Harrogate Cat Rescue
Financial statements including the Trustees Annual Report For the year ending [] September
2024
Charity registration number: 1201512
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Harrogate Cat Rescue Trustees’ Report
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the charity and Independent Examiner’s Report for the year ended 22 November 2024..
Objectives
The Charity’s main objectives are thus:
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To care for unwanted, neglected, abused and injured cats and kittens.
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To facilitate the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of cats and kittens
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To provide and maintain safe foster homes for the reception, care and treatment of such animals until we can find them forever homes.
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To provide safe and loving foster homes, and medical care, for cats and kittens with complex, chronic or long term medical conditions which render them unsuitable for rehoming.
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To work to keep feral colonies controlled using a trap, neuter, release programmes; rehoming any feral kittens once domesticated and socialised when suitable.
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To prevent cats and kittens suffering from neglect or abuse by removing them from potentially dangerous situations; offering them a fresh start, a second chance at life.
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To educate members of the public on the importance of neutering and microchipping of cats and kittens, along with providing advice on all other welfare issues referencing our vast experience and knowledge, and in partnership with our nominated veterinarians.
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To help people source safe rescue spaces as an alternative to advertising cats and kittens online, where no other alternative is possible.
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To work with vets, local authorities, the Police, Social Services and other organisations in developing initiatives to help safeguard and protect the lives of cats and kittens and to promote their wellbeing.
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Review of Activities and Achievements
This is the second reporting period for Harrogate Cat Rescue as a registered charity, prior to which in the preceding 3 years it operated as an independent rescue. In the year to 22 November 2024 Harrogate Cat Rescue admitted a further 258 cats and kittens using our dedicated network of volunteer foster carers and transport volunteers, and rehomed 328 felines. These cats and kittens included rescued strays, unwanted pets who had been surrendered for various reasons and tamed feral kittens.
Through the year we have had several instances of older cats being abandoned, usually with complex medical needs. Nora is such a cat, found by a member of the public on the streets in a terrible condition. She needed multiple teeth extracting and it was discovered she had suffered repeated episodes of chronic pancreatitis and had developed diabetes, and she subsequently been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, which is not untypical in older cats. Now aged 16 years she is living out her retirement in a long term foster home where she receives her twice daily insulin injections and Thyronorm, and of course an abundance of love.
Not all of our cats with complex medical conditions are elderly, Neko for example is just 4 years old and has been in a foster home for the past 3 years. Not only does Neko have a life limiting illness, cardiomyopathy, but when he arrived in the foster home it became clear he had been abused and was terrified, which in turn caused him to act out and behave aggressively. His foster family have persevered, and, over time, and with infinite patience, he has become a loving family pet. Neko will remain a long term foster cat and as such the Charity will continue to fund his medical treatment and provide food and provisions for however long he survives.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (known as “FIP”) is a medical condition feared by cat owners and vets alike, without treatment cats and kittens die from this condition. Although we have previous experience with FIP, it does present in many forms and can be difficult to diagnose. Mae, a 6 week old kitten, came into the rescue as a single kitten abandoned by her mother, but was observed as being particularly lethargic with significant breathing difficulties, and was quickly diagnosed as FIP with fluid around her periocardial sac (the lining around the heart) Treatment for FIP is 80 days of medication, followed by an 80 day observation period. The cost of the treatment and weekly tests is over £5,000, and through the skill, expertise and compassion of our vets and Mae’s foster carer, she survived the treatment and was rehomed when she was 11 months old. We were only able to provide this treatment to Mae due to the generosity of our supporters who responded to our fundraising to cover her medication.
-3Harrogate Cat Rescue Trustees’ Report (Continued)
We also opened our doors and hearts to Haribo and his siblings, a litter of 3 kittens who were born during a spay and with the vets full knowledge of the pregnancy. The vets took the decision to resuscitate the kittens and bring them back to life, knowing the risks of such a traumatic birth. Sadly, despite the efforts of our vets, Haribo was the only surviving kitten, and under the expert care of the Chair of the Charity, he survived to be rehomed.
