Feral cats in the Atlanta area are finding refuge from the cold winter weather thanks to Tyrell Cooper and his local Boy Scout troop.
Cooper, a high school senior and honors student, designed insulated cat shelters — which he calls “feline abodes” — as part of his community service project to become an Eagle Scout. He donated the DIY houses to the LifeLine Animal Project’s Pets for Life Program, which provides free pet care and supplies to animal guardians.
Boy Scout Troop #3310 helped Cooper assemble and deliver the insulated shelters, giving the community’s stray and outdoor cats a safe, warm place to rest amid the harsh weather. They donated the shelters in early December, Lifeline told Patch in an email. From there, the abodes will go to the nonprofit’s clients with outdoor cat colonies.
Outdoor cats are at higher risk of health problems, including weather-related ailments such as heat stroke and hypothermia. Consequently, they also have a much shorter life expectancy than indoor cats, living for just two to five years on average. These felines need as much help as they can get, and Cooper’s heartfelt deed could help some of them live years longer.
In addition to distributing the shelters, LifeLine also runs a humane trap, neuter, and release (TNR) program. The cat colonies who will benefit from the feline abodes have also received services from the TNR program, which helps to reduce the total number of stray cats without harming them.
Lady Freethinker applauds Cooper and his fellow Boy Scouts for helping their local strays stay warm this winter season.
