2023 - 2024 TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
CAT CHAT, the Cat Rescue Resource Registered Charity no 1100649 Address: PO Box 358 Ramsgate, Kent CT12 6YP TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT for the financial year 8.6.23 - 7.6.24
THE CHARITY’S OBJECTIVES ARE:
CAT CHAT 2023-2024 ANNUAL REVIEW
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To promote the efficiency and effectiveness of charities whose purposes are to promote animal welfare, by the provision of an internet website, IT support and facilities.
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To advance the education of the public in matters of animal welfare by the provision of a website and information service.
Public Benefit Statement
Cat Chat is committed to assisting members of the public in all matters relating to cats, cat rescue and cat welfare, and the advancement of public education through our website information, help desk, social media pages, and via our qualified advisors. The Charity’s Trustees confirm their due regard to the public benefit guidelines published by the Charity Commission.
Specific services offered by Cat Chat for the benefit of the public are:
Introduction
Cat Chat ended its 2023-2024 financial year at a time of growing challenges for cat owners and the shelters which support them. The impact on pet welfare of the rise in the cost of “Great news - Boss-Cat living has worsened in has now been homed the last year. More pet after only a week on our owners than ever are Cat Chat page. We are facing rocketing prices over the moon! for pet food and vets bills Many thanks.” and as a result, many are Whinnybank Cat Sanctuary, Fife being forced to give up their pets. All the rescue organisations are reporting
increasing numbers of cats coming in for rehoming and most shelters are full, with waiting lists.
Cat Chat has experienced this upsurge first hand with Mandy Cotter (Co-founder/CEO) commenting “ This year I’ve never known
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A comprehensive area-by-area database of cat rescue and rehoming facilities in the UK and Ireland.
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Provision of a public database of cats needing
such a constant stream of people contacting our Help Desk needing to give their cats up. It paints a grim picture ”. A view further underlined by the surge of media coverage being given to the plight of over-stretched shelters and abandoned animals.
homes, searchable by county / town / shelter.
“Arya and Lucy have been adopted thanks to your wonderful website. We can’t thank you enough for your help!” Bushy Tail Cat Aid, Watford
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Advice and information pages e.g. health & behaviour, lost & found, neutering, fostering, rehoming. Other catrelated articles are provided on our Blog.
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Veterinary advice; our qualified volunteer veterinary advisor assists the public via email with specific (nonurgent) advice.
Against such a sombre background, Cat Chat’s services are in greater demand
- Helpdesk: our email help desk volunteers provide advice to the public on all other cat related issues.
than ever and the charity remains determined to offer as much advice and assistance as is possible to as many owners, cats and shelters who need help.
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We maintain active social media pages, enabling the provision and exchange of advice and information on a wide range of cat related topics.
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A web-links directory covering pet help & services, pet health & behaviour, pet care, plus an A - Z of rescue organisations helping a wide variety of animals.
As always Cat Chat looks ahead. We never lose sight of our vision statement...
“ ”[To Help Cats Out of Shelters into Homes]
Champions
Finances
The Trustees of Cat Chat present this review of the charity’s financial year June 2023-June 2024. Once again we are pleased to report that the charity’s finances remain stable and acknowledge the careful management of resources. The major expenditure remains funding the development of the new website, and as this is critical to the future of the charity, the Trustees underline their support for the project.
Cat Chat would like to acknowledge the following people who have championed the work of the charity over recent years. Ian Anderson, Tom Cox, Susan Hampshire, Sir David Jason, Suzi Perry and Dr Pete Wedderburn.
Partnerships
Blush.net has now been in partnership with Cat Chat for four years and generously continues to manage the charity’s Google Ads Grant Account. Blush has skillfully maximised the effectiveness and reach of Cat Chat’s Google Ad campaigns. As an on-line only charity, the importance of this assistance cannot be underestimated and Cat Chat remains very grateful to the team at Blush.
Marley
Three-year-old Marley had already had two homes prior to arriving at Mitzi’s Kitty Corner, Totnes. Thanks to appearing on Cat Chat’s ‘Overlooked Cats’ section he found his thirdtime-lucky home, where he is truly adored.
The continuing funding from our regular donors, headed by the Friends of Cat Chat, is greatly appreciated. Cat Chat is also grateful to our loyal sponsors whose ongoing support is the charity’s lifeline:
Radio Caroline This historic radio station has now been in partnership with Cat Chat for six years. During that time they have generously helped with the creation of our radio ads, donated additional air time and assisted our collaborations with other radio stations. They have Sapphire and Benji Mum & son Sapphire and Benji were handed kept the cat rehoming in to Shropshire Street Cats, Market Drayton. Taking on two cats at once is a big ask, but the message to the fore pair were adopted together after being seen on on air, and Cat Chat is Cat Chat. enormously grateful for their ongoing help.
