Sponsoring a cat

[Pinkbear (Julie)]

I understand the argument, Ela, and CP's guidelines, but Dogs Trust has found a way round this and runs a very popular sponsor scheme. I don't think they would line themselves up for prosecution so they must know they're acting legally.

[Ela]

I do know that CP advice against setting up sponsor schemes for specific cats but there has to be a way round this accounting problem.

I think it is something to do with the Charities Commission and what can be construed as the misappropriation of funds. E.G. Say a sponsor pays a yearly amount and a sponsored  cat is homed a short while after the sponsorship money is received.

Most of the advice HQ gives is because they or another charity has been in trouble with the powers that be and they want to avoid problems that can occur. I remember once a famous soap star ran a charity and with the funds she purchased a TV for a good cause, but the money she spent on that TV have not been given for that particular purpose and she was taken to court. It was splashed all over the papers and on TV at the time.

[Dawn F]

when I was at cp head office in march there was a big old ding dong about this issue - the staff and volunteers clearly have a difference of opinion on this one but I guess in the end the staff will win the battle

[Pinkbear (Julie)]

I do know that CP advice against setting up sponsor schemes for specific cats but there has to be a way round this accounting problem. I sponsor a dog via Dogs Trust and have done for years. Eventually our sponsor dog - a Rottie called Lazloe - passed away and they wrote to us telling us what had happened and asking if we'd mind if they transfered the sponsorship to Lilly, a deaf English terrier and sent us a photo of her with an enormous great big 'smile'. We're hardly going to say no, are we?  Dozens of people must sponsor Lilly and there must be heaps of cash left over - I bet they find a way for it to go to the other needy dogs. 

[Kirst]

I sponsored a cat for my Dad a few years ago - Im pretty sure it was through Cats Protection but dont know if they do it anymore.

[koscha (Ruth M)]

Hmmmmm....I was thinking of sponsoring a cat for my 2 year old niece for Christmas. My sister has a 'no pets' rule in the house (yes she listened to the  the midwife told her) but Bethany loooovvveeees my dad's cat so thought this might be a good compromise.

May have to have a re-think....

 

[Desley (booktigger)]

We have one person sponsoring one of our cats who isn't going to be rehomed, and the other cat they wanted to sponsor got rehomed just after they agreed to it, so my alternative was to sponsor my cat room, so every 3 months, they get an update on what cats have been in there in that time, and any updates on cats that have been in there, which I think is a nice way to do it.

[Ela]

It's a shame as people like to see the cat they are sponsoring.

A sponsor could always have a Christmas card and pics of all the cats that have been in that pen in any one year.

[Mark]

I had heard that silly ruling as well. It makes paperwork so complicated. It's a shame as people like to see the cat they are sponsoring.

[Leanne]

Thanks Ela 

[Ela]

Nowadays most rescues would rather people sponsor a cat pen rather than a particular cat, as due to the law if you sponsor a certain cat rescues must prove (if they are audited) that every penny that is donated is spent on that particular cat. That means ever potion and lotion must be logged and priced. See:-http://www.catchat.org/adoption/essex.html for rescues in your area.

[Leanne]

I'd really like to do this for my friend and her son for christmas but I am having trouble finding a charity that does this, does anyone know or anyone? Ideally I'd like somewhere locally to the Harlow area.