The United Kingdom Ragdoll Cat Community was set up in February 2004 and in November 2005 became a Charitable Trust, registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

The objects of the UKRCC, as per our Declaration of Trust are:

"TO PROMOTE HUMANE BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS ANIMALS, IN PARTICULAR RAGDOLL CATS, BY PROVIDING APPROPRIATE CARE, PROTECTION, TREATMENT AND SECURITY FOR ANIMALS WHICH ARE IN NEED OF CARE AND ATTENTION BY REASON OF SICKNESS, MALTREATMENT, POOR CIRCUMSTANCES OR ILL USAGE AND TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC IN MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE WELFARE OF RAGDOLL CATS IN GENERAL AND THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY AND SUFFERING AMONG SUCH ANIMALS."

This we work to achieve in the following ways:

1.Through the provision of the UK Ragdoll Cat Rehoming and Welfare scheme, which secures safe, loving homes for needy Ragdolls and other pedigree cats, funds veterinary care when necessary and provides foster care to homeless Ragdolls or any cat which needs it.

2.Through the provision of the UKRCC website and forum, which aims to educate, to promote responsible Ragdoll cat ownership and to provide information and support for Ragdoll owners and those interested in the breed.

3.By providing support and advice to Ragdoll cat owners and potential owners via our website, an emergency phone line and via email.

4.By working with and supporting other cat rescue groups in the care and rehoming of Ragdoll cats.

Other working names, registered with the Charity Commission:

UK Ragdoll rehoming and welfare
The Ragdoll Cat Trust

The UKRCC is run solely by a team of dedicated volunteers and is funded purely by donations. All monies raised are used to benefit needy Ragdolls, paying for veterinary care, rescue and fostering costs. We do not use our funds to attend any cats shows or to organise social gatherings.

Currently we have six trustees and each is dedicated to the welfare of the Ragdoll cat breed. They are all volunteers and are responsible for controlling the management and administration of the charity, within the Charity Commision guidelines. In addition all trustees are heavily involved in all aspects of Ragdoll rehoming and welfare, carrying out home assessments, helping to transport Raggies across the UK and fostering needy Ragdolls, whenever necessary.

Meet the Trustees

Darren Farrow BSc (Hons)

Appointed: July 2005

Current Term: 2007-2010

Darren is an assistant IT network manager at a secondary school and has considerable IT and computer experience. He designed and maintains the UKRCC website. In the past Darren ran his own electrical engineering business and hence has a wide knowledge of accountancy and record keeping. Darren has been involved with the Ragdoll breed for over 10 years and currently lives with ten Ragdolls and a Russian Blue.

Helen Alden-Farrow

Appointed: July 2005

Current Term: 2007-2010

Helen’s background is in the care profession, having had careers in nursing and residential social work. She has been involved in animal rescue and welfare on a voluntary basis for over 20 years and has considerable experience rescuig and rehabilitating sick and traumatised animals and in animal husbandry. She is the Rehoming and Welfare Officer for the UKRCC. Helen has owned Ragdolls for over 10 years and currently shares her home with ten Raggies, a Russian Blue and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Dawn Chesters

Appointed: July 2005

Current Term: 2007-2010

Dawn has worked as a Primary school teacher for 15 years. She has considerable experience in fund raising and organising events. Dawn has an interest in various crafts and uses these skills to benefit the UKRCC, producing handmade cards, jewellery, original drawings of Ragdolls, for sale and auction at fund raising days and via our online shop. Dawn has been in a cat family for many years and currently owns four Raggies and two moggies.

Jean Alden

Appointed: July 2005

Current Term: 2007-2010

Jean is a retired PA to a primary school head teacher and for 25 years co-ran a Brownie Guide pack. As such she has considerable administrative skills and fund raising experience. Jean has worked as a cat welfare volunteer for over 40 years and has been involved in several rescues and the rehabilitation and rehoming of many feral and stray cats, so brings valuable skills and experience to the UKRCC. Jean is owned by two Ragdolls, one of which she adopted, aged six, five years ago.

Dave Tinson

Appointed : Februay 2006

CurrentTerm: 2006-2008

Dave Tinson had a 12 year career in the Merchant Navy before joining the Metropolitan Police Force, in which he served for 30 years both as beat officer and traffic officer and then later as an officer in the juvenile courts. On his retirement from the Met, Dave worked as a court clerk for various firms of solicitors, until he finally retired in 2000. Through his work in the police, Dave has a vast knowledge of the law. Dave does not currently have any pets, but has a great love for all animals, especially cats and offers his services as a cat sitter to friends and family.

Mike Chesters

Appointed: February 2006

Current Term: 2006-2008

Mike has been a teacher for 14 years. He has a particular interest in photography and video production. Mike put his media skills to great use when he produced the UKRCC Ragdoll dvd, which proved very popular and helped raise considerable funds for our welfare account. Mike has been a cat owner for the past 9 years. He also enjoys sports, including cricket and walking.