2024-12-31-accounts - The Catcuddles Sanctuary

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The Catcuddles Sanctuary

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 December 2024

A FIP survivor, Madam Mimm is one of the cats fortunate to benefit from the groundbreaking treatment introduced to the UK in 2021. Thanks to specially negotiated charity pricing, we were able to access the life-saving medication that helped her make a full recovery ensuring we could stretch donations even further. This purry tuxedo girl is now thriving and found her loving, forever home in November 2024.

Registered Charity Number: 1147971

The Catcuddles Sanctuary

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees

The trustees during the year ended 31 December 2024 were as follows:

Miss Nafsika Korniliou resigned 16 January 2024 Ms A Georgopoulou Mr G Piskopos Mrs G Dexter resigned 5 November 2024 Mr G Dexter resigned 5 November 2024

Principal Address

Tony Welsh Cat Clinic, 68 Springbank Road, London, SE13 6SN

Independent Examiner

Bells Accountants, 10a High Street, Chislehurst, Kent, BR7 5AN

Charity Number 1147971

The Catcuddles Sanctuary

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The charity is an unincorporated charitable organisation governed by its approved Constitution. There were no changes to the governing document or overall governance framework during the year.

The composition of the Board of Trustees changed in 2024, with the resignations of Mr. and Mrs. Dexter in November 2024, due to declining health. Their resignations reduced the number of serving trustees to two by the end of the year. The process of appointing additional trustees commenced shortly after the close of the financial year and was successfully completed in early 2025, bringing valuable new perspectives to the board.

Operational management of the charity is overseen by the Charity Director, supported by veterinary and volunteer teams. However, in 2024 the charity’s operational capacity was significantly affected following the Charity Director’s authorised period of leave from May onwards. In response, the trustees and senior volunteers actively explored appointing an interim manager on a volunteer or pro-bono basis. While several candidates were considered, this process did not, in the end, result in a suitable appointment. During this leadership absence, the immense responsibility for grassroots operations—including the care of fostered cats and the administrative continuity of the veterinary clinic during open days—fell upon the core volunteer team. The trustees wish to place on record their deepest commendation for this team's extraordinary dedication and capability in ensuring the charity's continued operation, albeit at a significantly reduced level, under exceptionally challenging circumstances.

REVIEW OF THE YEAR AND OBJECTIVES

The year 2024 constituted a period of unprecedented challenge for The Catcuddles Sanctuary, navigating a confluence of crises that tested the charity's resilience. The authorised absence of the Charity Director—who, as the founder, has long been the operational backbone and a central source of inspiration for the teams—created a critical leadership vacuum. This was compounded by a severe constriction of resources, both financial and human, with the nationwide shortage of veterinary staff which, combined with the increase in recruitment costs of contract vet staff hit the charity particularly hard.

Most significantly, the organisation faced a sustained and draining burden from complex litigation and legal matters concerning the North London clinic lease, which consumed immense energy and focus. In response to this perfect storm, the trustees implemented a deliberate strategy to pause, consolidate, and preserve the charity's long-term future, leading to a significant scaling back of activities from mid-year.

A series of key staff departures, including the live-in supervisor for the North London rehoming hub in March and the Group Practice Manager and Head Nurse in May, created critical operational gaps. The subsequent authorised leave of the Charity Director from May made it impossible to recruit new veterinary staff or manage these complex operational issues, leading to a strategic decision to pause regular veterinary operations from mid-May to preserve resources and the charity's mid-term future.

This necessary scaling back had a direct and cascading impact on all areas. The rehoming hub in North London suspended operations in March following the loss of its supervisor. The Greenwich rehoming hub, which has been historically hosted within the Charity Director's property, had to scale down in the latter part of the year. It eventually ceased all operations in December 2024, as the essential supervisory role for daily fostering activities could not be fulfilled during the Director's authorised sick leave, which began in September and continued into 2025. Consequently, the volunteer fostering team saw a reduction in capacity of cats in care, and it must be noted that volunteer fatigue became evident as morale was affected by the lack of resources and the leadership's necessary absence.

