Helping Boxers in need find loving homes Home Counties Boxer Welfare Chartty Numbèr 10G6246 Trustees, Annual Report & Accounts for the period from 1st January 2023 to 31st December 2023 Charity name: Home Counties Boxer Welfare Charity registration number: 1006246 Objectives and Activities Summary ofthe purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document The stated aim of the charity is: "The relief of sick,111-treated. neglected or rojected dog8, In partlcular dog8 of the Boxer breed." Our activities include: 1. Rehoming dogs who can no longer stay in their curront hom88, preferably from home to home but where necessary using a network of foster homes and kennels. 2. Meeting veterinary costs for dogs both in our care and also for som6 who remain with their families or who are in other rescues. 3. Providing behaviourist support to help dogs overcome i88ues which may arise from lack of training or even abusive treatment. 4. Providing advice and support to boxer owner8 on training, health and other boxer issues; giving encouragement and confidence to help them and their dog enjoy a positive and fun rolationship. 5. Co-ordinating home checks and follow-up vi8its through a network of volunteers for potential adopters, adopting homes, fosterers and foster homes. 6. Fundraising via a range of activities to financially support the charity's operational costs. 7. Liai8ing with HCBW members through the i88ue of the annual 'Newslink' magazine. HCBW is a breed specific rescue. We are involved only with Boxer dogs and sometimes Boxer crosses. We try to help wherever we can and this year we have helped nine boxer crosses as opposed to much smaller numbers in earlier years. We believe Boxers are unique and, because of their distinctive behaviours and generally high energy, ensuring the dog is in the right empathetic home is very important. The knowledge within the charity gained over many years has proved invaluable in the successful rehoming of many dogs. We take care in seeking the right home for each and every dog and in the rare cases where this goes wrong or the circumstances in the new home change adversely, we are there to tske the dog back into our care. Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. 2023 was a busy year for the charity. We rehomed 44 dogs, and helped a further 3 remain in their homes. At the year*nd we had 5 of our dogs in foster. Two of whom were in long tenn foster care, three who were actively seeking homes and in addition we had a further two who were with us temporarily for a welfare stay whilst their owners were unwell. Very sadly 2 dogs died in foster in the year. One came in with a tenninal illness which we quickly discovered and another was elderly and survived very happily in foster for almost a ear before becomin ill. We also had the heartache of
euthanising an adult male. He was highly traumatised before coming to us and was showing signs of significant aggression. It was a decision we took with heavy and unwilling hearts, but one that was proposed by and supported by the vet and dog warden services. Our foster homes remain very special to us, and we work closely with them about any support they need for the care of our dogs. All foster dog vet bills are covered by HCBW and, where necessary, food is provided, especially rf the dog requires a special diet. As in previous years our veterinary costs continue to be our major expense. We have had a number of dogs that we have rehomed requiring expensive veterinary treatment for pre-existing conditions, including mainly allergy and skin conditions. Such conditions will not be covered by any pet insuranc8 and 80 HCBW make arrangements to help finance such situations. Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit HCBW strive to take into consideration both the needs of the dogs and the expectations of any potential adopters. Where a dog comes into our care, he or she is our prime conrn. We endeavour to assess the dog fully before seeking a suitable home. Where the previous background is unknown, we will not rehome a dog with young children or older vulnerable children andlor vulnerable adults. All potential homes are considered based on the same criteria - t welfar8 of the dog. Contribution made by volunteers We are indebted to the small anny of volunteers across a wide swathe of the land, who home<heck for us, often with little notice, and who diligently check out applicants, homes for suitability to adopt or foster. Although named Home Counties w6 routinely cover the Midlands down to the West Country and across to East Anglia and Kent from Gloucester, Worcester and occasionally Wale8, We remain grateful to the regular sponsorships and donations made to support the running of HCBW. Members and supporters prove themselves seffle88 and generous, enabling u8 to provide the support to the dogs in our care. As with the previous year, we reached out to other charities and individual owners to help with veterinary costs thus enabling life changinglsaving treatment which otheiSe would not have been available for the dogs. In the year we donated £6050 to other registered dog charities and ov6r £8,000 to individuals where the lacked the funds to meet the essential veterina costs. Other Achievements and Performance Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity's work has made to the circumstances of rts beneficiaries and any wider benefrts to 80ciety as a whol6. HCBW successfully placed 44 dogs into new, loving homes where their needs and welfare are being managed. The majority of these dogs go on to lead happy lives without the help and further support of HCBW. We maintain a continual connection wrth new families either with direct contact through the trustee or volunteer who oversaw the rehoming plus via update e- mails and posts on our Facebook page. The welfare of HCBWS dogs is our main priorrty, and we will provide support wherever it is needed. We were able to provide support for three dogs to remain with their loving families. This included providing short tenn foster care for them whilst their family circumstances went through a temporary period of change. We also provided behavioural support for some as well as moral support for owners who just needed to be reassured that their dog was fine.
