Annual Report & Accounts
February 2023 to January 2024
We have faced many challenges this past year, the cost of living crises has impacted many people and we have rescued several animals from veterinary practices when owners were unable to pay for treatment, opting for euthanasia instead. Veterinary surgeons who believe the animal stands a good chance of a full recovery, call us if they can persuade the owner to sign the animal over to them instead of putting it to sleep. Of course, that means we are faced with cost of the treatment. A Bengal cat called Trouble, fell from a second-floor balcony breaking a leg. Because the owner delayed taking the cat to a vet, mending the break failed and, in the end, we had to remove the leg completely. It was a happy ending for Trouble, the foster carer who nursed him through his operation and did all the aftercare, adopted him. Having rescued so many via this route, our veterinary costs have increased substantially this year, and we believe will continue to do so. With the sharp rise in treatment and routine procedures like vaccination and neutering, we have seen more animals discarded generally and our own costs at an all time high.
Animals, especially dogs, need time to settle into their new homes. Many are anxious when moved on again, and we have been shocked and disappointed by how quickly some of our animals are returned. One dog, a foxhound called Jacob, was returned in less than 24 hours because he was restless. Another, a crossbreed called Lizzie, was returned after a couple of days when they decided she was too big for the house. This is very disappointing as we go to great lengths to ensure potential adopters have a clear understanding of what is needed when taking on a new pet. We offer back-up training too but still people give an animal up without asking for help.
We continue to rescue dogs from Ireland and Romania as well as locally. This year we started to do mandatory testing for Brucellosis for all dogs from Romania prior to travel. Most veterinary practices now demand proof that dogs from mainland Europe have been tested for this disease and are negative before they will treat them because it can be passed to humans. This is in addition to the tests we already carry out for tick borne diseases.
Jacob returned to us after less than 24hrs because he kept jumping on the couch.
One of the many animals left at vets when owners could not afford to pay the bill.
Christmas Eve we had an urgent phone call from our local pound about three dogs whose reclaiming time had expired. They were to be euthanised that afternoon if no rescue space could be found. Our foster homes stepped up and all three dogs were saved. One of the dogs, an elderly Jack Russel we called Ivy, had so many rotten teeth that her mouth was full of abscesses. The level of neglect was astounding, and the poor girl had to have over 20 teeth removed and a course of antibiotics. Despite her obvious discomfort, her temperament was very sweet.
Going forward, we know the reasons for surrendering pets will continue to rise. Rehoming is also affected as fewer people able to take on pets. Our rehoming figures reflect this trend. We can only hope that breeders are similarly affected and that less dogs and cats will be produced. The knock on effect of lockdown continues to be felt when so many animals were bred.
Trouble, who lost a leg because the owner delayed veterinary
treatment
Skye, a victim of the cost of living crisis.
Adoptions this year are as follows: 154 dogs, 7 cats, 3 small pets.
Registered address: 13 Eastfield Road, Royston, Herts SG8 7ED. Tel: 01763 244488 Trustees: Gillian Knight, Karen Barry, Carole Moules. Registered Charity Number 1067970
HEATHLANDS ANIMAL SANCTUARY INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31st JANUARY 2024
| A B C G1 H1 H2 H3 H4 K1 KR H R1 |
INCOME Fund Raising Donations Estimated Interest Received EXPENDITURE Veterinary Services Kennel Fees Fostering Depreciation Telephone Stationery & Postage Waste Disposal Insurance Travelling & Transport Staff Expenses Miscellaneous Repairs Excess/(Deficit) of Expenditure over Income |
2024 27,799.00 £ 124,047.00 £ 2.00 £ 151,848.00 £ 89,144.00 £ 17,014.00 £ 16,138.00 £ 577.00 £ 2,088.00 £ 581.00 £ 2,134.00 £ 545.00 £ 16,802.00 £ 8,170.00 £ 3,203.00 £ - £ 156,396.00 £ 4,548.00 -£ |
2023 19,764.00 £ 117,317.00 £ - £ - £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 137,081.00 £ |
|||
| 82,094.00 £ 20,299.00 £ 9,332.00 £ 618.00 £ 1,891.00 £ 633.00 £ 1,256.00 £ 528.00 £ 18,653.00 £ 2,666.00 £ 3,474.00 £ 403.00 £ |
|||
| 141,847.00 £ |
|||
| 4,766.00 -£ |
HEATHLANDS ANIMAL SANCTUARY
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31 JANUARY 2024
1067970
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31st January 2021 31st JANUARY 2024
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30th NOV 2024
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SCOTT PAUL ROUSE Scott Paul Rouse
FCA FCA
20 Parklands, Royston, Herts, SG8 9HL 20 PARKLANDS, ROYSTON, HERTS, SG8 9HL
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