The black-footed cat is the smallest of the African felids. Their coats are tan to yellowish brown with black spots along the body and black stripes on their legs to provide camouflage. They also have black soles on their feet after which they are named. The black-footed cat has a broad skull, rounded ears and large eyes.

Black-footed cats are primarily threatened by habitat degradation, poisoning and other unsystematic pest control.

• Listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources)
• CZS Conservation - Species Survival Plan
• Feline Conservation Federation
• Black-footed Cat Working Group