Forever Hounds Trust
Trustees Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements Year ended 31 December 2024
Charity registation - 1131399 Company number - 06985367
Year ended 31 December 2024
Forever Hounds Trust Annual report and financial statements
Contents
| Contents | |
|---|---|
| Legal and administrative information | 4 |
| Trustees annual report | 5 |
| Objectives and activities | 5 |
| Achievements and performance in the year | 5 |
| Financial review | 10 |
| Plans for the future | 10 |
| Structure, governance & management | 11 |
| Statement of Board of Trustees’ responsibilities | 12 |
| Independent examiner’s report | 14 |
| Statement of fnancial activities | 16 |
| Balance sheet | 17 |
| Statement of cash fows | 18 |
| Notes to the fnancial statements | 19 |
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
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Forever Hounds Trust Annual report and financial statements
Year ended 31 December 2024
Legal and administrative information
Charity name
Forever Hounds Trust
Charity registration no.
1131399
Company registration no.
06985367
Registered office and contact details
Chave Lane Brithem Bottom Cullompton EX15 1NE
Trustees
Claire Pearce Chair Judy Adams Resigned 18 July 2024 Adina Claire Karen Day Treasurer, appointed 5 September 2024 Paul Hoban Treasurer, resigned 5 September 2024 Rachel Jackson Jan Lake Amy Ridgeway Appointed 5 September 2024 Liz Rodgers Resigned 28 October 2024 Neil Viner Appointed 10 December 2024 Sarah Williamson Resigned 15 April 2024 Helena Wittenbach Appointed 5 September 2024
Patron
Dr Marc Abraham OBE, BVM&S MRCVS
Chief Executive
Caron Lane
Company secretary Sinead Crawley
Principal bank
Santander UK 2 Triton Square Regant’s Place, London NW1 3AN
Independent examiner
Accountant
Dux Advisory Limited Kennel Club House Gatehouse Way Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP19 8DB
Enaid Accountancy Ltd Units 24 & 25 Goodsheds Container Village Hood Road, Barry CF62 5QU
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Forever Hounds Trust Annual report and financial statements
Trustees annual report
The Board of Trustees, who are also directors of the Charity for the purposes of the Companies Act, and Trustees for charity law purposes, submit their annual report and the financial statements of Forever Hounds Trust for the year ended 31 December 2024.
The Board of Trustees confirms that the annual report and financial statements of the Charity comply with current statutory requirements, including the Charity Act 2011, as well as the requirements of the Charity’s governing document and the provisions of the ‘Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) second edition (effective 1 January 2019)’, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and the Companies Act 2006.
Objectives and activities
The charity has two principal objects:
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Alongside the homing of dogs, we also enable dogs to stay in their original homes by providing
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support to owners, thus preventing the dogs from ending up in rescue; we give advice to those looking to rescue a dog and offer space to dogs with high welfare or behavioural needs who would otherwise not have a safe place to go. These activities have contributed to the welfare of individual dogs and owner in alternative aways in addition to the homing of dogs.
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The charity also seeks to improve the general welfare standards within the greyhound racing industry.
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Forever Hounds Trust calls for a phasing out of greyhound racing in the UK. We are proud and excited to be working in partnership with other groups to bring greyhound welfare to the top of the agenda.
Public beneft
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance ‘Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)’.
Achievements and performance in the year
2024 was a year focussing on recovery for the charity. After a turbulent 2023, in February 2024 the Centre in Devon was re-opened, and operations centralised on that site. Our volunteers were out in force raising funds, building awareness, assisting at the Centre, providing foster homes, transport runs, administration and supporting adopters through post homing support. At the year-end it was encouraging to see the charity in a stronger position.
We are grateful to the tremendous contribution made by our volunteers to all aspects of the charity’s operations. We have recruited new volunteers, who, like existing volunteers, give of their time and skills freely to enhance the work of the charity, both practically and strategically. We were delighted to see our Forever Hounds Trust volunteers being nominated for the ADCH Awards in recognition of their contribution.
The Trustees are reporting a more positive year than the previous. The work done over the last few years to consolidate operations, reduce costs and find the most efficient ways to carry out our work have left the charity in a stronger financial position at the end of 2024. The Trustees are grateful to the staff team, volunteers and financial supporters as we review the last 12 months.
Homing and kennelling
During 2024 we found homes for 41 greyhounds and lurchers. This is lower than 2023 reflecting the fact we paused intake at the beginning of the year while we moved back to the Centre in Devon to minimise stress to the hounds; we also had a 10-week period in the late Summer when a new dog came in with kennel cough so paused homing while infection control procedures were in place and we are grateful to the kennel team for containing the infection.
We continue to support as many dogs as we can and reach out to our colleagues in other welfare charities
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to seek space for those dogs which we cannot accommodate in our care. We helped 26 additional dogs by arranging and/or transporting them to other charities for the onward journey to new homes.
We continue to build on homing initiatives from recent years to increase the number of dogs we can help given the capacity of our kennelling facility. With our Centre based in Devon we have homed dogs in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Worcestershire and Wales. Our ‘home from home’ (HFH) scheme for people wishing to relinquish their dog to us allows the dog to stay in their home until a new suitable family is found. This frees up kennel space for other dogs in need and creates a better rehoming experience for the dog moving to a new family.
Sugar, a 9-year-old lurcher, was accepted into the HFH scheme in October 2024. Sugar’s elderly owner contacted us for help after her partner, who was Sugar’s main carer passed away unexpectedly. She had reluctantly made the difficult decision to rehome Sugar, due to being unable to care for her alone, as well as needing to move into more affordable housing.
Although Sugar lived slightly outside of our usual radius, due to the circumstances we agreed to carry out an assessment visit at the home. Following assessment, we accepted Sugar into the scheme and matched her with a couple who volunteer with us at our Centre. A visit and dog mix was carried out at Sugar’s home, and she was subsequently adopted by the couple in November 2024.
