I'm currently renting a run-down split level apartment to save money so i eventually buy a house. I went to the basement to do laundry this morning and i saw a paw creeping darting quickly in the shadows. Now again this is a rundown building next to a factory so i immediately thought "Oh My Gosh, it's a HUGE RAT.' Then I became rational and realized it was more likely a cat. I brought a crate and some food and water down from my apartment and waited. slowly the saddest most pathetic creature came crawling from the shadows. all fur and bones, so dirty I can't even give a proper description of the coloring, and she has an eye which the iris looks unnaturally discolored (although the pupil dilates properly). She must have been down there for days, maybe even a week, living off of mice and the water from leaky pipes. My inconsiderate neighbors leave their front door open all day and night so she could have easily wondered inside or down to the basement, or what I truly hope is not true, that they got her from the humane society and put her downstairs to mouse the basement and left her there.
She is now in a crate in my living room so I can keep an eye on her eating and sleeping habits, making sure she isn't sick, until i can make an appointment with the vet (who is overbooked currently) to get her shots and get her fixed. Then find her a home. She is such a sweet, sweet, lovable cat. I hope to put pictures online soon.