Winter is an especially harsh season for stray animals. While most people are warm inside their homes, countless homeless cats are left to fend for themselves against freezing temperatures. With no shelter to protect them from the cold, many struggle to survive. But in Ogden, Utah, one man has made it his mission to help these vulnerable animals by providing them with a warm and safe place to sleep.
Philip Rogich saw an opportunity to turn what most people consider trash into something lifesaving. Using discarded coolers, he transforms them into insulated shelters for stray and feral cats. “I saw a Facebook post about a man making them and thought I would give it a try. I made my own post looking for old coolers, and it kind of took off. I do a lot of charity work, mostly with children. My wife and I are also animal lovers, and I wanted to do something for them,” Philip told Bored Panda. Since then, he has built 77 shelters and has materials to create even more.
The process is simple but effective. Philip uses a six-inch drill bit to create an entrance hole in the cooler and then lines the opening with pipe insulation to keep out the wind. Since coolers are already designed to maintain temperature, they work perfectly for providing warmth. “Normally, the cooler keeps things cold. We’re going to use it to keep animals warm,” Philip explained to Fox13. Inside the cooler, he adds straw—a natural insulator that helps keep the shelter dry. This simple method turns a discarded item into a lifesaving refuge, big enough to fit two or three cats.
Though Philip is the only one physically making the shelters, the community has stepped in to help in other ways. “People donate old coolers, straw, and money. I had no idea this was going to get so big. It started with a Facebook post asking for old coolers. Then the local Fox station did a story on me. The story went national. I’ve been hearing from people from all over the world. I’m glad to be a catalyst for bringing a little good to our four-legged friends,” he said. While he continues to build more shelters himself, he has also created a how-to video, allowing people everywhere to make their own.
For Philip, this project is about more than just building shelters—it’s about recognition and compassion. Too often, stray and feral cats are forgotten, struggling silently through cold nights. “[Feral cats] just disappear, get overlooked. They get cold in the wintertime, too. They’re living creatures,” he explained. With every cooler he repurposes, Philip proves that small acts of kindness can make a world of difference.