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2023-05-31-accounts

Registered Charity Number 1129794

Dogs’ Friends

Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements for the year ended

31 May 2023

Dogs’ Friends Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 May 2023

Contents

Page Reference and Administrative Information 1 Annual Report of the Trustees 2-6 Independent Examiner’s Report 7 Statement of Financial Activities 8 Statement of Assets and Liabilities 9 Notes to Financial Statements 10-12 Detailed Income and Expenditure Accounts 13-14

Dogs’ Friends Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 May 2023

Registered Charity Number

1129794

Charity Address

Shamrock Stables Lynch Lane Westbury-sub-Mendip Somerset BA5 1HW

Constitution

Dogs Friends was constituted by Trust Deed dated 5 April 2009 and registered with the Charity Commission on 21 May 2009. The Charity commenced activities on 1 June 2009.

Trustees

The trustees who served during the year, and since the year-end are as follows:

Rosemary Peacock – Chair John Thurmand – Secretary

Accountants

Ingle and Company Ltd 339 Two Mile Hill Road Kingswood Bristol BS15 1AN

Bankers

Lloyds TSB Bank plc Bath Street Cheddar Somerset BS27 3AB

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Dogs’ Friends Registered Number: 1129794 Annual Report of the Trustees

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2023. The charity commenced activities on 1 June 2009.

The reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report.

Objects and Aims

The objects of the charity are;

Organisational Structure

Trustees are selected for appointment having regard to the skills, knowledge and experience which they can bring to assist the effective running of the charity, and their demonstrated commitment to the aims and objectives of the charity.

Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities.

Review of Activities

A detailed review of the activities for the year is given on the following pages.

Reserves Policy

The Trustees are endeavouring to build up a suitable reserve fund over the next 5 years, in order to provide a buffer to cover unexpected expenditure.

This report was approved by the Trustees on and signed by its order.

Rosemary Peacock

John Thurmand Secretary

2

Annual Report of the Trustees

Dogs’ Friends Registered Number: 1129794

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2023.

The objects of the charity are;

a) For the benefit of the public to relieve the suffering of animals in need of care and attention, and in particular, to provide and maintain rescue homes or other facilities for the reception, care and treatment of such animals;

b) To promote humane behaviour towards animals 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 animals’ welfare in general, and the prevention of cruelty and suffering among animals.

Review of Charity Activities

Dogs Friends is a small, independent charity based in Somerset whilst operating within Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas. The charity is led by Charity Chairwoman and Rescue Manager, Rosemary Peacock and is supported by a great number of volunteers operating in varying capacities.

This was a challenging yet rewarding year for the charity. There were a total of 309 intakes (arrivals of dogs) at the rescue, a slight reduction on the previous year. The majority of the dogs fell into one of three categories - ex-breeding dogs handed in when they were no longer required, strays and abandonment cases who had served their time in the pound, and pets that were not able to stay with their previous families. The charity also provided support to a small number of dogs who needed temporary care whilst their owners experienced challenging personal difficulties, such as serious illness and unsettled housing situations. A small number of dogs were born in rescue when their mothers arrived heavily pregnant.

3

Recruiting New Foster Carers

We continued to recruit new foster carers to provide temporary placements for dogs in need, reducing the number of home environment-ready dogs being placed in kennels. Mindful of the need to provide consistent support to these volunteers, we built up a support structure to facilitate these placements and received excellent feedback from those families who had joined the team.

Notable Cases

Whilst the Charity invests a huge amount of time and cost in the rescue of all the dogs it welcomes, some cases are particularly memorable - sadly because they are so heartbreaking. Below is just one example:

April the young, stray Collie arrived in January 2023 from the pound in Brecon and was later found to be heavily pregnant. April was absolutely terrified and hid herself away in her foster home, but gradually built up a very special, trusting bond with her foster carer. April gave birth to two puppies who were raised in a safe and loving environment before going to loving adoptive homes, whilst April’s foster carer could not bear to part with her after such a journey together and went on to adopt her a short while later. We were delighted with this outcome for April, who had clearly had a sad start in life and desperately needed the stability and calm her now-adopter could offer.

