2024-12-31-accounts - Stopford Cat Rescue

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period: 01/01/2024 to 31/12/2024

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

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SORP
reference
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Achievements and Performance	Achievements and Performance	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 2024 we rehomed 71 cats/kittens. Rehoming has been slow this past year because the rise in the cost of living has made people cautious about taking on further financial responsibilities and, in consequence, we have not had the capacity to accept all those kittens and cats offered to us.
		*In the period under review, 71 cats* *and kittens were rehomed.*

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Fostering

At the end of the year, five cats were ready to be homed and another four were being prepared. Rehoming is what we work for with all foster cats. However there are now 19 “long-term” fosters which are often strays and abandoned cats which are not likely to be homed though one or two may occasionally find a home.

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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. 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. Preoperative and postoperative 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 the period under review, 45 cats were neutered and microchipped under this scheme In addition we assisted 13 members of the public with subsidised food, flea or worm treatments. A further three were given financial assistance towards emergency veterinary treatment. One of our volunteers, trained in feline reiki, offered free treatment sessions to several members of the public.

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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.

In the period under review, a total of 30 cats received help under our TNR programme.

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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. The charity accepts young volunteers’ help from those carrying out the voluntary service requirement of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

Summary

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2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Rehoming - cats and kittens homed 83 137 96 102 86 71
Financially Assisted Neutering and 55 31 83 75 95 45
Community Support - cats helped
Trap Neuter Return - cats helped 47 40 32 73 31 30
Totals 185 208 211 250 212 146
Cats in long-term foster care 19
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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

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Review of the charity’s Para At the end of the year, we had unrestricted reserves
1.21
financial position at the end £34,806 so, if our current income is sustained, we have
of the period sufficient for the coming year
Veterinary services continue to be the most significant
outgoing, accounting for over 81% of the total
expenditure, despite an overall reduction in the number
of animals helped.
Expenditure exceeded income by £11,440 for the
period so the charity had to halt FAN and TNR services
and call a halt to undertaking any further expenditure
other than that necessary to cats already in the
charity’s care.
Grants - In 2024 we received no grants because our
dates and situations were not applicable to the various
requirements of relevant charities. We were however
applying for grants for the coming year.
Statement explaining the Para The charity’s policy is to hold between three and six
1.22
policy for holding reserves months of unrestricted reserves to provide a buffer
stating why they are held against unexpected events.
Amount of reserves held Para At the end of the review period, the charity held
1.22
unrestricted reserves of £34,806.
Reasons for holding zero Para Not applicable
1.22
reserves
Details of fund materially in Para None
1.24
deficit
Explanation of any Para None
1.23
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern
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Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

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The charity’s principal Para 1.47 1. Donations from adopters and the general public,
sources of funds (including
either one-off or by standing order.
any fundraising)
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 Para 1.46
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted
A description of the principal Para 1.46 The charity’s principal risk is the liability for large,
risks facing the charity 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

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution, adopted 20thDecember 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 November 2024, a new trustee was appointed.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

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Policies and procedures Para 1.51 Trustees are advised to study Charity Commission
adopted for the induction and guidance CC3a and, if appropriate, attend locally
training of trustees sourced training.
The charity’s organisational Para 1.51 Governance of, and decisions about, the charity’s
structure and any wider activities are made by a committee that comprises
network with which the three trustees plus other supporting committee
charity works 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 Para 1.51
parties
Other
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Reference and Administrative details

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

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Dates acted if Name of person (or body) Trustee name Office (if any) not for whole entitled to appoint trustee (if year any) Samantha Joanne Green Chair of Trustees 01/12/2024 on Co-opted by Trustees Carole Olivia Barnes Chair of Trustees to 19/06/2024 Elected by members Diane Josephine Coffey Secretary Elected by members Deryn Elizabeth Corner Treasurer Elected 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