Sugar has settled in well, and her adopters are delighted with her. She regularly visits the Centre during her adopters’ volunteering sessions, where she enjoys meeting the kennel dogs! Sugar’s original owner still contacts us for updates, and we often send her photos of Sugar’s adventures. She has said: “I appreciate very much being able to remain in contact with you at Forever Hounds regarding the rehoming of Sugar. It was never intended to end this way for her since this was meant to be her “forever home” with Peter and myself. The sudden change of events happened swiftly after he died, and I am glad that I found the right place (with yourselves in Devon) to help me do the best that I could to find a happy home for her”.
In common with the wider rescue community, there is more demand for spaces than we can provide. The demand upon us to take in dogs from the racing industry and also from homes who are unable to keep their dogs because of the cost-of-living crisis continues to be overwhelming. Forever Hounds Trust is not part of the Greyhound Retirement Scheme (GRS) due to our call for a phased ban of greyhound racing; we do not benefit financially from the GRS scheme.
During the year we continued to provide support to families through our Post Homing Support (PHS) team. Many of our dogs have never lived in a home environment and some take time to adapt to the life of a companion dog. The aim of the PHS service is to support our adopters and to improve the chances of a dog being able to stay in the home they have been matched to.
Dobby is an ex-racing greyhound, adopted from the Centre in 2024. Shortly after adoption, Dobby’s adopters requested PHS and following an initial phone call and giving immediate safety advice, we were able to offer a PHS visit to the home within a few days of the request due to them living locally to our Centre.
During the visit, it became clear that the aggressive behaviours were caused by Dobby feeling overwhelmed and trigger stacked in the home environment. Advice was given regarding reducing his underlying stress. Advice to take things much more slowly, stopping walks temporarily and reintroducing this gradually, providing a suitable “safe space”, reading body language, appropriate handling techniques, and recognising and avoiding potential trigger situations were all covered
Dobby is currently doing very well, and there have been no further incidents since the visit. His adopters are keen to adopt a second hound once Dobby is ready, following our PHS visit, they said: “Thank you so much for today. An incredibly calming visit. After you left, it almost seemed that all 3 of us had listened to you and took it all in and decided we are all going to try harder, be more patient and listen to each other! Dobby is going to be so glad he came here, and we are going to have many, many years of good times!”
The kennels and environment were audited by the Association of Dogs and Cats homes in the summer and achieved a 95.77% score. There are some limitations to the site and aging facilities. Towards the end of 2024 the Trustees commissioned a feasibility study of the Centre and future plans for the site will be an important workstream for 2025.
In May 2025, prior to publishing this report, having considered the findings of the feasibility study the
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Trustees agreed to attempt to sell the existing Centre and find alternative premises to accommodate a larger number of dogs with improved facilities. The Trustees see this as a positive decision, that the charity is ready and able to increase the number of dogs we can help into forever homes each year.
Welfare
The steady stream of racing greyhounds in need of rescue continues. We are committed to report any evidence uncovered of neglect of racing or former racing greyhounds to the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) and, where appropriate, to the RSPCA. We will also gather evidence to inform the wider picture of the welfare issues and exploitation of greyhounds by the greyhound racing industry. We continue to support the promotion of improved greyhound and lurcher welfare through our membership of appropriate bodies and are a fully active member of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) and the All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group.
The very nature of greyhound racing and the use of lurchers in hare coursing means that their bodies are put under immense strain. These factors along with the dogs often having been kept in poor conditions, as well as injuries being left untreated mean that rehabilitation is a vital part of the work we do.
Forever Hounds Trust supported and participated in a survey led by the Alliance Against Greyhound Racing focussing on greyhounds homed by British independent rescues who are not part of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain homing scheme. This survey found the average cost of homing a greyhound without any extra expense for injuries averaged £1,625 with minor injuries costing up to £3,000 and major as much as £8,000 per dog. Rescues continue to shoulder an increasing financial burden from the racing industry in the rescue, rehabilitation and homing of greyhounds.
Wren came into our care with 3 other greyhounds. We knew that we needed to act quickly when we heard of their plight, as the conditions that they were being kept in were appalling. Wren was 5 ½ years old and she had not been raced for 2 years; but Wren wasn’t given the chance of a ‘forever sofa’ when she stopped racing and instead, she has spent her life living on a broken wooden bed with damp paper as her bedding; her home was a dark, leaky, smelly, and dirty shed.
Wren and the other greyhounds she arrived with started their rehabilitation, they adjusted to a life where they are shown care and kindness. They had physical and veterinary needs that needed to be met, and they also needed time and patience to help them to understand the world that they now live in.
Forever Hounds Trust sent comprehensive submissions to the Welsh Government consultation on proposals to strengthen how animal activities are regulated in Wales in March and Scottish Government consultation on the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Scotland) Bill in May 2024.
We are delighted that in February 2025 the Welsh Government have announced that greyhound racing will be banned in Wales, the first UK nation to take this step. We are part of a group of rescues who have already been planning for this potential outcome, and accordingly we will be playing a key role in securing the safety of all the greyhounds concerned.
In Scotland the consultation found that 86% of those who responded to the consultation proposing a Bill to ban greyhound racing in Scotland expressed support for the measure and the right to introduce a Member’s Bill was secured. In Wales the consultation found support for licensing of owners and/or keepers or trainers of racing dogs; with 64% of respondents supportive of a phasing out of greyhound racing in the future. In January 2024 we heard the news of the closure of the Henlow track and by the end of the year the Crayford track will also close. On the international stage, New Zealand announced plans to ban greyhound racing, winding down over 20 months to allow time for homing and for people to transition to other jobs. We remain committed to providing submissions to relevant consultations and amplifying campaign messaging to our supporters.
We were pleased to see our friends at the Blue Cross UK handing in a petition to No. 10 Downing Street having collected 111,115 signatures supporting an end to greyhound racing in October and are keen to see the response from the UK government on this issue.
We have attended the All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group, and in February 2024 our Chief Executive presented at the “state of welfare” meeting. We were able to highlight the plight of greyhounds and lurchers, the health issues they are suffering and the vast numbers waiting for a rescue space.
During the year guidance was developed and rolled out for owners of our ‘Ambassodogs’ attending events
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for fundraising and raising awareness by our qualified behaviourist aimed at ensuring the highest standard of welfare and comfort for those dogs. We are grateful to both the hounds and the owners for their time and commitment to this role.
