Neighbor cat in trouble

Hello I have a neighbor who has a heart of gold but has adopted too many animals. One cat broke through a glass window to escape and is now living under the crawl space of her house. The cat was domesticated and is about 5 years old. There was a bad flea infestation inside the house that the owner was unaware of and I think that made her break free. It's been over 10 days and we can't capture her and she has turned very skittish, almost feral. It's a beautiful cat and she has moved to my porch at night, crying for attention but you can't get near her.

Any suggestions on how to handle the situation would be great. I have 2 adopted feral cats that have been watching this play outside my window. The owner tries every day to catch her, I'm listening to her now try. It's so sad! What are some of the reasons for the cat to act like this?

Can you borrow a humane trap from a rescue or shelter? Many cats who get outside are so scared that they don't wander far but are too afriad to be approached. A trap is probably your best bet.

Trapping is a good option, but you will need a better situation in which to release her.  Maybe you could provide her with food, water & a box with a hole cut into it.  Poor kitty, she probably used to be an inside cat but bad circumstances have put her in a sad situation.  Just providing for her and telling her soothing words will be a great comfort for her.

        She escaped from the neighbor's house for her own good reasons and is probably scared, confused and lonely.  Maybe you could call another cat rescue and see if they can offer this kitty a better option than being returned to your neighbor.  I really feel for the rest of those flea-infested cats that are still in that house.  Prayers and vibes for you all

rama, is your neighbor a hoarder? Or just in over her head? Does she need help with the other animals? Should we be providing resources and ideas for you to help your neighbor on a larger scale than just this one kitty? :heart2:

If your neighbor has too many animals, there are probably territorial issues going on from which the kitty needed to escape. Helping her is one step in a multiple step process. First, trap her and ensure her good health (if she needs spaying, can you work with a local rescue to arrange that?). The rescue may also be able to offer resources for your neighbor to help her get ahead of the situation.

Good luck and thank you for helping!

Thanks everyone, I will try trapping. She is scared and I feel terrible knowing it. I think she is covered in fleas and very uncomfortable. What resources are there that could trap and rehome, so it doesn't threaten my neighbor that I'm trying to take away her animals. I know she loves them but isn't providing the care needed. I've already rescued a feral kitten from under her house who was in very bad shape, and I've only lived here 2 months! (Kitten I fostered, socialized and rehomed to a great person btw)

There are other issues with too many adopted German shepherds who are in dire need of attention, grooming and exercise- and flea control. Everyone is fed and watered, but that's about it. I've tried to engage that I would walk them to help but have had no luck yet.

Hun, I don't know where you live, but the ASPCA or Animal Control may be the best choice for the animals if you don't know other family members. I understand you don't want to threaten your neighbor, but the animals are suffering.

If you want to do nothing but help this one kitty, then it's best you borrow a trap and do the trapping yourself.

If you want to help your neighbor AND her animals, you may find these links helpful:

http://animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/confessions-animal-hoarding/lists/top-5-ways-help-hoarder.htm

http://vet.tufts.edu/hoarding/intervention.htm

Be patient with the cat, it takes time for some to gain trust. Their personalities vary immensely, some will be real mushes from the get go and will go to anyone, but most are  more cautious. I had one cat show up at my home years ago, it took over 2 years before I could touch her, and barely at that, and she would swat at me often. Then she had a litter of kittens, she allowed me touch them from the 1st day, she knew I would not hurt them.A few months later, I was able to trap her and have her spayed, we planned on taking 3 of the 4 the kittens to a good shelter for adotion, but they had a skin fungus and the shelter would not take them. So I had to treat them for the fungus and then take them, but fell for them and could not- ny wife insisted so I gave her the task, she could not do it either. So we kept the 4 sisters, we lost Baby, the one pictured, 2 years ago to cancer, and she was just that- my Baby.

    After we got the mother spayed, the vet showed me she had a broken K-9 tooth, apparently she was an abused cat, but we gained her trust more and more she allowed us to touch her more, and after over 3 years, she allowed me to hold her. She became a loved pet, had a great home and lived a pretty long life with us. But the point is, it can take more than a few days, or even weeks or months. Just make sure there is water and food, shelter in the cold. Wait while she starts to come for the food, she will get closer and closer, and then there will be the day of the 1st touch as she eats. Never try too much contact, or it could set you back. Each day, try just a little more.

   I have one stray that has been coming here for 5 months, and I am now able pet her while she eats, and even get a few in when there is no food out, so the three things you need to know is it will take 1)patience 2) patience and 3)more patience