It was not however plain sailing, and Haribo, along with Nettle and Humbug, kittens rescued from different litters, survived the gruelling 6 week treatment cycle for Ringworm.
We continued to support sites with feral colonies, with help to neuter cats and to rehome kittens born outside once socialised and domesticated. Where we are unable to domesticate cats and kittens, we partner with a rescue specialising in rehoming in safe outdoor settings, and we have had much success in finding homes for many of the cats who prefer the outdoor life.
This year we have made substantial progress supporting independent rescuers in Leeds, Bradford and other West Yorkshire cities, assisting them in providing foster space, ensuring the cats and kittens receive all necessary veterinary treatment, and then rehoming them in accordance with our policies. This includes rescuing cats and kittens from horrific situations where they are being bred to be sold specifically for dog baiting.
These are only a few examples of the cats and kittens that have come through the charity and each and every one of them now has a better future ahead.
Outside of this, we support members of the public with advice on the pregnancies of their cats, and the unwanted litters, and also on how they can help stray cats, particularly unneutered males.
During this period, Harrogate Cat Rescue has been able to hold a number of successful fundraising events including charity quizzes in Harrogate and surrounding areas, stalls at local artisan markets, car boot sales and instore fundraisers at supermarkets. We also generate revenue through the sale of our infamous cat kickers and other homemade items.
Last year we received grants, however sadly due to a limited number of volunteers able to assist, we have not been able to apply for grants this reporting period, but are working on our future grants currently.
-4Harrogate Cat Rescue Trustees’ Report (Continued)
We continue to promote other schemes such as Easy Fundraising which provides a small pot of funds and is low touch. We have benefited from donations in lieu of memorial flowers for supporters of the Charity, and were the benefactors of the estate for a longstanding supporter who was passionate about animal welfare and sadly passed away. We wish to convey our heartfelt thanks to the families of the deceased for their selflessness in a time of sadness.
Harrogate Cat Rescue is a charity run entirely by volunteers and would not be in a position to carry out the important work we do without our dedicated and committed team of 51 volunteer foster carers and fundraisers.
Many of our foster carers are generous not only with their time, but with their financial contribution, covering the costs of litter and food for their foster cats in many instances.
The Trustees would wish to give their heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers and to anyone who has contributed in any way to the Charity.
Public Benefit
The Charity helps to relieve the suffering of cats and kittens in need of care and attention.
The Charity helps to control suffering cat populations and the spread of disease through vaccination, neutering and education to the benefit of the public and the health of the cats and kittens.
The Trustees confirm that they have regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.
Financial Review
The financial statements show income for the period of £65070. The principal source of income of £33373 is from our fundraising efforts, including the regular monthly donations from our supporters.
We received a further £24250 from adoption fees when rehoming the cats and kittens in our care. This fee is invaluable and not only essential to ensure the sincerity of adoptions but goes some way to cover some of the costs of the care of the cats and kittens. We ensure that all cats and kittens (when old enough) are neutered, vaccinated, chipped, treated for fleas and worms
and receive any other veterinary treatment as may be required following a health check with our vets.
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The majority of our expenses for the period were for veterinary and medical costs of £53324. The Charity has agreed preferential rates with our nominated veterinary partner, Crab Lane Vets, and we are grateful for their ongoing support and guidance. Much of the rest of our expenses was money spent on medications, such as flea and worming treatments and for food and litter for the cats and kittens in our care. The Charity has benefited from generous donations of wet and dry food for cats and kittens, however we have sadly noticed a reduction in donations given the cost of living crisis, thus resulting in increasing food bills for the Charity.
The Charity has a surplus for the period of -£1072 and funds of £6650 at the end of the year. The Charity aims to hold a reserve of at least £7,500 at all times to cover unexpected costs such as veterinary fees and to ensure it can care for all of the cats and kittens in their care at any time, including a small number of long residents where we anticipate costs for several years of ongoing care. With the challenging economic environment the trustees continue to take a prudent view of reserves and intend to hold reserves to cover at least 6 months expenditure. The adequacy of the reserve level is kept under review by the trustees.
