2023-12-31-accounts - Independent Cat Rescue Prestwich

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Registered Charity number 1201520

Independent Cat Rescue Prestwich- Registered Number 1201520

Annual Report 2023/24

Registered Charity number 1201520

Independent Cat Rescue Prestwich

Annual Report 2023/24

Organisational details

Trustees:

Barbara Franks- Chair

Lindsay Stewart- Secretary

Duncan Jenkins- Finance Lorraine Boswell

Ashlea Franks

Registered Office:

44 Prestwich Hills

Prestwich

Manchester M25 9PY

Charity number:

1201520

Charities Bank Provider

Lloyds Bank

276 Moston Lane

Manchester M40 9WB

Registered Charity number 1201520

Independent Cat Rescue Prestwich (ICRP)

Annual Report 2023/24

1. Introduction

It Has been both an interesting and exciting 12 months. Independent Cat Rescue Prestwich (ICRP) were registered as a charity in January 2023. This has given us both challenges and opportunities for now and the future. It was a big step for the Independent Cat Rescue as it will hopefully allow us to access more formal funding streams in the form of grants and awards.

This will enhance our current income which will allow us to plan potential expansion to the current cat pens which will form a major project for 2024.

The charities activities and objectives are:

to relieve the suffering of stray/feral in need of care and attention by providing a safe rescue or foster space for the cats to receive vital veterinary care and to seek homes for rescued cats.

2. Operational activity

This year we have noticed an increased demand for our services, this is mostly linked to the current cost of living crisis in the UK.

We are proud to be able to help the public in the following ways-

Being a contact for the local community, local authorities and veterinary clinics if they require assistance or rescue space for a stray.
Providing a neutering service for feral cats to help reduce the feline overpopulation issue which the UK is currently facing.
Offering rescue backup to adopters if circumstances were to change.
Providing guidance and advice to cat owners to increase knowledge on feline welfare.

2.1 Stray cats:

This year, we made the decision to specifically focus on stray and feral cats as unfortunately we have seen an increased amount in cats being abandoned and being left to stray after the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. Some of the cats are abandoned in the most horrific ways. Most of the stray cats that the charity takes in are in poor condition. They are checked by a veterinary professional and assessed in rescue so we can determine their needs for the future.

2.2 Feral cats:

At ICRP, we are proud to be involved in schemes which are known as TNR, this stands for

T- TRAP
N- Neuter
R- Release/Relocate

TNR is important to ensure the health and safety of feral cats across the country, it is also the most effective way of maintaining the feline overpopulation crisis.

Registered Charity number 1201520

A feral cat will be humanely trapped in purpose made cat traps, they will then be fully health checked, neutered and in some cases microchipped by a veterinary surgeon. In large cat colonies, the cat would be ear tipped, this is where the tip of the right ear is removed so it is visible that the cat is neutered and does not require to be re trapped.

If a feral cat was in an unsafe location or didn’t have an adequate supply of food, we work with farmers/owners of small holdings or stables to get the cats safely relocated to areas they will be cared for. The welfare of every cat is essential, and we take great care to ensure all their welfare needs are met.

2.3 Euthanasia policies:

Sadly, despite trying our absolute best for every cat that enters our care, some are just too poorly to save. This year we relieved the suffering of 9 cats. Euthanasia would be carried out if the animal’s pain was uncontrollable and was affecting their quality of life, each animal is monitored case-by-case and euthanising an animal would only take place if a veterinary surgeon decided that this was the most appropriate course of action. This allows them to go with dignity and relieves them from any further unnecessary suffering.

3. Fundraising events:

The charity relies heavily on fundraising events as a source of income. ICRP continues to recruit a small group of trusted volunteers to assist in planning, promoting and supporting events. This year we attended many local events such as Prestwich Clough Day and Prestwich Carnival, these events are also beneficial to the charity for us to promote feline welfare and gain further support to the charity. The fundraising team organise the events for ICRP, this year we held a summer fair, Christmas fair a Halloween fair / disco alongside other lines of fundraising which have included Cat name scratch card, digital fundraising and themed raffles. All of which were a great success. Additionally, one of our Trustees Lorraine Boswell climbed one of the Yorkshire three Peaks as a sponsored event and raised £900. Occasionally we have set up a Go-Fund-Me page for extremely poorly cats to contribute towards vet bills. A recent page raised £800.

All the above events have raised more than £600 for the charity. We have also been supported by local Bury Councillors who donated to the charity from their personal budgets. It is the Fund-raising committees plans for the new financial year to have bi-monthly meetings which will facilitate the planning of our summer and Christmas fairs, plus other local activities.

