The truth is, we should forget these labels and recognize that these animals are community cats. These cats must be evaluated individually to establish whether they can ever be indoor pets again. They may be able to develop a bond with humans, if they feel safe, but that trust may not be easily won.

When abandoned or accidentally lost, many are incapable of finding food or adapting to the unpredictable circumstances. Being forced to live outside and fend for itself has a traumatizing effect on these animals. If outdoor cats are not sterilized, more feral kittens are born and the cycle continues.Ī stray cat is socialized and may have at one time been someone's pet.

A person that not only consistently provides food but also practices TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return). Best case scenario for them is to belong to a colony (a group of cats) with a responsible feeder. Whatever the reason, these cats are most comfortable outside and do not make good pets. Even if it had been someone's pet at one time, it may have lived outside so long that it is now feral. It may have been harmed and now mistrusts all other animals. It may have been born outside and learned from its mother to avoid people. A feral cat is unsocialized and avoids human contact.

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