Cats In Distress Charity No 1167332 Trustees Annual report for the period 1[st] January 2023 – 31[st] December 2023
Our structure and governance remains unchanged. We are governed by our Constitution dated 25[th] May 2016.
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees
Objectives & Activities
The purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document, constitution dated 25[th] May 2016, is to relieve the suffering of cats in need of care and attention and, in particular to provide rescue homes or other facilities for the admission, care & treatment of such cats.
The focus of our activities remains to provide appropriate care for cats & kittens in need of assistance, whilst finding them their adopted homes and to promote humane behaviour to all animals
In planning our activities for the year we have kept in mind the charity commissions guidance on the public benefit at our trustees meetings.
Achievements and Performance
2023 was a challenging year, with difficult conditions post covid, the economic crisis and a rise in vet fees all contributing to the number of animals needing help.
In late 2022 a decision was made by the trustees that we could no longer support two sites. Having two sites proved difficult to manage and too costly to maintain, whilst we were able to help more cats, it was felt that the welfare of the cats was compromised.
A mutual decision was agreed with the owner of the other site, that they would split from us, continuing to operate autonomously, they would no longer operate under the Cats In Distress name.
Being able to focus our attention to one site, meant we were able to concentrate on developing and improving our original on-site facilities.
Our biggest achievement in 2023 was the completion of our new office block and maternity unit. The opening of two maternity pens, away from the hustle and bustle of life in the main rescue, meant we were able to provide a quieter, stress free environment for nursing queens. This new unit, meant there was no decrease in the work carried out by the rescue, we saw 14 mums and kittens pass through the unit in 2023. We also now have a dedicated team of mum and kitten fosterers.
We’ve seen a marked increase in the amount of communication calls, emails & messages that we receive from the general public, asking for help or advise for either their own pets or animals believed to be abandoned.
This increase is a direct result of more animals and people needing help; increased social presence and promotion of the work we do have all led to an increase in workload.
The number of volunteers continues to grow steadily with 40 active volunteers
We continued to work both locally & nationally with other animal rescue charities, local authorities and private landlords. We have seen an increase in increase in the amount of animals needing help.
-
304 cats & kittens adopted
-
3 ferals neutered
-
5 cats reunited with their owners
-
3 cats received medical assistance
-
7 neutering vouchers issued
In addition to our core objectives we have increased our work within the local community, hosting students from Bath & Frome Colleges & giving their students access to work experience opportunities. Young people have also been supported through various volunteering opportunities including the Duke of Edinburgh awards.
Financial Review
The Charity holds cash in the bank of unrestricted funds, totalling £26,846
Our main source of funding continues to be from donations, but we were also very active in applying for grants. We received two grants in January and April from Mars totalling £2000, Hobhouse Trust £3000, and ADCH awarded us a grant of £4500 in April. Our fundraising activities mainly focussed on events that were organised & hosted by us, these raised £7,100. In addition we continued our association with Pets At Home VIP lifelines and Give as You live online donating.
All our expenditure has been to support the key objectives of the charity namely; Maintaining and expanding the rescue centre Recruiting, managing & supporting fosterers and other volunteers in their duties Providing the appropriate care and treatment of all cats that are admitted to the charity. Assisting pet owners who are facing economic difficulties, by offering food and/or help with vet fees to enable the pet to remain with the owner.
Working with other animal and human charities, local authorities and the police to safeguard animals in critical situations.
Our largest expenditure in 2023 was for vet fees, medication and food, without these elements we would not be able to continue our work.
Name of the Trustees who manage the charity:
Ginny Parratt – Founding Trustee Claire Randall Cooke - Treasurer Amy Parratt - Trustee
Cats In Dlslress Retered Charity 1167332 PaymeTrtand RecelptsAccowil lorthe pertod Dec 2023 Income Recelved: Expenses Net 75891 7S&91 Commlsslon Recelved Evcnts Gift Aid Granls 6425 9d26 9500 6425 9426 9500 |Total Received 104599 104599 Expendllure: Vet Fees. Meds and Microchips Cattery Consumables. Food and %soc costs 116n Cleanlng. PPE. Ctolhing Admln ancl Runnlngcosts Cat Eqpt (Carriers etcl Insurance, Renl and Utilities Mileage Buildings Events 719 9317 161 3018 2180 27347 704 Total Expenses 100166 Net Income Ilncome less expenses) 4433 Pfolltloryear to Date Openlng balance at Bank IUU231 Total Nel Income 22413 104599 70 Less Expenses Closlng Bank@ 31112123 100166 To1 fvjnds carrled loThYard 26846
Restrfcted Cats In Dlstress Reglslered Charlty 1167332 Paymenl and Recelpts A¢coum forthe perlod Dec 2023 Income Recelved: Gross Expenses Nei Events Grfl A¥J Grnnts 6500 Total Recefved 6500 6500 ExpendltUTe: Vei Fees Callery Consumables. Fo(Kl and Assoc cOS Cleanln& PP£ Clothing Adrnin an(J Runnlngcosis Cal Eqpl (Caniers eicl Insurance. Rentand Utbillfjes Mileage Building5 Purchase5UndrleS 9559 32 Tal Expenses Nel Income {Income less expenses) -6271 Profftforyear lo Date Opening balance at Bank Iiiir23) Total Net Incorne 6271 6500 Tji 12771 C1051ng Bank@ 3V12123 Total Fund5 caryied fOard
Unresldcted Cats In Dlstress Payfflentand RecelptsAccow)t lorthe perlod De¢ 2023 Income Re¢elved: Gross Nel 0onatxAd0Pl 75891 3357 6425 9426 75891 3357 6425 9426 Even Grft AKI Grants ITotal Recelved 98099 98099 ExpenrtUre. Vet Fees. Meds and Micmchips Cattery Consumat. F(wJd and Assoc ¢05ts Cleanin& PPE. Clothing Admin and Runniftgcosts Cat Eopi ICarrIe eicl Insurance. Renl and Utliities Mileage 8uildings Events 719 9317 161 3018 218CI 27347 704 Total Expenses Nel Income {IncoN less expenses) 10703 Profilloryearto Dat• 10703 Opening balance atBank {Iiir23} Total Nei Income 16142 98099 Its241 87396 26848 Less nSeS Closing Bank @ 3V1212023 Total Fund$¢aled for•vard
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Cats in Distress On accounts for the year ended 31 Dec 2023 Charity no (if any) 1167332 Set out on pagès I report to the trustees on my ex1r7ti0n of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trusf) for the year erKled Rosponslbillties and As the charity trustees of the Trus( you are responsfole for the preparat'on basls of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the CharTties Act 2011 rthe Acr). I report in of my examination of the Trusvs accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. I have folbThYed the appIlble Directions gNen by the Charity Commissh?n ur¥Jer section 145(5)(b) of the ACL I have ry)mrAeted my examination I conffinn that no material matters have come to my attenlion (other than that disdosed below") in connection wilh the examination *thid) gives me (2use to believe that in. any material Independent examiner's statement accounting records ere not kept in accordan with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not acrd wilh the accounting records I have no concems and have come a(55 no olher matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to erble proper understantfing of the accounts to be reached. . Please delete Ihe wonls in the brackets rfthey do not apply. Signed: Date= JENNY USHER Relevant professlonal qualification(s) or body Irf any): i I Address: 39 OSPREY ROAD WARMINSTER WILTS. 8A12 8GD IER Octobor 2018
Sectlon B Disclosure Only mPlete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of COnM (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions arma guKlano for examireTS). Give here brief details any Items that the examiner wishes to dlscloso. IER October 2018