Snow in southern Alabama stymied travel and some power systems, but it also created a great danger for feral cats living in colonies around the Wiregrass. Some locals decided they wanted to take action to help these cats living outside by providing shelters.
Aimee Cobb and her family realized the cats living outside around Dothan were left to the elements with the threat of dangerously cold temperatures and snow — and she decided to do something about it.
She enlisted the help of Debby Tuck, who organizes animal rescues around the Wiregrass.
Cobb and Tuck had worked together in the distant past, and a month prior to the snow event, Tuck helped rescue an entire colony of cats, giving over 20 cats veterinary care and good homes.
Aimee Cobb asked her father, Jerry, to help her build shelters for feral cats who would’ve been in the snow and freezing temperatures without anywhere to go.
They built four cat shelters made of wood with waterproofing outside and insulation and straw inside to keep any critters who need shelter warm — one was completed in around four hours. The boxes have two points of entry, as cats need a way to escape in case they need to flee quickly.
“I think cats and other critters will make a home,” Aimee said. “It’s off the ground, gives them shelter, and protects them from the elements.”
They placed the shelters around town just in time for cats to find a safe place as snow and freezing temperatures set in.
The boxes were immediately put to good use.
“It was so rewarding to see that the cats who lived in the engine of a truck had made their way through the snow, and the next day we were able to see their little footprints into the cat house,” Tuck said.
But the work doesn’t stop there — several other cat colonies need intervention for homes and veterinary care.
“Debby has been instrumental in reducing these populations,” Cobb said. “She’s doing (the cats) a service as well as the community. It makes me feel good to know we did a service to the community and to know some little kitties were nice and warm on a cold night.”
Those who want to help with local cat rescue can call Debby Tuck at 334-596-4673 or donate to their GoFundMe.
Jerry Cobb said he wants to do more as well.
“I enjoyed it, and I’ve been talking to (Aimee) about framing up some more,” he said. “I’d like to do more if I could get a little help and save a bunch more.”
