## 2024 - 2025 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 8.6.24 - 7.6.25**
## **THE CHARITY’S OBJECTIVES ARE:**
## **CAT CHAT 2024-2025 ANNUAL REVIEW**
1. 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.
## **Introduction**
The financial year June 2024 - June 2025 included an important milestone for Cat Chat as the second half of this period coincided with the Charity’s 25th Anniversary.
2. To advance the education of the public in matters of animal welfare by the provision of a website and information service.
It has been a remarkable journey for Cat Chat. Launched in 2000 as one of the earliest, if not the first, of the UK’s online cat rescue websites, it became a Registered Charity in 2003. The years that followed have seen Cat Chat attain a unique and respected position across the homing sector, and beyond, as the key support platform for hundreds of rescue centres and thousands of cats. The Trustees congratulate Founders, Mandy Cotter and Steve Wise, as well as the Cat Chat team and all the volunteers, as the Charity marks this major achievement.
## **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:**
Cat Chat will celebrate 25 years with the launch of its new website in the autumn of 2025. A huge undertaking for the team, working in partnership with web designers Footsteps Design Ltd of Colchester. The new site will offer top level access and showcasing for shelters, their cats and all the potential adopters - further reinforcing the charity’s mission statement - Helping Cats out of Shelters into Homes.
1. A comprehensive area-by-area database of cat rescue and rehoming facilities in the UK and Ireland.
2. Provision of a public database of cats needing homes, searchable by county / town / shelter.
_“After advertising Gingy & Oscar on your overlooked pages, they have now been rehomed. Thank you so much - you do an amazing job!” MogsnDogs, Cambridge_
3. Advice and information pages e.g. health & behaviour, lost & found, neutering, fostering, rehoming. Other cat-related articles are provided on our Blog.
4. Veterinary advice; our qualified volunteer veterinary advisor assists the public via email with specific (non-urgent) advice.
## **2024-2025**
The challenges facing Cat Chat during the financial year 2024-2025 remained demanding with, once again, the Help Desk dealing with high levels of enquiries. Pet owners and rescue centres alike continued to battle against rising living costs. Sadly, for some, this resulted in more cats than ever being given up to shelters, or worse, simply abandoned. The increased cost of vet care was also noted as a key contributor to this situation - and is an area currently under scrutiny by the UK’s Competitions and Marketing Authority, which is due to report later in 2025.
5. Helpdesk: our email help desk volunteers provide advice to the public on all other cat related issues.
6. We maintain active social media pages, enabling the provision and exchange of advice and information on a wide range of cat related topics.
7. 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.
In this landscape, Cat Chat remained determined to continue its services, offering advice and assistance to as many cat owners and shelters that need its help.
As always Cat Chat looks ahead. We never lose sight of our vision statement...
## _“ ”[To Help Cats Out of Shelters into Homes]_
## **Champions**
## **Finances**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Cupid
Cupid came to CAFO Rescue, Crewe as an
injured stray, with various fight
wounds, and was also found to be FIV positive.
Once neutered and cared for, Cupid
transformed into an affectionate cuddle-bug,
and found an amazing home after
being spotted on Cat Chat.
**----- End of picture text -----**
Trustees of Cat Chat are pleased to report that the Charity’s finances remain in good order at the end of the financial year 2024-2025 and acknowledge, once again, the careful management of resources. For a further year, the charity’s main expenditure was the funding of the development of the new website. Trustees remained supportive of this project, which is fully funded, and is critical to the charity’s future.
Cat Chat would like to acknowledge the following people who have kindly championed the work of the charity over recent years. Ian Anderson, Tom Cox, Vicky Halls, Susan Hampshire, Sir David Jason, Suzi Perry and Dr Pete Wedderburn.
## **Partnerships**
Cat Chat is especially grateful for the support of two organisations which have partnered with the Charity for a number of years:
## **Funding Sources**
Cat Chat specially appreciates the continuing support from our regular donors, headed by the Friends of Cat Chat.
The partnership with **Blush.net** is now in its fifth year and Cat Chat remains very grateful to the Blush team for all their assistance. Over this period they have generously managed the
effectiveness and reach of Cat Chat’s Google Ads campaigns. As an online charity, the importance of this assistance cannot be underestimated.
