Tips to help a friend lure her cat missing since Dec home

One of my girlfriends called me today to tell me that there has been sighting of their missing cat Frankie who disappeared in December!!
He is a neutered male indoor/outdoor cat who they think got stuck betwwen two neighbor's fences and an area dog scared him.
He has been spotted about 3 blocks from their house which is unfortunately by a busy road.
She asked if I had a live trap which I do but its way too small for a grown cat.
She plans on going out later this evening to try to lure the cat but other than bringing food or articles with her scent on could she use to try to "catch him"??
I advised her if she tries to trap she could end up catching a possum???
Any advise would be great as I will call her with advice.

Her best bet may be to use a drop trap in the area he was most recently seen. She could call him, shake a tin of treats (whatever noise it is she used to use to call or feed him). This thread talks about how to make a relatively quick and inexpensive drop trap: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=135197

I agree she could end up with a raccoon or possum or other critter. She needs to get another sighting of her kitty and know where he is and then put the trap there with one of her own shirts or bathrobes lining the inside and a can of tuna at the very end.

As for the trap, you can probably get a larger one from a local shelter if you cannot pull a drop trap together fast enough. You can also order them online, just type in Havahart. I know it takes several days but since Frankie has been missing since December it may be worthwhile.

She needs to hang out at the spot where he was seen, even though it is at a busy road and she may feel foolish just hanging there. She needs to talk softly and not make any large hand or other movements. Basically she wants to be able to observe regular activity there, and let the critters that live there get comfy with her presence to where they go about their normal business. That way she can see what is happening in Frankie's new home.

She will not likely get results calling to her cat, although she can try that before hunkering down to observe and hopefully get a Frankie sighting.

I really hope she finds her little boy! Good luck!