Humane Society of Huron Valley: How to Tell a Feral from a Stray
Resources for Feral Cats
How to Tell a Feral from a Stray
To determine if a cat is feral, stray, or just a visiting cat from the neighborhood, the cat should be monitored for a few days. Use the information in the chart below to determine if the animal is feral or stray (stray refers to homeless cats that are lost or abandoned pets and have not been born in the wild).
If the cat is clean, healthy, and friendly, it is likely a neighborhood cat just visiting. You can put a collar on the cat with a note asking the owners to notify you if this is their cat. This way an owned cat does not mistakenly get taken to the Humane Society.
If this same cat starts to lose weight or looks increasingly disheveled, it is likely a lost or abandoned pet. You may choose to bring the cat inside or to bring to the Humane Society. In either scenario, signs should be posted in the neighborhood regarding a found cat, and a found report made to HSHV.
| Feral Cat | Stray Cat (lost or abandoned) |
| Silent except mating calls and hisses | Meows |
| Only seen at dawn and dusk to hunt | Seen at all times of day and night |
| Will eat food only after humans have retreated a distance | Will eat food with humans standing within six foot |
| Can never be touched or held | May be touched, held or approached within limitations. |
| If cornered will hiss, spit and fight hard | If cornered will try to hide but fight if pushed |
| Looks clean and healthy (feral cats are better at surviving in the wild) | Looks dirty and unwell |
| Intact or neutered and ear tipped as part of TNR | Intact or Neutered |
| No collar or microchip | Might have collar and microchip |
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Humane Society of Huron Valley |
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Hours: |
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| Adoptions: |
11am to 6pm, M–W Fax: (734) 929-0814 |
| Clinic: | 8am to 7pm, M-Th 8am to 6pm, F Saturday by appointment |
| Intake: | 9am to 11am, 7 days a week Noon to 5pm, 7 days a week |
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HSHV is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt public charity. We are independently run and rely on the generosity of people like you to continue our mission to support the loving, responsible care of every animal in our community. HSHV is not affiliated with or funded by Michigan Humane Society or any other humane organization.
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All images and photographs are courtesy of HSHV staff and Jeffrey E. Roush of Two Cat Studios.
wish list | press releases | site map | jobs at hshv | privacy policy | contact us
All images and photographs are courtesy of HSHV staff and Jeffrey E. Roush of Two Cat Studios.