Trustees’ Report
Introduction:
The trustees are pleased to present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the 12-month period ended November 30, 2024. This was the fourth full period of operation, in which Hector’s House Cat Rescue was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. The trustees confirm that their report and financial statements meet statutory requirements.
Despite our accounts showing we have surplus funds of circa £155,000, please note that this figure includes:
-
a refund due from HMRC of around £90,000 for historic VAT reclaimed;
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£25,000 ring-fenced for off-site quarantine pens which were installed in December 2024.
This left £40,000 in our bank accounts.
Objectives and Activities:
Hector’s House Cat Rescue was established for the public benefit, to promote humane behaviour towards cats in the Borough of Torbay and elsewhere by providing care, protection, treatment and security for cats in need of care and attention due to sickness, maltreatment, poor circumstances or ill usage, rehoming such cats where necessary. We do this by providing a rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming service, and veterinary care, for domestic and feral cats and kittens. Our guiding principle is that if a cat has a chance of a life without suffering, we will do everything in our power to enable that.
Principal Activity:
Hector’s House is staffed by four paid employees (one full-time and three part-time) and 110 volunteers, and works predominantly to rescue and rehome stray and abandoned male cats, which are the most difficult to rehabilitate. We work to reunite lost cats with their owners, respond to calls for assistance from the public, and work with veterinary practices, local authorities, and other charities and cat welfare organisations. More information is available on our website at https://www.hectorshousecatrescue.co.uk/
Lost cats:
We work hard to return lost cats to their owners, if they can be traced or come forward, primarily using information from an animal’s microchip if available, and using social media and other local enquiries. We have an outreach service, with a team of volunteers across Devon who will carry out an initial visit to scan a cat of concern if possible, or scan an injured or deceased cat so its owner can be informed. The cat may be paper-collared if no microchip is detected, or if not approachable, a trap will be set
to secure the cat so it can be scanned and returned to its owner. Unclaimed and surrendered cats will be brought to a pen for assessment. If a cat is surrendered to the care of the charity, or no owner is found after an appropriate period of advertising, it will be given a health check and receive any required veterinary treatment. Its behaviour will be assessed before an appropriate home is found.
During this reporting period Hector’s House Cat Rescue were glad to welcome The Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023 coming into force. The new legislation mandates compulsory microchipping of cats before they reach the age of 20 weeks and to ensure contact details are kept up-to-date on a microchip database. The introduction of this legislation should assist with the reunification of lost/missing cats with their owners, simply by scanning a cat for a microchip.
Feral cats:
We respond to calls about feral cats. These are cats that have been born in the wild, receive no suitable socialisation between 2-8 weeks and cannot be domesticated. If left, a colony can quickly grow in size to cause problems, so we will neuter feral cats and provide health care, then either return them to their original location, or find a suitable feral placement where food and shelter is available. This is known as TNR, or Trap, Neuter and Return, which is an established welfare practice.
Rehoming:
All our cats offered for rehoming receive a health check and any necessary veterinary treatment. Life as a long-term stray can cause serious health problems, which we will ensure are treated. Although cats may appear well from a distance, they are good at hiding pain and distress. Strays often develop dental problems, matted coats, injuries from fighting, abscesses, parasite infections, and are prone to catching serious lifelimiting diseases. Cats for rehoming will be neutered and given all the treatment they need, and are rehomed with five weeks’ free pet insurance with Agria, which gives a donation to Hector’s House for each policy subsequently taken out.
Kittens:
Kittens born in our care, or brought in young enough to be domesticated, are cared for by fosterers. Before they are rehomed, all kittens are socialised, neutered, health checked, given flea and worming treatment and vaccinations, and they will be covered by five weeks’ free pet insurance from Agria Insurance.
Public benefit:
We promote cat welfare and good practice on our website and social media platforms. We provide advice to owners whose cats have gone missing, including a guide on what to do which is published on our website. We provide advice and information and
advocate neutering and microchipping of all cats, and also publish advice on our website on what people should do if they are concerned about a cat.
Chair’s Report:
This was our fourth full period of operation, following the successful registration of Hector’s House Cat Rescue with the Charity Commission, on November 13, 2020. The charity was named after my own cat Hector, who went missing in July 2018. The charity was established primarily to rescue, care for, rehabilitate and rehome stray and abandoned unneutered male cats.
During 2023, I began to question how sustainable the rescue was, given the huge need, and the fact that the charity’s operation was based at my home. However, the legacy we subsequently received from the Maureen Jones Trust of £115,000 meant that the hunt for premises for an independent rescue centre began. In December 2023, we received the best Christmas present ever when we were given a grant of £95,000 from Pets Foundation to equip a new centre. In February 2024, we finally completed the purchase of 6 Old Mill Road, Torquay, thanks to an interest-free loan of £115,000 from a supporter who wishes to remain anonymous. Planning permission for change of use was granted and work began. The building was kitted out with 14 double pens, supplied and fitted by Peticular Pens.
