Many stray cats are not feral cats. They were once someone's pet and became nervous after their experiences of living as as stray. Adult feral cats that are born feral usually cannot be socialised.

Adult feral cats that were born in a domestic environment and reverted to the feral state can sometimes be re-socialised. Feral kittens, however, can be socialised to live with humans if they are taken from a feral colony before they are about twelve weeks old.

Feral cats may live alone, but are usually found in large groups called feral colonies with communal nurseries, depending on food availability. Many abandoned pet cats join these colonies out of desperation. These cats can usually be adopted into new homes.

The average lifespan of a feral cat that survives beyond kitten-hood is usually cited as less than two years, whilst a domestic cat lives an average of twelve to sixteen years. However feral cats aged 19 (Cats Action Trust) and twenty-six (Cats Protection) have been reported where food and shelter are available.

When an unneutered female cat gets pregnant she will give birth to the kittens wherever she can. This may in thick bushes, an empty building, an abandoned settee or anywhere she feels she may be safe. Unless the kittens are discovered when they are very young, the first anyone will be aware of them will be when they are brought out by their mother to look for solid food at around six weeks old.