We're a large gang of kitties and dogs with an extended family of strays.  Currently we're at 13 cats, 2 dogs, at least 4 stray (hopefully to soon be permanent family) kitties, and numerous furry relatives.   

25% of our income goes to our furbabies or to various funds to care for others who aren't so fortunate.  Yep, we're always broke around our place but infinitely happy with one another!

After many, many hours of reading everything I can get my eyes on, talking to vets, the univ. vet school, etc. I'm STILL not any closer to finding a solution.   Home cooking isn't a reasonable solution with the hours we work.... and for the strays who appear at all times of the day and night.

We would be eternally grateful for any insight from those of you who are lucky enough to have big families with varying ages.

Grace

This is tough for people who care for more than one or two animals...for feral colonies of kitties, etc. to say the very least.  Not only do I care for a lot of animals myself, I was involved with Katrina animal rescue for months. Using every penny wisely was a MUST for feeding thousands of displaced kitties...

I think Diamond Naturals Active Cat formula (dry) is probably safer than a lot of your other choices at a decent price. No rice protein, no corn gluten and no wheat gluten either, (I JUST checked the label.)  This is just an idea...the choice is yours really.

My cats are on the Natural Balance Ultra dry for cats, manufactured by Diamond...and my cats are doing wonderfully. 

Diamond's web site: http://diamondpet.com/

It may not be raw, or home cooked, but not all of us are able to do this.

Just read the labels of anything you are considering very carefully...all you can do is your best, and thanks for caring so much about less fortunate animals!