With sub-zero temperatures forecast for the weekend and beyond, Donegal charity Animals In Need (AIN) are appealing to the public to offer emergency shelter to homeless animals.
Counties across Ireland are over-run with wild, feral cats who will freeze to death if they do not find a dry and warm place to shelter.
A spokesperson from the charity said: "Every town and village in the county has stray and feral cats who are struggling to survive.
"Many have relied on businesses for their food, but with the lockdown closing so many places, their food source has vanished, leaving them starving and particularly vulnerable this year.
"For an already run down and hungry cat, freezing temperatures along with ice and possibly snow will be too much for them, particularly the weak or young ones, and they just won’t survive."
AIN says that emergency shelters for stray and feral cats are cheap and easy to make.
Failing that, they are asking people to leave open their shed or garage, which will at least provide shelter from the elements and if you can leave out some food and fresh water, this could be the difference between life and death for a homeless cat.
The AIN spokesperson added: "To make an emergency cat shelter, all you need are Styrofoam boxes, glue, Clingfilm, a cutting implement and straw.
"Fish-boxes are perfect for this and in the past, fish factories have been very generous in donating them, or you can get them from fishmongers or supermarkets."
AIN are also appealing for dog owners to bring their pets inside.
"The rule of thumb is that if you wouldn’t want to sleep out there yourself because it’s too cold, nor should your dog," they said.
"Tragically, dogs do freeze to death in their own gardens or yards, there are reports of this happening every year, so please bring them inside where it’s warm."
