by for late-night snacks,” Galloway shared.
One by one, the wild visitors came. A possum loved the cat house so much that he had a nap there.
The visitors didn’t mind sharing the space. They seemed to understand that all of them needed a warm spot and some food.
Galloway added another house to the yard, so that the cats still had privacy.
The camera later captured raccoons, opossums, birds, and even a tiny mouse slipping inside for a quick meal. Galloway didn’t mind.
“We love all wildlife,” she said.
She kept her focus on the cats. She made sure they had food, shelter, and a chance to be fixed so the local population could become healthier.
The cats continued visiting every day, and Galloway hoped to start their medical care soon. Thanks to Galloway and her kindness, cats and the other animals have an opportunity to enjoy delicious snacks and the comfort of a home.