2021-12-31-accounts - Stopford Cat Rescue

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period: 01/01/2021 to 31/12/2021

Charity name: Stopford Cat Rescue

Charity registration number: 1178415

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	For the benefit of the public, to relieve the suffering of cats and kittens in need of care and attention
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	Homing– the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of stray and unwanted cats and kittens Neutering–i) the neutering and release of feral and garden cats to humanely controlled environments and ii) encouraging and assisting where possible in the neutering of domestic cats Education– improving understanding of cats and their needs and prevention of cruelty and suffering to cats and kittens
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The trustees are mindful of the Charity Commission guidance that our activities should benefit the public

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment Para 1.38 including program related investment

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Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	The charity is run entirely by volunteers from their own homesand does not own land or property thus keeping overheads to an absolute minimum. There are seven committee members and many other supporters who help in a wide variety of ways. Volunteers manage the day-to-day care of cats and kittens in foster. Sometimes volunteers help by interacting with specific cats to develop their confidence prior to rehoming. During 2021, due to COVID restrictions, we have been unable to accommodate requests for volunteers to visit ie Duke of Edinburgh students and work experience. It is hoped to fulfil these requests when COVID restrictions are eventually lifted.
Other

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	Homing Cats come into our care from a variety of sources – strays, unwanted, abandoned, evictions, bereavement, via Social Services, police and vet referrals. Whilst we are unable to accommodate all requests, we help if we can. If we are unable to accept a cat, advice and alternative suggestions are always offered. Before being rehomed, all cats undergo a health check from a qualified veterinary surgeon, are neutered (if not already), wormed and deflead, vaccinated, microchipped and for peace of mind, all are homed with 4 weeks free health insurance from Petplan. All cats that come into our care are assessed as to their homing suitability (eg. with small children, inexperienced owners, dogs, other pets.) We will only home a cat if we feel there is a good match with their new environment and new owners. We do not home animals on, or near, busy roads in an effort to ensure cats are safe from traffic accidents.

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Every cat being rehomed is taken to its new owner by a volunteer; We give verbal and written advice about how to settle a new cat into the family. Cats will always be accepted back into care should their new owner’s circumstances change. Because of COVID restrictions, we had to modify our rehoming procedures using DEFRA guidelines. Cats were ‘met’ using photographs, videos, discussions with fosterers etc Homes and bonding rooms were similarly checked. Rehoming volunteers still took cats to their new homes but could not go inside the premises and completed paperwork outside. 2020 was an exceptional year with many people wanting the company of a cat so adoption numbers were very high. In 2021, the number rehomed reverted to a more standard figure as people began to return to work. In the period under review, 96 cats and kittens were rehomed. Financially Assisted Neutering and Community Support The charity strongly believes that all cats should be neutered both for the cat’s health and to avoid the birth of unwanted kittens. Since 2019 we have been helping people to access Financially Assisted Neutering: owners with low disposable income, who cannot afford to have their cats neutered, pay a £10 contribution and the charity pays the remaining veterinary costs. In addition, we encourage people to have their cats microchipped and we subsidise this procedure, charging £8 per cat. Some owners took the cats to the appointed vets themselves but in most cases, a volunteer transported the cat; the latter arrangement tends to be preferable to ensure the cat has been pre-starved and is transported in a secure basket. Collection also eliminates any worries disabled owners may have and supports owners who have communication difficulties. Often flea and worm medications are prescribed by the veterinary surgeon and can be followed by suggestions to the owner to improve the living conditions of the cat. Pre-operation and post-operation advice is always given to ensure owners understand the procedures the cat has had. Kittens born to such cats before they have been neutered are sometimes taken in by us for rehoming to ensure they are not offered for sale on social media sites.

