Illinois Cold Weather Alert: Stray Cats Seek Warmth In These 4 Places

Winter is upon us in Illinois, and with it comes a cold reality for stray cats—finding warmth in places you might not expect.

As a self-proclaimed cat lover and "unofficial" adopter of a stray cat named Jeanne (even though I already have two of my own; Ramen and Noodles), I’ve seen firsthand how strays get resourceful when the temperatures drop.

Jeanne, hangs out on my porch every day waiting for food and I always wonder where she goes when it's freezing outside.  I can guarantee it’s not inside someone’s house!

I did some research and found that here are four common places stray cats seek refuge when winter rolls around.  Keep #1 in your back pocket next time you leave the house.

#1: Car Engines/Hoods
Cats love to curl up in the warmth of a car engine or hood, and a running engine can cause serious injury. Just tap your car's horn and knock on the hood to make sure no cats have sought shelter before driving off!

#2: Under Porches/Decks
The best spot for peace and quiet, plus hiding from wind. If you have a porch or deck, know cats and their babies might be living under there all winter.

Read More: Illinois Is Starting To Get Cold–Do Our Dogs Really Need Coats? 

#3: Storm Drains
Cats can squeeze into the tiniest spaces, so storm drains are a no-brainer.  They might be home to a few racoons, but cats seek shelter here, too.

#4: Holes They’ve Dug or Found
If you're cool with holes in your yard, don't mind these then!  Surprisingly, cats dig holes.  I didn't know that, but it's a fight or flight mindset.

Read More: Cat Adopters Desperately Needed in Northern Illinois 

If you’re a cat lover like me, consider taking extra steps this winter—leave out food and water for strays, make an insulated shelter for them, and add blankets for an extra layer of warmth.  Racoons usually use my shelters more than the stray cats, but at least someone is using it!