Many of the cats seen roaming outdoors are not feral and not even homeless. Their humans allow them out to roam - we just hope, at least, they are spayed/neutered and have a registered microchip implanted (free registration can be had through FoundAnimals.org).
Other free-roaming cats seen on the streets of San Francisco and in the parks are homeless, but not feral - instead they are abandoned pets.
Only the kittens born outside who survive to adulthood, having learned that any animal larger than they may be a predator, may be truly feral. But even some of them will adapt to the good life in someone’s home. Many in the SF cat community know of a feral cat who found a forever home and has absolutely no desire to go back ‘out there’… While they might not want much human touch, they do enjoy hanging out in a safe, warm home where they have access to unlimited food and good health care.
Community cats living outside typically don’t thrive well unless someone is regularly putting food out for them, getting them spayed/neutered and providing health care.
Notice that the State of California accords feral cats special status:
FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL CODE - FAC : DIVISION 14.5. REGULATION OF CATS [31751 - 31765]
CHAPTER 1. Regulation of Cats Generally [31751 - 31754] ( Chapter 1 heading added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 747, Sec. 5. )
31752.5.
(a) The Legislature finds and declares the following:
(1) Domestic cats’ temperaments range from completely docile indoor pets to completely unsocialized outdoor cats that avoid all contact with humans.
(2) “Feral cats” are cats with temperaments that are completely unsocialized, although frightened or injured tame pet cats may appear to be feral.
(3) Some people care for or own feral cats.
(4) Feral cats pose particular safety hazards for shelter employees.
(5) It is cruel to keep feral cats caged for long periods of time; however, it is not always easy to distinguish a feral cat from a frightened tame cat.
(b) For the purposes of this section, a “feral cat” is defined as a cat without owner identification of any kind whose usual and consistent temperament is extreme fear and resistance to contact with people. A feral cat is totally unsocialized to people.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 31752, if an apparently feral cat has not been reclaimed by its owner or caretaker within the first three days of the required holding period, shelter personnel qualified to verify the temperament of the animal shall verify whether it is feral or tame by using a standardized protocol. If the cat is determined to be docile or a frightened or difficult tame cat, the cat shall be held for the entire required holding period specified in Section 31752. If the cat is determined to be truly feral, the cat may be euthanized or relinquished to a nonprofit, as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, animal adoption organization that agrees to the spaying or neutering of the cat if it has not already been spayed or neutered. In addition to any required spay or neuter deposit, the pound or shelter, at its discretion, may assess a fee, not to exceed the standard adoption fee, for the animal released.
No one can say this law applies only to domestic animals or to "pets".
It does make clear that domestic cats, whether feral or socialized, are not to be considered wildlife.