## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD)** **Caring for the feral cats in Sheffield Charity Registration Number: 1170938** ## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS** **YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2021** ## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD)** ## REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION DETAILS REG CHARITY NO: 1170938 PRINCIPAL ADDRESS: 3 Main Street Back of Railway Arches Catcliffe Rotherham S60 5SR WEB SITE http://www.friendsofferals.co.uk/ TRUSTEE: Margaret Skinner (Chairperson) Joanne Gardner Nicola Speke Michael Dooley GOVERNING DOCUMENT: Trust deed dated 21 November 2016 BANK: Nat West Bank 42 High Street Sheffield S1 2GE INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS: Mrs Sarah Smith BSc FCCA FCIE TSA (Oakham) Ltd Temple House 8 Main Street Cold Overton LEICS LE15 7QA Page 1 ## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD)** ## **Independent Examiners Report to the Trustee of Friends of Ferals (Sheffield)** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Friends of Ferals (Sheffield) for the year ended 31 July 2021. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity trustees of Friends of Ferals (Shefield) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). I report in respect of my examination of the accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination of the accounts I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5) (b) of the Act. ## **Independent examiner's statement** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Friends of Ferals (Sheffield) as required by s130 of the Act; or - 2) the accounts do not accord with those records. 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. ## Sarah Smith ## **Sarah A Smith (Mrs) BSc FCCA FCIE** 28-Feb-22 TSA (Oakham) Ltd Temple House 8, Main Street Cold Overton LEICS LE15 7QA Page 2 ## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD)** ## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2021.** The report of the trustee for the year ended 31 July 2021 includes the information given on the Reference and Administration page, (page 1). The charity is run by trustees within the principles of a charitable Trust Deed dated November 2016. ## **Objects:** - to help control the huge number of feral and abandoned unneutered cats in and around the city of Sheffield, and monitor their health and wellbeing. -to remove cats from crisis situations in areas of danger to safety by way of placements at stables, homes or back to site where safe. -to help small rescues, with trapping advice, the use of specialist equipment and the funding of equipment, food and veterinary treatment. We are maintaining critical partnerships with small rescues in the South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire, and North Nottinghamshire areas which uphold our Mission Statement. - to assist in areas of social and economic deprivation, with neutering, microchipping and veterinary funding. We always find that a little advice, a small gesture works wonders when people feel thay have nowhere else to turn to for help when all the cat they take in may need is neutering, microchipping and basic treatment. - to promote humane behaviour and educate the public regarding neutering and basic cat care. ## **Activities and Achievements in support of the objects:** Our eighth year has again been a very good year from a life-saving, information-sharing and financial point of view. We have survived and even thrived when other rescues have closed their doors. And although we have lost much valued volunteers to Covid, our remaining volunteers have battled through, trapping and rehoming street cats in very difficult circumstances However, despite everything that this year threw at us, we have still been able to maintain our average figure of cats helped, over 200, many placed on stables/small holdings, all neutered, bloodtested, microchipped and brought back to health. To ensure continuation of our charity’s current activities within the local community, especially at this precarious time, the Trustees have established a policy, at the advice of our accountant, whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets should be 18 months of the resources expended _-trapping, neutering, veterinary treatment and daily feeding of feral colonies, from online auction funding and voluntary donations_ This year again has seen a further increase in cats giving birth on the streets and at sites such as the Sheffield former steel works. We are constantly inundated with calls for help and although trapping continues on a daily basis from dawn until late at night it is taking all the charity’s resources to keep on top of the previous week’s calls. Placing ferals in stables is a lengthy process and is something other rescues are unable to do.We have it down to a fine art after years of practice. Following the initial visit to assess suitability, chicken coops are placed to give the cats somewhere safe, secure and comfortable in which to live out their first few weeks of restriction while getting used to their new homes. Visits are carried out on a regular basis at the same time as delivering supplies to ensure the cats are settled and in good health. Page 3 ## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD) TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2021. (CON)** ## _- information and advice given on our website and face book page_ Our Facebook presence continues to grow and has become an excellent forum for detailing our activities, very popular with our supporters. We are in the process of reformatting our web site with up to date information, especially regarding the importance of neutering and microchipping. We have made great strides to increase our members on our facebook auction page which is also very popular and covers the cost of most of our veterinary and food bills, being responsible for the provision of food for over 100 cats every day. Our supporters also use this as an approachable medium for seeking advice and sharing their stories and experiences. ## _- educational and fund raising stalls_ We were not able to have our regular neutering information stalls at community events, stores and vets, but have increased the number of our food donation bins in the supermarkets and vets where the displays draw attention to the benefits of