Spook, I am the same way I have raised kittens and cats most of my life. Don't ever feel like an idiot for caring. Cats are very smart. They know when it is right. Feel fortunate for having this gift.
Like you, I participate and am an advocate for TNR, Trap Neuter Return. It is not cruel. I provide shelter, heated beds in the winter, and food to feral cats that resulted in human ignorance at one time or another. I put food out for a stray I saw. I ended up taking 17 cats in to get fixed, and vaccinated. They were feral. I took many litters from the mothers, bottle fed from a day old, to capturing and taming existing kittens. Found many awesome homes. In 4 years, my colony is down to 2 original cats. They get hit by cars, or meet some other fate. Have been able to tame a few, 3 are in my home now. Very loving, no urge to go back outside, do not accept being picked up, but are lap cats.
It breaks my heart every time one never returns, but I tell myself I gave them a better life, and there are no new kittens having kittens.
I am considered the cat lady in my neighborhood, not crazy yet...
Still trying to get people to do TNR for a large colony a few blocks from me. Everyone there wants a solution, but rather complain about it then partake...still working on it.
I continue to get sick kittens brought to me from that colony ever so often.

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You have a very happy kitty. Thank YOU for doing TNR.