How to differentiate between strays and cats that belong to someone?

misskalamata

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 21, 2008
Messages
240
Purraise
20
We used to get lots of stray cats around here, but now they are very few and far between. A kitten showed up tonight, eating some tidbits off the ground (bread, maybe some other stuff). It looked pretty hungry, but when I opened the door, it just stared at me, didn't run away. A car eventually scared it off.

How can I tell if a cat has a home or not? This one wasn't wearing a collar. It didn't look excessively skinny. Cats like this don't let me get too close...so, from a bit of a distance, what behaviors will clue me in to the cat's condition? Outside cat? Lost? Stray? I know there's no knowing for sure, but any ideas?
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,995
Purraise
10,640
Location
Sweden
The question is good, and I hope others will fill in.

The most important point here is, IF this "maybe yes maybe not" cats seems to need help and you can and want to help, do so.
But also you do actively seek after the owners. Setting up posts as Found on message boards in the neighborhood, etc...
If you dont want to write up in clear your exact adress and name, write up a cell-phone number, and a Hotmail or Yahoo-mail....

Thus, not this OR other, but both. You work parallell on both tracks.



Giving them food without seeking after owners in not good. Im sure more then one homeless stray was made this way....
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

misskalamata

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 21, 2008
Messages
240
Purraise
20
Originally Posted by StefanZ

Giving them food without seeking after owners in not good. Im sure more then one homeless stray was made this way....
I don't understand...are you saying that an outside cat will leave its owners if a neighbor starts feeding it? I did toss the kitten a handful of treats.
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,995
Purraise
10,640
Location
Sweden
Originally Posted by MissKalamata

I don't understand...are you saying that an outside cat will leave its owners if a neighbor starts feeding it? I did toss the kitten a handful of treats.
Yes, that is what I think there is some risk for it. Yes.

Treats should be OK, but not real food.

Treats is nice to get and shows you are nice and friendly person. OK.
But if you are ALSO a food source... So why return home?? Not all cats do love their owners.
 

clixpix

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 9, 2004
Messages
14,540
Purraise
2
Originally Posted by MissKalamata

I don't understand...are you saying that an outside cat will leave its owners if a neighbor starts feeding it? I did toss the kitten a handful of treats.
A handful of treats won't hurt anything. If he shows up again, maybe it would be time to take him in and see if you can find his owners? I think Stefan was saying that if you feed the kitten regularly without looking for an owner that he might stop going home (if he has a home and isn't lost), and thus will become a stray (if he isn't already).
 

ipw533

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 10, 2006
Messages
211
Purraise
2
Location
South Philly
My cats are frequently seen on the street; during the summer months I let them go out onto the back deck, and they often go through the alley onto the street--but they are not strays and return home when they're done with their roaming. They're also all spayed and neutered, so I'm not worried there.

Last year I had a cat who wandered in through the kitchen door to the deck and pretty much made himself at home. He got along with the other cats and seemed to be a stray but disappeared after a week or so--perhaps he was just a housecat taking a vacation of sorts. This year I have a blonde tabby male who comes into the house regularly to eat, and he does not get along with the others. He doesn't act like a feral and I'm certain he's intact (gonna have to fix that), so I'm pretty sure he's a stray....
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,995
Purraise
10,640
Location
Sweden
Originally Posted by ipw533

This year I have a blonde tabby male who comes into the house regularly to eat, and he does not get along with the others. He doesn't act like a feral and I'm certain he's intact (gonna have to fix that), so I'm pretty sure he's a stray....
I think you should do something about it. Hostile intrusions especielly by fertile cats are not pleasant for your cats. The risk is big they dont feel safe in their home any more.

It may be one thing if the guests are friendly. But unfriendly intrusions are quite traumatic for many home cats...

Either stop his visits by showing him off, or do neuter him.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8

misskalamata

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 21, 2008
Messages
240
Purraise
20
Originally Posted by ipw533

He doesn't act like a feral
How does a stray (feral?) act?

A lot of strays used to have an owner and so are fairly comfortable around humans...I find it hard to tell whether the cat currently belongs to someone or used to belong to someone.

I'm certain he's intact (gonna have to fix that)
Fixing him is a good idea.
 

jennyr

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 6, 2004
Messages
13,348
Purraise
593
Location
The Land of Cheese
Usually a real stray will be pretty obvious from its condition. A cat who is well fed (doesn't mean it won't want to sample the menu somewhere new), with sleek coat and no parasites is probably owned. If it keeps showing up and wants food then it is likely lost and you will have to do something. I knew Bonaparte was a longtime stray when he turned up thin, filthy, with fleas and ticks and with very sore and cracked paw pads. But he was not feral because he came right up to me as soon as he saw me, knew what a house was and made straight for the sofa after he had fed. On the other hand, Biscotte, Wellington and Persil were really scared of humans and had to be socialised from scratch (and I was the one who got scratched!).
 

ipw533

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 10, 2006
Messages
211
Purraise
2
Location
South Philly
The blonde tabby routinely comes for breakfast when I'm already awake and downstairs--he knows I'm there but unless I chase him off (I don't unless he starts a fight) he's somewhat comfortable with me being around.

A true feral wants nothing to do with humans; there are enough food sources in my neighborhood that a feral would have neither the need nor the desire to enter my house.

This guy is somewhat skittish but absent a close examination appears to be healthy and reasonably well-groomed. Considering the number of dumped pets we're seeing here, I'd say he could safely be called a stray....
 

killerapple

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Aug 18, 2009
Messages
742
Purraise
1
Location
Ohio
Originally Posted by MissKalamata

How can I tell if a cat has a home or not? This one wasn't wearing a collar. It didn't look excessively skinny. Cats like this don't let me get too close...so, from a bit of a distance, what behaviors will clue me in to the cat's condition? Outside cat? Lost? Stray? I know there's no knowing for sure, but any ideas?
I've read about putting on breakaway collars with your phone number (if the cat can be handled) - then seeing if you get a phonecall like "hey! why is your phone number on my cat??!" or seeing if it just gets ignored. Then if no one responds, you can assume the kitty is unowned.

I'm a bit shy to ask my neighbors, but just asking around about the cats is also good, if the neighborhood would have that possibility. Find the neighbor that 'knows everything' - they can tell you if there are lots of cats in the neighborhood or if so-and-so has cats owns a lot of un-fixed cats.
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,995
Purraise
10,640
Location
Sweden
Originally Posted by killerapple

I'm a bit shy to ask my neighbors,.
Of course, having a good question to ask makes it easier to come forward to the neighbour and ask and thus talk with them... This is socially acceptable.

Good for us who are a little shy to know!
 

otto

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 7, 2008
Messages
9,837
Purraise
197
Originally Posted by jennyranson

Usually a real stray will be pretty obvious from its condition. A cat who is well fed (doesn't mean it won't want to sample the menu somewhere new), with sleek coat and no parasites is probably owned. If it keeps showing up and wants food then it is likely lost and you will have to do something.
of course the problem with that is, if kitty has been recently dumped, he may look nice to begin with.

I think the advice about feeding the possible stray, while looking for a possible owner, is the best way to proceed.

If the cat ran away from home, it may be better that he not be returned, OTOH he may be lost and someone is out of their mind with worry.

Call shelters and vets in the area and ask if anyone has been looking for a lost kitten/cat. Post your flyers in these vets and shelters too.

In time the kitten may get trusting enough for you to pick him up, and then you can take him to a shelter and have him scanned for a microchip.
 

dusty's mom

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Messages
2,176
Purraise
13
Location
California
Of course a lot of this confusion could be prevented if all cat owners would collar and tag their cats, even indoor only ones, just in case of an accidental escape.

