MONTANA — When Melody Karle and her husband moved to Montana, where winter temperatures can plummet to -40°F, they noticed a pressing problem: the neighborhood’s stray cats had no refuge from the bitter cold.
Determined to help, the couple built their first DIY cat shelter using a picnic table, an old fence, and a chicken heat lamp. Word spread quickly among the local feline population.
“I don’t know what they did before we got here,” Karle told The Dodo.
Upgrading the Shelter—and Welcoming New Family Members
As demand grew, the couple constructed a sturdier version using plastic deck boxes, insulated with straw and equipped with heating pads and cameras. The cats—now regular visitors—flocked to the cozy setup.
Among them was Old Tom Morris (OTM), a senior cat who frequented the shelter daily but kept his distance—until an injury changed everything.
After discovering a severe bite wound on OTM’s shoulder, Karle rushed him to the vet. With his fur shaved for treatment, she realized he couldn’t survive outside in the freezing temperatures. So, she brought him indoors—and he never left.
“Two days in, it was very clear he was totally chill,” Karle said. “He was like, ‘I live here now… It’s warm, you’re feeding me, and I’m not going to leave.’”
OTM has been part of the family for two years. Since then, the Karles have adopted two more former strays, Winston and Patrick.
A Lifeline for Community Cats
Despite adopting three cats, the couple remains dedicated to helping outdoor strays. Their shelters still host daily visitors, and they’ve collaborated with local rescues to spay/neuter cats and find them permanent homes.
Karle urges others in cold climates to build shelters, even simple ones. “Even if it’s not perfect, it’s better than nothing,” she said. “Whatever people can do is good enough.”
And who knows? You might just gain a furry family member—or three—in the process.
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