disappearance of a stray cat

Question
hi
we had a stray cat living in our yard for about a year.  i think in the last few months it started to live under our porch.  had a good appetite  i fed her two times a day (canned catfood) and dry cat food, too. no other animals outside  except for a baby raccoon once in a while, opposum too
and a neighbor tomcat would come by here. no problem  but now in the last four days that stray cat had been missing.  i was wondering what happened and why did it disappear? i couldnt get it to take it to vet because it was too scared of us.
thanks,
linda

Answer
Hi Linda.  There are a few possibilities here.  
We could look on the "dark" side and feel as though it is possible that she has gotten hit by a car or was killed by another animal.
On the "bright" side, someone may have seen her and taken her to an animal shelter, or taken her inside.  This is breeding season for kitties, so she probably is in heat and is looking for a beau!  I would think the latter possibility is most accurate.  Be prepared to see her come back and use the area under your porch for her nesting area for her kittens.
Please keep me posted!
Hilary