I live in the SF Bay area and the shelters around here are hard up, too. With so many cats running around Oakland, I can have my pick, just by giving them some food and water. It gets a cat off the street, frees up space at the SPCA, and I get a pet.
Two of our three cats were strays that found us. We fed them, captured them, took them the vet for shots and spaying, and we're all happy. Why pay $50,000 for a clone when there are so many stray or abandoned little animals that need a home?
Good for you! My daughter wanted to get her cat a buddy, so we checked out PetSmart. They had a beautiful grey and black cat that was picked up as a stray. Everyone had told us she didn't want a stray, it would be mean. This cat is nicer than her homegrown and raised cat.