When Outdoor Cats Need Help
How to Support Community Cats in Winter — and Recognize When It’s Time to Step In
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES INCLUDED BELOW
Winter in Erie can be unforgiving, especially for the community cats who spend their lives outdoors. Many of these cats are accustomed to living outside in all types of weather. They know where to find shelter, how to navigate their surroundings, and how to survive with limited resources. While some outdoor cats can thrive with minimal intervention, others—particularly seniors, kittens, or cats battling illness or injury—are far more vulnerable when temperatures drop.
Recently, our team at the Erie Humane Society encountered one of those vulnerable cats, 6-year-old Olive: a fragile, severely ill girl who came to us skin and bone, dehydrated, battling a raging upper respiratory infection, and showing signs of frostbite. She was a true “hot mess,” but she is now safe, warm, and receiving round-the-clock care. Her recovery will take time, but even in her short stay with us, she has already begun making small, hopeful steps forward.
Her story is a reminder that while many cats can manage outdoor life, some desperately need human intervention—especially in harsh weather.
Shelters Are Full Everywhere: Why Community Support Matters More Than Ever
Across the country, shelters are facing a crisis of capacity. The need for safe housing and medical care far exceeds the resources and space available. This means that not every outdoor cat can—or should—be brought to a shelter. Many are better off remaining in their outdoor environment, where they feel secure and can live comfortably with the support of caring community members.
But when an outdoor cat is sick, injured, or showing signs of distress, the community plays a critical role in recognizing when it’s time to take action.
How You Can Help
Even small acts of kindness can make an enormous difference for outdoor cats facing harsh winter conditions. Here are ways the community can help:
1. Provide Outdoor Winter Shelters
A simple insulated shelter can be a lifesaver during freezing temperatures. You can build a DIY outdoor cat shelter for under $50—using materials such as plastic storage bins, Styrofoam insulation, and straw. We have a demonstration linked on our website that walks you through the process step-by-step.
2. Offer Food and Fresh (Unfrozen) Water
Cats burn more calories staying warm in the winter. Providing regular meals and checking water sources to ensure they aren’t frozen helps them stay healthy and hydrated. Try a heated water bowl to avoid freezing water.
3. Use Straw, Not Blankets
Straw repels moisture and insulates well. Blankets and towels can freeze and make a cold cat colder.
4. Keep an Eye Out for Signs of Distress
Even experienced outdoor cats can become sick or injured. Watch for:
- Difficulty breathing or persistent nasal/eye discharge
- Lethargy or disorientation
- Shivering or signs of hypothermia
- Visible wounds or frostbite (often seen on ears, tail, or paws)
- Extreme weight loss or inability to stand
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s time to get help. Call the Erie Humane Society at 814-835-8331 for guidance. We will do everything in our capacity to provide care for sick and injured stray pets.
This is exactly what happened with Olive. Her condition made it clear, to the good Samaritan that found her, that she could not survive another night outdoors. She needed urgent medical attention, warmth, and supportive care—and because someone recognized the signs and acted, she is now on the road to healing.
A Community Effort Makes All the Difference
Supporting outdoor cats is truly a community-wide effort. Whether you’re building shelter boxes, providing food, monitoring neighborhood cats, or stepping in when one is in trouble, your care helps fill critical gaps when shelters are at capacity.
Our team will continue doing everything we can for the animals who need us most—including Olive, our brave little fighter who’s beginning her journey back to health.
We’ll continue sharing updates on her progress. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to learn how to support the outdoor cats in their neighborhood this winter. Together, we can prevent suffering, promote humane solutions, and ensure that cats—indoors and outdoors—receive the compassion they deserve.
