Ashley (Respectfully Feral)

Hi, I’m Ashley, the person behind Respectfully Feral. When my family moved to our farm in February 2025, there was already a colony of outdoor cats living here. I was raising a young child, working full time, and managing everyday family life, so I definitely wasn’t looking for more to take on. But the cats were already here, and they needed someone to step up. Over time, I learned their personalities, earned their trust, and figured out TNR one step at a time. Since then, I’ve trapped almost every cat here and helped get them spayed or neutered. I’ve provided food, shelters, and veterinary care, treated injuries, fostered kittens, and helped friendly cats find indoor homes. Some cats have retired from colony life and now live inside, while others are happiest outdoors. I’ve learned that loving feral cats means meeting them where they are and giving them safety without asking them to become something they aren’t. That is what inspired my vision for the Respectfully Feral Sanctuary. We have an unused grain bin on our property, and I want to transform it into a warm, clean indoor space with a large, secure outdoor catio. This sanctuary would give the cats a safe place to escape the cold, heat, storms, and other dangers while still allowing them to enjoy sunshine, climbing, hiding, and the freedom that feels natural to them. Donations will help cover the materials needed to build a safe and comfortable space, including fencing, cat-safe wire, framing, doors, roofing, windows, insulation, electricity, temperature control, cleanable surfaces, storage, resting areas, and enrichment. It would also help future feral cats who may need a place to recover, retire, grow, or wait for the right home. I’ve done everything I can with my own time, money, and two hands, but I can’t build something this big alone. If you’re able to donate or share this fundraiser, it would mean so much to me and to the cats. Thank you for believing in this vision and in Respectfully Feral.