Partnership
There are many groups working throughout the UK and Ireland for the welfare of unwanted greyhounds and lurchers. Forever Hounds Trust has a long-established working relationship within this sector. We have a policy of assisting those where there are established links and where the organisation’s aims are in line with our charitable objectives. This often takes the form of accepting rescued dogs from them for homing, especially where those dogs come from areas with a high number of abandoned or unwanted dogs. If we are unable to offer actual rescue space to a dog in need, we will use our networks to try and secure space elsewhere. We will assist, where possible, with transporting dogs to appropriate rescue spaces with the help of our volunteer network.
In addition to this we have developed opportunities for sharing profiles of sighthounds in the care of other organisations, to maximise homing opportunities for those dogs from within our supporter base. This is a reciprocal arrangement between Forever Hounds Trust and other charities and works well. In August we were approached by the Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare to help with greyhound Proki and through a feature on our social media and website he found his forever home with a Forever Hounds Trust supporter.
As well as working with these groups we also accept greyhounds directly from trainers when we can, and from individual sighthound owners who are no longer able to keep their dogs. We continue to have a good relationship with the Police forces, we assist in homing dogs which have been seized during illegal activities such as coursing.
Prior to the news, we had joined with other rescues planning for this potential outcome. The ‘Welsh Greyhound Partnership’ has been formed, comprising of a number of rescue organisations committed to securing the welfare of the greyhounds that will inevitably exit the industry; we will be taking a central role in this operation.
Administration
The staff team have worked hard in the year to streamline processes for volunteer registration, to have better visibility of our work, enhance the volunteer experience, better understand our activity, improve management of relationships and support for our volunteers. They have developed helpful toolkits covering a variety of topics around fundraising and events.
We have undertaken a best practice review on our IT infrastructure, systems and security. We have already made some of the recommended changes and have a plan to implement further improvements this year.
We are grateful to Barrow & Parker Ltd for sponsoring our CEO on their Inspirational Leadership course.
Patronage
In June we were delighted and honoured to announce that Dr Marc Abraham OBE became the new Patron of Forever Hounds Trust. A veterinary surgeon and long-term supporter of Forever Hounds Trust, Marc campaigns extensively for animal welfare issues both in the UK and further afield promoting rescue pet adoption and responsible breeding. Marc is responsible for three of the biggest pet welfare government e-petitions of all time and has spent years relentlessly lobbying MPs and Ministers in Westminster. Marc is the co-founder of the All-party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group.
Fundraising activities and income generation
Community fundraising activities are back to the same level of activity we experienced before the disruption in 2020 and 2021. We are grateful to our network of volunteers who give their time to Forever Hounds Trust at local events to raise funds and awareness of greyhounds and lurchers as family pets.
We have a small team who continue to successfully run online auctions and fundraising activities, breaking down geographical boundaries for our financial supporters and helping to extend the charity’s reach.
Throughout 2024, our members, supporters and volunteers continued to find innovative and effective ways
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to raise funds and public awareness for our charity and our work The types of fundraising and awareness activities our volunteers have organised include sighthound social walks, fun dog shows, street collections, charity stalls, selling merchandise, tombola, raffles and Christmas Carol Concerts and fayres.
Our Big Give Christmas Challenge focussed on fundraising to our “Help a Hound” featuring Hopper who came to us with incredibly sore skin and many scars. Hopper had been used for coursing; as we got to know him, we found his scars just weren’t physical. The Big Give appeal raised £10,848 and our Christmas appeal that ran alongside it raised £11,215
In addition, supporters have raised funds through sponsorship, Gareth ran the Berlin Marathon and Rose bravely had her hair shaved off.
Members, friends and supporters
In the year 745 Friends, Sponsors and Regular Givers supported us with monthly, quarterly or annual gifts.
Online fundraising
Facebook continues to be our best performing platform, increasing to 33,000 followers this year. The Instagram platform helped us connect with new audiences and drive our merchandise sales at Christmas with 8,100 followers.
Generous supporters have donated unique gifts for online raffles, including owners of holiday cottages in Devon, Wiltshire and Norfolk donating breaks. We were able to run two online auctions with donations from companies and traders as well as lots supplied by supporters. We also raffled two felt dog sculpture commissions.
Charitable trusts and corporate support
We received generous support from Charitable Trusts in 2024. A number of grants were awarded specifically to fund veterinary costs including £8,713 from Animal Friends, £3,000 from The Alice Noakes Memorial Charitable Trust, £300 from The Walker 597 Trust, £5,000 from the Mrs D M France-Hayhurst Foundation, £1,000 from The Audrey Emma Lamb Trust, £5,000 from The Stafford Trust, £1,000 from The Michael and Shirley Hunt Charitable Trust, £1,000 The Diana Edgson Wright Charitable Trust. We received a grant of £1,500 from The Calypso Browning Trust to fund our homing packs as well as unrestricted grants of £500 from The Barry Green Memorial Fund, £500 from The Valerie White Memorial Trust, £1,000 from The Diana Edgson Wright Charitable Trust and £10,000 from The Rose Animal Welfare Trust.
The Pets at Home Foundation Santa Paws appeal raised £4,285 and gave us a presence in the Pets at Home stores in Tiverton and Weymouth raising awareness of what great companions greyhounds and lurchers make and raising funds. The stores also donated food for the dogs several times in the year.
Beautiful Joe’s Ethical Dog Treats generously donated treats for the dogs in our care several times during the year and a number of supporters also dropped into the Centre to bring treats and food for the dogs.
Legacies
Legacies continue to be an important area of income for us, and we are extremely grateful to those who remember our work in their Will. Income credited for the year, including sums accrued totalled £230,097, 40% of our total income for the year (2023: £269,020). Our thanks to all of those who left us Gifts in their Wills: Gillian Ann Downs, Marlene Goodland, Derreck Albert Jebbett, James Hugh Nicholas Le Gendre Starkie, Julie Susan Drusilla Steele, Vera Elizabeth Swain and June Sylvia Thimblethorpe.
