I am so sorry :hug: It's hard because we can't pick our family. There is a reason I live a large state away from mine. They can't understand my world and I refuse to live in their's.
If it is a matter of money, they can buy a set of clippers at the pet store and do it themselves. To put it in terms they might understand: Think of how when you pull your hair back into a tight pony tail. By the end of the day you have a horrible headache, right? Well, the poor cat has the fur pulling at the skin all the time. It's painful. After shaving the cat they need to keep it brushed to prevent matting again. I highly recommend switching to a better food as well so the fur and skin (not to mention internal organs) will be healthier.
All you can do is give them good advice. They have to make the decision to take good care of their animal(s).:hugsquish:
