How can I distinguish between Stray/abandoned cats from other ppl's outdoor pet cat?

I have a question of distinguishing stray/abandoned cats from other ppl' indoor/outdoor pet cat and if indoor/outdoor cats change outdoor time during winter weather?

I'm asking because there's a very friendly cat has been coming around every day for the past two weeks, he he is intact, he eats like a horse, and he's way way friendly. he's overall decent looking - no eye boogers, no ear boogers. he does have a nasty scab on top of his head and his paws are a little filthy, too. Since the beginning of this year I've seen him sporadically but past few weeks, he comes to totally hang out like 8-5. We've surveillance cameras so we actually keep track of all visitors

right now it's winter in the Northeast United States so I cannot imagine having a pet cat and him willingly walk out every day to hang out in some cold weather.

If you take him to a vet to get neutered and vaccinated, you can ask them to check to see if he is microchipped and possibly owned by someone. Or you can take him to the vet and just decide to adopt him because he's not being properly cared for. If he were properly being cared for, he would be neutered and not outside and begging you for food, and if he were missing, the owner would be posting pictures of him around the neighborhood and on social media.   

Electronicat said:

I have a question of distinguishing stray/abandoned cats from other ppl' indoor/outdoor pet cat and if indoor/outdoor cats change outdoor time during winter weather?

I'm asking because there's a very friendly cat has been coming around every day for the past two weeks, he he is intact, he eats like a horse, and he's way way friendly. he's overall decent looking - no eye boogers, no ear boogers. he does have a nasty scab on top of his head and his paws are a little filthy, too. Since the beginning of this year I've seen him sporadically but past few weeks, he comes to totally hang out like 8-5. We've surveillance cameras so we actually keep track of all visitors

right now it's winter in the Northeast United States so I cannot imagine having a pet cat and him willingly walk out every day to hang out in some cold weather.

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The question arises sometimes, in different settings.  the answer depends in much, on what YOU are willicn and able to do.   Can you take it inside and take care of it, at least for the time being?   Rule number one is, if the cat seems to be bewildered, ie freshly dumped or freshly gone astray, you must help it immeidately. Typically by takining it in and taking care of it.  Parallelly you seek the owners.  The reason is,  an inside only cat, freslhy astray or freshly dumped, is virtually defenceless. It has no street smartness as yet, and the dieath ration is highest in the very beginning.  If he survives 3 weeks and is still OK, it may manage a longer time too...

OK, yours is apparently of the second type. Whomever he is, he manages apparently OK.

I think he MAY be semiferale.  Its not totally unusual intact toms are rather friendly with humans. Being toms they perhaps dare more.  Which of course makes them easier to foster, if such is you will and decision.  But beware - if you have residents, its essential to neuter it first.  The risk is such a non shy tom will beat up your residents.  While a shy, timid tom will probably be anxious to adapt to the new group.

Here?  My advice is as the others:  if you dont want to do  much save give him some food fow and then, please help him with neutering - ie sort of  TNR.

If adopting him is OK for you, please do cosnider it strongly.  It shouldnt be difficult to foster him an socialize - he is apparently a first rate candidate for it.

The official advice, you should parallelly seek after his owners. But as someone said, they arent probably very caring.  So this decision you must take yourself..

Thanks to all for the advice. I had actually already scheduled a neuter for today but was unsure whether I'd keep the appt. I just kept imagining this guys' (imaginary) folks being all, where's your manhood?! oh well! he has been officially sterilized and I'll do the release bit this weekend