Advice from cat rescuers, please!
Currently, I have three cats, ages 6, 7, and 10. I've been manager of a small apartment complex for just over 3 years and they think they own the place. Last fall, a little black cat started hanging around the property. I'd often see it when I did my rounds at about 10 pm, but could never get within 20 feet before it would run.
It seemed to disappear for most of the winter, but starting last week has been back and hanging out in front of my apartment. The other night it was raining, and the poor little thing sat outside and cried all night. I tried to talk to it, but as soon as I'd open my door, it would bolt and disappear. I put food out for it. Then I set a crate on end under the overhang and facing the building, covered in plastic on the outside with a soft lining inside, so it could at least shelter from the rain. The food was gone in the morning, but there were no paw prints on the crate lining.
Last night, it was back again as soon as it got dark. I had already put food out and refreshed the crate lining. When I saw it, I opened my inner door and left the security door closed, softly talking to it and calling it by name through the grating. If I tried to open the security door even an inch, it would run, but it was always back once I closed that door, just sitting and watching me as I talked to it.
One of my tenants, who was here long before I was and knew the old manager well, said it sounded like her cat, "Puppy." He was small for a male and the manager told her she dropped him off at a shelter before she moved away; however, when asked which shelter, she couldn't answer. My neighbor was always suspicious about that. Now we're wondering if Puppy was abandoned elsewhere and finally found his way back. If it is him, he's got to be shocked and upset to realize that not only was he abandoned, but his family is gone and a stranger occupies his old home.
If this is Puppy, he's been badly traumatized. I've been told he was always friendly, but now he's frightened, bewildered, and skittish. I think I'm making a small amount of progress in letting him get to know me. Perhaps there's hope that he might become comfortable enough for me to get him to the vet for a chip scan and a checkup. I already have a tenant who will take him, since my three darling brats would never give him a moment's peace here.
I'm locking my cats in the back rooms tonight to see if he feels less threatened without them around. I'm going to leave the front door open a foot or so and sit very quietly, just to see if he ventures in to check his old home out.
My question is this: Do experienced cat rescuers among you have any further advice? I can rent a trap, but don't want to further traumatize him; he's been through enough. Should I just keep doing what I'm doing to see if he comes around? How long should I keep at it before I give up and rent a feral trap? He looks uninjured and fairly healthy, but is obviously distressed. Whether he's Puppy or not, I have to help him, and a quiet home with a currently cat-less cat lover is waiting.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can give!
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You're making headway by the sound of it. May not be as rapid as you'd like, but obviously, it ain't about you. Keep feeding and talking and I'm sure he'll come round.
Good luck!
I know it will take time and patience, and I can handle that. For his sake, though, I hope it's not too long. At least the weather is getting milder, but it's supposed to rain all weekend again. I so hope he lets me help him.
Bootsy is one luck kitty to have you rescue her. All your animals are gorgeous. That's quite a story about getting her home. 
Kudos for your prompt actions taking her in.
If this is the old manager's cat, as seems might be the case, I think time and patience will win him over and a trap will be unnecessary. We'll see how that goes for a while.
If he is truly feral, I will definitely check with the local shelter. We have a couple of excellent ones in town.
Thanks! 
The cooked chicken is a great idea. Thanks!
You certainly have experience in this! I think I'm going to give the current course some more time. I feel like he's already making some progress and I'd like to see how that goes before I resort to a trap.
This is a good neighborhood for cats, so I'm not too concerned for his safety - at least until Halloween! I'm very glad to know, though, that trapping doesn't traumatize them too much, but I'm a bit afraid that it might interfere with trust building right now, especially since he seems to be responding a little already.
I'll keep your suggestions in mind, though.
I've had rescue cats all my life, even up to 7 strays all living with me for the few years I was in Mexico. The difference is that they all came to me. I've never had to work to gain the trust of a frightened and skittish cat, so I'm happy to go very slow and easy.
Appreciate your kind words.
I have three cat carriers, but none are big enough to hold food and water as well as a cat. The crate I've put out there is big enough, so I'm hoping Puppy (or whoever s/he is) will use it for shelter. It scarfed down the Friskies wet food I put out and ate some of the dry food, as well. KFC and Fancy Feast will definitely be good lures!
I should have thought of that! When one of my cats has a birthday, we celebrate with a sardine "birthday cake," and it's greatly enjoyed by all of them.
The tenant who wants to try to keep the cat has taken over operations. His apartment is located in a much quieter area of the complex, with denser shrubbery in front and about 2 feet of clear space between the shrubs and the building. He's already done exactly what you suggest.
The crate is set at an angle between the shrubs and the building, with a clear view of both the sidewalk and his door. The crate lining has been sprinkled with catnip, food is set right in front of it, and a heavy towel flaps down about halfway over the opening.
When I did my rounds last night, I saw the cat sitting a few feet in front of his apartment. He looked like he was deciding whether to risk getting closer to check out the catnip and wet food smells. I haven't had a chance to talk to the tenant yet today, but he's the kind of person that cats and dogs seem drawn to, and I'm really curious for an update from him.
Thank you! I'll keep you all updated when there's any significant progress. 
