Stray sleeping in neighbors window well

The stray I've been caring for has recently started disappearing during the hottest part of the day and at first I though he was going under my neighbors grill since it was on concrete and had a long cover to keep himself cool. Today when I called for him and set his food out I noticed he jumped up out of that neighbors basement window well that had was in the shade, we also have window wells but they are secured to keep out plants and people. It's not my house or I'd open one our window wells and put a nice cozy bed in one or something but it's my parents house and I doubt my dad will remove the covers.

I'm worried that one day the dude next door or his wife is going to be in their basement and look over and see a rough looking cat peaking in at them or snoozing by the glass. I don't know these people other than he was in the military and they have a toddler that I've never seen, they seem nice as my dad talks to them on occasion. I'm thinking of having my dad go over and explain about the cat so they don't freak out and call the animal control. Yesterday we had a thunderstorm warning and I ran outside to find Kitty Amazing so he could stay in the garage with me until the bad weather passed and as my husband and I were getting him to follow us to the garage that neighbor saw us so he must know we are somehow involved with the cat. Should we just keep quiet for now and see if the dude comes to us or should we go ahead and tell him that the kitty's a stray and we are tending to him? We're taking him to the vet tomorrow for a full checkup and shots.

Also he does have a shelter but it gets to hot during the afternoon and that is when he goes in the window well. we will be putting in a fence in August but until them the yard is exposed to the sun. I tried putting out a frozen milk jug by his shelter but he still chose the window well, I put out another shelter under the stairs but I haven't seen him use it yet. Has anyone here put out a fan or come up with another idea to keep their strays from going where they might not be wanted or do you let them roam freely? Once it cools off he is always in the yard either on the back porch where all of is stuff is or on the front porch, he always spends the night in his shelter as well which is nice.

Do any of you guys have a cat that hangs out in window wells? At least he's always near by I suppose!

I think you shall try to just talk with them, amiably and friendly, about this and that.  As good neighbours usually do. Sooner or later there will be a natural occasion to talk cats. They will perhaps mention it first, so you just hang on.

Good luck!

Thanks so much, I figured that would be the best way I'm just a very shy person. I've lived here a year and I have only once talked to a neighbor and that was yesterday lol. I don't think they have any pets so it makes me nervous because some people just hate animals, but I'll give it shot.

Yes you or your father should have a friendly chat with them and explain that this is your cat and ask if they mind having the cat hang out on their property. Explain the cat has or will have all it's shots and is fixed. I would also maybe get a coller with a tag so other people know it is your cat is she wanders - a microchip is even better so if she is picked up by animal control she will be returned to you.

I am not really sure what a window well is but I would for sure ask your parents to open yours for the cat. I always worry about cats going on other peoples property because some crazy people hate cats and I have heard too many stories about neighbors poisoning or even shooting cats- I do not want to alarm you but just wanted to make you aware it does happen so it is a good idea to have a friendly convo to make sure they don't hate cats and also try to make your property more appealing.

A window well is a big hole for basement windows that are below ground level, it has a ladder and is maybe four feet deep so if there is a fire people in the basement can escape by just opening the window and going up the ladder. I think I am going to ask my dad about it this weekend, it just needs to be one of them so I don't see the big deal. I am considering  micro chipping him. We may or may not have more pets then allowed for our city as I just found out so taking on a stray isn't going to do anymore harm then what we have now. Everyone else is indoor and fixed, actually we only have more than the limit because we have a mixed household where my husband and I are staying with my parents for the time being but I can't justify giving up animals just because we are a combined household for now. We have over 3,000sq feet and everyone sees the vet and gets loved so who cares. . . It'd be different if we were going to live here forever. Such is the life of an animal lover right?
 

Definitely talk to the neighbors and let them know the cat is fixed and has had his shots. That's what most people worry about. Tell them you arrangements for keeping him on your property. They may have some ideas or they may not object at all. I think knowing you are being responsible will really help.

The only issue is if they are gardeners, they may object to him using their garden for a potty.