I need advice about stray cats

[lucky428]

This is my first post on GBCN.  I normally post on SK or BL but I need pet specific advice and I like this board.  I am a crazy cat lady

My sister lives in a small town called Corning.  It is near Chico.  They have a huge stray cat problem.  At any one time, there are at least 5 cats hanging around her house but usually more.  The biggest issue with this is that the cats are constantly having litters.  99% of the kittens die in gruesome ways.  The only kitten that has survived (that we know of) is the one my sister adopted.  She has 2 young kids, a dog, and 3 cats.  She cannot take in any more pets.

The biggest issue is the city does not care.  They don't have a shelter.  They have one rescue shelter for dogs only.  She tried to take some kittens to the neighboring city and they will only accept animals if you can prove you are a residence there.

There are dozens of kittens being born all the time and their lives are short and inhumane.  We are sick over this.  I suggested writing letters to the city council of Corning and the other city that won't accept the pets.  She said that nobody cares about cats or pets in general.  (A dog recently viciously killed a cat in her front yard and nobody did a thing.  Nobody cared.  There wasn't evening a warning given to the dog's owners. The dog doesn't even live close to my sister yet traveled there and killed the cat.)

I told her I will help her write the letter anyway because something has to be done.  I understand that budgets are extremely limited, but kittens usually get adopted quickly. Also, if we could just get these cats fixed, the problem goes away.  My sister tried to work out a plan with her MIL to pay for it but they just can't.

Do you have any advice?  This has gone on too long. 

Thank you

[purrbox]

Wow, that sounds horrible. I would suggest talking with some local vets in her area to see if any of them would be willing to spay/neuter for a reduced fee. Tell the vets the situation, and see if they would be willing to help.

Also, I would go door to door in the neighborhood and ask for donations for spay/neuters. Not sure what your sister's area is like, but it would be worth a shot.

[lucky428]

Thank you for the advice Purrbox. I will pass it along to my sister and I know her parents and in laws will help. My poor BIL has the awful task of cleaning up after the problem. I feel sick over it.

[purrbox]

You're welcome, lucky428! Hope they're able to get the problem under control.

[runs4qs]

Look into trap, neuter, release (TNR) programs around her. They're often very inexpensive and may have traps she can borrow to catch them and bring them in.

[aliciar6]

are there any spay/neuter clinics with in driving distance, we have one about 30 min away that will spay/neuter feral/stray cats for a very low cost