We were upset to deny help to two dogs whose behaviour was too challenging to safely rehome them. Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set We scheduled an informal fundraising dog show in the early Summer at an outdoor venue. However, the weather was exceptionally hot and for the welfare of the dogs, we postponed the event. We rescheduled for the autumn and unbelievably the weather on that day was even hotter than the summer so, in consideration for the dogs we cancelled effectively meaning we held no fund- raising events in the year. We continued with on-line sales of merchandise, including our own calendar featurin our rescued do s and also our uni uel desi ned Christmas cards. NIA Investment perfonnance against objectives Other Financial Review Review of the charity's financial position at the end of the period Financial Statement attached. Statement explaining the policy for holding reseNe8 stating why they are held The charity has invested money accrued over many years, including several legacies and other donations. The funds are held to be used by the Trustees in order to cover any costs which may occur. Over recent years we have operated at an annual loss and the funds have been used to cover these. Following practise established in 2022, we have reached out to other boxer rescue chartties to off8r financial help with their veterinary cost8. We have a180 responded to financial requests towards véterinary care from boxer dog owners who otherwise could be forced to give up or rehome their dogs very much against their wishes. Readily accessible monies are held in bank deposits with the larger Sum held in a ortfolio of funds mana ed b Fidelius Wealth Mana ement Bath. £390,743.18 Amount of reserves held Reasons for holding zero reserves NIA Details of fund materially in deficit NIA Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concem Whilst we have a small army of volunteers who undertake home checks, offers of help with transporting dogs and assisting at dog shows, we continue to struggle to attract new volunteers to take up the role of trusteelcommittee members which is essential to ensure HCBW continues to operate . The charity's principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) HCBW generated funds from adoption fees, membership subscriptions, regular sponsorship donations and one-off donations. We have also very gratefully received legacies from the wills of two people this year totalling £25,000 . A further £2,862.90 was received in memory of loved ones where the families kindly nominated the charity to receive donations on the death of their loved ones.
We also have a portfolio of fund8 generaling a regular retum on our long term investment. A description of the principal risks facing the charity The requests for help have continued with financial constraints continuing to be one of the main causes of dogs coming into rescue. The costs of dog ownership are increasing, particularly for insurance and vet bills which is causing people to relinquish their dog8 to our care, particularly following relationship breakups . Flnancial constraint IS one of several main reasons why f6wer people are looking to own lar erd Other Structure, Governance and Management Type of governing document HCBW is governed by a written constitution, adopted at the AGM in 2012 How 18 th8 charity constituted? HCBW 18 an unincorporated charity. Trustee selection methods including details of any constrtutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees Trustees are elected from the membership at the AGM, being proposed and seconded by members. Trustees are 8l8ct8d, or re-818Cted, every year. Reference and Administrative details Charity name Home Counties Boxer Welfare Other name the charity uses HCBW Registered charity number 1006246 Charity's principal address 26 Latimer Stony Stratford Milton Keynes MK111HY Names of the Charity Trustees who manage the Charity Trustees namo Office if any Dates acted if not the wholo year Donna Russell Chai rson