The Catcuddles Sanctuary

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

Despite these severe constraints, the charity's ethos of public service persevered. The dedicated online volunteer team maintained the charity's vital advocacy and public education work to the greatest extent possible, providing consistent advice and support to the public through social media and email. Rescue work, fostering and adoptions continued as well, at a reduced level to previous years, and was traditionally carried out by the experienced volunteer team.

Financial review

The financial results for the year are a direct reflection of the operational challenges. Total incoming resources fell to £210,836 (2023: £350,616), primarily due to the cessation of clinic income from midMay. It is noteworthy, however, that Gift Aid claimed increased to £24,927 (2023: £9,072), a positive outcome stemming from improved processing of eligible donations.

Despite the pause in services, the charity was legally and morally committed to meeting its fixed financial obligations. The strategy for the year was to 'batten down the hatches', minimising all possible variable costs. However, the continued overheads, especially the leases for the two clinic sites, resulted in a net outgoing of resources and a necessary draw on reserves. Unrestricted funds were utilised as a crucial buffer, decreasing from £123,386 to £55,668. It is important to note that the "Clinic installation" credit of £7,907 relates to the reversal of a prior accrual for the South London clinic project which was no longer required.

While staff costs were reduced to £75,045 (2023: £119,766), this was solely due to the period of inactivity from May. The underlying cost of securing veterinary staff had become a significant and unsustainable pressure, contributing directly to the decision to pause operations. This elevated cost base remains a key challenge for the future.

Reserves Policy

The charity's Reserves Policy is set at 3-6 months of operating costs. The current level of reserves, while significantly reduced, was essentially utilised to navigate the exceptional challenges of 2024, covering unavoidable fixed costs. The policy will be formally reviewed following the planned restructuring of operations and overheads in 2025.

Plans for the Future

The focus for 2025 is on a careful, managed, and sustainable recovery. The trustees wish to note that legacy income was expected in 2025 and has since been received; the charity is profoundly grateful for this support, which provides the financial foundation for the following priorities:

Recruiting new fostering volunteers to rebuild capacity.
Relaunching veterinary services on a regular basis using contract staff, made possible by the legacy funding.
Significantly reducing overheads by concluding the problematic North London lease at its expiry in July 2025.
Consolidating operations around the Tony Welsh Cat Clinic in South London, with the initial goal of opening to the public one day a week.
Endeavouring to find joint venture partners for the South London clinic, from selfemployed veterinarians to other charities, to share expertise and costs, thereby creating a more resilient and collaborative service model.
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The Catcuddles Sanctuary

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

The return of the Charity Director in 2025 is anticipated to provide the necessary leadership to resolve the outstanding legal matter, re-engage in essential fundraising activities—a function that has always been volunteer-led—and steer the charity through this next phase of recovery and renewal.

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a constitution and is an unincorporated charity. There are no restrictions in the governing document on the operation of the charity or on its investment powers other than those imposed by general charity law.

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

G Piskopos - Trustee 28 October 2025

The Catcuddles Sanctuary

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of The Catcuddles Sanctuary

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 6 to 10.

Respective responsibilities of the trustees and examiner

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”). In carrying out my examination, I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

The company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of AAT

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that:

accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
• the accounts do not accord with such records; or
the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Bells Accountants 10a High Street Chislehurst Kent BR7 5AN