neutering and microchipping. Our involvement in the Pets@Home VIP voucher scheme has been very helpful, resulting in over £2K funding for in-store grooming and supplies. We are still benefitting from the Pets@Home Charity of the Year grants, owning a nearly new van as a consequence. This came just in time as our old van had begun to let us down in dangerous areas. ## _- our supporters_ The trustees extend their heartfelt thanks to their loyal Friends of Ferals who have helped by running the auction site, donating, adopting or fostering cats and in the vital frontline work of trapping and feeding the colonies. We hope that by getting our prevention messages out into the community, we can stop things from hitting crisis point in families and communities, reducing the number of emergencies we have to respond to at short notice and also reducing the number of cats that have to be destroyed in South Yorkshire every week. We know that by working with people at the earliest opportunity we can support them to access the services they need to reduce unwanted stress. Volunteers, as ever are a huge part of our organisation, we have some very dedicated supporters who have been with the charity since the very beginning of FOF. We owe them all a great debt of gratitude. There have been incredible acts of selflessness, dedication and commitment to our purpose and our cats that have further cemented our true understanding of why we do what we do, when we need it the most. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Page 4 ## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD) TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2021. (CON)** ## **Financial Review:** Inevitably covid-19 has continued to affect the charity's activities including fund raising and acting in partnership with other organisations. However, support for FOF as an individual organisation has remained very strong with donations and the auction bringing in £44,478 (2020: £34,826). There were no further grants or legacies in 2021, (2020: £16,050) Expenditure, excluding vehicles, was £42,407, (2020:£39,876). A surplus of £6,091 (2020: deficit £2,185) was recorded and consequently reserves have grown, as planned. At 31 July 2021 reserves in the two bank accounts were £50,742 (2020: £44,651), and underpin the continuing activities of the charity. The trustees are building up freely accessible reserves in order to meet rising demand and the projects now being undertaken in 2022 and beyond. The free reserves of £50,742 currently represent 14.5 months normal expenditure, close to the 18 months set as a target by the trustees. The trustees are confident that the the reserves held are sufficent to meet the liabilities of the charity for at least 12 months from the signature date of these accounts ## **Public Benefit:** The trustees bear in mind the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit when making decisions regarding the use of funds. The charity helps all local communities experiencing the management problems of unwanted, abandoned and feral cats. It also helps individual cat owners of limited financial means with veterinary care partcularly neutering. The management, treatment and re-homing of feral cats manifestly benefits both the human and animal populations of Sheffield and environs. ## Maggie Skinner Mrs M Skinner 28-Feb-22 Page 5 ## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD)** Receipts and Payments Accounts For the Period 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2021 |**NOTE**
**Unrestricted**
**Fund**
**£**
**Receipts**
Voluntary donations and auction
44,478
Grants
Pets@Home
Volvux
Fundraising events and commissions paid
5,720
Legacy
**Total Receipts**
50,198
**Payments**
_Fund raising expenses incl platform fees_
1,503
_Direct charitable costs_
Veterinary fees
15,490
Cat Care
1,460
Crematorium
408
Cat food and litter
5,868
Equipment (Cats)
3
4,135
Equipment (Office/Unit)
897
Donations
995
Printing postage and stationery
1,607
Mobile Telephone
507
Fuel, vehicle repairs and hire
3,598
Garage rent and storage
4,128
Website maintenance
570
Insurance (vehicle, volunteers and public liability)
453
Independent Examination
500
Legal Fees
288
Purchase of Vehicles
3
1,700
**Total Payments**
44,107
**Net Receipts**
Cash Funds brought forward
Cash Funds carried forward|**TOTAL**
**2021**
**£**
44,478
0
0
5,720
0
**50,198**
1,503
15,490
1,460
408
5,868
4,135
897
995
1,607
507
3,598
4,128
570
453
500
288
1,700
**44,107**
**6,091**
**44,651**
**50,742**|**TOTAL**
**2020**
**£**
34,826
15,000
550
7,775
500
**58,651**
1,188
10,975
0
504
5,464
6,623
857
550
2,174
789
5,484
4,008
0
780
480
0
20,960
**60,836**
**-2,185**
**46,836**
**44,651**| |---|---|---| Page 6 ## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD)** Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31 July 2021 |NOTE
**Cash Funds**
Nat West Account
Paypal Account
**Tangible Assets**
VW Van and Ebikes
3
Equipment (Cats)
Equipment (Office/Unit)
**Total Assets**
**Liabilities**
Independent Examiners Fee
Annual Return|**2021**
**£**
47,974
2,768
**50,742**
22,660
21,216
4,252
**48,128**
**98,870**
415
95
**510**|**2020**
**£**
38,228
6,423
**44,651**
20,960
17,081
3,355
**41,396**
**86,047**
405
95
**500**| |---|---|---| Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf. ## Maggie Skinner Name Mrs M Skinner Position Chairperson Date 28-Feb-22 Page 7 ## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD)** Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 July 2021 ## 1 **Accounting Policies** These accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. ## 2 **Payments to trustees** The trustees receive no remuneration, direct or indirect benefits from the charity. Out of pocket expenses paid to trustees include fuel for their own vehicles in order to attend the sites, mobile telephone, post and stationery. 4 trustees received £2,637, (2020: £2,704) ## 3 **Tangible Assets** |Equipment is stated at cost.
VW C20 Kombi Maxi Grey YS68NGG
Decathlon E-bikes (2)
Coops/Pens/Shelters/ Traps
Large galvanised pen (protect-a-pet)
Carried forward 31 July 2021
Cameras and accessories
Carried forward 31 July 2021|18,260
4,400
18,530
2,686
**43,876**
4,252
**4,252**| |---|---| The VW van is registered in a trustee's name. M Skinner Historical costs are recorded without wear and tear or damage considered. ## 4 **Funds** The charity has no Restricted Funds. Page 8