Harrogate Cat Rescue would wish to thank all fundraisers and anyone who has donated in any way to the rescue to ensure that it can continue to carry out its vital work
Policy on Reserves
The Trustees recognise the importance of reserves and aims to hold funds in the region of £7,500 where possible. As detailed above, the Trustees intend to hold reserves to cover at least 3 months expenditure.
The Trustees hold monthly Trustee meetings and review the financial situation on each occasion.
Structure, Governance and Management
Harrogate Cat Rescue is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, governed by its constitution dated 22 November 2022 and registered with the Charity Commission on 6 January 2023 with a board of 6 Trustees for the year ending 22 November 2024.
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Appointment of Charity Trustees
Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. Harrogate Cat Rescue is run solely by volunteers with day-to-day decisions being made by the Trustees on a majority basis.
Reference and Administrative details
Charity name: Harrogate Cat Rescue
Registered Charity Number: 1201512
Principal Office Address: 14 Nydd Vale Terrace, Harrogate, HG1 5HA
Trustees:
| Celia Margaret Elissa Dakin | Chair |
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| Katie Lee-Ann Audsley | Trustee |
| Jennifer Christine Balmforth | Trustee |
| Kirsten Brumfitt | Trustee |
| Susannah Newsholme | Trustee |
| Stephanie Saville | Trustee |
| Independent Examiner: | BW Accounting Limited |
| 20 Whitechapel Groves | |
| Scholes | |
| West Yorkshire | |
| BD19 6HL |
Declarations
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees Celia Dakin Signature: _________ Celia Margaret Elissa Dakin (Chair) Date: 20 September 2025
Harrogate Cat Rescue
Charity Number 1201511
Accounts for the Year Ended 22 November 2024
| Receipts :- Donations & Fund Raisers Adoption Charges Grants Received Insurance Receipts Payments :- Vet Fees Toys & Food etc Cat Sitting fees Website Costs Donations Repairs & Maintenance Accounts & Bookkeeping Insurance Receipts Stationery Surplus/(Loss)for theyear |
Receipts :- Donations & Fund Raisers Adoption Charges Grants Received Insurance Receipts Payments :- Vet Fees Toys & Food etc Cat Sitting fees Website Costs Donations Repairs & Maintenance Accounts & Bookkeeping Insurance Receipts Stationery Surplus/(Loss)for theyear |
33373.08 24250.00 6000.00 1447.38 |
65070.46 66143.29 -1072.83 7723.24 -1072.83 6650.41 November 2024 6650.41 6650.41 |
Last Year 29161.22 20425.00 12000.00 1063.81 62650.03 55673.27 1181.46 420.00 172.80 0.00 0.00 120.00 0.00 0.00 57567.53 5082.50 |
Last Year 29161.22 20425.00 12000.00 1063.81 62650.03 55673.27 1181.46 420.00 172.80 0.00 0.00 120.00 0.00 0.00 57567.53 5082.50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53324.49 11033.56 782.00 25.00 123.00 361.96 300.00 122.28 71.00 |
55673.27 1181.46 420.00 172.80 0.00 0.00 120.00 0.00 0.00 |
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| 5082.50 | |||||
| Opening Bank Balance Deduct Loss for the year ClosingBank Balance |
2640.74 5082.50 |
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| 7723.24 | |||||
| Cash at Bank Retained Profts |
Balance Sheet as at 22 | 7723.24 7723.24 |
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Derek Brewis
A C C O U N T A N C Y
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Harrogate Cat Rescue
Charity Number 1201511
Accounts for the Year Ended 22 November 2024
I have examined the bookkeeping records of the above and can confirm that everything is in order.
The books are maintained on a regular basis on a spreadsheet and all transactions are supported by reconciliation to the Bank account.
Derek Brewis
28 Cloverley Road, BRIDLINGTON, YO16 6UQ
Mobile: 07411042211 Email: djmbrewis@gmail.com