Caring for Cats
(Registered Charity No. 1060280) TRUSTEES: Susan Shergold Veronica Cooper
TRUSTEE REPORT 1[st] September 2019 – 31[st] August 2020
Caring for Cats has been in operation since 8[th] August 1996 and operates in Essex, Hertfordshire and Kent.
The charity’s object is to relieve the suffering of feral, stray and unwanted cats which are in need of care by reason of homelessness, maltreatment, abuse, imminent danger, illness or other causes. We have a strictly enforced non-euthanasia policy so are often asked to help cats whom other rescues refuse to take due to age and/or health problems.
The charity has now been in operation for 24 years and many of our supporters have been with us since the beginning. Sadly, it is inevitable that some of them will have passed away which means we have seen a significant reduction in our regular income and the amount of Gift Aid that we can claim. We have however received several very generous legacies and although it is always sad to hear of the death of any of our supporters, it is very encouraging to know that they cared enough about our work to help it continue after their passing.
During the past year the manager of the Horsham rescue has decided to set up her own charity so is no longer officially part of Caring for Cats. We removed most of the cats who have since been rehomed. However eleven of them were happy at the rescue centre and regarded it as their permanent home so we agreed that it w ould be in their best interests to stay. We couldn’t just abandon them though so we do keep in touch and will continue to pay any large vet bills.
The Essex sanctuary continues to thrive as do the small number of fosterers who care for elderly cats and those with chronic health issues. They would be very difficult to home permanently so they live in their fosterers homes while supported by Caring for Cats. We still hope to recruit a small number of emergency fosterers but during the Covid pandemic and lockdowns we have not been able to enter people’s homes to do home checks so this is currently on hold. We also continue to help members of the public who are struggling to support their cats if they are faced with unexpected vet bills and will always pay for neutering when someone takes in an unneutered and previously unwanted cat.
Sue Shergold Trustee
Caring for Cats
(Registered Charity No. 1060280)
Income and Expenditure Financial year 1[st] September 2019 – 31[st] August 2020
| Income | Donations | 8,179 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gift Aid | 963 | ||
| Legacies | 111,183 | ||
| Events | 0 | ||
| Small Events | 0 | ||
| Total incoming resources: | £120,325 | ||
| Expenditure | Vet bills | 23,588 | |
| Cat food | 3,391 | ||
| Sanctuary expenses | 6,000 | ||
| Cat rescue expenses | 3,731 | ||
| Newsletter printing | 288 | ||
| Accounting fees | 190 | ||
| Total resources expended: | £37,188 | ||
| Total funds brought forward: | £109,211 | ||
| Total funds carried forward: | £192,345 | ||
| Accrued Expenses | - fees: | £150 |
Bodell & Co.
ACCOUNTANTS
31, South Road, South Ockendon, Essex. RM15 6NU Tel: 01708 852505 E-mail: davidbodell@btconnect.com
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Caring for cats
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31.08.2020, which are attached.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act, and to prepare accounts which accord with the accountant requirements of the Act have not been met, or
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To which in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
10[th] November 2020
D. R. BODELL F.F.A. / F.T.A.