True strays are often underweight and may appear emaciated. These are cats that were originally indoor cats and have had to fend on their own without the know-how to do so properly. If the cat looks overweight, it may belong to one of your neighbors!

Cats that are struggling to care for themselves outdoors and need assistance often appear dirty, matted, may be flea infested or generally unkempt. Most often an owned cat will be clean and well fed.

Cats who are struggling to feed themselves outdoors will often devour any food presented to them. Wide, fully opened mouthed bites and attempts to get as much food in their mouth at a time as possible is a sign of a hungry cat that may need assistance.

Indoor/outdoor cats are often comfortable and confident being outside, and may wander right up to you and allow petting. Indoor cats who have been displaced are most often petrified as they are in an unfamiliar environment. Feral cats have little to no socialization with people and will not allow a human to get close.

Owned indoor/outdoor cats typically explore the outdoors during the day and return to their homes at night. Fearful cats who are seeking safety in the quiet and cover of darkness will more often come out at night.

Have you been seeing this cat for months, or is this your first time seeing it? If it is your first time seeing the cat and it appears healthy, well cared for and confident, it is likely it is an owned cat who decided to explore some new territory. If it is a cat you have been seeing, is scared to approach and appears unkempt, the cat may need assistance.

Know that many indoor/outdoor cats do not wear collars or identification, and that those things can come off accidentally. It is important to get a photo of the cat if possible and speak to your neighbors and post in local town facebook groups as the answer might be right across the street from you!

An "ear tip" (pictured in the photo of the black cat on this page) signifies that a cat has been trapped, spayed/neutered, vaccinated and belongs outdoors. It could mean they are someone's barn cat or are part of a feral cat community and signifies they likely have a caretaker and belong outdoors. Unless the cat is ill, injured, pregnant, in danger or unwelcome, please leave them be. If the cat is any of those things, please call your nearest shelter for further instruction.