How to find a string in array values?

Like you can in a sql statement using LIKE

[HughMungus]

I'm setting up a database search and want to be able to find strings that are part of an array value.

For example, if my database has "cats, dogs, goats" and someone uses "cat" as the search query, I want "cats" to be found in the array.

I know you can use in_array for EXACT matches but is there a way to find LIKE-type matches in values in an array?

TIA

[jatar_k]

select * from table where col like '%cats%'

take a look here
MySQL String Comparison Functions [dev.mysql.com]

[Netizen]

If you want to find it in array values try preg_grep [php.net].

[Not used it myself]

[HughMungus]

Oops, sorry Jatar, I meant on an array, not on a sql query. I know how to do it in a sql query, but was wondering if there was a way to get a non-exact match in an array search (e.g., using in_array).

[HughMungus]

Thanks Netizen. I'll check it out.