Acknowledgements and Thank You’s

The Charity continues to be incredibly grateful to its supporters. There are a great number of volunteers who support the running of the charity, including but not limited to, fundraisers, foster carers and home checkers. There are many other individuals and groups who provide wonderful support through fundraising and awareness events, something that is of great benefit to Dogs Friends.

Dogs Friends is also very grateful to the foster families who offer a safe place for dogs to stay until they are adopted - this is a great help to the charity and ensures that the dogs have a greater level of comfort whilst waiting to be chosen by adoptive families. There are also many adopters to thank; those who chose to welcome a dog in desperate need to their families. If it wasn’t for these kind hearted people, Dogs Friends would not be able to continue its work.

There are also many local businesses, including independent pet shops, who provide great support by acting as donation points, raising awareness of the charity, supporting events and making donations of supplies.

4

Schnauzerfest Support

The charity wishes to extend special thanks to Schnauzerfest who kindly provided funding for the vet care of several dogs this year. Four of those dogs (Dolly, Angel, Millie and Pickles) are pictured below.

Events

We held several very successful events in 2022, including our Annual Dog Shows in June, August and December as well as a special Summer Party at The White Horse in Hambrook which raised £3,315. We were very grateful to everyone who kindly supported and sponsored these events, as well as those who attended in great numbers.

New Kennels

In late 2022 the long awaited new kennels block was built, providing 10 new kennels with indoor accommodation and outdoor pens for the dogs. This was a huge milestone for Dogs Friends after many years of making do with converted stables and pens and we were thrilled to be able to improve the standard of accommodation for the dogs who stay with us for longer periods.

The kennels build was kindly supported by 10 sponsors (many of whom have supported the charity for a number of years), as well as an anonymous benefactor. This funding was gratefully received and without it, the build would not have been achievable for the charity.

Summary

This year proved to be another challenging period for the charity, but thanks to those who have supported us, our work has continued with great success.

5

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Dogs’ Friends

For the year ended 31 May 2023

I report on the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 May 2023 which are set out on pages 8 to 14.

Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The Charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this period under Section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the 1993 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to;

Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and the seeking of explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, no opinion is given as to whether the financial statements present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

6

Independent Examiner’s Statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention;

Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements;

To which, my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

Ingle & Company Limited Accountants and Taxation Advisors 339 Two Mile Hill Road Kingswood BRISTOL BS15 1AN

7

Dogs’ Friends Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 May 2023

Notes 2023 2022
£ £
Incoming Resources
Incoming resources from charitable activities 95,575 90,439
Incoming resources from fundraising activities 174,098 128,853
Income in kind from trustees 343,597 336,028
Grants 0 2,000
Commission received 7764 4,228
_ __
Total Incoming Resources 621,034 561,548
Resources Expended
Costs of charitable activities 3
 (543,595) (475,256)
_ __
Net Incoming Resources 77,439 86,292
Reconciliation of Funds
General Fund brought forward 90,273 3,981
_ __
General Funds carried forward 167,711 90,273
====== ========

8

Dogs’ Friends Statement of Assets and Liabilities For the year ended 31 May 2023

Notes
2023
£
Fixed Assets
Tangible Assets
4
172,228
Current Assets
Stocks
14,000
14,000
Bank Current Account
-
3,259
_
_
14,000
17,259
Creditors: amounts falling due
Within one year
5
18,517
2,232
_
_
Net Current Liabilities
( 4,517)
Total Assets less current
Liabilities
167,711
_
Net Assets
167,711
======
Fund Held
General Fund
6
167,711
_
167,711
======		 2022
£
75,245
15,027
90,272
_
3,981
======
3,981
_
3,981
======

The financial statements were approved by the board on and signed on their behalf by;

Rosemary Peacock – Chair

John Thurmand – Secretary

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Dogs’ Friends Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 May 2023

1. Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on an accrual’s basis, in accordance with the Charities Act 1993.

Depreciation

Depreciation has been provided at the following rates in order to write off the assets over their estimated useful lives.

Kennelling and other buildings 10% straight line Office Building 5% straight line

Stocks of donated items

The stock of donated items is donated by sponsors and represents that which has not been distributed or used by the charity at the year-end. The value has been estimated by the Trustees.