The charity is committed to learning and developing our knowledge base, skills and practice.
In February 2024, I, along with trustee Kitty Oldfield and staff members Kim Lott and Tabitha Holmes completed a 20-week online course on ‘Becoming a cat friendly homing centre’ organised by International Cat Care.
In September 2024, I and our centre manager Kim Lott attended a one-week residential course on shelter management at Battersea Academy in London. The cost of the course and expenses were all covered by Battersea.
In late September 2024, the charity applied for full membership of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH). Thanks to the hard work of trustee Kitty Oldfield, I’m delighted to say that after an on-site assessment in December 2024, we were approved as members in February 2025.
To strengthen our ability to raise funds for the cats, we explored options to open our first shop. We projected that we could raise a significant surplus, and so we opened our shop in Lucius Street, Torquay, in February 2024.
The shop was largely successful, and eventually required a dedicated paid, part time shop manager to support the operations. In July 2024, Natalie Hall-Moore was employed for 10 hours a week as our shop manager. Natalie’s focus allowed the shop to raise even more funds for the cats in our care with innovative ideas such as holding £1 sale weekends and Christmas sale events. The shop volunteering team has grown from strength to strength.
During the period we continued to maintain a strong working relationship with our main veterinary practice, MediVet Torquay (previously Animal Health Centre). I would like to thank all the staff there for their ongoing support and understanding of the often complex and demanding needs of our cats. Additionally, we continued to enjoy a good relationship with Jonathan Woods veterinary practice in Crediton, for our excess neutering requirements.
Our team of employees grew from two to four, including the addition of Natalie as our shop manager and Ashleigh Whiteman as our charity administrator, also on a part-time basis of four hours per week. The additional roles allowed the charity to run better, ensuring vital administrative tasks can be completed without compromising time spent on cat welfare matters.
Our team of volunteers stabilised at approximately 110. They included 18 kitten fosterers, who cared for mums and kittens in their homes, 16 adult cat fosterers, a driver, and more than 40 others in roles including admin, social media, fundraising, volunteering in our new shop, pen maintenance and outreach. Our team of pen organisers taking care of all the needs of the cats at HQ twice a day grew to 40. I would like to thank all our volunteers for their amazing hard work and commitment to our cause.
We are grateful for financial support during the period which included grants from Animal Rescue Foundation (£10,000); Kevin Foster MP (£1,000); The Sanctuary Angels (£500); Pets Foundation (£95,000 to equip the new cat rescue centre).
Our reputation in the community continued to grow. We are grateful for fundraising opportunities from Pets at Home and Dunelm in Torquay during this period. We are also grateful to the many individuals and companies who donated money, food and equipment, and supported our fundraising events.
Cats rehomed:
We took in 677 cats and kittens. 19 died while in our care, 68 were euthanised due to insurmountable health reasons. 108 were allocated to alternative placements and all the other unclaimed cats were adopted.
During this period we were involved in several multi-cat household situations. This resulted in us taking many cats in permanently, however we also arranged for around 70 cats to be neutered, microchipped and returned to owners. This was mostly done with the use of Cats Protection Neutering Vouchers sourced by the owners. There were three cats in long-term foster care during this period.
Yet again, it was a very busy year, with absolutely no sign of the unowned cat crisis in this country abating, but with the new centre and staffing in place, we continue to strive to make a significant difference in our locality.
I would like to thank the trustees for their support, especially Kitty Oldfield for her exceptional work in developing our policies and procedures to match the growth of the charity.
Zara Oldfield
Hector's House Cat Rescue Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 November 2024
Hector's House Cat Rescue
Contents
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 |
|---|---|
| Accountants' Report | 2 |
| Balance Sheet | 3 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 4 to 6 |
| Income and Expenditure Account | 7 |
Hector's House Cat Rescue
Reference and Administrative Details
Charity name Hector's House Cat Rescue Charity number 1192317 Trustees Zara Oldfield Alison Short Clive Appleby Edward Oldfield Elaine Rowe Kitty Oldfield Address 51 Audley Avenue Torquay Devon TQ2 7PB Accountant Vincent & Co Accountants 37 Shiphay Lane Torquay Devon TQ2 7DU
Page 1
Accountants' Report to the Trustees on the Unaudited Accounts of
Hector's House Cat Rescue
In accordance with the engagement letter , and in order to assist you to fulfil your duties we have compiled the financial statements of the registered charity from the accounting records and information and explanations you have given to us.
