The asphalt at noon often exceeds 50°C, while a stray has nowhere to hide. A bowl of water and a 15-minute shade can make the difference between life and heatstroke. In this guide, we show you exactly how to make a shade from a cardboard box and where to place it.
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📌 Summary
- Water in a shady spot, renewed twice a day, with ice cubes to keep it cool longer.
- A sunshade made from a cardboard box in 15 minutes, with ventilation holes and raised 5-8 cm. from the ground.
- Placement/walks only before 10:00 or after 19:00 — never at the peak of the heat.
📌 Contents
Why does the heat kill strays?
Dogs and cats don't sweat at all — they regulate their temperature mainly by panting and from the few glandular spots on their paws. When the ambient temperature rises, this mechanism is not enough. As veterinarian Konstantinos Astithas explains in an interview with in.gr , the actual temperature an animal experiences in the city is not what the thermometer shows, since asphalt and cement absorb and re-emit heat (urban heat island effect).
For a stray without shade or water nearby, this means the risk of heatstroke starts much earlier than we think — even on “normal” summer days, not just during an official heat wave.
Proper watering can, not just any kind
It's not enough to just leave a bowl anywhere. According to a guide to strays in the heat , the bowl should be in a spot where it doesn't get any sun at all — not in partial shade that shifts by noon.
- Clay or metal container, not dark plastic — it doesn't heat up as quickly.
- Ice cubes in the water in the morning, to stay cool until noon.
- Refresh 2 times/day at least — warm, stagnant water becomes a hotbed of germs.
- If you're taking care of a cat colony, place 2-3 bowls in different places — you'll reduce competition between the animals.
If you've already set up your home's router or smart plugs, you can use the same automation logic for a simple water change reminder on your phone — something as simple as a recurring reminder makes a difference on a daily basis.
Sunshade made from a cardboard box, step by step
The key in summer is the opposite of winter: not insulation, but ventilation . A closed cardboard box without holes becomes an oven in a few minutes under the sun.
⚡ Quick-Start: Shade in 15 minutes
- Take a sturdy cardboard box (e.g. a box from a supermarket) and leave it open on one side, like a house.
- Open 4-6 ventilation holes (3-4 cm in diameter) on the sides and top.
- Place it on 2 bricks or a pallet, so that it remains 5-8 cm above the ground — this way it doesn't "bake" from below.
- Cover the top with a piece of tarpaulin or a garbage bag, for protection if it suddenly rains.
- Place it in a permanently shady spot (under a tree, stairs, sidewalk with a canopy) — never in a spot where the sun hits it for even 1-2 hours a day.
The basic assembly technique (cutting, joining sides, reinforcing the bottom) is the same as that described in the shelter construction guide on pawfinder.gr — with the difference that there the goal is insulation against the cold, while here we want exactly the opposite: open air vents.
4 mistakes people make
Εδώ είναι τα σημεία που ξεχνάνε οι περισσότεροι drivers — και που κάνουν τη διαφορά στην πράξη.
- Closed box without holes. It functions like a small greenhouse, not a shade. Animals avoid it and remain exposed.
- Frozen bottles without cloth. They create condensation that attracts ants around the area — wrap everything in cloth.
- Dry food left out in the sun all day. It spoils quickly and attracts insects; better small portions, more often, in the shade.
- A sunshade at a low point on the road. Good in July, but fills with water in the first summer rain — prefer a slightly elevated spot.
Our opinion at TechNoid
At TechNoid, we believe that caring for stray animals doesn't require a lot of money or special equipment — it takes 15 minutes and a cardboard box that you already have at home. If every neighborhood placed at least 2-3 such shade structures in strategic locations, the number of animals that end up in veterinary clinics with heatstroke every summer would be significantly reduced. We don't expect municipalities to solve the problem on their own; action at the individual level is what saves lives today at noon, not next year.
Frequently Asked Questions about caring for stray animals during the heatwave
How often should I change the water in my strays during the heatwave?
At least twice a day, in the morning and in the afternoon, so that it stays clean and relatively cool.
What material is best for a shelter for strays in the summer?
Cardboard or wood box with ventilation openings, raised off the ground — never closed plastic without holes.
Can I put ice in the strays' water?
Yes, a few ice cubes in the morning keep the water cool for longer hours without any risk to the animal.
What hours are most dangerous for strays during the heatwave?
From 12:00 to 17:00, when the asphalt reaches the highest temperatures of the day.
Should I feed strays dry food during the heatwave?
Better in small quantities and in the shade, so it doesn't spoil quickly in the heat.
Where should I place the stray shelter?
In a consistently shady spot all day, slightly elevated so that it doesn't fill with water if it rains.
How do I know if a stray has heatstroke?
Heavy panting, weakness in the legs, or disorientation are signs that require immediate transport to a veterinarian.
Do I need permission from the municipality to place a bowl or shade on the street?
Not for a simple bowl or shade in a public place, as long as it doesn't obstruct pedestrians or traffic.
