Stray in a pickle

[Follyfoot]

A stray cat has been hanging around our area for a few months, and has attacked our two cats on several occasions. About three weeks ago, we saw him with something stuck round his neck. It looks a bit like part of a cat flap, but its narrower and made of green plastic. His head is through what looks like the frame with the 'door' part hanging down in front of him a bit like a rigid bib. He came into our house on one occasion but ran off before we could catch him. Our cats came in through our cat flap tonight in a bit of a panic and the poor stray was outside.

We've tried to tempt him in again tonight with food but to no avail. Anyone got any ideas how we could catch him to get whatever it is off his neck and get him some veterinary care. I did think about calling the RSPCA and asking them to set a trap. But the reality is, it would probably catch one of our two cats or, more likely, young badgers, rabbits or fox cubs as where we live is very rural.

Advice very gratefully received for this scrap of a cat

Do you have a Cats' Protection branch locally? You could ring them for advice. The RSPCA aren't well known for their helpfulness in such situations.

We do I think Sparkling. Not sure what they could really do as the cat is so reluctant to be caught. Will try calling them in the morning though, thank you.

They do have traps and know what to do. Poor cat with it's plastic bib. If they can catch it they can see if it's neutered too, and check for a chip although that seems unlikely.

We put him some food out which he has eaten, DH about 3ft away from him one side and me a similar distance away. Just couldnt get any closer though.

So frustrating.