Burns Pet Nutrition, The Cat Butler, The Cat Gallery, CEVA Animal Health, Erin House, FindPetBoarding, Kitty Collars, Pets Reunited, Protectapet and Tippaws.
The Cat Gallery in York, and its generous customers, deserve a special thank you. Peter and Alison who own the gallery have supported Cat Chat for over 20 years and have again nominated us as one of their “Chosen Charities” for 2024.
Additional sources of funding include some kind legacies, donations made through Easyfundraising and other similar portals, plus the charity’s own webshop.
Mum & son Sapphire and Benji were handed in to Shropshire Street Cats, Market Drayton. Taking on two cats at once is a big ask, but the pair were adopted together after being seen on Cat Chat.
Governance
Governing Document: Constitution dated 29 October 2003. Cat Chat is led by a Board of seven Trustees. During the financial year 2023-2024 the Board held five meetings plus the AGM.
“Feral Mark and Lazarus were seen on your Overlooked section and have gone to the most amazing home. Thank you SO much!!!”
Animal Welfare Community
Cat Chat greatly values its collaborations across the animal welfare community which have continued throughout this year. With the current pressures on the sector as it deals with the huge increase in animals surrendered or abandoned, such collaborations remain crucial.
Cat’s Guidance, Wigan
Patrons: Sir Roger and Lady Gale and Bagpuss
Cat Chat remains very grateful to Sir Roger and Lady Gale for their continuing generosity in standing as the charity’s Patrons. Sir Roger has been a Patron since 2003 and Lady Gale since 2013.
Our gratitude also to the Postgate Family who represent our third Patron, the beloved Bagpuss. 2024 marked Bagpuss’s 50th birthday and is also the 20th year since he was persuaded by his creator, the late, great Oliver Postgate, to become a Patron of Cat Chat.
Pumpkin Pumpkin was being given away free online - a very dangerous thing to do. Luckily she was rescued by Precious Paws Cat Rescue York and homed through Cat Chat, and now has a safe, loving home.
2023-2024 STATISTICS
Shelters, Visitors, Followers
649,090 Monthly number of website pages viewed (average) 224,641 Monthly number of visitors to the website (average) 1,120 Shelters listed
457 Active individual shelter’s homing pages 11,654 Facebook followers (at year end) 3,200 X (was Twitter) followers (at year end)
1,266 Instagram followers (at year end)
Admin, Volunteers, Trustees, Patrons
“A huge thank you, Fern was seen on your Overlooked Cats section. She left this morning for an amazing new life ahead. Thank you for the work you do.”
Axholme Cat Rescue Doncaster
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Orlando
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FIV positive ‘gentle giant’ Orlando was rescued from living rough by Bushy Tail Cat Aid, Watford. Now happily homed through Cat Chat, by a couple who had just lost their FIV+ boy.
2 Staff (part-time) / 1 Web Developer 20 Volunteers (excl. trustees & staff) 7 Trustees 3 Patrons
Looking Forward... Cat Chat at 25
2025 marks Cat Chat’s 25th anniversary. An important milestone for the charity which was one of the first - if not the first - website in the UK devoted solely to rehoming cats. The charity was ground-breaking then and over the last 25 years Cat Chat has become a key player in animal welfare. To mark this important anniversary Cat Chat will be launching its brand new website early in 2025. This has been a massive and complex project led by the Cat Chat team in association with web developers Footsteps of Colchester and will, we believe, prove to be a game-changer for cat rehoming websites.
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Cat Chat would like to express gratitude to its Volunteers, Trustees and Patrons, all of whom generously donate their time and skills. Thanks also to Cannons Accountants and to Ms Zoe Tudor CIMA for financial services and advice.
Special appreciation also to our two permanent staff members, Bonita Howard (Cat Homing Manager) and Angela James (Cat Homing Assistant) for their continuing loyalty and hard work over many years.
Honey
Pretty 11-year-old Honey came to Little Cottage Rescue, Luton due to a change in her elderly owner’s situation. She found the quiet, adult home she needed thanks to Cat Chat.
Patrons:
Sir Roger Gale MP, Lady Suzy Gale, and the Postgate Family representing Bagpuss.
