Savannah local preparing for another winter of making shelters for outdoor cats

SAVANNAH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Lindy Tarr has worked with others for years to build free outdoor cat shelters, and now she hopes to pass on the tradition.

For around a decade, Tarr and her family, along with friend Rich Claycomb, have been making cat shelters from discarded styrofoam coolers. This became an even bigger passion project after Claycomb recently passed away.

They have made close to 400 houses and donated them to the Savannah & St. Joseph area.

Tarr, who is a vet technician, has always had a deep love for cats, including having many of her own. However, she shared that she had trouble sleeping, thinking about cats outside or strays with no warm place to stay.

"I figured this is the least I can do. If I can get access to the supplies, I'll do it," Tarr shared. "I knew from probably the age of about three that I wanted to work with animals when I grew up, and I've just always been that way."

Tarr may be moving soon from the Savannah area and hopes more people will take up the mantle of making these houses.

Not much is usually needed to make them: appropriately sized Styrofoam coolers, tape, and straw. Not blankets or hay, but straw to make sure the cats or even dogs who may use them have a dry, warm place to escape the winter.

"It would make my heart very happy. I mean, if anybody can do this for this community, that would be wonderful," Tarr said. "I may try to plan to do this in my next area that I might be relocating to. But I would love it if somebody could take that and run with it in this area."

Tarr is making homes for the 2026-2027 winter season and plans to advertise them on Facebook when available to those who need them. She is also willing to provide information on how to continue making homes through her Facebook account.