## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD)** **Caring for the feral cats in Sheffield Charity Registration Number: 1170938** ## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS** **YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022** ## **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 https://www.facebook.com/friendsofferals/ 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 MSc BSc FCCA FCIE MNAVP 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 2022. ## **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) MSc BSc FCCA FCIE MNAVP** **Sarah A Smith (Mrs) MSc BSc FCCA FCIE MNAVP** 9th December 2022 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 2022 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 have maintained our 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 ninth 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. Our 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. The trustees have established a policy, whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets should be 18 months of the resources expended. However, due to the longer journeys undertaken this year resulting from the closure of other rescues organisations, the trustees decided to purchase a commercial vehicle. It is hoped that we will be able to increase our fundraising to cover the running costs of the VW Caddy as it is most important that our frontline trustees are kept safe. In the event of financial necessity the trustees will consider selling the original VW Combi, but have reduced the reserves policy to a minimum of 6 months running costs until 31 July 2024 at which point this level will be reviewed. The closure of Rotherham Rescue Rangers meant more cats were being left out on the streets, following which a new group, 4 The Love of Cats, was set up. We are delighted to work with them, both from a practical as well as financial point of view. ## _-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 as a direct result of the global pandemic. 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. Page 3 ## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD)** ## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2022. (CON)** Placing ferals in stables is a lengthy process and is something most 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. ## _- 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 £1K funding for in-store grooming and supplies. ## _- 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 2022. (CON)** ## **Financial Review:** Inevitably the pandemic has continued to affect the charity's activities including fundraising and acting in partnership with other organisations. However,support for FOF as an indovidual organsiation has remained very strong with donations and the auction bringing in £41,376 (2021: £44,478). Expenditure, excluding vehicles, was £46,381, (2021:£42,407). The charity made a small surplus of £361 before the purchase of the commercial vehicle. The vehicle was therefore purchased from accumulated available reserves. The deficit including the vehicle purchase was -£21,639, (2021: £6,091). The remaining free reserves of £29,103 represent 7.5 months normal expenditure. 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 and fall within the minimum level set this year in order to release funds for the vehicle purchase. ## **Public Benefit:** The trustees bear in mind the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit when making decisions regading 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 particularly 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 09-Dec-22 Page 5 ## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD)** Receipts and Payments Accounts For the Period 1 August 2021 to 31 July 2022 |**NOTE**
**Unrestricted**
**Fund**
**£**
**Receipts**
Voluntary donations and auction
41,376
Grants
400
Fundraising events and commissions paid
4,966
**Total Receipts**
46,742
**Payments**
_Fund raising expenses incl platform fees_
591
_Direct charitable costs_
Veterinary fees
16,332
Cat Care and equipment
3,436
Crematorium
612
Cat food and litter
7,523
Equipment (Office/Unit)
5,588
Donations
15
Printing postage and stationery
1,552
Mobile Telephone
0
Fuel, vehicle repairs and hire
4,949
Garage rent and storage
4,568
Website maintenance
241
Insurance (vehicle, volunteers and public liability)
458
Independent Examination
516
Legal Fees
0
Purchase of Vehicles
3
22,000
**Total Payments**
68,381
**Net Receipts**
Cash Funds brought forward
Cash Funds carried forward|**TOTAL**
**2022**
**£**
41,376
400
4,966
**46,742**
591
16,332
3,436
612
7,523
5,588
15
1,552
0
4,949
4,568
241
458
516
0
22,000
**68,381**
**-21,639**
**50,742**
**29,103**|**TOTAL**
**2021**
**£**
44,478
0
5,720
**50,198**
1,503
15,490
5,595
408
5,868
897
995
1,607
507
3,598
4,128
570
453
500
288
1,700
**44,107**
**6,091**
**44,651**
**50,742**| |---|---|---| Page 6 ## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD)** Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31 July 2022 |NOTE
**Cash Funds**
Nat West Account
Paypal Account
**Tangible Assets**
VW Vans and Ebikes
Equipment (cats)
Equipment (office/unit cameras)
3
**Total Assets**
**Liabilities**
Independent Examiners Fee
Annual Return|**2022**
**£**
23,941
5,162
**29,103**
44,660
11,746
4,252
**60,658**
**89,761**
450
100
**550**|**2021**
**£**
47,974
2,768
**50,742**
22,660
21,216
4,252
**48,128**
**98,870**
415
95
**510**| |---|---|---| Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf. ## Maggie Skinner Name Mrs M Skinner Position Chairperson Date 09-Dec-22 Page 7 ## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD)** Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 July 2022 ## 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 are reimbursed to trustees and include fuel for their own vehicles in order to attend the sites, miscellaneous office costs etc. 4 trustees received £3,250 (4 trustees in 2021: £2,637) ## 3 **Tangible Assets** |Equipment is stated at cost.
VW Caddy Grey (GF20 AVE)
VW C20 Kombi Maxi Grey (YS68 NGG)
Decathlon E-bikes (2)
Pens, traps and other equipment
Large galvanised pen (protect-a-pet)
Cameras and accessories
Carried forward 31 July 2022|22,000
18,260
4,400
9,060
2,686
**56,406**
4,252
**60,658**| |---|---| Cat shelters purchased by the charity are donated to stables and small re-homing organisations to house the cats. Historical costs are recorded without wear and tear or damage considered. ## 4 **Funds** The charity has no Restricted Funds. Page 8