Under the deck

My boyfriend text me that one of our strays is meowing under the deck! Not sure why! There is over a foot of snow but I shoveled over the weekend by the stairs to make sure there is opening to get out! Why do you all think the cat is meowing? Is the cat scared or hungry or hurt?

I'm not sure it's possible to know why he's meowing without actually going under the deck and looking at him.  That's the only way to tell if he's hurt or stuck.  If he seems physically okay, you might put his food and water down there until the snow melts a bit.  Does he have a shelter somewhere else where he usually hangs out in the cold?

We have a shelter and food by our fence and we dug a path in the snow from deck to the fence

He may just be afraid to come out because his world has so drastically changed.  How old is he?  Has he ever experienced snow before?

Once you check on him and make sure he's okay, you might be able to tempt him out with treats so you guide him back to his shelter.  However, he may really not want to come out until the snow melts some more in which case giving him his food and water under the deck might be necessary for a few days.

I'm not sure which cat it is, there are 3 maybe more. Not aure whether or not it is the cats first snow but breaks my heart to hear that a cat is meowing and it sucks bc I'm not there during the week only weekends! I don't want the cat to be scared and we for over a foot of snow so it will be awhile for it to melt
Poor cats!

Is there anyone there to check on the cat who is meowing?   If you just had a foot of snow, you might be on the East Coast so I know it's night, but still someone really needs to go out and check.  It must be very hard for you not being on the spot.  Is there anyone there who can take a look?

My boyfriend heard it but he won't be able to look under the deck bc of the snow and he is tall and can't bend easily! I'm smaller and would be able to get low maybe but the snow is very deep and can't see much

It sounds like more snow clearing has to happen before anyone can get to the meowing cat.  Is that possible?    Also, you mentioned that you had shoveled a path to the fence where the shelter is  - is the way clear from under the deck to the path you shoveled?  Maybe the kitty can't get to the path if snow has drifted under the deck and blocked the way. 

If no one can get to the cat tonight, I would at least put some food under there.   If your boyfriend has some tuna or canned food, he can warm it up a bit.  This will make it smell stronger and make it more tempting to the kitty.    If the kitty is afraid to come out, a savory aroma wafting his way might be all the encouragement he needs.