The black-footed cat is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List and in the National Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. It is rare compared to the other small cat species occurring in southern Africa and occurs at low densities. Its distribution is thought to be relatively restricted and patchy. The collection of records over the past five years has shown that records reach their highest densities in a distribution band running north-south through central South Africa. Both East and West of this band there are fewer records. In a long-term study of radio-collared black-footed cats in an area of 60 km² in Benfontein, Northern Cape Province, central South Africa, the density of the black-footed cat was estimated at 17 animals per 100 km² in 1998–1999 but at only 8 individuals per 100 km² in 2005–2015. In Nuweijaarsfontein, density was estimated at 6 black-footed cats per 100 km². However, both these areas are of high quality and it is thought that in low quality habitats the densities are possibly much lower. 

The population size of black-footed cats is estimated at 13,867 animals of which 9,707 are estimated to be mature. No subpopulation is considered to contain more than 1,000 mature individuals due to the species' patchy distribution. In South Africa, the population is estimated at 8,334 mature individuals.

The black-footed cat is endemic to southern Africa and occurs primarily in South Africa and Namibia, where it is equally scarce but is also found in Botswana as well as marginally in Zimbabwe and possibly marginally in southern Angola. The northernmost records are from around 19 degrees South in Namibia and Botswana. It is thus a restricted range species with the smallest distribution of any cat species in Africa.

The black-footed cat is a specialist of grassland and semi-desert habitats including arid open savannah with sufficient abundance of small rodents and ground-roosting birds and enough cover for hunting. It mainly inhabits dry regions and prefers open, sparsely vegetated habitats such as open savannah, grasslands, the Karoo and Kalahari regions with sparse shrub and tree cover and a mean annual rainfall of between 100 and 500 mm. It occurs at elevations of 0 to 2,000 m.

The black-footed cat is mainly ground-dwelling. It is nocturnal and solitary except for females with dependent cubs, and during the mating season. It is active most of the night and travels on average 8.4 km when it is searching for food. It co-occurs with various larger felids and canids such as caracal and black-backed jackal, which are competitors for space and food, but also potential predators. During the day, the black-footed cat is only rarely seen since it rests in rocky crevices or in abandoned burrows of springhares, ground squirrels or porcupines. One individual was even observed to take refuge in an aardwolf den, which was still occupied by the aardwolf and leaving approximately one hour later with the aardwolf still inside. In some areas, they use hollowed out dead termitaria, which has earned them the name “anthill tiger”.

Home range sizes vary between regions depending on the available resources and are rather large for a small cat with average size of 8.6–10 and up to 21.5 km² for females and on average 16.1–21.3 and up to 79.9 km² for males. Male home ranges overlap with those of 1–4 females and intra-sexual overlap of home ranges occurs on the outer margins between resident males (3%) but on average 40% between females. Males and females spray mark, especially during mating season.

The black-footed cat stalks its prey on the ground or waits at the burrow entrances of rodents. It can catch birds in the air when they are taking off since it is an excellent jumper. The black-footed cat uses every suitable place for hiding. Scent marking by spraying urine onto tufts of grass and shrubs is thought to play an important role in reproduction and social organisation.

The birth season is not yet fully studied. Wild cats mate between late July and March, leaving only 4 months where no mating occurs. The main mating period starts at the end of winter, in July and August (7 of 11 (64%) matings) resulting in litters born in September/October. One or more males follow the female, which is receptive for only 2.2 days and copulate up to 10 times. The estrus cycle lasts 11–12 days and the gestation period 63–68 days. Cubs open their eyes with 6–8 days, take solid food at 4–5 weeks and kill live prey at 6 weeks. They are weaned with 9 weeks. At 5 months cubs are independent but remain within the range of the mother for longer. Age at sexual maturity is 7 months for females and the onset of spermatogenesis in males occurs at 9 months.

Unusually high levels of creatinine and urea have been found in the blood of the black-footed cat. It also appears to have higher energy requirements than other African wildcats.

The black-footed cat has a broad diet and over 50 different prey species have been identified. It preys mainly on rodents, small birds (100 g) and invertebrates. It takes mostly small mammals such as mice and gerbils. Its prey generally weighs less than 30–40 g and it captures around 10–14 small rodents per night. Occasionally the black-footed cat also feeds on reptiles and larger prey such as bustards (for example the black bustard) and hares. When preying on these larger species it caches part of its prey for example in hollows for later consumption. The black-footed cat preys also on emerging alates of the harvester termite, catches larger winged insects such as grasshoppers and has been observed to feed on black bustard's and lark species’ eggs. It is also known to scavenge. One of the adaptations to arid conditions enables the black-footed cat to get all the moisture it needs from its food. In terms of interspecific competition, the black-footed cat captures on average smaller prey than the African wildcat does.

The black-footed cat is included in Appendix I of the CITES and is protected across most of its range. Hunting is prohibited in Botswana and South Africa.

The black-footed cat is one of the best studied small felids. Radio-collared animals have been observed over many years (since 1992) near Kimberley in South Africa so there is a lot known about its ecology and behaviour. A second study area has been established close to De Aar, 300 km to the south, since 2009. Since the black-footed cat is difficult to observe, there is still little information available about its distribution and conservation status.

Recommended conservation measures include more detailed research on its distribution, threats and status as well as further ecological studies in different habitats. There is an urgent need to create conservation plans for the black-footed cat for which more data on the species is needed.

The Black-footed cat Working Group aims to conserve the black-footed cat by conducting multidisciplinary research on the species by different means such as camera trapping, radio telemetry but also the collection and analysis of biological samples.