Stray
''Stray'' most commonly refers to a domestic cat without a home or owner. It may also refer to other uses listed below. == Video game == ''Stray'' is a third-person adventure video game developed by BlueTwelve Studio and published by Annapurna Interactive. Released on July 19, 2022, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Microsoft Windows, with ports to Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on August 10, 2023, and Nintendo Switch on November 19, 2024.[1][2][3][4] The game follows a stray cat navigating a cybercity inhabited by robots. It received critical acclaim, earning a Metacritic score of 83/100 based on 99 reviews (as of November 2025).[5] It won Best Independent Game and Best Debut Indie Game at The Game Awards 2022.[6] For other uses, see the sections below.General Uses
Animals
A stray animal is defined as a domestic animal, such as a cat or dog, that wanders without an identifiable owner, often as a result of abandonment, loss, or being born into homelessness.[7][8] These animals typically roam freely, scavenging for food and shelter, and may exhibit behaviors adapted to survival outside human care.[9] The term "stray" originates from Middle English "straien," derived from Old French "estraier," meaning to wander or stray from a path, reflecting the animal's deviation from its proper place or home.[10] Historically, stray animals have been managed through ordinances aimed at controlling wandering livestock and pets, with early examples including colonial-era laws in the United States that prohibited cruelty and required impoundment of loose animals.[11] In the 19th century, anti-cruelty statutes in both the UK and US began addressing stray populations more systematically, evolving into modern animal control laws that emphasize capture, vaccination, and adoption programs.[12][13] Stray animal populations differ between urban and rural areas, with urban environments often hosting higher densities due to abandonment and limited space, leading to welfare challenges like malnutrition, exposure to traffic hazards, and conflicts with humans.[8] In rural settings, strays may have more foraging opportunities but face risks from predators, isolation, and fewer veterinary resources, exacerbating issues such as untreated injuries and disease transmission.[14] Overall, these animals suffer from inadequate nutrition, shelter, and medical care, contributing to shortened lifespans and ethical concerns over their treatment.[15] Among stray cats, a key distinction exists between strays and ferals: stray cats are typically socialized to humans at some point, often former pets seeking reconnection, while feral cats are unsocialized offspring of strays or ferals, avoiding human contact and forming wild colonies.[16] Stray dogs pose significant public health risks, particularly through rabies transmission, as they serve as reservoirs in regions with low vaccination rates, accounting for nearly all human cases in countries like India.[17][18] These risks underscore the need for targeted interventions, such as sterilization and vaccination campaigns, to mitigate both animal welfare and zoonotic disease concerns.[19]Places
Stray, a term evoking wandering or deviation, appears in several geographical names worldwide, often reflecting remote or scattered features. The Stray, Harrogate, England is a 200-acre (81 ha) expanse of public parkland in the center of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, serving as open green space for recreation, events, and grazing rights established by an 1778 Act of Parliament. Originally common land used for stinted pasturage by local residents, it connects the town's historic mineral springs and remains protected from development to preserve its role as communal amenity.[20][21] Stray Islands form a small group of islets on the northeast side of French Passage, off the Graham Coast in the British Antarctic Territory, located at approximately 65°10'S, 64°15'W. Named by the UK Antarctic Place-Names Committee in 1959 for their scattered, stray-like distribution, the islands were first photographed aerially in 1956 and 1958 during British expeditions. They also bear Chilean names Islotes Labbé and Islote Stray, highlighting international mapping efforts in the region.[22] Stray Dog West is a small gravel feature off the northern coast of Greenland at 83°40'37"N, 31°12'W, briefly claimed as one of Earth's northernmost islands upon its 2007 discovery by explorer Dennis Schmitt during a private expedition. Situated about 703 km from the North Pole, its status as permanent land has been disputed due to potential iceberg origins or glacial deposits; a 2025 bathymetric survey confirmed it as a stranded iceberg at approximately 44 m depth rather than grounded rock, rendering it a temporary feature with no territorial significance.[23][24] In Somalia, Stray designates a wadi—a seasonal watercourse—in the Gedo region, positioned at roughly 3°25'N, 42°13'E with an elevation of 197 meters (646 feet), characteristic of the arid Horn of Africa landscape where such features channel flash floods during rare rains.[25]Film and Television
