Knowing what to do about cats in your neighborhood starts with knowing whether the cat is a pet, a stray, or “feral” (wild). While dogs must be leashed or confined to a yard, San Antonio has no law against owned or unowned cats living and roaming outside. (Owned outdoor cats, however, are required to be spayed or neutered [sterilized]). That means that the cat who spends the day in your yard may well be a neighbor’s much-loved pet. Some cats living outside are homeless cats: tame cats who had a human family in the past but were abandoned or became lost. Others are feral cats: wild cats who are afraid of humans and harmless but not able to be tamed and adopted.

You can tell whether the cat is owned by asking around with your neighbors. Here are some ways to tell the difference between stray (homeless) cats and feral cats:

Feral Cats

• Feral cats have lived their entire lives with little or no direct contact with people.
• They avoid coming into contact with humans and will not allow people to touch them.
• They are usually silent and will not approach food until people have moved away.
• Feral cats appear fairly well groomed because they have truly adapted to their untamed conditions.
• Adult feral cats cannot be tamed or adopted by people to be indoor pets.
• Kittens born in the wild, if rescued before eight weeks old, can usually be tamed and successfully adopted.

Stray Cats

• Stray cats may have been family pets that were abandoned or “dumped.”
• They will be much more likely to approach people – even if they seem skittish when you try to touch them.
• These cats will be quite vocal and usually eat food right after it’s offered, despite the presence of a person.
• Stray cats tend to look quite disheveled because of their recent exposure to such a harsh environment.
• With an understanding rescue and social behavioral training, most stray cats can be rehabilitated and live happily in adopted homes.

(Information source: Alley Cat Allies)