My cat is acting suddenly very strangely -- not eating for a couple of days so he's extra out of it. Drinks water, always good with that, till last like day and half. I am away now since yesterday, but my mum is watching him. Well, she left front door open, and WhaM, he ran out and went under the house through the side vent thing. He hasn't come out still and this is now over 24 hours. I'm concerned since he hasn't been eating, drinking less water, and acting 'off.' Glazy eyes, sniffly, watery eye, etc. Could just be a bad cold or allergies which is also making him lose his appetite, but he has lost a lot of weight. My mother can't even crouch down with flashlight to check to see that he's alive with her bad knee. My sister saw that he was OK and awake/alive last night. But I'm worried he ran out there to die or something. Or was it just to be left alone? I'm not sure what to do or how to get him out? There is water there and she brings food by, but can't hang around due to her knee prob and is afraid to leave stuff due to ants. Is there a service I should call to try and get him out of there? SHould I wait any longer? Oh, also my mum is deaf, so she can't even hear if he meows or responds ughhhhh. I'm freaking. Sorry for the novel.

In the U.S. many vets and animal shelters have a kindness trap that can be set up with food (fishy stuff works well for cats). When the animal walks toward the food, the door is tripped and closes.

Check with a vet or animal shelter in your area to borrow a trap. Otherwise, it sounds like the cat is not going to cooperate with you on his own.