When a skittish tuxedo cat began frequenting Barna’s backyard in San Francisco, the seasoned woodworker didn’t hesitate. The winter rains were setting in, and he could see the cat—who he later named Domino—sheltering beneath an overhang.

“I thought I better build a little house for her,” Barna told Laughing Squid.

Equipped with a heating pad, light, and camera, the tiny house offered warmth, safety, and dignity to a cat used to surviving the elements.

Domino didn’t come alone for long.

Photo: YouTube / The Dodo

A man built a tiny heated house for a single stray cat in his yard.

One Cat, Two Cats, a Whole Neighborhood

Not long after Barna’s initial act of kindness, another feline arrived. Then another. And then a few more. Recognizing that one small shelter wasn’t enough, Barna got to work. He constructed a second, larger house—dubbed the Blue House—with two stories, a broader footprint, and even a shingled roof. It joined Domino’s original Red House in what was quickly becoming a feline village.

"We have about four or five cats who will go in and sleep in the houses," Barna told Upworthy. “One night one of the biggest storms of the year hit. I saw that two kittens actually took shelter in the house. That was one of the sweetest things ever.”

Craftsmanship Meets Compassion

Barna is not a rescuer by profession. He’s just a guy who knows how to build things and decided to use that skill to help the most vulnerable neighbors on his block. He set up cameras to monitor the houses without disturbing their occupants and keeps them stocked with food, ensuring no cat goes hungry or cold.

Though the shelters were never meant to be more than a cozy space for Domino, they now serve a small but growing community. His backyard—once an ordinary patch of lawn—is now a patchwork of tiny homes, each one designed with care and purpose.

Furry Tenants and a Win-Win Solution

The benefits extend beyond warmth. The cats bring their own gifts to the property. Their presence helps keep pests at bay, a natural and welcome exchange for room and board. And for Barna, the sight of them curled up safe and warm is all the thanks he needs. As he explained to Upworthy, “It’s just really gratifying to be able to make a positive impact on their lives.”

Online, people have rallied around Barna’s effort. Comments call him “a kind and thoughtful gentleman,” someone with “a good heart,” and a reminder that “this world needs more people like this.”

The cats agree.