This is a great post by the way! I have always wondered the same! I think I am quickly learning the difference through my own experiences!

For example ... a few of you may remember a few months back I volunteered to house a feral kitten .... well, that kitten was absolutely the wildest thing I could ever imagine! He literally would goes nuts and bounce off the walls of our kennel! He yowled and howled, and ran and jump, I was so afraid he would hurt himself, or me too. Needless to say, he ultimately was taken to a wonderful Animal Sanctuary (after being neutered) to live out his days!

Now .... as of the past two days since I have aggresively begun my rescue mission .... I have a litter of 3 older kittens who were born and left outside to fend for themselves! Day one, one of them immediately escaped and only was seen in my yard after dark looking for his siblings and food. Kitty number 2 was very scared but would let me pet him and even purr. Kitty #3 was extremely scared and would pant heavily when I picked him up ... but would not attempt to hurt me. Now on Day 3 .... we finally were able to catch #1 ... who fought like heck when I grabbed him ... and is still hiding ... but when I pet him, he allows it...doesn't attempt to hurt me ... so good signs from him! Kitten #2 is a big cuddle baby now! Kitten #3 , though still very scared and catious ... has started wandering around and even PURRED when I petted him today!

So....... I would say these 3 qualify as STRAYS! Just dumped at a young age, but very willing to be loved by the right caring humans!!!