Sarah, I don't think that makes you seem stingy or cold at all. That is a perfectly good reason to not want to do something like this. If at the age of my retirement I had children and / or a family, that would definitely go priority over this. Animals are wonderful, and I love them very much, but there are cases where it is okay to put something else ahead of them, and that is definitely one of those cases!
The "crazy cat lady" picture did come to my mind as well, haha. Especially with 15 cats of her own! I'm a cat lover myself, but I could never have more than 2 at a time, personally; I can't afford to take care of that many, and I want my animals to be part of the best home they could imagine.
Have there been any updates on this story since you posted it, Bloomsie? I'd like to know how it all turned, and if the shelter was a success in improving these stray's lives. It would be wonderful to hear that everything turned out well, and I certainly hope that is the case!
Especially with 15 cats of her own! I'm a cat lover myself, but I could never have more than 2 at a time, personally; I can't afford to take care of that many, and I want my animals to be part of the best home they could imagine. 
