A feral cat is a cat that has reverted in some degree to a wild state. Although feral cats act in many ways similar to wildlife, they are the descendants of domestic cats who have been lost or abandoned and have learned to live outdoors in whatever structures they can find.  In most cases, feral cats are not completely wild because they do seek people for food, whether the source is a caretaker who comes by each day, a dumpster outside a restaurant, garbage cans, or the like. It is this natural, millenniums old relationship between cats and humans that reminds us these cats are really more "shy" than feral and deserve our care. Some may seek out a meager existence without human assistance, but they are not genetically engineered to thrive on their own. In order for feral cats to thrive, they need cat food, fresh water, and shelter from the elements. Relatively few homeless cats can subsist by hunting alone, especially in the winter months when the harsh weather conditions and temperatures in the mountains require the body to work extra hard just to stay warm.

Just how feral a cat is depends on several factors. First is the age of the cat. After six or seven weeks, a kitten’s ability to socialize starts to diminish. How many generations the particular line of cats has been living outside a human home is another important factor. A cat born to a mother who was herself a domestic will tend to be less feral than a cat who is tenth-generation living outdoors. The amount of human contact is a third factor. If the cats have regular interaction with people, they’ll be less "wild" than if they live in a spot where there is little or no contact. Finally, the individual cat’s personality must be considered. It is possible to come upon an adult cat who appears to be feral and afraid of humans but with regular feeding and exposure to human voices, can become quite tame over time.

It’s important to recognize that cats prefer to do things on their own time and in their own way so patience and understanding is the best approach. Trapping them and "forcing" them to live inside is not the way to domesticate them. They will be miserable and live in fear. They will often refuse to eat from this harsh change in environment. This is a primary reason shy cats cannot be taken to a shelter-they simply cannot cope with the stress. I have domesticated 2 cats who I am 99% sure never had any human contact before. One took about 12 months, the other 18 months, all the while they lived outside but learned to trust me on their own timetable. They now both live inside and love to be held and petted! Again, each cat is different. Even some who are fully domesticated from birth never enjoy being picked up. Learning the personality of each individual is part of the joy of their companionship.