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Calls for help with neutering come via Social Services, Housing Partnerships, veterinary practices and the general public. In addition, we give ‘community support’ i.e. financial help where owners are unable to afford the full cost of treatment for their cats, often in emergency situations. In 2021, there was an increase in the number of people asking for assistance and we helped with neutering and chipping of 65 cats and veterinary care for 18 cats. In March 2021, we were awarded a £3,500 grant from the Petplan Charitable Trust to assist us with costs for neutering and community support. In the period under review, 65 cats were neutered under this scheme and 18 cats received veterinary care. Neutering - Trap Neuter Return (TNR) Unowned cats can become a nuisance in the community and on factory sites when they are roaming, fighting with neighbouring cats and having unwanted litters of kittens in inappropriate places. Most are semi-feral or feral; a few have had a home at some point. Cats are trapped then spayed or castrated, treated for parasites and ear-tipped for identification before being released back into their territory after recovery. On rare occasions, if the original trap site is considered unsafe for release, cats can be relocated to other safer sites e.g. farms, smallholdings and stables. Kittens young enough to be easily socialised are taken into foster care and subsequently placed for adoption. Truly feral cats do not fare well in confinement and cannot be successfully socialised. They are released as soon as possible. Any trapped cats suffering from serious medical problems e.g. an injury not able to be fixed with a single treatment are usually euthanised. There are many benefits to TNR. Once neutered, a cat has a better quality of life, reduced fighting and disease. Female cats are prevented from having up to three litters a year. Nuisance behaviour is reduced or eliminated, thus improving the public’s perception of cats.

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During the past year, the ongoing COVID restrictions have continued to restrict our ‘routine’ activity but, where we could safely assist in cases of animal suffering, we have done so.

In the period under review, a total of 32 cats received help under our TNR programme.

Advice and Education

The charity works in some of the most deprived areas of Greater Manchester e.g. Wythenshawe which is one of the largest council estates in Europe and has a huge problem with stray and unwanted cats. The information the charity provides improves peoples’ understanding of cats and it is believed many cats have a better quality of life through the charity’s intervention.

Agencies (eg housing associations) ring and ask for help when faced with situations involving tenants and their cats.

The charity produces a regular, free newsletter which highlights our recent work and also gives advice on cat-related topics.

Summary

Summary
	*2019*	*2020*	*2021*
Rehoming- cats and kittens homed	83	137	96
Financially Assisted Neutering and Community Support- cats helped	55	31	83
Trap Neuter Return- cats helped	47	40	32

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Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against Para 1.41 objectives set Performance of fundraising Para 1.41 activities against objectives set Investment performance Para 1.41 against objectives Other

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Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	In the year in review, the charity’s expenditure was £38,599 up from £28,931 last year. The charity’s income remained buoyant and exceeded expenditure by £28,669 so improving the charity’s financial resilience. This figure was enhanced due to a generous legacy donation of £21,851. There was a significant increase in most of the activities of the charity. Adoption fees were reduced but there were increases in income via regular giving, one-off donations, fundraising and events. Increased expenditure on sundries reflected increases in the cost of PPE and providing materials for new fosterers. Our greatest expense continues to be for veterinary services. Due to a partial lifting of COVID restrictions, we were able to increase our Financially Assisted Neutering/Community Support. We were grateful for the grant awarded to help with these costs and intend to apply for further grants.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The charity’s policy is to hold between three and six months of unrestricted reserves to provide a buffer against unexpected events.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	At the end of the review period, the charity held unrestricted reserves of £48,107 (19 months.)
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	Not applicable
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	None

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Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	None

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	1. Donations from adopters and the general public, either one-off or by standing order. 2. Fundraising - due to partial easing of COVID restrictions, we were able to restart some of our outdoor fundraising events. We continued to raise funds through online appeals, competitions and sales of second-hand items. 3. Grants from other organisations and charitable trusts
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The charity’s principal risk is the liability for large, unexpected vet bills for cats taken into our care. Routine veterinary costs are generally known and predictable; however, if a veterinary surgeon advises that a cat needs particularly expensive treatment, to mitigate the risk, the trustees will make an informed decision on whether to proceed with treatment.
Other

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Structure, Governance and Management

Structure, Governance and Management	Structure, Governance and Management	Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution, adopted 20th December 2017
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	Unincorporated charitable association
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Trustees are normally elected or re-elected annually at the charity’s AGM held in April. Due to continued COVID restrictions this year, the trustees held a Special General Meeting online, agreeing to cancel the AGM and extend their term of office for 12 months. The elected trustees may appoint further trustees during the year as required - in the event, none were appointed.
Additional information (optional) You maychoose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51	Trustees are advised to study Charity Commission guidance CC3a and, if appropriate, attend locally sourced training.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	Governance of, and decisions about, the charity’s activities are made by a committee that comprises three trustees and four other committee members/officers. The general public can apply to be members of the charity. Membership needs to be approved by the committee and is free. Members are able to vote at the AGM.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Other

