Why no strays or ferals?

Not that I am unhappy about it! I am thrilled that there aren't any around my house. I saw one cat when we first moved in - deathly scared and ran - I couldn't find him/her again after lots of laying in wait. Nadda.
Since then, in my neigboord, where the smallest lots where houses are is 1.5 acres. I live at the end of cludesc - with at least 65 acres of wooded forest with a little pond a stream an a "river" (I really call it another stream)

The wildlife I have see: deer, racoons, opossums, squirells, chipmunks, frogs, salamanders - I even so a heron once. No stray cats - no stray dogs.

I am curious - what is differnent about this prime area (in my opinion) that other other areas have?

If they are true ferals you won't see them unless you put food out. It could also be the wildlife you didn't name have culled the numbers down considerably, because their prey is around your house and where there are prey, there are predators.

I am afraid to put food out for fear of feeding the racoons and oppossums. What do do if they start showing up and not cats? How to attact cats and nothing else?

I am assuming as you are about the "other widlife" and if they are cats out there I want to help. But without being able to find them and not feed the raccoons (who can be very demending - the come up to the floor windows and peek in frequently.

If you put food out and leave it out, the coons and possums and squirrels will eat. If you leave it out certain times of the day when ferals are about and then take it up, you minimize the chances of attracting other wildlife. Right at dusk to about 8:00 p.m. and early in the morning- 5:00- 6:00