Both my cats have collars and tags with their name and my cell number. Dusty, my in/out kitty is also microchipped.
 

howtoholdacat

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
1,248
Purraise
22
Location
Georgia, USA
We have a real problem in my neighborhood with people getting cats and putting them out without spaying or neutering them. Unless the cat acts like it's lost and looks like someone may have once owned it (good weight, coat, etc.)then I assume it's a stray. They tend to be young and thin. They may be somewhat trusting but usually don't run straight up to me. I figure if I have to have it altered then I'll find it a better home. I'm not sure if this answers your question about how to tell the difference but as the conversation has also moved to locating owners I felt like I should put my two-cents in. Trapping/catching strays and having them altered is something I get a lot of practice with.
 

icklemiss21

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 14, 2005
Messages
16,465
Purraise
20
Location
in the land of poutine and ice
Originally Posted by Dusty's Mom

Of course a lot of this confusion could be prevented if all cat owners would collar and tag their cats, even indoor only ones, just in case of an accidental escape.

Both my cats have collars and tags with their name and my cell number. Dusty, my in/out kitty is also microchipped.
Depends - my vet recommends that cats are microchipped but has a very graphic photo of a badly injured cat who got caught on his breakaway collar and so recommends no collar. If people are being told by vets not to use collars...

I do however stick one on mine when we go to the vets / groomers as a just in case and they are all microchipped
 

strange_wings

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Messages
13,498
Purraise
39
Originally Posted by icklemiss21

Here, if I see it outside - its a stray whether it has an owner or not. They can come pick it up at the shelter and get a lecture about allowing it outside
The norm where I live is outdoor - or outdoor/occasionally indoor. When you tell people you have indoor only cats they look at you like you are crazy.
One lady chatting with my dad and his wife yesterday was proud that she let her cat onto her back porch - claiming it couldn't come inside because cats stink and are filthy. If how she cleaned the hospital room was any sign of her housekeeping I can tell were the real problem lies..

With no shelter, very poor AC, and this being the prevailing attitude I assume first that a cat belongs to a nearby neighbor. It it's skinny or injured than I suspect it may not have a home (anymore). Being intact isn't a sign a cat or dog is a stay here, either, as a lot of people don't want to "waste money" on getting their pets altered.
I'll scoop up any kitten that comes across my path, though.


If you see a cat around, spending more time there than away - chances are it doesn't have anywhere better to go or that it certainly won't be missed.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #19

misskalamata

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Sep 21, 2008
Messages
240
Purraise
20
Thank you everyone for the answers! I wish I could have gotten close enough to really see the cat's condition - the best description I can give is cute, black, not stick thin, and fairly young. I haven't seen the kitten since, and I honestly doubt I will. I hope it really does have a home.

Originally Posted by icklemiss21

I do however stick one on mine when we go to the vets / groomers as a just in case
That's a very good idea! My indoor cats don't wear collars, but after reading this, I might just buy one for emergency vet trips. Thanks for mentioning that!
 

mtbee

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Aug 26, 2009
Messages
115
Purraise
1
It is so hard to tell really. Our TOTALLY Feral Mom cat showed up with a hot pink collar on her neck. 2 years later no one can even come close to touching her. Thankfully the collar came off of her at some point.

My friend had a himalayian cat - (Pure as found out later by vet) on his doorstep looking for food. He thought the cat had to be someone's. Fed it once, then not again but the cat kept on turning up at his house, eventually he started feeding the cat all the time. And, yes, he caught the cat who was friendly and found it a great home!

I think cats who have homes and are not feral just leave their homes looking for better! I swear they do! Or they get let out of the house, scared, running and happen to run into someone that thinks they are feral - a person that wants to help them. When they are just scared and lost their original homes.

B&W and G&W and Black cats usually are strays...

I rarely see a homeless Tiger cat.. even though mine was... well, maybe he was. I thought he was but he could have had a person at one time!
 
Top