“architects created a breathtaking assortment of stylish outdoor winter shelters to help keep homeless cats warm during the frigid winter months”

Photo from last year’s event courtesy Washington Humane Society

From a press release:

“The second annual Architects for Animals’ project, “Giving Shelter,” returns to aid Washington DC’s homeless, stray and outdoor cats on Wednesday, January 14, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at The American Institute of Architects, 1735 New York Avenue, NW. The event will benefit the Washington Humane Society (WHS).

Outdoor cats with no particular home or owner are vulnerable to the harsh conditions of winter. Architects for Animals launched in New York City in 2010 asking architects and designers to create the most inspired winter shelters imaginable for outdoor cats. At past events, architects created a breathtaking assortment of stylish outdoor winter shelters to help keep homeless cats warm during the frigid winter months. The undertaking helped to create new awareness about the plight of NYC’s feral and free-roaming cats, and has since spread to DC and Los Angeles.

Designers from some of the DC area’s best design firms will be in attendance to showcase their clever creations, including: Accent General Contracting, Inc., Aggregate Architecture + Design, American Institute of Architects, Bonstra Haresign Architects, Epicurean Craftworks, Lemay Erickson Willcox Architects, OTJ Architects, Studios Architecture, Marshall Moya Design, Martinez + Johnson Architecture, Parsons Corporation, PGAL, PGN Architects, R2L: Architects, Shalom Baranes Associates Architects, and Suzane Reatig Architecture.

Each stylish shelter will be on display for the public at the January 14 fundraising reception at The American Institute of Architects, and then will be donated to WHS to be used by local cat colony caretakers.

New this year, Washington Humane Society Community Cats Manager Danielle Bays will be conducting a cat cottage building workshop for attendees, and we will be collecting shelter building supplies.

“We are really excited to see all of our friends of community cats come together to help celebrate our work and the lives of our cats,” Bays stated. “Cats are a cherished part of our community and Architects for Animals is a wonderful (and stylish) opportunity to remind people that community cats are not homeless, but belong to the neighborhoods they live in.”

Tickets may be purchased for $25 and include complimentary sips and bites. 100% of event proceeds will benefit the life-saving work of the Washington Humane Society. Purchase tickets online at www.washhumane.org/AFA2015 or call 202-735-0324. Limited tickets may be available at the door if not sold out pre-event; cash, check, and credit cards will be accepted.”