Films
Stray (2007) is an Australian short drama film co-directed by Craig Boreham and Dean Francis, with a runtime of 15 minutes.[26] The film reimagines the classic fable of the City Mouse and the Country Mouse, centering on a teenage protagonist named Mouse (played by Aidan Calabria) who leaves his rural home for the urban environment of Sydney, grappling with themes of isolation, identity, and self-discovery as a young gay man.[26] Supporting cast includes Jiyn Riches, Glace Viede, and Brad Wilson.[27] It premiered at film festivals such as Frameline and received positive reception for its sensitive portrayal of LGBTQ+ experiences and minimalist storytelling.[28] Stray (2020) is an American documentary directed by Elizabeth Lo, following the lives of three stray dogs—Zeytin, Nazar, and Kartal—navigating the bustling streets of Istanbul, Turkey.[29] Filmed over two years, the 72-minute film explores themes of survival, freedom, and the parallels between the dogs' existence and the marginalized human refugees and youth they encounter in the city.[30] It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2020 and was theatrically released in the United States on March 5, 2021, by Magnolia Pictures.[31] The documentary earned critical acclaim for its immersive, dog-level cinematography and observational style, holding a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 71 reviews.[31] Among its accolades, Stray won the Top Jury Prize for Best International Feature at Hot Docs 2020 and received nominations for Best Documentary Feature at the Independent Spirit Awards and Critics Choice Documentary Awards.[32] The Stray (2017) is an American family drama directed by Mitch Davis, inspired by his own experiences with a stray dog named Pluto that joined his family in the 1980s.[33] The 92-minute film follows Mitch Davis (Michael Cassidy), a workaholic advertising executive struggling with family life, whose nine-year-old son Christian (Connor Corum) bonds with the stray dog amid personal and familial challenges, including a near-tragic backpacking trip.[34] Sarah Lancaster portrays Michelle Davis, the mother, with supporting roles by Angela Kinsey and J.D. Evermore. Released on October 6, 2017, by PureFlix Entertainment, it grossed $1,579,440 at the domestic box office. Critics gave mixed reviews, praising its heartfelt message and family appeal but noting predictable plotting, resulting in a 44% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from nine reviews.[35]Television Episodes
"Stray", the sixth episode of the third season of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, premiered on NBC on October 19, 2003. Directed by Jean de Segonzac, the story follows Detective Goren and his temporary partner Bishop (as Eames is on maternity leave) as they investigate the execution-style murders of two undercover police officers, uncovering a web of deception involving a couple—portrayed by guest stars Mary Stuart Masterson and James Le Gros—who resort to murder to conceal their young son's accidental killing of the officers during a botched drug sting operation. The episode highlights the psychological strain on families entangled in crime, with the parents' obsessive protection driving the plot toward a tragic confrontation, emphasizing the series' focus on criminal motivation over procedural details.[36] "Stray" is the sixteenth episode of the first season of the superhero drama series Smallville, which originally aired on The WB on April 16, 2002. Written by Tim Scanlan and directed by Paul Shapiro, it stars Tom Welling as Clark Kent, who encounters Ryan James (Ryan Kelley), a young boy with telepathic abilities injured in a car accident by Martha Kent (Annette O'Toole). While recovering at the Kent farm, Ryan reads minds and uncovers family secrets, including those of Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), exploring themes of isolation, trust, and the burdens of extraordinary abilities in a world of hidden powers.[37]Music
Bands
