There is a difference between stray cats and ferals.  Stray cats have probably been in homes, however after being abandoned or getting lost and then left to their own devices, they may revert to their wild instincts.  Stray cats have had interaction with humans in the past and sometimes can be re-socialized.  On the other hand, feral cats are not socialized to people and after the age of two months are extremely difficult if not impossible to tame.

It can be difficult, if not impossible, when you see a cat outside to know if it is a stray (lost or abandoned) cat, or a feral (wild, never socialized with humans) cat. Many domesticated, stray cats exhibit feral-like behavior when approached by a stranger, when trapped, or when fearful. When a cat is brought into our shelter that exhibits feral behavior, it is put in our separate Feral Cat facility. This is a quiet area that was built this year specifically to give us enough space so we can let the cat "chill out" during the three day legally-required stray holding period. During this time, our health staff keeps a log of the cat's behavior, watching for any signs of domestication, such as using the litter box, allowing human contact or any improvement. If the cat has not been redeemed by its owner and staff has any doubt after the three days, the cat is kept in the feral room under observation until a final determination of adoptability can be made. Many stray cats spend time in the feral room are made available for adoption once they calm down.

When a cat is outdoors, making a feral or stray determination is much harder. Some points to keep in mind:
- After a period of time when it is being fed and cared for, a stray cat  thought to be feral may revert back to its "domestic ways" and long for human attention.
- Feral cats do not tolerate human contact and act like a wild animal (hissing, growling, scratching, biting) if approached or caught.

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