This report is made to the Charity's Board of Trustees, as a body, in accordance with the terms of our engagement. Our work has been undertaken so that we might compile the financial statements that we have been engaged to compile, report to the Charity's Board of Trustees that we have done so, and state those matters that we have agreed to state to them in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charity's Board of Trustees, as a body, for our work or for this report.
You have acknowledged on the balance sheet as 30th November 2024 your duty to ensure that the charity has kept proper accounting records and to prepare financial statements that give a true and fair view. You consider that the charity is exempt from the statutory requirement for an audit for the year.
We have not been instructed to carry out an audit of the financial statements. For this reason, we have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have given to us and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the financial statements.
......................................... 37 Shiphay Lane Vincent & Co Accountants Torquay Devon
TQ2 7DU
Date:
Page 2
Hector's House Cat Rescue
Balance Sheet as at 30 November 2024
| Note Fixed Assets Tangible assets 4 Current Assets Debtors 5 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 6 Net current assets Net assets The funds of the charity: Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Unrestricted income funds 10 Members' Funds Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year 7 |
£ £ 316,105 95,684 87,017 182,701 (4,024) 494,782 385,636 - 385,636 385,636 2024 (109,146) |
£ £ 26,658 39,334 282,440 321,774 (3,285) 345,147 230,147 - 230,147 230,147 2023 (115,000) |
|---|---|---|
On behalf of the board
Zara Oldfield (Sep 16, 2025 11:35:50 GMT+1)
…………………………………………..
Signed by: Zara Oldfield
Date:
Page 3
1
Hector's House Cat Rescue
Notes to Financial Statements for the Period Ended 30 November 2024
Accounting policies
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (Charities SORP FRSSE) (effective 1 January 2015) and applicable accounting standards.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the charity is responsible in law.
Fund accounting policy
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees' discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity. Restricted funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area
Incoming resources
Donations are recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the statement of financial activities at the same time as the gift to which they relate.
Resources expended
Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding or constructive obligation on the charity. Expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross.
Fixed assets
Individual fixed assets costing £0 or more are initially recorded at cost.
Depreciation
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less
Plant and machineryd d l l h 20% reducing balanced f l l f f ll Fixtures and fittings 20% reducing balance Motor Vehicles 20% reducing balance
Page 4
Hector's House Cat Rescue
Notes to Financial Statements for the Period Ended 30 November 2024
……….continued
2 Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
| Depreciation charge on Plant & equipment Depreciation charge on Fixtures & fittings Depreciation charge on Motor Vehicles |
Total Funds 2024 1,424 1,718 2,455 5,597 |
Total Funds 2023 1,779 1,816 3,069 6,664 |
|---|---|---|
3 Trustees'remuneration and expenses
No trustees received any remuneration
4 Tangible fixed assets
| Disposals As at 30 November 2023 Brought forward Additions As at 30 November 2024 Depreciation Brought forwards Charge for the year As at 30 November 2024 Net book value As at 30 November 2024 Cost |
Rescue Centre Plant & equipment Fixtures & fittings Motor Vehicles Total 11,122 10,589 17,229 38,940 293,722 - 1,322 295,044 - - - - - 293,722 11,122 11,911 17,229 333,984 4,003 3,324 4,955 12,282 1,424 1,718 2,455 5,597 - 5,427 5,042 7,410 17,879 293,722 5,695 6,869 9,819 316,105 - 7,119 7,265 12,274 26,658 |
|---|---|
Page 5
Hector's House Cat Rescue
Notes to Financial Statements for the Period Ended 30 November 2024
……….continued
| 5 6 Accruals and deferred income Trade Creditors 7 Other loans Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year Debtors Debtors Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year |
2024 £ 95,684 95,684 2024 £ 2,520 1,504 4,024 109,146 109,146 2024 £ |
2023 £ 39,334 39,334 2023 £ 2,520 765 3,285 115,000 115,000 2023 £ |
|---|---|---|
8 General Information
Hector's House Cat Rescue Registered number 1192317 is a limited by guarantee charity incorporated in England & Wales. The Registered Office is 51 Audley Avenue, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 7PB.