We have received a number of In Memory gifts, we are grateful that families remember us at such a difficult time. This additional revenue stream is also promoted on our web site, with a page of remembrance. We also supply special envelopes to friends and family should they wish to make a collection in memory of one of our supporters.
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Financial review
Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue operating and be able to meet its obligations for at least 12 months from the date of signing this report.
For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statement.
Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the Accounting Policies.
Reserves policy
In the year the Trustees approved a new Reserves Policy, setting out an ambition to reach 9-months operating costs as a reserve. The trustees consider that this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities whilst ways are sought to find additional funds. If that is not possible then allow sufficient time for an orderly closure having considered the length of time it takes to rehome our dogs to ensure we properly discharge our responsibilities to our dogs.
At the end of 2024, unrestricted reserves amounted to £769,353 (2023: £692,220) although only £437,736 (2023: £365,215) of this relates to general funds as the balance is invested in our property. This lower amount represents just over 10 months’ normal expenditure. This is slightly above the target level of 9 months, but is not deemed excessive.
Performance in year
The Charity ended the year with a surplus of £77,146 (2023: £139,616), resulting in total funds of £771,566 (2023: £694,420).
Total income for the year amounted to £587,880 (2023: £660,250). The decrease was largely due to a reduction in legacies received which reflects the unpredictable nature of legacy income and delays in the probate process over recent years.
In addition to general income from donations of £202,778 (2023: £222,259), homing donations amounted to £9,555 (2023: £20,919). These income streams are dependent on the generosity of the public and the hard work of our many vital supporters and volunteers; Trustees remain overwhelmed by the kindness and dedication of all the charity’s supporters.
Expenditure for the year is £510,734 (2023: £520,634). This is mainly due to the reduction in vet costs compared to the previous year which reflects the reduced amount of dogs received into kennels in the year.
Plans for the future
Our vision remains a day when every sighthound is free from risk or need. Our future plans are driven by our vision, mission and values.
Our mission is to rescue unwanted, abused or abandoned greyhounds, lurchers and other sighthounds in any part of the country. We care for them to a high standard at our Centre in Devon, finding loving permanent homes for them all, resources allowing. We strive to promote improved sighthound welfare.
The Trustees launched the 2024-2027 strategy, “Recover, Stability and Visibility”. Our approach is to deliver our work through a small number of paid staff, supported by our network of volunteers.
We focus on quality of care and rehabilitation creating an individual plan for every hound to get them to their forever home. We do not focus on numbers, the very nature of the plight of greyhounds and lurchers means that in many cases we take in physically and psychologically damaged hounds therefore cannot put a time on how long it will take to rehabilitate them. Our strategic priorities are:
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Working to a high standard in welfare and homing
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Attracting and retaining the very best staff and volunteers
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Engaging supporters and funders and active in the messaging to phase out greyhound racing
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Achieve a secure financial footing.
Operationally our 2025 focus will be the future of our Centre in Devon, assessing the feasibility of developing and modernising the site.
Structure, governance & management
Forever Hounds Trust is a registered charity constituted as a company limited by guarantee under its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The charity registration number is 1131399 (England and Wales) and the company registration number is 06985367 (England and Wales).
Organisational Structure
The management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees, who are appointed and co-opted under the terms of the Memorandum of Association.
Candidates for appointment as new Trustees are interviewed by existing Trustees and the Chief Executive. Prospective Trustees following the interview are invited to observe a meeting. Following appointment new Trustees have access to previous Board minutes and provided with the charity commission documents on the Trustee role and companies house document on directors’ responsibilities.
Training for Trustees comes mainly from what is gained in the course of service and Trustees are signposted to various online training opportunities to fill any gaps in knowledge. Matters are discussed in detail at Trustees’ meetings, the style of which encourages sharing of knowledge and provides an opportunity for exploring the governance of the charity. The Chief Executive also attends these meetings.
The full Board and changes in membership in the year or since year end are shown on page 4. We have been working to increase the size, skills, and experience of the Board over the last couple of years, unfortunately during 2024 four Trustees had to step down due to their own personal circumstances. We successfully ran a recruitment campaign and have appointed four new Trustees with wide ranging skills and experience to join the Board.
The Trustees are responsible for strategy and policy decisions. Trustees meet formally in Board meetings at least five times a year, all online during 2024; and came together for an in-person away day in October 2024. The Board always consider and declare any conflicts of interest as a standing agenda item each meeting.
The Board has sub-committees with nominated Trustees taking a lead for each area, the subcommittee membership includes other trustees, staff members and volunteers. These are:
• Finance, Governance, Risk and HR Chair: Karen Day • Homing, Kennelling and Welfare Co-chairs: Jan Lake, Rachel Jackson • Volunteer Co-chairs: Neil Viner, Helena Wittenbach • Marketing, Communications and Fundraising Chair: Adina Claire
Operational matters are delegated to the staff body, under the leadership of the Chief Executive, Caron Lane. Reports on activity are fed through the subcommittees to Board meetings. This approach enables the charity to be run in line with its strategy as well as to manage risk.
Staff remuneration
Staff salaries are set and reviewed by the Board taking into account affordability and roles in similar organisations in the charitable and rescue sector.
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Risk management
The Trustees believe there will continue to be many unwanted dogs in need of new homes and therefore a continuing demand for the charity’s work in accordance with our objectives.
In pursuing the charity’s objectives, the Trustees recognise that there are several risks inherent in the operation of the charity. The Finance, Governance, Risk and HR subcommittee is charged with monitoring risk matters on behalf of the Board. The principal risks are:
• Kennel and homing issues: the charity ensures the accommodation for the dogs meets the high standards required for dog welfare compliant with the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes minimum welfare and operational standards.
• Negative publicity: including the potential threat of social media. The Board and staff are equipped to react and respond to issues as they arise. All staff and volunteers sign a social media policy and understand their responsibilities in this area.
• Volunteers, Trustees, staff being overstretched: a staffing structure is in place under the Chief Executive which the Trustees are monitoring as the staff team was reduced to respond to income fall in 2022-23. Backup HR and occupational health support is in place and can be accessed as required.