4. Partnerships and Main Donators

This year the Pets at Home store at Trafford Park has identified us as their nominated local partnered charity. This allows us to fundraise and promote the charity in-store. We have also had access to large donations of cat food and supplies by attending their warehouse in Northampton to collects pallets of excess goods. This has made quite a difference to helping feed the many cats that come through the charity. Occasionally the charity receives large donations from local businesses.

Registered Charity number 1201520

5. Communication:

ICRP main communication is via social media. We have a Facebook page which has over 5000 members. This allows us to run regular fund-raising event (raffles), advertise events (Christmas fair) and communicate cats and kittens that have come into rescue and promote the cats and kittens that are ready for adoption. We use our Facebook page to show the public the work that ICRP undertakes and how best they can support the charity.

6. Plans for 2024/25:

ICRP is still a home-based/foster based rescue, meaning that most of the work we do is carried out in our Founder’s home where there are already purpose-built pens in the garden. Our next project for 2024 is to convert our founder’s garage into a purpose-built cattery with 7 UPVC cat pens followed by an isolation unit. This will allow us to provide rescue space for more cats in need and will also allow us to accept further volunteers.

We would also like to apply for further funding to help with veterinary costs where possible.

7. Financial review

We had a positive year as a registered charity, despite the cost-of-living challenges affecting many of our donors and significant inflation in vets fees. A number of donors stepped up and helped us, especially for specific appeals for certain cats.

Overall, we increased our income to £54k for the year (circa £30k for the prior year). We used the vast majority of our donations on cats needing assistance. We ended the year with £6k of cash reserves.

8. Governance and management

The trustees meet bi-monthly to review the financial and operational activity. This is our main decision-making forum. Minutes are documented and signed off by the trustees as a true and accurate record. These are filed electronically.

9. Summary

This has been both an exciting and also difficult year. Becoming a charity is a major step forward for ICRP, but with the cost-of-living crisis and the impact of covid more cats have been abandoned, and very few are spayed / chipped.

This has put massive pressure on both Barbara and Ashley with people wanting cats to be looked after by the charity.

We have also noticed an increase in the level of abuse that Barbara and Ashley face when they have to say no.

The Trustees will not tolerate any level of abuse and are actively trying to manage it whilst supporting Barbara and Ashley who volunteer tirelessly to look after all the cats and kittens. Hopefully 2024 – 2025 will be a more positive experience for everyone.

Registered Charity number 1201520

We will continue as a charity to look forward to continuing our success.

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Independent Cat Rescue Prestwich, (1201520). I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 318t December 2023 which are set out on the following pa8e. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner". The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with.the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's statement: My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation11 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented.with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independent examiner's statement In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention [other than disclosed below'] which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations

have not been met, or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable 8 proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Name: Relevant Professional ualificationlprofessional body: Tc LJ Address: 35Ee Date:

CHARITY COMMISSION- FOR ENGLANO AND WALES Independent Cat Rescue Prestwlch Recei ts and ments accounts CC16a For the pgrlod from To 0110112023 3111212023 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestrlded funds Restricted funds toth¢ Marostt Endowment funds Total funds Last yaar to the rIrest tothp nèaio¥t£ totho n•or•Bt£ to th• ThBaro$t£ A1 Re¢¢1 ts 54.325 325 tota mss Income or ARJ 54.325 54,325 nve5 m•ni sales. 18•• table). ota ZS $4,325 A3pa nts 57.869 S7.889 Sub total 57.¥BS 4 Asset and Investment Sub total 57,889 57,BB9 Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between fund5 A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds thls year end 3.564 3.564 6.067 6,067 CCXX R1 accjjunts ISSI 1710412024

Secion B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds Restricted frjnds to n•arestÉ Endowrvient funds to nearest £ Catèoorl•s Detall8 B1 CO8h fund$ lJ)55 Lloyd$ 1963 CAF Total cash funds 8,007 lagrne bahr•x$wh rK01ptsa paynTh Unr•strlct•d funds to no•ro•t£ R•strfcted funds Endowment funds to ng3rg8t e Details to nenrest£ Fd towhl¢h 8$8gt bel&n Detall Cost (optional) eurrqTrt valug 83 Invtstmgnt ats Fund to which Ossèt belon Detalls ¢0gt loptlonall Cufftntvalue B4 Ass•ts rotained for the charltys own use Fund towhlch relat95 ourt dts Wh•n du• Dètails B5 Llabllltles Sfjoned by ong or truste on behawof all the lJust8es Signature Print Name Dale of roval ArtlAa LklL 29//24 CCXX R2 SCUnts ISSI 17104r2024