What is a Feral Cat?          

Feral Cat is the technical term for homeless cats that have NOT been socialized with people or are considered to be a wild cat.  Feral cats may never have had human contact in their life or may have been a lost or abandoned pet that has lived away from human contact long enough to revert to a wild state.  They may also have been unsocialized kittens born from feral mothers.  These cats tend to avoid human contact and usually cannot be touched by strangers.  Many feral cats live in “colonies” where they become well adapted to their territory and live safely and content in alleys, parking lots, vacant lots, backyards, farm and agricultural land, residential neighborhoods, and various other types of locations.

Are stray cats and feral cats the same?

No, stray and feral cats are not the same, and the terms “stray cat” and “feral cat” are not interchangeable. A stray cat is a domestic cat who was abandoned or strayed from home and became lost. Because a stray was once a companion animal, he or she can usually be re-socialized and adopted. Adult feral cats usually cannot be tamed and are not suited to living indoors with people. They are most content living in their established territory. Feral kittens up to about 8 to 10 weeks, however, can often be usually be socialized and adopted to great homes.

How can I tell if a cat is stray or feral?

Observe the cat’s appearance and behavior. A stray cat is likely to approach you, although usually not close enough for you to touch him. If you put food down, a stray cat will likely start to eat it right away. A stray cat is often vocal, sometimes talking insistently, and may look disheveled, as if he is unaccustomed to dealing with conditions on the street. A stray cat may be seen at all hours of the day.

A feral cat is silent, will not approach humans, and generally will be seen only from dusk to dawn, unless extraordinarily hungry and foraging for food. A feral cat has adapted to conditions and is likely to be well groomed. If you put food down for a feral cat, he will wait until you move away from the area before approaching the food.

Myths about Feral Cats