• Finance and reserves: financial stability continues to be a risk with reliance on legacy income. Strenuous efforts are being made to manage expenditure, develop and stabilise new income streams.
• Fraud, misappropriation of assets and money laundering: the Finance, Governance, Risk and HR subcommittee is alert to the risks involved.
• The increasing risks around Cyber security are a risk to the security of our donor and staff data, business continuity and reputation. Mitigations include selecting software which includes security as a key factor, keeping software updated, password protection, multi factor authentication and training for staff, volunteers and trustees.
- The Centre, including unexpected costs and maintaining an adequate environment.
• Increase to costs: these are monitored monthly, with management accounts produced for the Board quarterly. Budgets are re-forecast to reflect any changes and to ensure sufficient cashflow.
Statement of Board of Trustees’ responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law they are required to prepare the financial statements in accordance with UK Accounting Standards and applicable law (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Under company law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the excess of expenditure over income for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material
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departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and,
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume
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that the charitable company will continue its activities.
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The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the charitable company and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.
The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. In addition, the Trustees confirm that they are happy that the content of the annual review on pages 5 to 13 of this document, as well as the legal and administrative information on page 4, meet the requirements of both the Trustees’ Annual Report under charity law and the Directors’ Report under company law.
They also confirm that the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the accounts and comply with the Charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011, the ‘Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) second edition (effective 1 January 2019)’, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees confirm that:
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so far as each Trustee is aware, there is no relevant information of which the Charity’s independent
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examiner is unaware; and,
• each Trustee has taken all the steps that they should have taken as a Trustee/Director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant independent examination information and to establish that the Charity’s independent examiner is aware of that information.
Preparation of the report
This report has been prepared taking advantage of the small companies exemption of section 415A of the Companies Act 2006, and the exemptions available for smaller charities under the Statement of Recommended Practice.
This report was approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on 8 July 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Claire Pearce
CLAIRE PEARCE CHAIR
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Independent examiner’s report
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of Forever Hounds Trust (charity number 1131399, company number 06985367) for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 16 to 33.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and examiner
The Trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’). The Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’) nor under Part 16 of the 2006 Act, and that an independent examination is needed.
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission under
-
section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act; and,
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
This report, including my statement, has been prepared for and only for the Charity’s Trustees as a body. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity’s Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charity’s Trustees as a body for my examination work, for this report, or for the statements I have made.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with 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 accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the 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 accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
Since the Company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
• accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or,
- the accounts do not accord with those records; or,
• the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or,
• the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
14
Year ended 31 December 2024
Forever Hounds Trust Annual report and financial statements
and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns 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.
BIANCA PERMAL FCA
FELLOW OF THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS IN ENGLAND AND WALES DATED: 6 AUGUST 2025
Dux Advisory Limited Kennel Club House Gatehouse Way Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP19 8DB
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
15
Forever Hounds Trust Annual report and financial statements
Year ended 31 December 2024
Statement of financial activities
Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account & Statement of Realised Gains and Losses
For the year ended 31 December 2024
| Notes Income from: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Other trading activities 5 Investments Other - proft on sale of fxed assets Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds 6 & 7 Charitable activities 6 & 8 Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Transfer between funds 14 & 15 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Funds brought forward 14 & 15 Funds carried forward 14 & 15 |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total funds funds funds funds Year ended Year ended Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023 £ £ £ £ 437,760 33,628 471,388 540,479 27,606 - 27,606 40,682 82,961 - 82,961 62,918 5,925 - 5,925 2,838 - - - 13,333 |
|---|---|
| 554,252 33,628 587,880 660,250 |
|
| 122,145 - 122,145 111,367 354,974 33,615 388,589 409,267 |
|
| 477,119 33,615 510,734 520,634 |
|
| 77,133 13 77,146 139,616 - - - - |
|
| 77,133 13 77,146 139,616 692,220 2,200 694,420 554,804 |
|
| 769,353 2,213 771,566 694,420 |
The notes on pages 19 to 33 form part of the financial statements.
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
16
Year ended 31 December 2024
Forever Hounds Trust Annual report and financial statements
Balance sheet
As at 31 December 2024
| Balance sheet As at 31 December 2024 |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Total | ||||
| funds | funds | ||||
| Year ended | Year ended | ||||
| 31 Dec 2024 | 31 Dec 2023 | ||||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ £ |
|
| Fixed assets | |||||
| Tangible fixed assets | 10 | 617,666 | 630,938 | ||
| Current assets | |||||
| Stock | 7,137 | 7,137 | 7,428 | 7,428 | |
| Debtors and prepayments | 11 | 247,559 | 247,559 | 152,137 | 152,137 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 193,171 | 193,171 | 225,137 | 225,137 | |
| 447,867 | 447,867 | 384,702 | 384,702 | ||
| Creditors: | |||||
| Amounts falling due within one year |
12 | (24,169) | (46,343) | ||
| Net current assets | 423,698 | 338,359 | |||
| Creditors: | |||||
| Amounts falling due in more than one year |
13 | (269,798) | (274,877) | ||
| Net assets | 771,566 | 694,420 | |||
| Funds of the charity | |||||
| Restricted funds | 14 & 15 | 2,213 | 2,200 | ||
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
| Designated funds | 14 & 15 | 331,617 | 331,617 | 327,005 | 327,005 |
| General funds | 14 & 15 | 437,736 | 437,736 | 365,215 | 365,215 |
| Unrestricted funds | 769,353 | 692,220 | |||
| Total funds | 771,566 | 694,420 |
The notes on pages 19 to 33 form part of the financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with section 415A of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and FRS 102 Section 1A.
