Wanting to Be Noticed

• If a stray cat has not been without human companionship for very long, it may attempt to bond with any person who takes time to approach it and say hello. A newly stray cat may approach you and clamor for affection and be quite receptive to petting. Some stray cats may even be waiting by your front door or your car in hopes that you will take care of them. If you've taken the time to greet a stray cat and pet it or talk to it nicely, don't be surprised if it starts to follow you around in search for a new home.
  
  

Wary or Timid

• Stray cats that have been raised in a carefully protected environment and have not previously experienced the outdoors may be quite scared in their new, unfamiliar setting. As a result, they may be wary or timid around people. A stray cat that is out of its element may hide in the bushes but may still meow to alert people that they are there. Often, these cats are initially unapproachable but can generally be coaxed to come out of hiding in time.
  
  

Hunger-Driven Actions

• Hunger can drive a stray cat to behave in ways it might not typically act. If you feed a stray cat because it is looking hungry, you may have befriended the cat for life. If you don't necessarily want to adopt the cat but want to make sure it is not malnourished, be sure to feed the cat in a common area away from your home. Providing the stray with fresh food and water may very well save its life. If you are trying to capture a stray cat in order to take it into a shelter, often placing a can of tuna into a box or crate may do the trick.
  
  

Pushiness

• Once a stray cat becomes desperate for food and shelter, a typical fun-loving and even laid-back feline may exhibit traits of aggression. After all, it is most likely desperately trying to stay alive. Cats may jump onto you and paw at your food, may push their way into an open purse or bag to get food and do things like jump into an open car door or run into your garage if food or protection is sought. Stray cats may tear into bags of food left out for trash pickup and hang out by areas known to have food.
  
  

Aggression

• While aggression is not typically geared toward humans, a stray cat left on its own for a period of time may become more aggressive and begin to fight and act out with other cats and even dogs in order to get food and water. Some cats may also try to push their way into desired accommodations and have been known to follow other cats into pet doors or to houses where other domestic cats reside. A big concern with stray cats is over health concerns. Cats can harbor infections or diseases and cat scratches or bites can quickly cause an otherwise healthy cat to become ill, even to the point of death, if medical treatment is not obtained.
  
  

How to Interact

• Stray cats can usually be reverted back to a contented house cat with loving strangers who take them in. If you do choose to take in a stray, you first will want to determine that it doesn't have a rightful owner, such as looking for a collar or taking it to a local shelter and have it checked for a microchip. You'll also want to have the cat's health assessed and appropriate shots given before taking it in.