Oh my Oh my, I read and started to post this morning - here I am back again and still have no words. The picture you painted has been with me all day. I have not been in all that many shelters but several and nothing has been remotely like what you describe. There was even one I considered pretty aweful and came home to cry and shower but still not like what you describe - and I went all through it - even the basement where the sickest kitties were and even they were one to a cage. There were about 300 cats in this building but it also had many rooms where the cats roamed freely though separated by rooms. It sounds like they have taken on more than they can handle and hopefully it is just an overwhelming time of year and will get better. This is the time for illnesses and unwanted kittens that did not make it in the "cute" phase that just passed. So things HAVE to get better come spring. Keep posting - please - and tell us how your days are going. Anything you have to offer there will NOT go to waste and there will always be some bright moments that would not happen if you were not there. And there will be more "James" moments to cheer you on as well. Blessings to you! I could not do it but I am very proud of YOU.