## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD)** **Caring for the feral cats in Sheffield Charity Registration Number: 1170938** ## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS** **YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025** ## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD)** ## REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION DETAILS REG CHARITY NO: 1170938 PRINCIPAL ADDRESS: C/O Joanne Gardner 82, Ellis Street Rotherham YORKS S60 5DJ WEB SITE https://www.facebook.com/friendsofferals/ TRUSTEE: Margaret Skinner (Chairperson) Joanne Gardner 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 2025. ## **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 Wednesday May 20th 2026 ## **Sarah A Smith (Mrs) MSc BSc FCCA FCIE MNAVP** 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 2025.** The report of the trustee for the year ended 31 July 2025 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 and West Yorkshire, North Derbyshire, and North Nottinghamshire areas which uphold our Mission Statement. With the closure of two local rescues more cats were being left out on the streets but we continue to work closely with the remaining ones. - 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 that they 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 eleventh year has again been a very good year from a life-saving, information-sharing and financial point of view. But it remains difficult to recover from the loss of our cat unit resulting from the devastating Catcliffe floods. We have managed to replace most of our equipment but being without a centre has increased our workload considerably. We have not been able to find another centre despite our best efforts but have increased the number of fosterers who have proved to be such a positive in a negative situation. Despite everything that this year has thrown at us, we have still been able to maintain our standing in the local community, helping abandoned unneutered cats from under-privileged areas. Apart from operating a trap, neuter, return to safe areas policy, we have assisted members of the public who were unable to cover what we consider are unreasonably high vet bills, whose cats would otherwise suffer from painful and chronic diseases and face an unknown future. We continue to work hard placing ferals on to stables/small holdings, all neutered, bloodtested, microchipped and brought back to health. We have helped set up more one-woman rescues in South and West Yorkshire with equipment, food and medications and will continue to work with other small rescues in an endeavour for them to survive these unbelievably difficult times. 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 12 months of the resources expended Page 3 ## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD)** ## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025. (CON)** ## _-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 lasting effect of the global pandemic. We are constantly inundated with calls for help and 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. ## _- Relocating_ 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. ## _- Fosterers_ Although the feral work is an integral part of what our rescue does, when assessing cats in a colony we find that not all are born feral, some are intact strays that have mixed into the colony. These cats that have been exposed to humans may stay in foster care for a longer period but often make good pets and are re-homed. Those that can't return to gardens or companies or go to stables where their safe future can be ensured, and are not rehomeable are looked after by long term foster parents who are dedicated to them for their lifetimes. _- 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. It is also very popular with our supporters. We have found that our Facebook has proved to be so popular that we have agreed to use it as a website, 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 diligently run by Alison and Darren Bloodworth, which is also very popular and covers the cost of most of our food bills, being responsible for over 100 cats per day, costing £6k. Our supporters also use this as an approachable medium for seeking advice and sharing their stories and experiences. ## _- 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. Page 4 ## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD)** ## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025. (CON)** 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 hardship. 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. We have had to say goodbye to one of our trustees, Nicola Speke who has founded another small rescue. We thank her for her past support and wish her well with her new venture. 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. ## **Financial Review:** Inevitably the cost of living crisis has continued to affect the charity's activities particularly the cost of veterinary services, cremations and food. However support for this individual organisation has remained satisfactory with donations and the auction bringing in £31,934 (2024: £42,471). This does, however, represent nearly a 25% reduction which we attribute to the wider economic environment. Expenditure was tightly controlled witin our income levels at £32,804, (2024:£42,838). The charity recorded a small surplus of £390, (2024 a deficit of £367) The remaining free reserves of £48,776 represent almost 15 months of current 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. ## **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 20th May 2026 Page 5 ## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD)** Receipts and Payments Accounts For the Period 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025 |**NOTE**
**Unrestricted**
**Fund**
**£**
**Receipts**
Voluntary donations and auction
0
Grants
0
Fundraising events and commissions paid
0
**Total Receipts**
0
**Payments**
_Fund raising expenses incl platform fees_
455
_Direct charitable costs_
Veterinary fees
10,858
Cat Care and equipment
2,349
Crematorium
1,104
Cat food and litter
6,380
Donations
3,266
Printing postage and stationery
1,342
Fuel, vehicle repairs and hire
2,089
Garage rent and storage
3,715
Insurance (vehicle, volunteers and public liability)
661
Independent Examination
585
**Total Payments**
32,804
**Net Receipts, (Payments)**
Cash Funds brought forward
Cash Funds carried forward|**TOTAL**
**2025**
**£**
31,934
0
1,260
**33,194**
455
10,858
2,349
1,104
6,380
3,266
1,342
2,089
3,715
661
585
**32,804**
**390**
**48,386**
**48,776**|**TOTAL**
**2024**
**£**
40,471
0
2,000
**42,471**
572
16,466
2,000
858
11,145
3,352
1,514
2,489
3,220
647
575
**42,838**
**-367**
**48,753**
**48,386**| |---|---|---| Page 6 ## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD)** Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31 July 2025 |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|**2025**
**£**
45,095
3,681
**48,776**
16,855
5,286
880
**23,021**
**71,797**
500
115
**615**|**2024**
**£**
44,744
3,642
**48,386**
19,400
5,626
550
**25,576**
**73,962**
475
110
**585**| |---|---|---| Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf. ## Maggie Skinner Name Mrs M Skinner Position Chairperson Date 20th May 2026 Page 7 ## **FRIENDS OF FERALS (SHEFFIELD)** Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 July 2025 ## 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. 1 trustee received £787 (3 trustees in 2024: £2,409) in mileage expenses ## 3 **Tangible Assets** |Equipment is stated at cost.
VW Caddy Grey (GF20 AVE)
Decathlon E-bikes (2)
Pens, traps and other equipment
Large galvanised pen (protect-a-pet)
Cameras and accessories
Carried forward 31 July 2025|14,555
2,300
2,600
2,686
**22,141**
880
**23,021**| |---|---| Cat shelters and specialist equipment purchased by the charity are donated to stables and small re-homing organisations to house the cats. Historical costs are recorded without depreciation (wear and tear). ## 4 **Funds** The charity has no Restricted Funds. Page 8