Karen Kerb Lorraine Harve Rosema Westbrook Eleanor Barton Trace Lowes ela Barber Julie Semmence Sue Annstron Secreta Treasurer To 5 March 2023 Funds held as custodian trustses on behalf of others Description of the a88ets held in thi8 capacity NIA Nam08 and addrnssos of advl88r8 (Opuonal Infomiatlon) of advls•r Financial Namo Fidelius Wealth Management Addre88 Alexander House, Jame8 Street We8t Bath, BA12BT Exemptions from dlsclosure Reason for nonlsCIo8ure of ke NIA rsonnel detai18 Declarations The Trustses declare that they have approved the Trustees, Report and Accounts above Signed on behalf of the HCBW Trustees Slgnature(s) Full namo{8) Positlon (eg. Secretary, Chair, etc) C*ftq i @- Date
HOME COUNTIES BOXER WELFARE ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Income for the year 2023 2022 Subscrlptlons 2023 £690.1)0 2022 £770.00 2024 £220.00 £910.00 2023 £240.00 £ixiio.00 Swnsorshlp Donatlons for adopted dogs Payments under Oldles Scheme Donatlons Includlng legacles and in memorlam donatlons Donatlons £5,489.00 £11.074. £1,300.00 £5.324.00 £7,792.60 £1,660.00 £5,367.48 £27,862.90 £1.696.23 £52.22 £7,648.67 £7,293.44 £1,079.66 Legacle5 and In rnemorlam donatlons Fundralsing from Paypal Glvln& Amazon, Easy akk, Easy Fundralslng Commls51on Glft Ald refund from HMRC 21122&22123 £5,)6.43 20121 £2,171.97 M•rth•ndlse sal £1,222.36 £237.61 £1.570.18 le postage & package £984.75 £149.98 £1,420.20 Bank and buildln8 soclety Interest CeIVable BarclaysDeposlt Illanchester Bulldlng Soclety £120.41 £3.52 £80.41 £200.82 £8.59 £12.11 Tot•1 In¢om• £59.943.83 £35,412.65 Expemes Stock purchases forfund generatlon £116.35 £183.90 Do8 care and welf•ve 4rtl¥lU Vetertnary costs Kennels charges Travelllng costs Mlscellaneous dog related expenses Hlre of flelds for meet'n greets Dog tralnlng costs Foster dog expenses Donatlons for14et costs for dogs In other rescues £54,641.50 £5,721.39 £2,286.40 £43,342.30 £3,489.50 £2,337.30 £171.00 £33.50 £o.c £1106.33 £818.64 £0.00 £176.64 £6.050.00 £5,266.28 Support u>sts Insuran £271.65 £496.60 AGM. Shows & Rallles Webslte and software costs £31.78 £96.00 £804.88 £933.88 Prlntlng & knt1Ory. Newslink produrtion & despatch MISlIaneouS expenses Legal fees Totsl payments rnade £39.45 £257.96 £442.15 £209.00 £36.97 £78.00 £78.00 £580.00 £73.478.99 £57,618.36 13.535.16 22,205.71
Value of Investments LTI £366,481.77 £24.261AI £409,TJ9.93 43.318.16 Revaluatlon £390,743.18 £366.481.77 Monles held Cash £O.LYJ £66.47 Bank current account £830.15 £4,569.12 £7,735.47 £17.186.05 £471.63 Bank dewstt accourt 8ulldln8 soclety a¢Unt Paypal £15,155.88 £0.00 £507.55 £16,493.58 £30,028.74 £407,236.76 £396,510.51 Merchandlse £139.79 £169.24 PA system Wrltten down Value £31.64 £42.18
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Home Counties Boxer Welfare On accounts for the year ended 311t Dember 2023 Charlty no (If any) 1006246 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trust.) for the year ènded 3111212023. Responslbilities and A8 the charity trust888, you are responsible for the preparation of the basls of rnport accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 ('the ACV). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confinn that no material matter8 have examlnoVs ststsment come to my attention in connection with the examination which give8 me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records wer8 not kopt in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no conc6ms and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 0810312024 Name: Chris Hinks Relevant profeylo qualification(s) A¢¢ross: 20 Buckin ham Way, Frimley Surrey. GU16 8¥F IER October 2018