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 December 2024, and the members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 under section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
They were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on 8 July 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
KAREN DAY TREASURER
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
17
Forever Hounds Trust Annual report and financial statements
Year ended 31 December 2024
Statement of cash flows For year ended 31 December 2024
| Cash fows from operating activities: Net income/(expenditure) for period (as per SOFA) Adjustments for: Depreciation charges Proft/(loss) on disposal of fxed assets Investment income (Increase)/decrease in stock (Increase)/decrease in prepayments (Increase)/decrease in accrued income (Increase)/decrease in VAT receivable (Increase)/decrease in other debtors Increase/(decrease) in trade creditors Increase/(decrease) in accruals Increase/(decrease) in HMRC payable Increase/(decrease) in bank loans Increase/(decrease) in other creditors Net cash used in operating activities Cash fows from investing activities: Sale of fxed assets Net cash used in investing activities Cash fows from fnancing activities: Investment income Net cash used in fnancing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in period Cash and cash equivalents at the beginningof the period Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period |
£ 13,272 - (5,925) 291 (3,199) (101,750) - 9,527 (13,220) (16,108) 6,116 (4,612) 571 |
Total Year ended 31 Dec 2024 £ 77,146 (115,037) |
£ 16,875 (13,333) (2,838) 6,773 1,987 (99,444) 6,466 (10,030) (970) (60,219) (6,171) (4,799) 670 |
Total Year ended 31 Dec 2023 £ 139,616 (165,033) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | 13,333 | |||
| (37,891) - 5,925 |
(25,417) 13,333 2,838 |
|||
| 5,925 | 2,838 |
|||
| (31,966) 225,137 |
(9,246) 234,383 |
|||
| 193,171 | 225,137 |
The notes on pages 19 to 33 form part of the financial statements.
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
18
Year ended 31 December 2024
Forever Hounds Trust Annual report and financial statements
Notes to the financial statements
1. Accounting policies
Basis of preparation of the financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with ‘Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) second edition (effective 1 January 2019)’, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), including Update Bulletin 2, and the Companies Act 2006.
The effect of any event relating to the year ended 31 December 2024, which occurred before the date of approval of the financial statements by the Board of Trustees has been included in the financial statements to the extent required to show a true and fair view of the state of affairs at 31 December 2024 and the results for the year ended on that date.
The functional currency of the Charity is sterling and amounts in the financial statements are rounded to the nearest pound.
The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.
Going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis as the Board of Trustees have a reasonable expectation that future reserves and future income is more than sufficient to meet current commitments. There are no material uncertainties that impact this assessment, and the ongoing economic environment has had no material impact on this assessment.
Legal status
Forever Hounds Trust is a charitable company registered in England & Wales and meets the definition of a public benefit entity. In the event of the Charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member. The registered address is Chave Lane, Brithem Bottom, Cullompton, EX15 1NE.
Fund Accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds which have been designated for a specific purpose by the Trustees.
The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in note 14 of the financial statements.
Restricted funds are funds that are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or that have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in note 14 of the financial statements.
Income
Income is recognised when the Charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance indicators attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Donations are recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when entitled, receipt is probable and when the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Gift aid receivable is included when claimable.
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
19
Forever Hounds Trust Annual report and financial statements
Year ended 31 December 2024
1. Accounting policies (continued from previous page)
Income (continued from previous page)
Grant income is credited to the Statement of Financial Activities when received or receivable whichever is earlier, unless the grant relates to a future period, in which case it is deferred.
Legacies are recognised in the statement of financial activities when there is entitlement, adequate probability and reliability of receipt and their value can be accurately measured. For both pecuniary and residuary legacies this is when probate has been granted and a reasonable estimate calculated for this income.
Income from charitable activities, including contract income and client fees, is credited to the Statement of Financial Activities when received or receivable whichever is earlier, unless it relates to a specific future period or event, in which case it is deferred.
Interest is recorded when it is receivable.
Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been included under expense categories that aggregate all costs for allocation to activities.
Indirect costs, including governance costs, which cannot be directly attributed to activities, are allocated proportionate to total direct costs allocated to each project area, as outlined in note 6 of the financial statements.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of expenditure for which it was incurred.
Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
All assets costing more than £500 are capitalised.
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their residual value, over their useful life, on the following basis:
| Motor vehicles | 4 years |
|---|---|
| Offce equipment | 3 years |
| Moveable assets | 4 years |
The residual value of the freehold property is estimated to be the same as the original cost and so no depreciation has been recognised in the period.
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash in hand, deposits with banks and funds that are readily convertible into cash at, or close to, their carrying values but are not held for investment purposes.
Debtors and prepayments
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount is applied. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
Creditors and accruals
Creditors are recognised where the Charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party, and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably.
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
20
Year ended 31 December 2024
Forever Hounds Trust Annual report and financial statements
1. Accounting policies (continued from previous page)
Financial instruments
Basic financial instruments are measured at amortised cost other than investments which are measured at fair value.
Pensions
The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme which is administered by an external independent pension provider. Contributions are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities as they fall due.
Stock
Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stock.
Operating leases
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the lease term.
Critical estimates and judgements
In preparing financial statements it is necessary to make certain judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts recognised in the financial statements. The annual depreciation charge for tangible fixed assets is sensitive to changes in useful economic lives and residual values of assets. In the view of the Trustees in applying the accounting policies adopted, no judgements were required that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements nor do any estimates or assumptions made carry a significant risk of material adjustment in the next financial year.
