Help! How to catch a stray cat and possibly kittens - UPDATE

[Diana Erhart]

I was walking Charlie this evening and he bounded into the weeds behind our neighbors house.  A stray cat that I have seen around several times showed herself and was hissing at him.  I think the cat is a stray but have never gotten close enough to see if it has tags and belongs to someone.  I pulled Charlie away and we kept walking.  On our return trip Charlie wanted to go back into the weeds but I wouldn't let him.  I was looking for the cat and heard some whimpering coming from low to the ground.  I didn't see the cat.  So I am thinking that there are kittens in the brush.  Does anyone have any advice on how to catch this cat and the kittens?  And what would I do with them if I do catch them?  I am allergic to cats so I can't keep them.  I am going to ask my neighbor to help me (she has a dog and a cat) but I need to have a plan.  I am thinking of waiting till morning since any shelter is probably closed by now.  Please let me know if you have any ideas.  Thanks!

UPDATE:  I went this morning to see the cat/kittens and feed them and decide what to do.  Well, when I went back there was nothing there.  So I am not sure if the whimpering I heard was the adult cat I saw and it has moved on or what.  I took Charlie a little ways into the weeds to see if he could catch a scent but there was nothing.  So I will keep an eye out and if I run into that cat again I will at least have some idea of what to do.  Thanks so much for all the advice!

[Miss Ellie]

If there is anyway that you can lure them with food, treats or a bowl of milk into your garage and then offer a nice comfy blanket.  Then I would call a no-kill shelter first thing in the morning.  Oh I do hope this has a happy ending!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I think it is a good idea to wait until morning to find out what services you have in your area for stray and/or feral cats. For tonight you could put out some food and water for them.  Do you think they are abandoned cats or are they feral? It would be good to know that before you call shelters because they usually have different policies for the two. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Many areas have trap, neuter and release programs for feral cats. I'd contact the local animal shelters/humane societies and ask. Many shelters won't take feral cats, and most are full right now any way. 

[Sheila & Finnley]

Well if the cat is feral, I would say food would help a bit. Definitely check to see if there is some kind of feral cat program in your area. If there are kittens, they can be tamed if you have the time and energy to put into it. I have tamed quite a few feral kittens, and then brought them to nearby shelters. Adult ferals are very hard to tame, and tricky to trap. So good luck !