• Another definition that may help:
  – “A stray cat is a domestic cat that has been abandoned or has ‘strayed’ from home and become lost. Stray [cats] were once pets and they can usually be successfully rescued and placed in homes.” – Stray Cat Handbook

Feral:

• A feral cat is a cat who has either never had any contact with humans or her contact with humans has diminished over time. She is fearful of people and survives on her own outdoors. A feral cat is not likely to ever become a lap cat or enjoy living indoors.

• Kittens born to feral cats can be socialized at an early age and adopted into homes.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

• Stray cats can readjust to living with people and can be adopted as companions.

• Adult feral cats are not socialized to people, which means they cannot be adopted. As a result, they are likely to be killed if picked up by animal control or brought to shelters, so it is in their best interest to continue living outdoors.

• Stray and feral cats can be difficult to tell apart, especially when they are trapped or frightened. Scared stray cats often need time to relax and show their level of socialization. 

• Trap-Neuter-Return takes into account each cat’s level (or degree) of socialization to determine the best environment for them. Feral cats are returned to their outdoor home after being trapped and neutered. Socialized cats and kittens can be adopted into homes.

HOW DO I TELL THE DIFFERENCE OUTDOORS?

Since it is difficult to determine each cat’s socialization during a stressful event such as trapping, it’s a good idea to observe cats on their own outdoors using the guidelines below. Remember that these guidelines are not hard and fast rules and that just one of these traits is probably not enough to draw a conclusion.

Bottom line: If a cat you don’t know approaches you or if you can touch her, she is most likely not feral. Not all stray cats will do this though, especially at first—each cat will act differently in a variety of situations. More monitoring using these guidelines may be necessary to determine if the cat is socialized.

SOCIALIZATION TO HUMANS

STRAY - May approach people, houses, porches, or cars

FERAL - Will not approach and will likely seek hiding places to avoid people

SOCIALIZATION TO OTHER CATS

STRAY - Will likely live alone, not be part of a group

FERAL - May belong to a colony

BODY LANGUAGE

STRAY - Might Walk and move like a house cat, such as walking with tail up—a sign of friendliness Will probably look at you, blink, or make eye contact

FERAL - May crawl, crouch, stay low to the ground, and protect body with tail, Unlikely to make eye contact

VOCALIZATION

STRAY - May be vocal, meow, or “answer” your voice

FERAL - Won’t meow, beg, or purr

SCHEDULE

STRAY - Will be visible primarily during the daytime

FERAL - More likely to be nocturnal; occasionally out during the day

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

STRAY - Will probably be dirty or disheveled. Will generally not have an ear tip, but may if they went thru a TNR program

FERAL - Will probably have a clean, well-kept coat.

A male with a big head and thick neck, muscular body, and/or scars from fighting is more likely to be feral, since these are traits associated with intact males (and only 2% of feral cats are neutered in the U.S.). He may also have a spiky coat from high testosterone levels and less time spent grooming; may also have “stud tail”—hair loss, greasiness, or bumps at the base of the tail due to hormones.

Will likely have an ear-tip if neutered as part of a TNR program

PREGNANCY, NURSING, KITTENS 

A female who is pregnant or lactating is more likely to be feral, since only 2% of feral cats are neutered in the U.S.

 Alley Cat Allies recognizes that a cat’s level of socialization and behavior is not always black and white, particularly for feral cats who recognize their caregiver. They may show signs of familiarity, such as a tail up or hanging out on a caregiver’s porch, but these behaviors are usually limited to the cat’s interaction with the caregiver and only develop after building a relationship over time. Always remember: this does not mean that the cat is a good candidate for living indoors.

HOW DO I TELL THEM APART WHEN THEY ARE IN A TRAP?

When in a frightening or stressful environment—such as a trap or a shelter—a friendly stray cat may act like a feral cat, avoiding people and possibly even showing aggression to avoid being touched. “A lot of cats seem feral in traps but are just afraid,” explains Alley Cat Allies Feral Friend Genevieve Van de Merghel. Who can blame them? The cat is in a new and unfamiliar place.

Here are some ways that will help distinguish a feral cat from a scared stray cat when they are frightened, confined, or in a new place.

TOUCH BARRIER

STRAY - It may be possible to touch the cat eventually or she may tolerate a small amount of touching with an object

FERAL - Can not be touched, even by a caregiver

CAGE BEHAVIOR

STRAY - May come to the front of the cage May eventually rub against the cage in a friendly way

FERAL - Will likely stay in the back of the cage and retreat as far back as possible If jolted or frightened, may shake, rattle, or climb the cage, and could become injured banging into the cage

LEVEL OF RELAXATION

STRAY - May relax over time

FERAL - Will remain tense and unsocial

RESPONSIVENESS

STRAY - May investigate toys or food placed near the cage. May respond to household sounds like cat food cans or bags being opened

FERAL - Will likely ignore all people and toys, and possibly even food Will not show any familiarity or interest in household sounds

FEAR AND ANXIETY

STRAY - May hiss or growl to show anxiety

FERAL - Will be aggressive and lash out if threatened or cornered (signs of aggression include ears back and eyes dilated)

WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

Once you have evaluated a cat and feel like you have a sense of the cat’s level of socialization, the next step is to get the cat neutered. From there, use your evaluation to do what’s in the cat’s best interest:

• For scared stray cats: Maximize their chances of adoption into a home.

• For calm stray cats: Find them a good adoptive home.

• For feral kittens: Socialize them for adoption.

• For feral cats: Return them to their colony home outdoors.

S.A.M. is a 501 c3 nonprofit that is state licensed animal NO KILL shelter/rescue. We are dedicated in helping to eliminate feral cat communities in our local cites, thru TNR (Trap Neuter Return) Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the most effective and humane method to treat feral cats and manage their colonies. We also have a rehabilitation program for kittens and Cats; we find during the TNR process that there were abandoned by their owners.

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