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Charity pleads with sponsors not to stray because chairman has 18 cats

Linda Upson - Cats Protection
Linda Upson - Cats Protection

Major sponsors of Britain’s biggest cat charity have been urged not to end their support out of “embarrassment” over revelations the chairman is keeping 18 cats.

Charles Darley, the interim chief executive of Cats Protection, stepped down from his role this week after an explosive row over the number of pets kept by Linda Upson in her three-bedroom house.

He claimed the chairman appeared to be breaching official guidelines on welfare - which states cats must have “enough space so they can get away from one another” - and the refusal of the charity to act was potentially “very damaging” to its reputation.

Following the revelations in The Telegraph this week, it has emerged that several corporate sponsors have begun discussions with the organisation about the situation.

There are fears that they may seek to activate clauses in their contracts allowing them to terminate their sponsorship due to “public embarrassment”.

Ms Upson has so far been allowed to keep both her position and her cats after an internal investigation simply sought assurances she “would not add more” to her house.

A spokesman for Purina, one of the largest sponsors of the charity, said: “We’re aware of the situation and are in discussion with Cats Protection.”

Mr Darley, who left his role just three months into a 12-month contract, last night (FRI) said he had written to two of the biggest sponsors, Purina and Petplan, asking them not to sever ties.

Between overcrowding and hoarding

In a letter to a senior director at Purina, seen by The Telegraph, the outgoing boss said: “The chair has 18 to 20 cats in a three-bed house which is perceived by other animal charities as somewhere between overcrowding and hoarding.”

He added: “I am writing to ask you as a major sponsor to avoid triggering the public embarrassment clause in your sponsorship agreement and instead seek an independent governance review.”

Both the charity's internal and external auditors have been notified of the situation.

Mr Darley also accused Ms Upson of misleading inspectors who visited her property on behalf of Cats Protection in November last year, by telling them she only owned 10 cats, in addition to several she had fostered.

“She has made no pretence of the fact since then that she has 14 cats (15 pre-Christmas) in telephone calls with me and subsequent correspondence with trustees,” Mr Darley told this newspaper.

A spokesman for Cats Protection said: “Cats Protection served notice of termination of its contract with Charles Darley on 19 January 2022 after 3 months as interim chief executive. We have provided the charity’s internal and external auditors with the full information and we shall be guided by them. We have also provided Purina and Petplan with the full information and shall continue to keep them advised.”

Petplan was contacted for comment.