Every evening between 6.30-9pm a cat visits. Female and definitely spayed cause she been visiting every night for about 10wks and has showed no signs of being in heat or carrying kittens. Of course I started feeding her. I set up a small shelter for her under our roof in my garden with a blanket. For first few weeks i couldnt get near her, she would run when I would be try to approach her but over time I gained her trust. I began stroking her whilst she ate. She looks good, coat looks OK nothing bad to report. Felt her spine but I can feel my Timo's spine so not unusual. I never see her during day only early evening. She will pass by to eat but never stays and not once have I seen her use the shelter I pur up. Once all food goes if I give her more she will eat it. After she finishes she may stick around for 5mins then trotts away.

Now....I never used to put food out for passing cats or strays but then I started volunteering at a cat shelter so I then thought to feed any passing cats or strays. Before putting the food out I never saw this cat, not once. Then when I started putting food out I didn't catch the cat eating it at first but after about a week I spotted her. Now most days I see her. I'm trying to figure our if she is just cheeky neighbourhood cat or a stray. Like I said she never stays, never see her during day and she doesn't use the shelter I put out. The shelter I volunteer at has a space for her but I'm in two minds cause I'm not sure if she is a stray. To me..its 50/50. What do you guys think?

Cats are often known to visit several homes for food. Some are also known to disappear for days.

If you can handle moggie happily, buy a white collar (one with elastic section in case cat gets caught). Write message with indelible ink eg "is this cat yours - contact 07xxxx xxxx" or an email address if you prefer.

If no reply in say 2 weeks, you can assume it is a stray.

I can stroke her but I can't get to close to attach a collar or paper colar.

It takes time to build up trust. I would just let cat stay free, and only take to sanctuary if you see any obvious health deterioration.

Yeh...maybe. Its just so weird I never see her about, only see her for 5mins whilst she eats. Maybe she has ssomewhere, ergo why she wont use the shelter I put up for her

if she looks healthy with a shine to her coat - then I bet she is just popping round for food because its available and is a loved cat from the neighbourhood. (cats can roam for a few miles)

I'd bet she has a microchip too.

My aunt lived in an Edwardian terrace. and her cat used to get out the top window at the back and wander along the rooftops.

She visited several houses on the street via this route. She would get in through an open window - usually in the attic or a back room at the top, and make herself at home with the residents.

My aunt found this out as the cat would follow her to the local shop at the end of the road, and she was stopped on several occasions by neighbours, who recognised their mystery visitor.

Cats, you gotta love them!

Totally normal OP, seen many a cat behave like this. If you can get her scanned for a microchip that would be good. My MIL had one visit just the same, same behaviour you describe. Took her to the vet to check for chip, it was a local cat just doing the rounds, my MIL just checked with owners that it was OK to pet and treat accordingly when she turned up, which it was.

We had one that used to visit us via the open window and roof route. Used to find it on top of the kitchen cabinets with our three cats sat on the floor staring it down.

I know all to well about travelling cats lo. My Heidi used to always disappear for hours on end, til one day we found out that was visiting a nice old lady we knew down our road and would eat the food there aswell as at ours. The lady used to feed her cause she felt sorry for her, just like me with this cat (Who I have named Sammy for now). But I have never had a cat come to me, every day like Sammy is.

The paper collar trick, I have heard of it but how do I make one? Someone said get a 2cm piece of paper and stick onto the cat....what literally stick on to her..? I found that odd

can you take a photo of her and make up some posters to stick around your neighbourhood with maybe your email address on or phone number asking if anyone knows/owns the cat?

perhaps an advert in a local shop window (if its free?)

if you can catch her and take her to a local vet they will scan her for free to see if she is micro chipped

if you can gain her trust then the collar and note is a good idea but that may take some time

I found the difference when I picked one up and put it down again, then noticed that my jumper was suddenly shimmering. It was alive with what must have been hundreds of lice.

Saw her tonight. Had a good stroke, fur looks good. Shiny but not immaculate. She ate then trotted off. Sammy never makes no attempt to enter the house even when door wide open. Never uses shelter I put up. My male cat Timo....I can feel his spine more so then Sammy. Isn't it weird that I never see her during day, only see her after 7pm for about five mins before she leaves. I cant get her to my vets as they shut at 8pm and I can't trap her and take her in after 8 as an emergency can I. Paper collar, I'm concerned it will irrate her.

Sounds like a territory tour to me, once a day when the cat feels it's safest, less likely for conflict with other cats who tour the crossover of territories at a different time, ie: time sharing the same bit of land and hence why not about during the day. Could be a 'kept indoors' cat while the owners are at work, gets let out in the evening. Anyway, looks like you're a pit stop for a stroke and snack while doing the rounds. Keep it up though, she's sure to warm to you more and more over time, then try the note on the collar. In the mean time only worry if she obviously begins to look less and less healthy or her coat becomes more scruffy, you know what I mean, like a 'proper' stray / feral.

Got paper collar ready. I think she trust me enough now so will give it a shot next i see her

good luck - keep us posted

The other way is to attach a small camera and see where the cat goes.

I'd bet a pound to a penny that she's in a house all day while her owner is at work, and then gets let out early evening when they arrive home.

The fact she's just eating and not stopping, suggests she's not a stray looking for a home.

That was your mistake right there. Unless the cat is obviously distressed/flea ridden/starving you're almost certainly giving her second home. Do wish people wouldn't do this.

Any update OP?