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
21
Forever Hounds Trust Annual report and financial statements
Year ended 31 December 2024
2. Comparative statement of fnancial activities
| Notes Income from: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Other trading activities 5 Investments Other - proft on sale of fxed assets Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds 6 & 7 Charitable activities 6 & 8 Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Transfer between funds 14 & 15 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Funds brought forward 14 & 15 Funds carried forward 14 & 15 |
Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds funds Year ended Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 £ £ £ 490,920 49,559 540,479 40,682 - 40,682 62,918 - 62,918 2,838 - 2,838 13,333 - 13,333 |
|---|---|
| 610,691 49,559 660,250 |
|
| 111,367 - 111,367 321,908 87,359 409,267 |
|
| 433,275 87,359 520,634 |
|
| 177,416 (37,800) 139,616 - - - |
|
| 177,416 (37,800) 139,616 514,804 40,000 554,804 |
|
| 692,220 2,200 694,420 |
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
22
Year ended 31 December 2024
Forever Hounds Trust Annual report and financial statements
- Income from donations and legacies
| 4. Income from charitable activities Donations Legacies Grants Donations Legacies Grants Sales of dog merchandise Homing donations Dog intake fees Sales of dog merchandise Homing donations Dog intake fees Homing fees |
Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds funds Year ended Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 £ £ £ 195,663 7,115 202,778 230,097 - 230,097 12,000 26,513 38,513 |
|---|---|
| 437,760 33,628 471,388 |
|
| Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds funds Year ended Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 £ £ £ 218,400 3,859 222,259 269,020 - 269,020 3,500 45,700 49,200 |
|
| 490,920 49,559 540,479 |
|
| Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds funds Year ended Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 £ £ £ 17,311 - 17,311 9,555 - 9,555 740 - 740 |
|
| 27,606 - 27,606 |
|
| Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds funds Year ended Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 £ £ £ 17,596 - 17,596 20,919 - 20,919 64 - 64 2,103 - 2,103 |
|
| 40,682 - 40,682 |
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
23
Forever Hounds Trust Annual report and financial statements
Year ended 31 December 2024
5. Income from other trading activities
| 50/50 club Raffes, draws and auctions Commission Sales of non-dog merchandise 50/50 club Raffes, draws and auctions Commission Sales of non-dog merchandise |
Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds funds Year ended Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 £ £ £ 5,724 - 5,724 33,635 - 33,635 18,682 - 18,682 24,920 - 24,920 |
|---|---|
| 82,961 - 82,961 |
|
| Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds funds Year ended Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 £ £ £ 5,913 - 5,913 18,152 - 18,152 19,016 - 19,016 19,837 - 19,837 |
|
| 62,918 - 62,918 |
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
24
Year ended 31 December 2024
Forever Hounds Trust Annual report and financial statements
- Total expenditure
| Raising funds Charitable activities Raising funds Charitable activities |
Direct staff Direct other Support Total costs costs costs funds Year ended Year ended Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 £ £ £ £ 49,342 42,584 30,219 122,145 179,488 112,962 96,139 388,589 |
|---|---|
| 228,830 155,546 126,358 510,734 |
|
| Direct staff Direct other Support Total costs costs costs funds Year ended Year ended Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 £ £ £ £ 59,057 38,157 14,153 111,367 158,267 198,989 52,011 409,267 |
|
| 217,324 237,146 66,164 520,634 |
Indirect costs, including governance costs, which cannot be directly attributed to activities, were allocated between cost centres proportionate to the direct staff and other costs allocated to those activities.
An analysis of costs of raising funds split between restricted and unrestricted funds can be found in note 7.
An analysis of charitable activities split between restricted and unrestricted funds can be found in note 8.
An analysis of staff costs can be found in note 9.
Support costs includes:
| Management staff costs Other people costs Marketing and publicity Professional fees Administration Release of VAT provision Depreciation Governance |
Total Total funds funds Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023 £ £ 51,616 43,788 8,840 3,993 - 2,269 30,964 31,967 17,814 24,155 - (60,447) 13,272 16,875 3,852 3,564 |
|---|---|
| 126,358 66,164 |
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
25
Forever Hounds Trust
Year ended 31 December 2024
Annual report and financial statements
6. Total expenditure (continued from previous page)
Governance costs includes:
| Independent examination Accounts preparation |
Total Total funds funds Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023 £ £ 2,268 1,980 1,584 1,584 |
|---|---|
| 3,852 3,564 |
7. Expenditure on raising funds
| Direct staff costs Direct other costs Support costs Direct staff costs Direct other costs Support costs |
Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds funds Year ended Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 £ £ £ 49,342 - 49,342 42,584 - 42,584 30,219 - 30,219 |
|---|---|
| 122,145 - 122,145 |
|
| Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds funds Year ended Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 £ £ £ 59,057 - 59,057 38,157 - 38,157 14,153 - 14,153 |
|
| 111,367 - 111,367 |
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
26
Year ended 31 December 2024
Forever Hounds Trust Annual report and financial statements
- Expenditure on charitable activities
| Staff costs Direct staff costs Direct other costs Support costs Direct staff costs Direct other costs Support costs Gross salaries Employer's NIC Employer's pension |
Unrestricted funds Year ended 31 Dec 2024 £ 179,488 79,347 96,139 |
Restricted Total funds funds Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 £ £ - 179,488 33,615 112,962 - 96,139 |
|---|---|---|
| 354,974 | 33,615 388,589 |
|
| Unrestricted funds Year ended 31 Dec 2023 £ 158,267 111,630 52,011 |
Restricted Total funds funds Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 £ £ - 158,267 87,359 198,989 - 52,011 |
|
| 321,908 | 87,359 409,267 |
|
| Total Total funds funds Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023 £ £ 258,258 239,122 17,108 17,492 5,080 4,498 |
||
| 280,446 261,112 |
9. Staff costs
The average headcount during the period was 12 persons (2023: 12 persons).
No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 (2023: Nil).
The total employee benefits paid to key management personnel during the year was £59,811 (2023: £56,958).
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
27
Forever Hounds Trust Annual report and financial statements
Year ended 31 December 2024
10. Tangible fxed assets
| 11. Debtors and prepayments Freehold Motor Offce property vehicles equipment £ £ £ Cost As at 1 January 2024 606,404 43,716 1,461 As at 31 December 2024 606,404 43,716 1,461 Accumulated depreciation As at 1 January 2024 - 41,920 1,461 Charge for the year - 1,796 - As at 31 December 2024 - 43,716 1,461 Net book value As at 1 January 2024 606,404 1,796 - As at 31 December 2024 606,404 - - Prepayments Accrued Income Other debtors |
Freehold Motor Offce property vehicles equipment £ £ £ 606,404 43,716 1,461 |
Moveable assets Total £ £ 69,897 721,478 |
|---|---|---|
| 606,404 43,716 1,461 |
69,897 721,478 |
|
| - 41,920 1,461 - 1,796 - |
47,159 90,540 11,476 13,272 |
|
| - 43,716 1,461 |
58,635 103,812 |
|
| 606,404 1,796 - |
22,738 630,938 |
|
| 606,404 - - |
11,262 617,666 |
|
| Total Total funds funds Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023 £ £ 4,964 1,765 237,250 135,500 5,345 14,872 |
||
| 247,559 152,137 |
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
28
Year ended 31 December 2024
Forever Hounds Trust Annual report and financial statements
- Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| Trade creditors Accruals HMRC payable Bank loans Other creditors |
Total Total funds funds Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023 £ £ 6,536 19,756 5,287 21,395 6,116 - 4,989 4,522 1,241 670 |
|---|---|
| 24,169 46,343 |
The bank loan is secured via fixed charge against the freehold property held by the Charity in Devon and runs until November 2045. The interest rate is linked to the Bank of England base rate and so fluctuates in line with this.
