After cat fight, my cat is hiding/missing in vacant home

I have a bit of predicament that I didn't have any luck when researching.

Today my outdoor-access cat was outside when a neighbor's larger, somewhat-feral and more-aggressive cat came around. The two, both males, began a staredown. It ended in the neighbor's cat chasing my cat. They ran into the crawl space of a nearby home that is for sale and vacant. (One of the crawl space vents was knocked out. It's larger enough for a cat to gain entry, but too small for even my head.)

It has now been several hours. I cannot confirm my cat is still in there, but I assume he is. Whether he's hurt, dead, or just scared, I don't know, as he will not respond to calls or treats. The neighbor cat continues to roam around outside and occasionally re-enter the crawl space.

I contacted the owner of the home via the real estate agent, but he refuses to let me enter the home (even with an agent) and go into the crawl space from inside the house. The real estate agent did say she would allow me to enter if I can confirm that my cat is down there, but I cannot get a visual.

My cat has spent a few days of his life overnight outside, so I am not too worried about him on his own. But I am worried he may be hurt and the presence of the neighbor cat will prevent him from coming out, if he can.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

Can you contact the owners of the neighbor cat to keep him inside for the time being? This could give your cat ability to leave the crawl space.

I will give that a try. These neighbors have not been the most helpful in the past, so I'm not sure they will comply or even if they allow the cat to stay inside for prolonged periods, as it appears to be outside all the time. Thanks!

Just tell them that you need to get your cat out of the crawl space and you can't do it with their cat lurking around. If they don't cooperate, I think at this point no one would blame you for catching the neighbor's cat and leaving him in a spare room until you can retrieve your cat.

Small update. I was able to get him to reply to my callings with a few scared-sounding meows until he wouldn't reply any longer. But he wouldn't come out or move, so still I cannot see him. I heard him adjust his position because I heard the sound of HVAC ducts moving slightly, so he must be on one of those. 

It would have been a good time to come out, as the neighbor cat was not around until near the end of my time spent trying to coax him out (about 20 minutes). 

Use this to your advantage, you now have conformation that he is for sure in there. Now the real estate has to let you in. If they still refuse get the ospca or some kind of animal control involved. If the neighbors won't comply let them know that animal control is being contacted and will be told about an uncontrolled outdoor cat if they care about it at all it will go inside real quickly as soon as you say that. Especially if it's not neutered and they are breaking bylaws letting him roam and cause trouble.

His crying is more consistent now when I call for him. He must be stuck in there or at least unwilling to come out on his own, but now it seems like the former.

I will be calling the real estate agent in the morning to say that should be justification to go inside.

Good news. I was able to coax him out about 4 a.m. (after about 12 hours in there). He's dirty and musty-smelling but otherwise seems fine. (Time for a bath!)

Thanks to all who replied with suggestions. 

ptotheatsign said:

Good news. I was able to coax him out about 4 a.m. (after about 12 hours in there). He's dirty and musty-smelling but otherwise seems fine. (Time for a bath!)

Thanks to all who replied with suggestions. 

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Oh that's great news! Glad to hear it!

Glad he's safe!

Poor guy!  Can you keep him inside for a while?  Is he neutered?

talkingpeanut said:

Poor guy!  Can you keep him inside for a while?  Is he neutered?

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I agree with talkingpeanut, there are a lot of dangers for outdoor kitties, especially with this neighborhood cat.

Get a trap.
Set up and plan to stay until you can't stay any longer. Go back check gap every couple of hours or less.
Eventually hunger will move the kitty into that trap. Best bait? SARDINES JUICE (without mustard sauce!)
PS. Place trap as best you can to block the path of the larger cat....

 Hooray! Wonderful news - very happy for the great outcome

Abyeb said:

I agree with talkingpeanut, there are a lot of dangers for outdoor kitties, especially with this neighborhood cat.

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My cat is neutered. The bully cat, not sure, but I doubt it.

I recently moved to this house. At my previous place, which had a fenced back yard, he would often spend entire days outside without issue, often leaving the yard and going who knows where. Moving forward, I probably just won't let him outside anymore.

ptotheatsign said:

My cat is neutered. The bully cat, not sure, but I doubt it.

I recently moved to this house. At my previous place, which had a fenced back yard, he would often spend entire days outside without issue, often leaving the yard and going who knows where. Moving forward, I probably just won't let him outside anymore.

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That's a good idea, there are a lot of dangers for outdoor kitties. Post back if you would like some ideas for entertaining your kitty indoors.