Trustees’ Annual Report for the period: 01/01/2023 to 31/12/2023
Charity name: Stopford Cat Rescue
Charity registration number: 1178415
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference |
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|---|---|---|
| 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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25th April 2024
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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25th April 2024
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. Occasionally, we will rehome cats to live indoors but only when they are adults who have never been outside and who show no inclination to do so. 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 2023 we rehomed 86 cats\kittens. In the period under review, 86 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 £12 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 2023 , we helped with the neutering of 79 cats and veterinary care for 16 cats. In the period under review, 79 cats were neutered under this scheme and 16 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 31 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 | 2023 | |
| Rehoming- cats and kittens homed | 83 | 137 | 96 | 102 | 86 |
| Financially Assisted Neutering and Community Support- cats helped |
55 | 31 | 83 | 75 | 95 |
| Trap Neuter Return- cats helped | 47 | 40 | 32 | 73 | 31 |
| Totals | 185 | 208 | 211 | 250 | 212 |
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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 overall surplus to reserves of £6,053. This was due partly to an increase in receipts made possible by the successful application to charitable grants (see below) and a reduction in expenditure of £3,600 (7%) on last year. Veterinary services continue to be the most significant outgoing, remaining at 79% of the total outgoings, despite an overall reduction in the number of animals helped. As income exceeded expenditure for the period the charity had no need to access any reserves to fund the ongoing work. Grants - In 2023, we obtained grants totalling £13,000 from five organisations. This helped us with our vet costs and with the costs of our Assisted Neutering and TNR programs. |
|---|---|---|
| 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 £44,790 (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. 3. Grants from various organisations. |
|---|---|---|
| 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 October 2023, a new trustee was 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 | |
| Diane Josephine Coffey | Secretary | Elected by members | |
| Michael North | Elected by members | ||
| Deryn Elizabeth Corner | Treasurer | 26/10/2023 | Co-opted by trustees |
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 | |||
| 25th April, 2024 |
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25th April 2024
No (if any) 1178415
CC16a
Charity Name No (if any) Stopford Cat Rescue Receipts and payments accounts
| For the period from |
Period start date 01/01/2023 |
To |
|---|---|---|
(note: columns may not add exactly due to rounding)
Section A Receipts and payments
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Endowment funds |
Total funds | Last year | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | ||||||||||||||||
| A1 Receipts | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Donations - regular giving | - | 8,390- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 8,390- | - | 8,430- | ||||||||||
| Donations - adoption fees | - | 8,920- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 8,920- | - | 8,960- | ||||||||||
| Donations - one off | - | 3,152- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 3,152- | - | 3,711- | ||||||||||
| Sale of second hand items | - | 2,960- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 2,960- | - | 549- | ||||||||||
| Insurance commission | - | 1,984- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 1,984- | - | 1,416- | ||||||||||
| General fundraising | - | 3,496- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 3,496- | - | 7,272- | ||||||||||
| Sale of Christmas items | - | 107- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 107- | - | 237- | ||||||||||
| Events | - | 831- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 831- | - | 1,828- | ||||||||||
| Legacy | - | 1,000- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 1,000- | - | -- | ||||||||||
| Gift Aid | - | 3,355- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 3,355- | - | 3,602- | ||||||||||
| Grants (Not Restricted) | - | 5,000- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 5,000- | - | 100- | ||||||||||
| Grants (Trap-Neuter-Return) | - | -- | - | 7,000- | - | -- | - | 7,000- | - | 250- | ||||||||||
| Public contributions to TNR | - | 1,281- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 1,281- | - | 379- | ||||||||||
| Grants (Financially Assisted Neutering) | - | -- | - | 1,000- | - | -- | - | 1,000- | - | -- | ||||||||||
| Public contributions to FAN | - | 1,253- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 1,253- | - | 1,098- | ||||||||||
| Misc | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | - | 41,729- | - | 8,000- | - | -- | - | 49,729- | - | 38,732- |
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | Sub total(Gross income for AR) | Sub total(Gross income for AR) | - | 41,729- | - | 8,000- | - | -- | - | 49,729- | - | 38,732- | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A2 Asset and investment sales(see table) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | |||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | |||||||||||||
| Sub total | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||
| **Total receipts ** | - | 41,729- | - | 8,000- | - | -- | - | 49,729- | - | 38,732- | ||||||||||||
| A3 Payments | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Veterinary costs - general | - | 25,303- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 25,303- | - | 23,617- | ||||||||||||
| Veterinary costs - FAN | - | -- | - | 5,544- | - | -- | - | 5,544- | - | 3,961- | ||||||||||||