The charity also remains grateful to its loyal sponsors for their ongoing support which is a lifeline for Cat Chat: Burns Pet Nutrition, The Cat Butler, The Cat Gallery, CEVA Animal Health (Feliway), Erin House, FindPetBoarding, Kitty Collars, Pets Reunited, Protectapet and Tippaws.
Cat Chat’s partnership with **Radio Caroline** started back in 2018 and since then the station has been a generous collaborator. The Caroline team have helped Cat Chat with the creation of radio ads, donated **Jeff** additional air time Jeff had already had two homes when he found himself at Feline Rescue, Luton. He is and, above all, kept loving and friendly and is totally deaf. Jeff got the rehoming his ‘third time lucky’ when he was adopted by a family who found him on Cat Chat, and is message on air to now living his best life! their thousands of listeners. Cat Chat is enormously grateful to the station for its ongoing support and help.
Special thanks must also go to The Cat Gallery in York whose customers, and owners - Peter and Alison - have supported Cat Chat for over 20 years as one of their special ‘Chosen Charities’.
Other funding sources in 2024-2025 include further kind legacies plus donations made via Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), Easyfundraising, eBay for Charity and other similar portals.
## **Governance**
Governing Document: Constitution date 29 October 2003. At the 2023-2024 AGM Mrs Maureen Bull, a Trustee for _“Layla our beautiful three_ 16 years stood down from _legged black cat now has_ the Board. The Chair, fellow _a wonderful home, thanks_ Trustees and Charity _to your overlooked cats_ Founders thanked Mrs Bull _section! What you're_ for her service and were _doing is brilliant.”_ pleased to note that she _Cat Welfare_ remains with the charity as _Wisbech_ a volunteer. For the financial year 202425 Cat Chat was led by a Board of six Trustees, who held five meetings plus the AGM.
_“Layla our beautiful three legged black cat now has a wonderful home, thanks to your overlooked cats section! What you're doing is brilliant.”_
## **Animal Welfare Community**
Collaborations across the Animal Welfare Community remain vitally important and Cat Chat greatly values these, which have continued throughout 2024-2025.
## **Patrons**
## **Sir Roger and Lady Gale and Bagpuss, represented by the Postgate family.**
Cat Chat is especially grateful to Sir Roger and Lady Gale for their continuing generosity in standing as the Charity’s Patrons. Sir Roger became a Patron in 2003 and Lady Gale in 2013. Our gratitude also to the Postgate Family, representing Bagpuss who also became a patron in 2003 at the special request of his creator, the late Oliver Postgate.
## **2024-2025 Statistics**
## **Shelters, Visitors, Followers**
600,590 Monthly number of website pages viewed (average)
## **Rosie**
Rosie is a gorgeous, friendly lady, but aged 14 and with hyperthyroidism, she needed an especially caring home. Her rescuers, Cats Protection Chiltern branch told us: “ _You absolute miracle workers! Rosie was adopted after being spotted on Cat Chat._ ”
_“With your help we have found five star loving homes for about 800 rescue cats and kittens. Thank you all.”_
_Mitzi's Kitty Corner Totnes_
1,113 Shelters listed on our public database
467 Active individual shelter’s homing pages
12,000 Facebook followers (at year end)
3,158 X (was Twitter) followers (at year end)
1,589 Instagram followers (at year end)
## **Admin, Volunteers, Trustees, Patrons**
3 Staff (part-time)
20 Full Volunteers (excl. trustees & staff)
6 Trustees
**Robbie**
Robbie had been living rough, and needed trapping as he was so wild and scared. Months of trust building at Lancashire Paws Cat Rescue, Bolton, revealed a humble boy who really appreciates his new life of comfort. Robbie was seen on Cat Chat by his fantastic new owners, who love him dearly.
