About the cat being out in the cold, I had to leave Oklahoma unexpectedly last November because my dad fell and broke his hip in Florida and I had to go help out. I tried taking my adopted cat, Missy, to the Humane Society, but they couldn't take her. I had no option but to leave her outside and have the neighbors feed her.
O course, we had one of the coldest winters since 1960. The Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, which I live on, totally froze over and it has NEVER froze over as long as I have been here. When I got back at the end of January, there was Missy!! None the worse for wear! The lady who fed her said that when she would pet her, she always felt warm, so she was finding some place to keep warm. Under the garden shed, I think.
Anyway, if you have to leave her out, she will probably be okay. You could also put a heating pad out in her box. They have them for kittens that don't get too warm.
Anyway, good luck!