| Veterinary costs - TNR | - | 2,431- | - | 1,250- | - | -- | - | 3,681- | - | 9,573- | ||||||||||||
| Food | - | 4,698- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 4,698- | - | 4,587- | ||||||||||||
| Litter | - | 1,013- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 1,013- | - | 660- | ||||||||||||
| Travel | - | 649- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 649- | - | 1,164- | ||||||||||||
| Postage / stationery | - | 280- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 280- | - | 1,140- | ||||||||||||
| Sundries | - | 1,431- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 1,431- | - | 1,713- | ||||||||||||
| Events | - | 320- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 320- | - | 69- | ||||||||||||
| Insurance | - | 357- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 357- | - | 392- | ||||||||||||
| Independent Examination | of Accounts | - | 400- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 400- | - | 400- | |||||||||||
| Bank charges | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | 36,882- | - | 6,794- | - | -- | - | 43,676- | - | 47,276- | ||||||||||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases | (see table) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | |||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | |||||||||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||
| **Total payments ** | - | 36,882- | - | 6,794- | - | -- | - | 43,676- | - | 47,276- | ||||||||||||
| Net of receipts/(payments) | 4,847 | 1,206 | - | -- | 6,053 | (8,544) | ||||||||||||||||
| A5 Transfers between | funds | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | |||||||||||
| A6 Cash funds last | year end | - | 39,943- | - | 250- | - | -- | - | 40,193- | - | 48,737- | |||||||||||
| Cash funds this year end | 44,790 | 1,456 | - | -- | - | 46,246- | 40,193 | |||||||||||||||
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
08/05/2024
1
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories B1 Cash funds |
Details | Details | Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current account | - 42,975- |
- 1,456- |
- -- |
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| Paypal | - 1,815- |
- -- |
- -- |
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| B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account (s)) Details Details Details Details Signature |
- 44,790- |
- 1,456- |
- -- |
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| Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - -- - -- - -- - -- - -- Print Name Carole Olivia Barnes |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
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| Date of approval | |||||||
| Carole Olivia Barnes | 25th April 2024 | ||||||
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
08/05/2024
2
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees STOPFORD CAT RESCUE On accounts forthe yèar ended 31 DECEMBER 2023 Charity no lif any) 1178415 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examinakn.on of the accounts of the above charty {1he Trusf) for the year ended 31112 12023. Responsibllities and basis of report As the charity's trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan with the requirements of the Charrties Act 2011 {'the AGY). I report in respect of my examination of the Twst's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions 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 examiner's ststement Come lo my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordan with section 130 ofthe Charities Act.. or the accounts did not accord with the ac¢ounting records., or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements onceming the foTh and content of accounts set out in the Charrlies (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 concems and have come across no other matters in connection wilh 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: Dats: 0710512024 Name: Sarah Harrison Relevant professional qualificationls) or body Ilf any): FCA Address: 48 Highfield Road. Lymm. Cheshire WA13 OEF Oct 2018
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES 11T8415 Receipts and ments accounts CC16a For the period from Olm112023 To 3111212023 InDle mlumns addpxgctly terrAl) Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted trjtho ntsare5tÉ Restrictod tothe n•arest £ Endowment tothe nvavpst £ Total funds th8 nearest £ La8t year to the n8aro8t £ A1 Recoi tk)naiions- regular giw Donali¢ns- adoplion fees LkJnaliorts- one off Sale of second hand items Insuran commission General fund$1 Sale ofChri5trnas items Events Legacy Gifl Aid Grants (Not Rttkndedl Giants ITrap-Neuter-Reluml PUNIC conlribulions to TNR Gran15 IFinanaalty Assisted Netheringl Publit conlribulh)ns to FAN Mlsc Sub total (Gross income for AR) 8.3 8.92 3.152 8.430 8.980 3.711 549 1.418 7.272 237 1.828 8.920 3.152 1.984 3.496 107 831 1.000 3.355 5,(K)O 7000 1,281 1,1M)O 1,253 3.4 107 3.355 3.602 100 250 379 1.281 1.098 41.729 49,729 38,732 Veterina Veterina Veterina Food Litter Trav P05ta e I slatlone Sunddes Events Insuran Inde endenl Examinats"on ofAtcountS Bank char costs- er*ral costs- FAN costs. TNR 25.XJ3 25.303 23,617 2.431 4.698 1.013 1.250 3.681 4.698 1.013 649 28D 1.431 32C> 357 400 9,573 4,587 660 1.164 1,140 1.713 69 392 400 1.431 357 Sub total Sub total ' Net of receipts/(paymgnts) AS Transfers b8tW8en fund5 A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this yearend 6,063 39.943 44.79 250 40.193 48.737 CCXX R1 accounts ISSI 0710512024
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted to nOar £ Restricted to rwr8St £ Endowment garoSt£ B1 Cash funds Curtenl accowrt 42.975 1.456 Pay 1.815 Total cash funds 44,790 1.4SG XXX5)I Unr8stri¢ted funds Restricted fund$ to n8arest£ Endowment funds. Details to Fund to set bel Cost l(¢thnall ¢urr•nt valu• oTral Details Fund to whKh ass¢t trlo Cost loptknall Current valuè ona Details B4 Assets retained for the charity's own use Fund to whlch Amount due ona Details When duo ona B5 Liabilitios Sioned by one or two trustee5 on Print Name Date of Carole Olma Bames 25th Apn"12024 CCXX R2 aecounts ISSI 0710512024