Has the lady got the cat on a waiting list to go into rescue? If rescues are all full she ask for 'Direct Homing' so the cat is with her until a home is found.I presume if she's in the lady's attic she managed to get close to hr to put on a paper collar/ take her to vets to check for a chip?If the lady is going on holiday one of the rescues may foster her just until she returns?