31 October 2025

The Catcuddles Sanctuary

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds £ £ Incoming resources Incoming resources from generated funds Voluntary income2 178,598 1,120 Rebate schemes 6,191 Gift aid 24,927 Total incoming resources209,716 1,120 Resources expended Charitable activities Veterinary and medical supplies 48,022 - Patient treatment 45,991 - Food/fostering supplies 4,349 - Clinic installation (7,907) - Staff costs4 75,045 - Rent and rates 55,664 - Depreciation5 12,830 - Governance costs 18,982 - Other resources expended23,778 - Total resources expended 278,554 - Net (outgoing)/incoming resources(68,838) 1,120 Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward		Total Total Funds Funds 2024 2023 £ £ 179,718 338,077 6,191 3,467 24,927 9,072 210,836 350,616 48,022 65,824 45,991 77,782 4,349 10,212 (7,907) 68,130 75,045 119,766 55,664 45,335 12,830 9,718 18,982 44,784 23,778 34,602 278,554 476,153 (67,718) (125,537) 123,386 248,923 55,668 123,386

The Catcuddles Sanctuary

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds £ £ Fixed assets Tangible assets5 38,646 - Current assets Debtors6 28,390 - Cash at bank and in hand 5,669 - 34,059 - Creditors Amounts falling due within one year (17,037) - 7 Net current assets/(liabilities) 17,022 - Total assets less current liabilities 55,668 - Net assets 55,668 - Funds Unrestricted funds Total funds	Total Funds 2024 £ 38,646 28,390 5,669 34,059 (17,037) ( 17,022 55,668 55,668 55,668 55,668	Total Funds 2023 £ 32,036 23,235 103,210 126,445 35,095) 91,350 123,386 123,386 123,386 123,386

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 28 October 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

G Piskopos - Trustee

The Catcuddles Sanctuary

NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1 Accounting policies

Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008), the Charities Act 2011 and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

Resources expended

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life:

Plant and machinery – 25% reducing balance Fixtures and fittings – 25% reducing balance

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes of the financial statements.

Hire purchase and leasing commitments

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straightline basis over the period of the lease.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company’s pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

2 Voluntary income

Income received during the year was made up from a mixture of adoption, rehoming, and other donation generating activities as well as clinic income.

	2024	2023
	£	£
Clinic income	84,755	207,918
Donations	94,963	130,159
	179,718	338,077

The Catcuddles Sanctuary NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

3 Trustee’s remuneration and benefits

There were no Trustee’s fees and expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2024 (31 December 2023 £nil)

4 Staff costs Salary and wages The average monthly number of employees during the year was All staff	2024 2023 £ £ 75,045 119,766 75,045 119,766 as follows: 2 2

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000

5 Tangible Fixed Assets Plant and Fixtures Machinery and fittings £ £ Cost At 1 January 2023 60,580 36,369 Additions 18,434 1,006 At 31 December 2024 79,014 37,375 Depreciation At 1 January 2023 35,629 29,284 Charge for year 10,807 2,023 At 31 December 2024 46,436 29,284 Net book value At 31 December 2024 32,578 6,068 At 31 December 2023 24,951 7,085	Totals £ 96,949 19,440 116,389 64,913 12,830 77,743 38,646 32,036	Totals £ 96,949 19,440 116,389 64,913 12,830 77,743 38,646 32,036

		38,646 32,036

The Catcuddles Sanctuary

NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

6 Debtors: Amounts falling due within one-year Other debtors 7 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one-year Trade creditors Other creditors	2024 £ 28,390 28,390 2024 £ 4,369 12,668 17,037	2023 £ 23,235 23,235 2023 £ 25,241 9,854 35,095

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The Catcuddles Sanctuary

CHARITY INFORMATION

www.catcuddles.org.uk/

www.facebook.com/CatcuddlesUK

@catcuddles.org.uk

@catcuddles

www.linkedin.com/company/catcuddles

www.youtube.com/c/TheCatcuddlesSanctuary

Siblings Eddie, Med and Red were discovered on a cargo ship travelling to the UK and spent several months in a quarantine cattery before being released into our care.

Their journey was anything but ordinary and sisters Med and Red were a little shy at first but soon blossomed; first with us, and later in their forever homes. Thanks to generous donations from our supporters to support our charity-funded waiting list, their futures were secured.

Eddie and Med were adopted together in September 2024, and Red found her forever home the following month.

Registered Charity Number: 1147971