2022-12-31-accounts - Stopford Cat Rescue

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period: 01/01/2022 to 31/12/2022

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.

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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 including program related investment	Para 1.38
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. Committee members and many other supporters 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.
Other

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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 four 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. 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. *In the period under review, 102 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.

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Some owners took the cats to the appointed vets themselves but in other 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. 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 2022, we helped with the neutering of 62 cats and veterinary care for 13 cats. In the period under review, 62 cats were neutered under this scheme and 13 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.

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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.

In the period under review, a total of 73 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*	*2022*
Rehoming- cats and kittens homed	83	137	96	102
Financially Assisted Neutering and Community Support- cats helped	55	31	83	75
Trap Neuter Return- cats helped	47	40	32	73

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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 under review, there was an increase in most of the activities of the charity. This is reflected by the charity’s expenditure rising from £38,599 last year to £47,276 (up 22%.) Our greatest expense, by far, continues to be for veterinary services which account for 79% of our outgoings. With income falling significantly this year compared to last year (down 42%), the charity used some of its reserves to fund the increased activity. Grants - this year we were only able to obtain a small grant of £250 to help towards our Trap, Neuter, Return scheme. Our Financially Assisted Neutering scheme was entirely self-funded. Both schemes were suspended from the start of October to slow down our rate of expenditure. We hope to be in a position to restart both schemes during 2023.
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 £39,943 (12 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 Para None 1.23 uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern

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 - we continued to raise funds through online appeals, competitions, sales of second-hand items and outdoor fundraising events.
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. The elected trustees may appoint further trustees during the year as required - in the event, none were appointed.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose 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 plus other supporting 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)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)
Carole Olivia Barnes	Chair of Trustees		Elected by members
Hannah Jane Hill	Secretary	To 12/12/22	Elected by members
Diane Josephine Coffey			Elected by members
Michael North		From 12/12/22	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

		11th April, 2023

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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGIAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees STOPFORD CAT RESCUE On accounts for the year ended 31 DECEMBER 2022 Charity no (rf any} 1178415 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of lh8 above chanty (Ihe Trusf) for the year ended 31112 12022. Responsibilities and basis of report As the chantls trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Art.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directs'ons given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5}(b) of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have •xaminer's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect." the acGounling records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts did not comply wtth the applicable requirements conceming the forn and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and fair. view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no cOnmS 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. Signed: Date: 1710412023 Name: Sarah Harrison Relevant professlonal qualrfication(s) or body (if any>: ACA Address: 48 Highfield Road, Lymm. Cheshire WA13 OEF Oct 2018

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR INGIAND ANO ¥YALts Sto ford Cat Rescue Receipts and payments accounts 11n415 CC16a Fortht Period 0imrdw2Z To 3111212DZZ Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds RestTlCted fvnds Endowment Total fund8 Lo$t ye•r tothTrn&v•st£ the nE#reslE A1 Recel Donations- Donations- al Donion9- (Aleoff Sab Of$e it8ms In6wan¢è COMM ¢eneYal lundraisin Sab of ChrtSthlAS itÈrns uLgr 8.430 8.980 7.980 7.801 6,139 1,049 nfEg5 3.711 519 1.416 7272 237 $49 1.418 7.272 237 ,9S9 385 ,176 21,851 3.529 ftAd &ants Not R•stre& Gran Trt 11¢ ¢(thUtiSt0TNA Firon¢AI As>5ted NB Pubwc COnti[l0 FAN 3.69? 250 379 3.5UO 1,723 Sub tot81 [GJusskK4TrkltyARI 67268 A2 Asset and Imitstm•nt 8a188 Sub totsi 250 38,732 67,266 A3P ments vetaryCts.era vetEary¢($- FAN Velemarycosts.TNR 23,617 3,961 16.023 9573 Littgr Trgv 588 1.164 1.140 1,184 Sundrios Events Irtsurat lThlwenfnt Exatnvwkn oflccort8 Bank¢hS 3.992 76 371 275 69 392 400 Sub total 631 47,276 38,599 A4Asset and investment r¢ha585 Sub total 631 47,276 38.599 Nat ofre¢elptsi(paymentsJ A5 Transfers beh¥etrn funds A6 Cash funds last yoar and Cash funds Ihls y•arwKI .163 18.5441 48.1U6 39.943 631 250 48,737 40.193 4B.737 pp<É CCXX R1 accounts ISS) 2510312023

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at Ihe end of the period Unrt5tricled fvnds Restricted fvnds Endtswmant funds fios B1 Cash funds 39234 Tolal ea¥h fvnds 39.943 250 Re5tr1cied funds EThJowmont fund5 nds B2 Othèr monetary assèts ¢VreTrt lu• lMch x¥•t Curvtrtv¥l on B4 Assets retalnod for thg charity'5 own use Fund lo IhrnQUN d B5 Llabllllles SkJned by unE orkn be of all the trLL8toes SIalUre Print Nawd Dat6 of approval 25th Marth 2023 PN& 3 CCXX R2 accounts ISSI 2510312023