Trustees:
Mrs M Ovens (Chair) (appointed 13.12.05) Ramsgate, Kent
Mrs M Bull (appointed 18.03.08) Ramsgate, Kent
Mrs J Love-Hinsley FCCA (Treasurer) (appointed 13.12.05) Grove Ferry, Kent
Mrs A James (appointed 13.05.08) Whitstable Kent
Miss M P Cotter (Co-Founder) (founded 08.06.00 / trustee from charity registration 12.11.03) Ramsgate, Kent
Ms L Mahmood (Social Media Co-ordinator) (appointed 03.12.14) Staplehurst, Kent
Mr S L Wise (Co-Founder) (founded 08.06.00 / trustee from charity registration 12.11.03) Ramsgate, Kent
“Our gorgeous Poppy has been adopted, after being seen on Cat Chat. A big thank you for all you do on behalf of the cats we all care for so much.”
Lancashire Paws Cat Rescue
Accountant/Treasurer
Independent Accounts Scrutineer Ms Z Tudor CIMA 29 Canterbury Road East Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 0JX
Mrs J Love-Hinsley FCCA Grove Ferry Inn, Grove Ferry Road, Upstreet Canterbury, Kent, CT3 4BP
The Trustees declare this to be an accurate report of the activities of Cat Chat for the financial year ended 7 June 2024.
SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE CHARITY’S TRUSTEES
MRS. M. OVENS (CHAIR)
……………………………………………….. DATE……………….....
MRS J. LOVE-HINSLEY (TREASURER)
……………………………………………….. DATE………………….
Salt & Pepper
Salt & Pepper become inseparable whilst in rescue at Maesteg Animal Welfare Society, Bridgend. They found the perfect home together after being seen on Cat Chat.
“Rhea’s new family found her on Cat Chat. Thank you so much for providing such a superb platform to help cats find homes.”
Feline Friends Rescue, Winchester.
“I would like to commend to you, my friends, this most feline website: www.catchat.org where they will help you to find a catfriend, if you are a person, or a personfriend, if you are a cat.”
Bagpuss (Cat Chat Patron)
Cat Chat, the Cat Rescue Resource Registered Charity no. 1100649 Website: www.catchat.org
Cat Chat - Registered Charity No: 1100649 Income and Expenditure Account for the Year Ended 7th June 2024
| £ | £ | |
|---|---|---|
| Income | ||
| Advertising/Sponsorship | 1,875.00 | |
| Profit on Sale of Merchandise | 341.22 | |
| Donations | 24,017.49 | |
| Legacy Donations | 116,603.00 | |
| Total Donations | 140,620.49 | |
| Bank Interest Received | 715.13 | |
| Total Income | 143,551.84 | |
| Less Expenditure | ||
| Wages, National Insurance and Pension | 21,622.85 | |
| Website and Charity Development | 53,493.99 | |
| Telephone | 431.00 | |
| Donations | 0 | |
| Advertising & Sponsorship | 1,280.00 | |
| Internet and Webserver | 10,474.11 | |
| Postage, Printing & Stationery | 1,837.76 | |
| Travel Expenses | 156.88 | |
| Consultancy and Professional Fees | 0 | |
| Equipment/Repairs and Maintenance | 78.98 | |
| Software Fees | 1,144.97 | |
| Insurance Costs | 346.98 | |
| Emergency Vet Fund | 1,508.84 | |
| Paypal/Bank Charges | 244.95 |
| General Expenses | 248.66 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 92,869.97 | |||
| Depreciation of Equipment | 864.54 | ||
| 93,734.51 | |||
| Profit for the Year | 49,817.33 | ||
| Cat Chat Registered No: 1100649 | |||
| Balance Sheet as at 7th June 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | ||
| Fixed Assets | |||
| Office Equipment | At Cost | 9,352.70 | |
| 9,352.70 | |||
| Less Depreciation to Date | 4,986.99 | ||
| 4,986.99 | 4,365.71 | ||
| Current Assets | |||
| Stock of Merchandise | 1,432.07 | ||
| Balance at Bank | 170,582.22 | ||
| Cash in Hand | 37.67 | ||
| Sundry Debtors | 324.35 | ||
| 172,376.31 | |||
| Less Current Liabilities | |||
| Sundry Creditors | 284.35 | ||
| 172,091.96 | |||
| 176,457.67 | |||
| Capital Account | |||
| Capital Account | 126,640.34 | ||
| Profit for the year | 49,817.33 | ||
| 176,457.67 |
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