Stray is an English hard rock band formed in 1966 in London's Shepherd's Bush by schoolmates Del Bromham (guitar), Steve Gadd (vocals), Gary Giles (bass), and Steve Crutchley (drums, later replaced by Richard Cole).[38][39] Emerging from working-class backgrounds, the group drew influences from blues rock and early heavy metal acts like The Small Faces, Led Zeppelin, and The Who, incorporating progressive elements through extended compositions and orchestral arrangements.[38] They gained attention in the late 1960s for innovative live shows featuring owned lighting rigs, pyrotechnics, and transport, setting them apart in the pre-glam rock era.[40] The band's debut album, Stray, was released in 1970 on Transatlantic Records when the members averaged 17 years old, featuring tracks like "All in Your Mind" that showcased their raw hard rock sound with psychedelic undertones.[38][39] Subsequent releases included Suicide (1971), Saturday Morning Pictures (1972), Mudanzas (1973, recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra), Stand Up and Be Counted (1975), Houdini (1976), and Hearts of Fire (1977), blending hard rock with progressive experimentation amid challenges like poor label promotion and the rise of punk.[38] Lineup changes occurred in the mid-1970s, with Gadd departing due to artistic differences and Pete Dyer joining as vocalist and rhythm guitarist in 1975.[38][41] The original lineup disbanded in 1977 after Hearts of Fire, but Bromham led various iterations, including reunions in the 1980s and a notable 2003 European tour supporting Iron Maiden.[38][42] Bromham reformed the band in the 1990s as Del Bromham's Stray, releasing further albums like Valhalla (2010), which earned acclaim for reviving their progressive hard rock style. The band released About Time in 2023 and toured the UK and Europe in 2024–2025.[38][39]) Over their career, Stray recorded 11 studio albums and three live albums, influencing the progressive rock scene through their ambitious arrangements and resilience despite commercial setbacks.[39] Stray is also the name of an American industrial and electronic music side project by Erica Dunham, the founder of the aggrotech band Unter Null, launched in early 2008 to explore a more melodic and introspective sound contrasting her main project's aggressive style.[43][44] Active primarily in the 2000s and early 2010s, the project debuted with the self-titled double-CD album Abuse by Proxy on May 23, 2008, via End Recordings, featuring eerie, trance-like melodies, 1980s-influenced tones, and themes of melancholy and emotional disconnection.[43] This release included collaborations with artists from the industrial scene and a deluxe edition with remixes and bonus tracks.[43] A second album, Letting Go, followed on May 24, 2012, incorporating piano-driven sequences, pulsing beats, and poignant vocals, including a remake of Unter Null's "Failure Epiphany" to highlight the projects' interconnected themes of despair and yearning.[45] Stray's music, described as a "trancey tunnel of melancholy," provided Dunham an outlet for bittersweet, noir-inspired electronica, complementing Unter Null's harsher aggrotech without overlapping personnel or production.[45][43]Albums
Stray is the fourth studio album by the Scottish indie pop band Aztec Camera, led by singer-songwriter Roddy Frame, and was released in June 1990 on WEA in the UK and Sire Records in the US. The album marks a shift toward a more polished pop sound compared to the band's earlier indie roots, blending restrained ballads with brassy arrangements and elements of rock and jazz influence. Recorded primarily at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales, with additional sessions at Powerplant in London and Glasgow Barrowlands, it features guest vocals from Mick Jones of the Clash on the track "Good Morning Britain."[46] Produced by Frame alongside engineer Eric Calvi, Stray emphasizes Frame's songwriting strengths, exploring themes of urban life, personal reflection, and fleeting relationships through impressionistic lyrics and melodic hooks. The production avoids over-slickness, opting for a nostalgic warmth that draws from classic rock and jazz records, creating a cohesive yet diverse listening experience. Standout tracks like the title opener "Stray" showcase a bouncy bassline and introspective mood, while "The Crying Scene" highlights emotional depth with its layered vocals and instrumentation.[47][48] The album's track listing is as follows:- Stray – 5:32
- The Crying Scene – 3:34
- Get Outta London – 3:40
- Over My Head – 5:52
- Good Morning Britain (featuring Mick Jones) – 3:58
- How It Is – 3:59
- The Gentle Kind – 5:30
- Notting Hill Blues – 6:40
- Song for a Friend – 2:26[49]