Cat living outdoors for a month-health problems?

A friend of mine died several weeks ago, no family
.  Her caretaker let her cat outside to fend for itself.  I know, not nice! The caretaker was putting out food occasionally at the back door, but no longer has access to the home to do so.The cat was last seen a few days ago, at the back door, and is friendly.  I am not a cat person-have dogs and birds and an allergy- and cannot bring this cat into my home permanently, but i cannot stop thinking of this little girl.  She has three legs and is a sweetie, and I fear for her, especially as the weather will turn cold in a few months. And i know my friend would appreciate efforts to help her.  I have contacted a no-kill shelter which is willing to take her in.  I will try to catch her this weekend, when I can get access to the yard and a pet carrier, but  I may have to keep her overnight before handing her over to the shelter.  My question is, having lived outdoors for a month, if I brought her home, what could she have picked up that would enter my home?  Fleas?  Can she stay in the pet carrier overnight?  I thought about the garage and may still do so, but it can get warm in there. 

Fleas, worms, ticks, other parasites are common. I would not keep the cat in a carrier overnight. It's way too small for a cat to be comfortable in. A large dog crate would be better if you have one. The garage would be a better place but only if you cat-proof it first. Many garages have lawn chemical, pesticides, yard tools, etc all harmful stuff if the cat ingests or injuries itself on. Do you have a spare bathroom or bedroom you could put the cat in?

Ahh that's so sad, to just put a indoor cat out to fend for itself! Lucky she had you to care about her!

LTS3, I do have a couple of dog crates and will put one in the garage for the cat. Great idea. That way I can keep the door to the garage open until after dark when its cooler.  And you are right, I do have lawn stuff etc. in the garage that could be harmful.  I do have spare bathroom, but wouldn't I just be bringing fleas into the home if she has them?  If we can catch her, she would be with me overnight and I can give her to the no kill shelter at noon time the next day. I'd love to just cuddle her and bring her into my home, but my two boxer dogs would be besides themselves, not to mention the kitty might not like being with dogs!

Aww what a cute girl!   And she only has 3 legs?  Poor thing.......... Thank you for caring about her - she would probably not do well outside at all!!

I just trapped an injured cat myself - I didn't really know if he was feral or not, and I kept him in a trap for nearly 48 hours.  I was concerned about it, as he didn't have much room in the trap to move around, but he was fine being in there.   So don't feel too bad about keeping her caged for awhile.  A dog crate would be excellent.     Hopefully you will be able to coax her into the carrier and not deal with having to get/use an actual trap.   I'd get some wet food or sardines or tuna to coax her in - good strong smelling food   Since she's friendly and used to people, that makes better odds that you can finangle her into an actual pet carrier.    I think she would do great set up in a garage in a dog crate until you can get her to the shelter.    Thank you for saving her from a life outside on her own - it's very sweet of you to care about her!

Thanks, Jolie, wish me luck.  It will be a first for me, for sure!

I have a suggestion but need an advisors input.

What if she gave the cat a Capstar, then kept the cat crated outside (or inside a tub) just for a couple hours, before bringing inside? Would this lessen the chances of fleas being brought inside?

Thank you, Cindy12, for helping this cat. She must be pretty sad and missing her mama, and if she's a tripod, she's already led a tough life.