	Diane Josephine Coffey

	Secretary

	12/02/2025

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`CHARITYCOMMISSION` `a` `FORENGLANDANDWALES` `(Stopford`	`CHARITYCOMMISSION` `a` `FORENGLANDANDWALES` `(Stopford`	`StopfordCatRescue` `Receiptsand`	`StopfordCatRescue` `Receiptsand`	`StopfordCatRescue` `Receiptsand`	`1178415` `paymentsaccounts`	`1178415` `paymentsaccounts`	`1178415` `paymentsaccounts`	`1178415` `paymentsaccounts`	`1178415` `paymentsaccounts`	`1178415` `paymentsaccounts`			`CC16a`
`’` `CatRescue`		`Fortheperiod`		`,`		`To`
`RegoteredCharityW7BdI5`		`from`		`01101/2024`					`31/12/2024`
`(note.columnsmaynotaddexactlyduetorounding)`
`SectionA Receiptsand`		`payments`
		`Unrestricted`		`Restricted`		`Endowment`			`Total`	`funds`			`Lastyear`
`.`		`tothenearest£`		`tothenearest`	`£`	`tothenearest`	`£`		`tothenearest£`				`tothenearest£`
`A‘Receipts`
`Donations- regulargiving`		`7,545`			`-`		`-`			`7,545`			`8,390`
`Donations- adoptionfees`		`7,665`			`-`		`-`			`7,665`			`8,920`
`Donations- oneoff`		`5,225`			`-`		`-`			`§,225`			`3,152`
`Saleofsecondhanditems`		`3,023`			`-`		`-`			`3,023`			`2,960`
`Insurancecommission`		`2,740`			`-`		`-`			`"2,740`			`1,984`
`Generalfundraising`		`2,589`			`-`		`-`			`2,589`			`3,496`
`SaleofChristmasitems`		`527`			`-`		`-`			`527`			`107`
`Events`		`1,056`			`-`		`-`			`1,056`			`831`
`Legacy`		`-`			`-`		`-`			`-`			`1,000`
`GiftAid`		`3,821`			`-`		`-`			`3,821`			`3,355`
`Grants(NotRestricted)`		`-`			`-`		`-`			`-`			`5,000`
`Grants(Trap-Neuter-Return)`		`=`			`-`		`-`			`-`			`7,000`
`PubliccontributionstoTNR`		`664`			`-`		`-`			`664`			`1,281`
`Grants(FinanciallyAssisted`	`Neutering)`	`-`			`-`		`-`			`-`			`1,000`
`PubliccontributionstoFAN`		`250`			`-`		`-`			`250`			`1,253`
`Misc`		`=`			`=`		`e`			`2`			`.`
`Subtotal(Grossincomefor`		`35.105`			`-`		`-`			`35,105`			`49.729`
`A2Assetandinvestmentsales(seetable)`
	`Subtotal`	`7`			`-`					`-`			`-`
`Totalreceipts\| __`		`35,105]`	`\|`		`-j`	`\|`	`-`	`\|`	`\|`	`35,105]`	`\|`		`49,729\|`
`A3Payments`
`Veterinarycosts- general`		`28,637`			`-`		`-`			`28,637`			`25,303`
`Veterinarycosts- FAN`		`3,676`			`-`		`.`			`3,676`			`5,544`
`Veterinarycosts- TNR`		`3,988`		`1,456`			`-`			`5,444`			`3,681`
`Food`		`4,460`			`-`		`-`			`4,460`			`4,698`
`Litter`		`1,427`			`-`		`-`			`1,427`			`1,013`
`Travel`		`303`			`“`		`-`			`303`			`649`
`Postage/ stationery`		`264`			`-`		`-`			`264`			`280`
`Sundries`		`1,328`			`-`		`-`			`1,328`			`1,431`
`Events`		`95`			`-`		`-`			`95`			`320`
`Insurance`		`511`			`-`		`-`			`511`			`357`
`IndependentExaminationof`	`Accounts`	`400`			`-`		`-`			`400`			`400`
`Bankcharges`		`2`			`y`		`2`			`5`			`-`
	`Subtotal`	`45,089`		`1,456`						`46,545`			`43,676`
`A4Assetandinvestmentpurchases(seetable)`
	`Subtotal`	`:`			`:`		`-`			`7`			`-`
`Totalpayments[`		`45,089]`	`\|`	`7,456]`		`[`	`-][`			`46,545]`		`\|`	`43,676\|`
`Netofreceints/(oavments)`		`(9,984)`		`(1,456`				`:`		`(11,440)`			`6,053`
`A5Transfersbetweenfunds` `A6Cashfundslastyearend`		`:` `44,790`		`:` `1,456`			`_` `“`			`46,246`			`40,193`
`Cashfundsthis`	`vearend`	`bal`			`:`			`-`		`*`			`“`

`Be`	`dee`	`ss`	`“Etarg`			`Unrestricted`	`Unrestricted`	`Restricted`	`Restricted`	`Endowment`	`Endowment`
						`tonearest£`		`to`	`nearest£`	`tonearest`	`£`
`B1Cashfunds`			`Current`	`account`			`30,951`				`-`
			`Paypal`				`3,855`				`-`
				`Totalcashfunds`			`34,806`		`-`			`-`
			`(agreebalanceswith`		`receiptsandpayments`
					`account(s))`
						`Unrestricted`		`Restricted`		`Endowment`
						`funds`			`funds`	`funds`
			`Details`			`tonearest£`		`to`	`nearest£`	`tonearest`	`£`
`B2Othermonetaryassets`
			`Details`			`Purnu`	`luWHIGIE`	`Cost(optional)`		`WUTLISIILvalue`
`B3Investment`	`assets`
			`«` `Details`			`rung`	`bowrrelt`	`.` `Cost(optional)`		`ui` `varvara`
`B4Assetsretainedforthe`
`charity’sown`	`use`
			`Details`			`Fund`	`towhich`	`Amountdue`		`Whendue`
`B5Liabilities`
`Signedbyoneor`	`two`	`trusteeson`		`Signature`			`Print`	`Name`		`Dateof`
				`SJiown`	`Coffey`	`DianeJosephine`			`Coffey`	`12/02/2025`