2. Grants Received over £1,000

We are very grateful to these people and organisations for supporting our work.

3. Operating Profit 2023 2022 £ £ This is stated after charging: Depreciation of owned fixed assets 10,036 4,685 __ ___

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4. Tangible Fixed Assets

**4. ** Tangible Fixed Assets
Office
Building Kennelling Total
£ £ £
Cost
At 1 June 2022 93,705 6,308 100,013
Additions 107,019 107,019
_ _ _
At 31 May 2023 200,724 6,308 207,032
====== ====== ======
Depreciation
At 1 June 2022 18,460 6,308 24,768
Charge for the year 10,036 10,036
______ ______ _
At 31 May 2023 28,496 6,308 34,804
===== ===== ======
Net Book Value
At 31 May 2023 172,228
 0 172,228
_ _ _
At 31 May 2022 75,245 0
 75,245
_ _ _
**5. ** Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2023 2022
£ £
Trade Creditors - -
Other Creditors 13,444 2,232
Bank 5,073
______ _____
18,517 2,232
===== ====
**6. ** General Fund 2023 2022
£ £
At 1 June 2022 90,273 3,981
Net incoming resources for the year 77,439 86,292
_ ______
At 31 May 2023 167,711 90,273
====== =====

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Dogs’ Friends Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 May 2023

7. Trustees’ Remuneration

No Trustees received any remuneration for their work as Trustees.

The Trustees have calculated that the value of the time that the Trustees freely give to the Charity amounts to approximately £90,000 per year.

R Peacock, a Trustee, provides kennelling for the dogs at her own premises in order to reduce the cost to the Charity of using commercial boarding kennels, which can exceed £4,000 per month. In 2013, the Trustees agreed that a fair rent to pay to Rosemary Peacock for this facility would be £2,000 per month, although no payments have actually been made to her. Following advice from the Charity Commission, this has not been included as a cost in the Accounts.

Trustees are reimbursed for expenses they incur on behalf of the Charity.

12

Dogs’ Friends Detailed Income and Expenditure Account For the year ended 31 May 2023

Dogs’ Friends
Detailed Income and Expenditure Account
For the year ended 31 May 2023
2023 2022
£ £
Incoming Resources from Charitable Activities
Dog Adoption Income 95,575 90,439
_ ______
95,575 90,439
====== =====
Incoming Resources from Fundraising Activities
General Donations and Appeals 174,098 128,853
Other Fundraising Activities 0 0
Donations in kind from Trustees 343,597 336,028
Donations from Trusts 0 0
Grants received 0 2,000
Commissions Receivable 7,767 4,228
====== ======
525,462 471,109
Cost of Charitable Activities
Employee Costs:
Kennel Staff 110,710 95,529
_ ______
110,710 95,529
______ ______
Animal Welfare Costs:
Vaccinations 19,711 18,472
Neutering Costs 32,720 17,448
Microchipping 2,497 927
Veterinary Referrals Costs/Vets Fees 184,686 164,380
Animal feed, Dog Tags and grooming 43,653 40,016
Transporting Dog 13,514 10,909
Support Provided to Fosters (Dog Food,Medical treatment) 69,595 31,607
Romanian imported dog costs 0 23,300
Physiotherapy for dogs 3,829 6,125
Dog Training 265 1,208
Large Animal Costs 7,172 4,171
Kennelling Costs 4,043 17,750
_ _
381,685 336,313
====== =======

13

Premises Costs:
Rates 833
597
Light and Heat 2,981
1,940
Cleaning and Premises Costs 3,824 4,511
Repairs 16,466
9,268
Rent and Storage 1,350 0
______ ______
25,454 16,316
===== =====
Administration Costs:
Printing & Stationery 444 248
Telephone 1,519 1,664
Bank Charges, Online Bank Charges and Interest 3,165 4,420
Insurance 4,105 3,184
Depreciation 10,036
 4,685
Miscellaneous 1,723 3,054
Donations 20 103
_
 ______
21,012 17,358
======
 ======
Legal and Professional Costs:
Legal and Planning Fees 4,251 8,786
Website and advertising costs 483
954
______ _____
4,734 9,740
______ ______
______ _
543,595
 475,256
====== =======

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