How to bring in a Stray/Feral cat?

Hello, for the past few weeks, a black and white cat has been coming into that yard. I feed the cat on a daily basis and at first the cat would just leave but now the cat stays, lingers and even naps in the yard but eventually leaves.

I would love to bring the cat indoors but I'm not sure how to do so.  I cant go through the cellar because of downstairs neighbors. I usually go through the window. How do I bring this cat in without trapping, scaring the cat?

Does the cat approach you at all, and allow you to pet it? Can you sit near the cat when feeding it? If so, then it's likely a stray. You could try putting food in a pet carrier and when it goes inside, close the door.

I don't understand your apartment set up. Why do you have to go through the window to get to the yard? Don't you have a front door you could just bring the cat through? When I took in a stray several years ago, I opened my front door after feeding him for a week and he simply walked in, and never had the desire to walk out again. If you do have a front door, you could try putting a bowl of tuna inside and see if the cat will come inside on its own.

If this cat won't approach you, runs away, and is fearful of people, then it is likely a feral. The kindest thing you could do would be to trap it, neuter and vaccinate it, and release it back outside, and continue to feed it. It's best to trap the morning of the vet appointment so you can take it directly to the vet. Yes, it will be very scared when the trap goes off and will panic. If you cover the trap with a towel or blanket, it will settle down. The cat will experience a few hours of stress, but will live a longer, healthier, safer life in the long run, so it's worth it.  
 

I agree with MsAimee. If a feral, the kindest act you can do in the long run is to trap/neuter-spay/return the cat. You may be able to borrow a humane trap from your local SPCA/animal control or similar group.

MsAimee said:

 
I don't understand your apartment set up. Why do you have to go through the window to get to the yard?

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I suppose its some sort of  French window, ie a sort of  balcony door out.      But still, it would be nice to  have at least  t "a passing through" agreement with the neigbours.  It cant be fun to be on non speaking terms with ones nearest neigbours...     *sadly smile*

I know!  Heureka!   You need some trick to break through the ice.   Find some emergency you need their help for.   When you are in emergency, and asks for help, the social settlement is, they practically got to give you this help.  Even people whom usually arent on speaking [ terms] with them.

Who knows, this emergency may be about this cat.   Or something else you invent.  Cut yourself in a finger, and run down to them to get some bandage??

After that, the next day, you go with a home made cake to them, to give a little thanks for this help they gave you.    This gesture may be enough, but with some luck, they may even invite you home on coffe to wash down this cake with...

And voilá - suddenly you ARE on speaking terms with your neigbours.   You dont need to be best friends with each other.  Its enough you do recognize and accept each other.

Perhaps its possible to set off something such??   @dmaria1991

Good luck!

ps.  Otherwise I agree with the both posts above.  Especielly this by MsAimee was quite informative.

Stefan, your posts always bring a smile to my face

I admit that prior to my taking care of ferals, I had almost no interaction with the neighbors on my block. Now I will bend over backwards to be pleasant because I want them to be patient and kind to my feral, Muffin, who often makes himself at home on their decks and back yards! I even developed a good friendship with one neighbor who helped me trap Muffin's kittens last summer, a friendship that never would exist if it weren't for my love for this feral cat. So yes, taking care of strays and ferals is much less stressful when you have good relationships with your neighbors. I don't even know if it requires faking an emergency. It could be as simple as knocking on their door and starting a conversation about your concern for the cat you're trying to help. A cake is always a nice gesture, though!