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Reference and Administrative details

Charity name Other names the charity uses Registered charity number Charity’s principal address	Stopford Cat Rescue
	None
	1178415
	10 Long Lane Pott Shrigley Chesire SK10 5SD

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)
Carole Olivia Barnes	Chair of Trustees	Elected by members
Hannah Jane Hill	Secretary	Elected by members
Diane Josephine Coffey		Elected by members

Director name

None

Names of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
None

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Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets None held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Names and addresses of advisers (optional information)

Type of	Name	Address
adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Not applicable

Other optional information

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Declarations

The trustees declare that they have unanimously approved this report.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair) Date

		Carole Olivia Barnes

		Chair of Trustees

		23rd June, 2022

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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustsesl members of STOPFORD CAT RESCUE On accounts for the year ended 31 DECEMBER 2021 Charity no (if any) 1178415 Sot out on pages l port to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charty (Ihe Trust") for the year ended 31112 12021. Responslblllties and As the chartty trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Acr}. I report in respe(* of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under sedion 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Chartty Commission under section 145{5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting words Independent examinerf8 Statsmont I have no corKems and have come across no other matters in connection WTth the examination to which attention should be dravm in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reachèd. Signed: Date: 2310612022 Name: Sarah Harrison Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (If any): ACA Address: 48 HIGHFIELD ROAD, LYMM, CHESHIRE, WA13 OEF IER October 2018

Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of Concern {see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidan for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER October 2018

CHARITY COMMISSION FaENGLAND AND WALES Sto ford Cat Rescue Receipts and payments accounts 1178415 CC16a Forthe p¢rlod 01K¢1r2o21 To 31112n021 Section A Receipts and payments Unr85tricted Restrici8d fund5 Totsl fundg Last year rnJr•Jt£ tothe nearel£ A1 R8¢•1 DOrnati9- DDAatiws. ado DatiG. rrn off saOf0nd haThY Insurance mMis General fvndraisi of chris1rS nbms Events Le GrftAid Lush &8ni Neuter-Reivm Lwtdbuticns toThR an Grani FinHnri ¢ton> toFAN 395 11,625 n fees 71 139 1M49 7,W1 1.139 1,754 1.lJ82 1.9S9 1176 21 1176 21.851 2,335 7,000 1,723 Mlsc Sub total ICrDSSiTtwA 43N78 A2 As$•t and Inv8stnnt $ah$ - Sub total Totalrts 61768 67268 43A78 Velerin¢0sts- FAN Vfr&iwiyJsts.TNR (Lush GrArtI Fd 45 .1n l.T19 939 2.834 Tw Post89èlststi(xwry &JnLkn85 Events In8ur8nce IndèpondanL Examknakn orfAL¥¥yJnt8 701 472 1217 76 371 V5 275 275 Sub lotsl 28,928 38,589 28,931 A4A¥s•t and Imi¢glm•nt urehases s4* lab Sub total 28.928 9.673 34599 28.931 Net of rece1p(PaYrn•ntsJ A5 Tran$fvrs botW•on lund5 A6 Cash fvnds last year and Cash funds thls end .173 21669 14.547 13.X4 48,105 20,068 48.737 5,821 20,068 631 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period unre$Cted funds Restricted funds Endowment fund$ Categories CCXX R1 accounts (SSI 2310612022

ID neartsl£ B1 Cash funds 47.052 rolal cash funds 48.107 831 R8strlct•d funds Endowrn•nt funds Details Details Cuwr•nt val onal B3 Inv•tment ass•ts DÈtsils Cgst{opkndl ¥4u• on•1 B4 Ats retaln•d for the charity's own u Details Fultkh Wh onal B5 Uablllt SvJned by one ortsrs trusts m behaff of 811 Ih6trust8es Sb3nalure int Nar Date of approval 23rd June 2022 CCXX R2 accounts ISS) 2310612022