The Big Cat Sanctuary Ltd
The Big Cat Sanctuary houses a diverse and genetically valuable collection of felids. TBCS is an active member of many European Breeding Programmes.The Sanctuary raises funds through photographic workshops, experiences, annual open days and events.Funds raised at TBCS are invested back into the Sanctuary for the welfare of our cats and used as contributions to our conservation work in the UK
Objects
TO PROMOTE THE CONSERVATION OF THE PHYSICAL AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT BY PROMOTING BIO-DIVERSITY
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The charity reported a surplus of £37,228 for the year ended 31 December 2025, with total income rising to £4,551,128. Unrestricted reserves stood at £4,988,890, which is significantly above the trustees' stated policy target of approximately £2,250,000. The auditors confirmed that the financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis with no material uncertainties identified.
What the accounts disclose
“At 31 December 2025, the trustees consider it appropriate to hold free reserves equivalent to six months general expenditure, about £2,250,000 (2024: £1,600,000). The unrestricted reserves at 31 December 2025 amounted to £4,988,890” — page 6
“During the year, £45,000 (2024: £41,000) was paid to Parkside Leisure Limited for rent of the site.” — page 33
“Other expenses totalling £164,462 (2024: £109,851) were charged by Parkside Leisure Limited for other premises expenses).”
“During the year, £45,000 (2024: £41,000) was paid to Parkside Leisure Limited for rent of the site.” — page 33
“Other expenses totalling £164,462 (2024: £109,851) were charged by Parkside Leisure Limited for other premises expenses).”
“During the year, £45,000 (2024: £41,000) was paid to Parkside Leisure Limited for rent of the site.” — page 33
“Other expenses totalling £164,462 (2024: £109,851) were charged by Parkside Leisure Limited for other premises expenses).”
“During the year, £45,000 (2024: £41,000) was paid to Parkside Leisure Limited for rent of the site.” — page 33
“Other expenses totalling £164,462 (2024: £109,851) were charged by Parkside Leisure Limited for other premises expenses).”
“During the year, £45,000 (2024: £41,000) was paid to Parkside Leisure Limited for rent of the site.” — page 33
“Other expenses totalling £164,462 (2024: £109,851) were charged by Parkside Leisure Limited for other premises expenses).”
“The charitable company has a wholly owned subsidiary, The Big Cat Sanctuary Experiences Ltd, incorporated on 24 April 2015 and through which the trading element of the Charity is conducted.” — page 7
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Campaigns and political activity policy and procedures
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Engaging external speakers at charity events policy and procedures
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Investing charity funds policy and procedures
- Paying staff
- Risk management
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Social media policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
- Volunteer management
From the charity’s annual return (Part A, self-declared)
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2025
- Volunteers: 78
- Trustee benefits, answered Yes to: any trustee benefit; payments to trustees for services to the charity
- Has a trading subsidiary
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2024
- Volunteers: 78
- Trustee benefits, answered Yes to: any trustee benefit; payments to trustees for services to the charity
- Has a trading subsidiary
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2023
- Volunteers: 61
- Trustee benefits, answered Yes to: any trustee benefit; payments to trustees for services to the charity
- Has a trading subsidiary
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Trustees
- Matt Bradychair
- Brian Kane
- Cameron Whitnall
- Gary Batters
- Jane Warden
- LYNN KATHLEEN WHITNALL
- Sir Eric Peacock
- Stephen Winterburn
- Tyler Whitnall
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £4.6m | £4.5m |
| 31/12/2024 | £3.6m | £3.2m |
| 31/12/2023 | £2.9m | £3.0m |
| 31/12/2022 | £4.2m | £3.5m |
| 31/12/2021 | £3.7m | £2.6m |
Common questions
Is The Big Cat Sanctuary Ltd financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The charity reported a surplus of £37,228 for the year ended 31 December 2025, with total income rising to £4,551,128. Unrestricted reserves stood at £4,988,890, which is significantly above the trustees' stated policy target of approximately £2,250,000. The auditors confirmed that the financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis with no material uncertainties identified. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Brindley Millen Limited.
Who funds The Big Cat Sanctuary Ltd?
Funders whose own accounts filings name The Big Cat Sanctuary Ltd as a grant recipient include MICHAEL AND SHIRLEY HUNT CHARITABLE TRUST, THE BERYL EVETTS AND ROBERT LUFF ANIMAL WELFARE TRUST LIMITED, THE W H SMITH GROUP CHARITABLE TRUST, THE GOOD LUCK CHARITABLE TRUST, FRANK BRAKE CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL AND SHIRLEY HUNT CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2021 | £38k | supporting global cat conservation |
| THE BERYL EVETTS AND ROBERT LUFF ANIMAL WELFARE TRUST LIMITED | FY2025 | £12k | |
| THE W H SMITH GROUP CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £8k | |
| THE GOOD LUCK CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £5k | |
| THE BERYL EVETTS AND ROBERT LUFF ANIMAL WELFARE TRUST LIMITED | FY2023 | £5k | |
| FRANK BRAKE CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £5k | |
| JOHN SWIRE 1989 CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £3k | |
| THE W H SMITH GROUP CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £1k | |
| JOHN SWIRE 1989 CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | amount not stated | |
| THE W H SMITH GROUP CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | amount not stated |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE BLACKPOOL CAT TRUST | 1 | £18k |
| THE VERA WOLSTENCROFT CHILDREN AND ANIMAL CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £16k |
| MARJORIE COOTE ANIMAL CHARITY TRUST | 1 | £5k |
Charities like this
- ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL
- FELINE CARE
- THE STRAY CAT CLUB
- THE SHEFFIELD CATS SHELTER
- CATS PAWS SANCTUARY
- THE CATCUDDLES SANCTUARY
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Big Cat Sanctuary Ltd | £4.6m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL | £651k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| FELINE CARE | £335k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE STRAY CAT CLUB | £88k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE SHEFFIELD CATS SHELTER | £961k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CATS PAWS SANCTUARY | £179k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |