I'm also in two minds about this story, one on hand I think it sounds a little like hoarding too, and it doesn't matter how much she loves the cats or how lonely she is, if she can't provide adequate care for the cats she shouldn't have so many, like others have said, I wonder if all the cats have been de-flead, wormed, and have adequate vet care should they need it. Also find it strange that people are outraged at the thought of one entire cat being allowed outside or allowed to live with other entire cats, but in this case people feel sorry for her? Again, if she can't afford to neuter them all then I think she should either look into getting vouchers or have to give them away, especially since the possible consequences of it are going to be way more expensive then the cost of the operations. Also a bit weary of the fact of her only having 3 trays, plus you have to wonder what state the back garden is in if the council have ordered her to clear it up? I think the article plays on the 'poor lonely old woman getting victimised by the big bag neighbours' angle instead of putting over an unbiased view. I don't agree with people signing the petition when they're not directly affected though.
On the other hand though, you have to think that at least being in a home is better than the cats being taken away and pts, with a little bit of help the lady could probably get some neutering vouchers, buy a couple more trays and do something to show that she's trying to clean up the cats' mess a little bit which would hopefully appease the neighbours. Like others have said too, we don't know all the facts and there might be good reasosn for some of the stuff I've pointed out but we just don't know so can only assume. I do feel a bit sorry for her but she got herself into the situation and doesn't seem to be doing much to solve it, it would only take a little bit of effort to ensure she could keep all of her cats and keep the neighbours happy.