Within accruals is an amount of £Nil (2023: £17,699) relating to a historic error in the VAT returns which has now been resolved with HMRC. The amount accrued was paid to HMRC in March 2024 plus costs incurred in resolving this amount.
13. Creditors: amounts falling due in more than one year
| Bank loan | Total Total funds funds Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023 £ £ 269,798 274,877 |
|---|---|
| 269,798 274,877 |
The bank loan is secured via fixed charge against the freehold property held by the Charity in Devon.
The aggregate amount of liabilities payable or repayable wholly or in part more than five years after the reporting date is:
| Bank loan | Total Total funds funds Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023 £ £ 245,183 252,180 |
|---|---|
| 245,183 252,180 |
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
29
Forever Hounds Trust Annual report and financial statements
Year ended 31 December 2024
14. Analysis of charity funds
| Unrestricted funds Designated funds Property fund Designated funds General fund Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Support dogs Kennel enrichment Polytunnel Various - veterinary fees Restricted funds Total funds |
Balance Income Expenditure Transfers Balance brought for the in the between carried forward period period funds forward Year ended Year ended Year ended Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 £ £ £ £ £ 327,005 - - 4,612 331,617 |
|---|---|
| 327,005 - - 4,612 331,617 365,215 554,252 (477,119) (4,612) 437,736 |
|
| 692,220 554,252 (477,119) - 769,353 |
|
| - 4,102 (4,102) - - - 1,500 (1,500) - - 2,200 13 - - 2,213 - 28,013 (28,013) - - |
|
| 2,200 33,628 (33,615) - 2,213 |
|
| 694,420 587,880 (510,734) - 771,566 |
Property fund
The property fund relates to the net value of funds caught up within the kennels in Devon. It comprises of the cost of the property net of the outstanding mortgage loan.
Support dogs
These were funds received to support costs of dogs within the kennels.
Kennel enrichment
These were funds to support kennel enrichment activities.
Polytunnel
These were funds to support construction of a polytunnel at the Devon centre.
Veterinary fees
These were funds received to support the veterinary costs of dogs.
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
30
Year ended 31 December 2024
Forever Hounds Trust Annual report and financial statements
14. Analysis of charity funds (continued from previous page)
| Unrestricted funds Designated funds Property fund Designated funds General fund Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Support dogs PawPrints Charitable Trust ADCH cost of living Kennel enrichment Polytunnel Various - veterinary fees Restricted funds Total funds |
Balance Income Expenditure Transfers Balance brought for the in the between carried forward period period funds forward Year ended Year ended Year ended Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 £ £ £ £ £ 322,206 - - 4,799 327,005 |
|---|---|
| 322,206 - - 4,799 327,005 192,598 610,691 (433,275) (4,799) 365,215 |
|
| 514,804 610,691 (433,275) - 692,220 |
|
| - 3,859 (3,859) - - 40,000 - (40,000) - - - 3,000 (3,000) - - - 1,500 (1,500) - - - 2,200 - - 2,200 - 39,000 (39,000) - - |
|
| 40,000 49,559 (87,359) - 2,200 |
|
| 554,804 660,250 (520,634) - 694,420 |
Pawprints Charitable Trust
These were funds to support a veterinary and physiotherapy suite at the Devon centre.
ADCH cost of living
These were funds to support with kennel and veterinary costs.
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
31
Forever Hounds Trust
Year ended 31 December 2024
Annual report and financial statements
15. Analysis of net assets
| Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Non current liabilities Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Non current liabilities |
General Designated Restricted Total funds funds funds funds Year ended Year ended Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2024 £ £ £ £ 11,262 606,404 - 617,666 445,654 - 2,213 447,867 (19,180) (4,989) - (24,169) - (269,798) - (269,798) 437,736 331,617 2,213 771,566 General Designated Restricted Total funds funds funds funds Year ended Year ended Year ended Year ended 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2023 £ £ £ £ 24,534 606,404 - 630,938 382,502 - 2,200 384,702 (41,821) (4,522) - (46,343) - (274,877) - (274,877) |
|---|---|
| 365,215 327,005 2,200 694,420 |
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
32
Year ended 31 December 2024
Forever Hounds Trust Annual report and financial statements
- Analysis of net debt
| Cash at bank and in hand Bank loans due within one year Bank loans due within more than one year Cash at bank and in hand Bank loans due within one year Bank loans due within more than one year |
At 1 At 31 January Cash Other December 2024 movements movements 2024 £ £ £ £ 225,137 (31,966) - 193,171 (4,522) - (467) (4,989) (274,877) - 5,079 (269,798) |
|---|---|
| (54,262) (31,966) 4,612 (81,616) |
|
| At 1 At 31 January Cash Other December 2023 movements movements 2023 £ £ £ £ 234,383 (9,246) - 225,137 (4,798) 276 - (4,522) (279,400) 4,523 - (274,877) |
|
| (49,815) (4,447) - (54,262) |
17. Trustee remuneration
During the year, no trustee received any remuneration (2023: £Nil). One member of the Board of Trustees received reimbursement of travel expenses to board meetings totalling £58 (2023: £Nil).
18. Related party transactions
During the year there were no related party transactions (2023: £Nil) other than with Paramount Workwear & Embroidery which is owned by the partner of Caron Lane, Chief Executive. Paramount Workwear and Embroidery fulfill online shop orders, and support with storage of merchandise as well as supply of staff and volunteer uniforms. These services are provided at significantly below market value.
Charity number 1131399 Company number 06985367
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