How realistic (and sad) is that?

I hated that too, I'm an animal rescuer in RL so I hated seeing sick and stray animals I couldn't help. I found a mod for no sick and dirty strays and put that in. Otherwise I end up feeling compelled to adopt them all. Just like RL. :D Strays still spawn with the mod but at least they are not constantly sick and hungry. I thought it was an oversight too that you can't feed or help them in any way.