What to do with elderly neighbours hungry cat?

[LittleMissMe99]

So, my elderly neighbour has a cat. She is 93 and has been in hospital for a week. She told me previously her daughter in law hates cats, but would feed her if anything happened. Anyway, it's been a week (I've not heard how she is) and the little cat keeps running in our house starving. It's not being fed I don't think. She's a small thin cat anyway, but even thinner now. My husband decided to feed her. Which would be fine, except my youngest daughter (aged 8) is deathly afraid of cats. So she can't live here! The minute we open the door she runs in, and has now discovered the small window for my dryer. So I can't put that on without her appearing. She's a beautiful, affectionate little cat (2 years old maybe?) But my daughter won't come downstairs in case she's here. I'm not sure what to do, as I suspect the neighbour won't come out of hospital. I read about spraying her with water, but it feels cruel. Suggestions please?

Please don’t spray that wee one with water . Give her as much food & warmth (and love and cuddles!) as you can. Can your DD articulate what it is about cats that frighten her? Any previous bad experience?

Poor thing. I would call the cat protection or shelter. I mean it's not fair that this cat is suffering, I'm sure the old lady wouldn't want that if she knew the family member wasn't really taking care of her. If you don't want to do that, and you don't sound like you are going to try and keep her in the house (shed is not ideal it's getting very cold atm) Are you friendly with any other neighbors who might be more suitable to welcome her in and feed her? At least temporary?

Feeding in the shed and a bed sounds like an excellent idea for tonight.

I hope you can contact a local cat shelter for advice tomorrow.

Thanks for caring for the poor kitty.

@Thefemalekeithrichards

Thank you 😊
She’s indeed a silver tabby American Shorthair

OP I’m not trying to tell you how to parent but speaking from experience, my younger brother was petrified of dogs as a child and it was never addressed by my parents, so his fear has continued into adulthood and it still effects him now in his every day life eg.he would rather cross the road than walk past a dog and has missed out on going to friends houses growing up because they had pet dogs. Has your daughter had any bad experiences with cats? It sounds as though your neighbours poor little cat is suffering and well done to you and your husband for looking after it. Could you not maybe stroke the cat or give it food in front of your daughter to reassure her there is nothing to be scared of?