By now, most people have probably heard of TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return), which consists of capturing stray or feral cats in humane cages, having them neutered (or spayed), and then returning them to where they were found. Many of these cats live in feral colonies, which are cared for by rescue groups and other cat-loving individuals. While we understand and support this method of cat population control, it does require quite a lot of time and effort, and often an entire team of people. As we are lacking in the area of time and ability to organize multiple volunteers (remember, we're just a couple who want to help our local strays and ferals), our method is a little different. We've coined the term BNSA, which is our preferred method and ideology when it comes to our cats. 

They do, indeed, come to us and there is always food on the porch for them. It doesn't take long for them to begin to trust us, at which point we can generally lure them into a dog kennel that will fit in our vehicle. Once secured, they're taken to our vet for any and all appropriate necessary medical care. Once home at The Feral Farmhouse, we adopt them ourselves. They live out their lives at our home sanctuary, now considered part of the family. If a soon-to-be-momma cat shows up, we make sure she has a safe place to have her kittens and once they arrive, we all raise them together. 

We don't adopt out our cats for many reasons: 1) There are shelters that are already overcrowded and we'd prefer for those cats, many of which are at great risk of being euthanized, to be adopted into good and loving homes. 2) We lack the time and resources it takes to do thorough background checks on any potential adopters. 3) Having once adopted out two kittens with infuriating results (the kittens, Fortune and Ardice, were fine, just abandoned and returned to us by the adopter's ex-boyfriend) we determined we'd never do that again. 4) Many of our cats have had medical issues due to their previous living conditions and/or family history. We know how costly it can be to care for these specific cases and simply don't trust that anyone else would be willing to take on the financial and emotional responsibility that loving them entails. Caring for FeLV+ (Feline Leukemia) cats will break your heart. For us, the love we are able to give them, and the love we receive in return, for no matter how brief a time they may be with us, is worth the incredible heartache, or at least makes it manageable. But we wouldn't wish it on anyone else who just wants a cat to love!