_“Great news; both Osha & Bluebell found a new home together thanks to cat chat. Thanks for all you do for us and cat rescues throughout the UK”_
_Lucky Cat Rescue Skegness_
3 Patrons
_“Many thanks to everybody at Catchat for all your help and support to us all. It is because of you that we in this small rescue, along with so many others of all sizes, are able to find great homes for many precious cats.”_
_Lancashire Paws Bolton_
_“Matilda has found a wonderful home after being spotted on Cat Chat. She had an awful start in life but thanks to Cat Chat she will now be loved as she deserves.”_
_Maesteg Animal Welfare Society_
**Martyn & Morven**
Martyn & Morven were taken to 8 Lives Cat Rescue, Sheffield along with their stray mum when they were barely 24 hours old. Mum ran into someone's house one rainy night and gave birth in their cellar! These devoted siblings were happily homed together after being seen on Cat Chat.
_“We are thrilled to report that 18 year old Shadow found her perfect new home via Cat Chat! Thank you for making this possible.”_
_Twilight Cats Worcester_
## **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
Mr S L Wise (Co-Founder) (founded 08.06.00 / trustee from charity registration 12.11.03) Ramsgate, Kent
Mrs J Love-Hinsley FCCA (Treasurer) (appointed 13.12.05) Herne Bay, 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
**Accountant/Treasurer** Mrs J Love-Hinsley FCCA Herne Bay, Kent
**Independent Accounts Scrutineer** Ms Z Tudor CIMA Ramsgate, Kent
The Trustees declare this to be an accurate report of the activities of Cat Chat for the financial year ended 7 June 2025.
SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE CHARITY’S TRUSTEES
MRS. M. OVENS (CHAIR)
……………………………………………….. DATE……………….....
MRS J. LOVE-HINSLEY (TREASURER)
……………………………………………….. DATE………………….
**Liz Hurley**
Liz Hurley arrived at Cramar Cat Rescue & Sanctuary, Birmingham as an un-neutered stray, with a badly broken leg and pelvis. Once recovered, Liz kept getting passed by for adoption, becoming the longest stay cat at the rescue. Happily, she found her ideal home after being seen on Cat Chat’s ‘Overlooked’ section.
_“Lilly was rehomed due to her new mum seeing her on cat chat. Thank you once again for your wonderful website.”_
_Royston Animal Welfare_
_“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 2025**
||**£**||**£**||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Income**|||||
|Advertising/Sponsorship||||2,375.00|
|Profit on Sale of Merchandise||841.10|||
|Donations||18,648.49|||
|Legacy Donations||24,523.72|||
|Total Donations||||43,172.21|
|Bank Interest Received||579.36|||
|**Total Income**||||**46,967.67**|
|**Less Expenditure**|||||
|Wages, National Insurance and Pension||||38,140.89|
|Website and Charity Development||||32,253.00|
|Telephone||||445.00|
|Donations||||0|
|Advertising & Sponsorship||||1,798.91|
|Internet and Webserver||||13,310.12|
|Postage, Printing & Stationery||||1,855.19|
|Travel Expenses||||153.03|
|Consultancy and Professional Fees||||0|
|Equipment/Repairs and Maintenance||||0|
|Software Fees||||1,677.62|
|Insurance Costs||||353.55|
|Emergency Vet Fund||||0|
|Paypal/Bank Charges||||242.63|
|General Expenses||||100.00|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||90,329.94|
|Depreciation of Equipment||||1,185.56|
|||||**91,515.50**|
|**Profit for the Year**||||**-44,547.83**|
|**Cat Chat Registered No: 1100649**|||||
|**Balance Sheet as at 7th June 2025**|||||
|||£||£|
|Fixed Assets|||||
|Office Equipment|At Cost||9,352.70||
||||9,352.70||
|Less Depreciation to Date|||6,172.55||
||||6,172.55|3,180.15|
|Current Assets|||||
|Stock of Merchandise|||1,184.25||
|Balance at Bank|||127,306.49||
|Cash in Hand|||37.67||
|Sundry Debtors|||529.20||
||||129,057.61||
|Less Current Liabilities|||||
|Sundry Creditors|||327.92||
|||||128,729.69|
|||||**131,909.84**|
|Capital Account|||||
|Capital Account|||176,457.67||
|Profit for the year|||-44,547.83||
|||||**131,909.84**|
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