What Are They Or What Are They Not

That stray beast was once a kitten But later, they said it's a cat Now gone all night, he's a night owl So what should I think about that? My gay friend, Maurice some have said Is the elephant in the room Some say my brother's a hound dog What that makes mom, I won't presume How was it the search for that thief People said, was a wild goose chase Is that a job for animal control And if not who'd take on the case? My daughter says she's a tea kettle This is her handle and this her spout What Are they, or what are they not I'm just trying to figure it out!