How to get a cat back in the house

[CreateTheLifeYouWant]

We adopted a very frightened rescue cat earlier this year. He gained a little trust in us and we eventually let him outside after 4 months - he went missing for a week, or so it seemed.

But we've spotted him eating food we've left out for him at night, outside the back door, so we don't think he's not gone far.

We want to get him back in the house so he can be part of the family and carry on gaining in confidence; he was doing so well.

But not sure how to get him back in - even when in the house he would often dash away from us and hide and we've never picked him up.

How can we get him back in? He's not ferral, just frightened after a very rough start in life.

I'd go about your business as much as possible, leaving the door open as much as you can. (How would he get in and out - is it an open door or a cat flap?) Him eating the food is good.

Could you or another adult maybe do a quiet pursuit in the garden of an evening? (Reading - or doing some actual (quiet) gardening? If he becomes used to someone pottering away and pretty well ignoring him, that should increase his familiarity. (I think - not any DCs, whooping and shrieking etc.))

Do you have any outside sheds etc that he could use to sleep in and shelter from the elements if eg it rains?

Basically, he needs to see your home as a safe haven from the rough and tumble of outside: food, calm and safety. The weather isn't on your side at the moment but at least, if he's still really phobic about coming in, he won't freeze.