| 10 Reconcilliation of funds Funds Brought forward Surplus during the year Funds Carried forward |
Unrestricted Funds 230,147 155,489 385,636 |
|---|---|
Page 6
Hector's House Cat Rescue
Income and Expenditure Account for the Period Ended 30 November 2024
| INCOME Card and Calender Sales Adoption Fees Fundraising Donations Grants and subsidies received Other trading income COST OF SALES Specialist Cat Food/Litter/ Medication and other pet expenses Vet Fees GROSS SURPLUS Administrative Expenses Travel and subsistence expenses Light and heat Rates Cleaning & Laundry Vehicle running costs Computer software, consumables and maintenance Repairs, renewals and maintenance Insurance Printing, postage and stationery Advertising and marketing costs Telecommunications and data costs Accountancy fees Bookkeeping fees Legal and professional fees Wages and salaries Employee pension costs Rent Bank charges Depreciation of plant and machinery Depreciation of motor vehicles Depreciation of fixtures and fittings Sundry expenses VAT reclaimed in previous year (see note 9) SURPLUS FOR THE FINANCIAL PERIOD |
£ £ £ £ 2,333 2,083 40,655 37,634 1,550 25,250 185,180 251,119 112,419 8,000 33,105 375,242 324,086 24,382 24,871 99,898 106,265 (124,280) (131,136) 250,962 192,950 235 201 2,123 1,574 1,904 1,093 9,070 7,599 6,509 1,132 7,168 3,418 5,841 1,766 2,190 1,047 2,373 2,387 713 3,000 1,900 1,260 258 5,567 35,820 1,617 493 7,525 1,831 1,054 1,350 1,424 1,780 2,455 3,069 1,718 1,816 2,026 1,241 (17,399) (95,473) (22,675) 155,489 170,275 30-Nov-24 30-Nov-23 |
|---|---|
Page 7
Hectors House Accounts 2024
Final Audit Report
2025-09-16
Created: 2025-09-16 By: Saxton Vincent Ltd (office@saxtonaccountancy.co.uk) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAlYJ2d8cB8qasC1FGbdR_DHfctlxbhJqw
"Hectors House Accounts 2024" History
Document created by Saxton Vincent Ltd (office@saxtonaccountancy.co.uk) 2025-09-16 - 8:45:25 AM GMT
Document emailed to zara.oldfield@hectorshousecatrescue.org for signature 2025-09-16 - 8:46:05 AM GMT
Email viewed by zara.oldfield@hectorshousecatrescue.org 2025-09-16 - 10:35:15 AM GMT
Signer zara.oldfield@hectorshousecatrescue.org entered name at signing as Zara Oldfield 2025-09-16 - 10:35:48 AM GMT
Document e-signed by Zara Oldfield (zara.oldfield@hectorshousecatrescue.org) Signature Date: 2025-09-16 - 10:35:50 AM GMT - Time Source: server
Agreement completed.
2025-09-16 - 10:35:50 AM GMT
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND MD WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section Indepei)dent Exaininer'5 Report Report to the trust888 HECTOR'S HOUSE CAT RESCUE On aeeounts for the yoar ended 30 NOVEMBER 2024 Charlty no (If any) 1192317 Set out on pag¢8 I report to the trustees on my examinatlon of the accounts of the above charlty {Yhe Trusf) for the year ended . RMpon8lbllttlo8 and basls of report As the charws trustees, you are responsible for ts pr8paratlon of the accounts in accordance wllh the requirements of the Chariti88 Act 2011 {Ih8 Acn. I report In respect of my exarnlnatlon of th8 Trust'8 accounts carrled out under Sectlon 145 of the 2011 Act and In ¢arrylng out my examlnatlon, hav8 followed all the appllcable Dlrectlons gNen by the Charlty Commi881on und8r section 145(5){b) of the Act. Independent tThe charlvs gross Income exceeded £250,000 and l am qualified to •xamln•tr8 8tatom•nt undertake the examlnation by being a quallfied member of Ilnsert name of appllcable118ted body]l. D8let81 l Mnot appllcable. I have Compteted my examlnatlon. I conflrm that no mater181 matter8 have com8 to my attentlon In connectlon wilh the examlnatlon {other than that d18closed below ) whlch glves me cause to believe that in, any matsrial respect., the accountlng records tre not kept In accordarts wlth seciion 130 of the Charities Act,. or the accounts did not accord with th8 accounting ffj¢ord8' or t accounts dld not comply with the applicable requlrements concerning the fonn and content of aoUnt8 set out In the Charltles (Accounts and Reports) Regulatlons 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an indendent examlnation. I have no conc8ms arKI have come across no other matters In connection with the examinatlon to which attention should be drawn in this report In order to enable 8 proper understsndlng of the accounts to be reached. ' Please delete the words in the brackets rfthey do not apply. Slgnod: Dats: 1610912025 Narne: Shama Yeowell Relevant professlonal qualification(s) or body MAAT IER Oct 2018
Ilf any): Addre. 37 Shiphay Lane Torquay TQ2 7DU Section B Disclosure Onty complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32. Independent examlnatlon of charlty accounts: directions and guidan for examiners). Gfve here brfef detalls of any items that tho examiner wlshes to dlsclose. IER Oct 2018