North West English Springer Spaniel Rescue (NWESSR) Registered Charity 1076924 www.englishspringerrescue.co.uk ## **NWESSR Annual Report for the Charity Commission 2023.** ## **Charity Progress:** During 2023, the charity continued to work to reflect upon and revise its procedures in response to the challenges of rehoming dogs, specifically the continuing influx of young dogs that are under socialised, as well as increased expectations of those who wish to adopt dogs. Over this period NWESSR continued to implement robust surrender and rehoming processes. As noted in previous annual reports, much of the charity’s time and resources over this period was taken up making arrangements for the rehabilitation of dogs that ~~c~~ ame in with more complex behavioural needs as well as veterinary care. NWESSR remains in an increasing minority of dog rescues that’s intake policy includes dogs who have bitten; this is directly in line with NWESSR’s charitable purpose to rehabilitate and rehome English Springer Spaniels, however, this has implications for the resources required in rehabilitating dogs prior to rehoming. Over this period in-person fundraising continued, namely Dogs Day Out (June 2023). While resources did not allow for attendance at many other in-person events the charity are indebted to the increasingly innovative fundraising efforts of volunteers, alongside more traditional fundraising efforts including the ‘sponsor a springer’ scheme and the sale of calendars and cards. Thanks to the support of the public and NWESSR members and supporters, the charity continues to fulfil its charitable purpose of rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming English Springer Spaniels. NWESSR remains held in esteem with other rescues; receiving referrals from larger breed-specific charities and listed in the Kennel Club breed specific rescue directory. In March 2023 NWESSR held the AGM in person, as recommended in Charity Commission guidance. As in previous years NWESSR remains an entirely volunteer-led organisation with no paid employees. ## **Trustee positions – Resignations and new appointments:** As required by the constitution at the NWSSR AGM 2023 Sarah Singh stood down as Secretary (Trustee), before being re-elected (unopposed). Confirming cooption by the Executive Committee the previous year, Irene Gill was elected at Executive Committee as a Trustee and Treasurer. ## **Volunteers – Resignations and new appointments:** Chris Johnson: NWESSR would like to thank Chris for joining as an Assistant Homing Officer ## North West English Springer Spaniel Rescue (NWESSR) Registered Charity 1076924 www.englishspringerrescue.co.uk Kaitlyn Harwood: Kaitlyn kindly joined as a volunteer dog walker in 2023. NWESSR are very grateful for the time she puts in to socialise and exercise dogs in kennels. Janet Dunbar: NWESSR is grateful to Janet for her work as NWESSR Deputy Surrender Homing Officer, a role she performs with great initiative. Charlene Sutton: Following her appointment in Autumn 2023 as NWESSR Deputy Surrender Homing Officer, Charlene predominantly ~~w~~ rites Dog Profiles for social media, produces kennel notices and answers the general enquiries phone line. More recently Charlene has started to specialise in assisting with surrenders. ## **Rehoming of Dogs:** In 2023 NWESSR rehomed 49 dogs. The Homing Team were also able to offer advice or training support, to keep dogs in their own homes. NWESSR’s long-term foster scheme (meaning NWESSR will cover veterinary bills for pre-existing chronic conditions, or because the dog is over 10yrs of age) remains strategically important in supporting the rehoming of older dogs/dogs with chronic conditions. Dr Carol Gray continues to play a key role in advising on the veterinary care of dogs in NWESSR’s care (including those on long term foster schemes). As in previous years, a small number of dogs had to remain in kennels/residential training for prolonged periods as they were undergoing veterinary and/or rehabilitation over this period. Rosie Littlewood continued to do an excellent job in her role (Vetting Homing Officer) alongside Marie Fox (Surrender Homing Officer), supported by new volunteer assistants Janet Dunbar and Charlene Sutton, and Wendy Taylor (Matching Homing Officer). This team remains supported by Homing Officers Assistants, Julie Carr and Sue Maughan and Dog Training Coordinator, Sarah Singh. ## **Kennels:** During 2023 NWESSR continued to use three private boarding kennels in the Lancashire/Manchester area for dogs that required rehabilitation prior to rehoming. As in previous years, kennel space remains at a premium. All kennels have good sized exercise areas where dogs can run. They are conveniently located for trustees and volunteer dog walkers to visit dogs in kennels, to check their progress and ensure that welfare standards are being maintained. As in previous years, any dogs that could be fostered were placed in appropriate foster homes, to increase their wellbeing and to keep kennelling costs as low as possible over this period. North West English Springer Spaniel Rescue (NWESSR) Registered Charity 1076924 www.englishspringerrescue.co.uk ## **Financial position:** . NWESSR is grateful to Irene Gill, NWESSR treasurer and Nicki Higgins, assistant treasurer, for keeping close controls on spending in difficult circumstances, particularly given the number of dogs entering NWESSR’s care with behavioural issues which often require rehabilitation prior to rehoming. Under challenging circumstances, the charity has managed to remain financially stable, with a total annual income of £89,770 and total expenditure of £87,122 resulting in an overall very minimal profit of £2,648 (as compared to net loss in 2022 of £13,200). Income increased on 2022 (£59,210); NWESSR remains indebted to bequests and donations (both regular and one-off), which continue to ensure the financial stability of the charity. NWESSR’s income is mostly made up from regular donations by our members and supporters, plus fundraising by our trustees and volunteers. In 2023 we were also hugely grateful to receive several one-off larger donations and bequests. It is this continued support which enables us to carry on helping Springers in need. NWESSR’s fundraising this period has included several social media appeals for various dogs with specific needs (including the ‘Hoover’ appeal), all of which have all been very well supported. However, while costs continue to be closely managed, the increase in expenditure (compared to £72,410 in 2022) is largely due to rehabilitation costs associated with taking dogs that were under socialised during the pandemic, including dogs that have bitten for various reasons. Plus unexpected costs in one case of cruciate repair surgery. NWESSR’s expenditure for the year is as expected made up mostly of vet fees, kennelling and training. These costs are increasing across the board but are a very necessary part of NWESSR continuing to fulfil its charitable purposes. This spending is of direct benefit to the dogs and thus in line with the charity’s aims. Some dogs that come into the organisation need considerable training and rehabilitation, which is what we do as a Rescue Charity. NWESSR incurs very little ‘other’ expenditure not least as NWESSR is run on a completely voluntary basis. The charity continues to explore ways of reducing costs where possible, such as offering the newsletter in digital format and careful procurement of veterinary medicines where possible. The financial records are in good order, as confirmed by the independent reviewer. ## **General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):** In common with other charities, throughout this period NWESSR continued to take the necessary steps to ensure the safeguarding of data and respect for privacy of our volunteers, adopters, members and supporters. North West English Springer Spaniel Rescue (NWESSR) Registered Charity 1076924 www.englishspringerrescue.co.uk ## **Events:** As aforementioned, due to demand on trustees’ time over this period NWESSR attended fewer events than in previous years, as day-to-day rehabilitation and rehoming took priority. Dogs Day out 2023: In June 2023, NWESSR’s Dogs Day Out took place. Fundraising co-ordinator Julie Hesmondhalgh did a superb job of organising this event, aided by a loyal team of volunteers. The event raised a significant amount of money (£1,036.08), but just as important is the social aspect of this event, providing a fabulous opportunity to bring the NWESSR members, supporters, volunteers and members of public together to celebrate the dogs who have made NWESSR what it is. Cycling for springers: In March 2023, Anthony Holden cycled 127 miles from Liverpool to Leeds along the Leeds-Liverpool canal, meeting numerous NWESSR dogs and their families along the way. Sponsorship for this event raised a fantastic £1,635 for NWESSR. NORTHWESTEN¢ALSHSPIIIIfjERSPAWLIIESCUE Actoupntr BNWICIALACrnIITIES REQPISANO PAYME14TS 2023 Donitiortrsand Glfts 62,668 2&547 £ 27.102 59.1 Dlrert Ch3rkaFJe FMpen5eS and Pttblklty Mana8emefftJJd Mmlrfstratlon 87,122 71410 IrKomefrty* F￿r￿raIsI1￿81￿Tr RESOURCESFOR THE YEAR Plet mg¥emntinfur¥Jsdurh¥the period Balan¢elY•forW8￿8t1Jan￿ 140.753 153,%3 Balan¢etaTrled(vrwanl at 11 i)eceM￿r 1401 14Q753 Ihereare no re(wLsed8aknsor Ixs•s IndthÈrOftheabov¥lkn•xlal￿ars A11thef￿￿3￿Urnu￿tedareda55lffled as unrè5ts1cted CURRENTL%SErs Cashat Debtors tsin4 147875 151724 150m5 4,066 Le¥ Mabllltles TotalAs%ets REPRESEIITEDOY.. FUND&. Unrestrkted Apprtsved•d 51y*dlry IrweGULfreoSU￿r Sula￿SharP. Ac£ountant hthpwthntverffter NORTHWESTEN¢ALSHSPIIIIfjERSPAWLIIESCUE Actoupntr BNWICIALACrnIITIES REQPISANO PAYME14TS 2023 Donitiortrsand Glfts 62,668 2&547 £ 27.102 59.1 Dlrert Ch3rkaFJe FMpen5eS and Pttblklty Mana8emefftJJd Mmlrfstratlon 87,122 71410 IrKomefrty* F￿r￿raIsI1￿81￿Tr RESOURCESFOR THE YEAR Plet mg¥emntinfur¥Jsdurh¥the period Balan¢elY•forW8￿8t1Jan￿ 140.753 153,%3 Balan¢etaTrled(vrwanl at 11 i)eceM￿r 1401 14Q753 Ihereare no re(wLsed8aknsor Ixs•s IndthÈrOftheabov¥lkn•xlal￿ars A11thef￿￿3￿Urnu￿tedareda55lffled as unrè5ts1cted CURRENTL%SErs Cashat Debtors tsin4 147875 151724 150m5 4,066 Le¥ Mabllltles TotalAs%ets REPRESEIITEDOY.. FUND&. Unrestrkted Apprtsved•d 51y*dlry IrweGULfreoSU￿r Sula￿SharP. Ac£ountant hthpwthntverffter