You may never see them, but they are there. An estimated half-million cats living in backyards, vacant lots, alleys, and numerous other outdoor locations throughout New York City. Winter is obviously a particularly difficult time for these cats and their caregivers – caregivers who feed them daily, monitor their health, and go to great lengths to have them spayed or neutered.
In a project called “Architects for Animals,” founded four years ago by Leslie Farrell, and presented by the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, some of the city’s most renowned architectural firms and designers design and build delightfully original winter shelters for New York City’s outdoor “community” cats to provide them with a refuge from the cold.
A habitat made of cat food cans displayed in last year’s show
The same shelter being used by NYC community cats!
The shelters will be donated for placement in locations throughout the city where certified caretakers are caring for community cats, and will be constructed taking into consideration the environment in which they will ultimately reside. The imaginative cat homes are on display as an exhibit for one evening to benefit the NYC Feral Cat Initiative.
A shelter from the 2011 exhibit
A colorful shelter from the 2011 exhibit
While visitors may be drawn in to see the adorable mini cat-architecture, they’ll hopefully leave with their consciousness raised about the plight of community cats, the resources needed to care for them and the importance of trap-neuter-return(TNR).
A multi-level cat house from the 2013 exhibit (l), and a community cat modeling it (r)
This year’s participating architectural teams include Bailly & Bailly, Carlton Architecture, Francis Cauffman Architects, deSoto studio Architects, Incorporated Architecture & Design, Elham Valipay and Haleh Atabaki of Mish Mish, M Moser Associates, Two One Two Design, and Zimmerman Workshop Architecture + Design, to name a few.
Ball of yarn from 2010 (l), and a colorful modern display from 2013
Architects for Animals: Giving Shelter takes place Thursday, January 30, 2014 , 6:00–8:00 pm at the Steelcase Showroom, 4 Columbus Circle, NY, NY. Admission is a $25 donation ($10 for Certified TNR Caretakers) and includes the exhibit, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks. A raffle also will be featured this year.
And now for a sneak peek of two renderings you’ll see fully constructed at this year’s show!
“Our design is modular, fun and user friendly. Hopefully anyone can replicate it for their own colony.” – Francis Cauffman
This design by Two One Two Design includes a water collection area and even a scratching pad!
You may RSVP and purchase tickets in advance online, and a limited number of tickets will also be available at the door. Money raised from the event will be donated to the NYC Feral Cat Initiative of the Mayor’s Alliance to fund TNR activities. This is an evening like no other in New York City, and one you won’t want to miss!
13 Responses to Fourth Annual Architects for Animals Winter Cat Shelter Exhibition (With a Sneak Peak!)