Wolfwood Animal Rescue
Registered Charity No:1133826
Trustees Report for the year ending 31st July 2025
Trustees:
Calvin Routledge, Robin Davies, Paul Daley, Sarah Hayland, Juli Scanlan, Graham Clark and Heather Wakelin.
- Charity Aims
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to relieve the suffering of abandoned, unwanted and neglected dogs in need of care and protection, by the provision of temporary accommodation and a re - homing service.
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to relieve the suffering of injured and displaced wildlife by a recovery service and provision of care and rehabilitation.
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to provide sanctuary and care for rescue horses and ponies until permanent adoption is found.
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to advance public education in matters concerning the welfare of such animals and birds.
Wolfwood is a small busy, self funded independent local rescue centre for wildlife casualties, the care and rehoming of rescue dogs with a few horses in sanctuary. We are backed by wonderful supporters, volunteers and the income from two charity shops. We acknowledge that there are many similar centres who are struggling and not as fortunate, and we are very grateful to be in a sustainable position, although our Vet Bill is an escalating cost, which is a bit of a concern.
The pursuit for our own ground and buildings is ongoing. Since the centre opened in early 2007, on rented premises, we have used funds and legacies carefully and are now at the stage where the charity can purchase somewhere of it’s own. At the moment there is still nothing suitable. The search continues.
Since October 2023 we have known that the owner of our rented Morecambe charity shop wished to sell it with it’s adjoining premises and space above both units. The shop generates our greatest income and without it we couldn’t continue indefinitely. Initially it was offered to the charity to purchase, but despite an extensive building survey being completed, it was deemed too expensive and required costly renovation and upgrading. The search for alternative suitable commercial premises commenced, but finding one like ours, just off the Promenade at a holiday resort was going to take some effort. If the property were sold then Wolfwood would have to move out and in the absence of a suitable alternative the drop in income would be significant, always presuming we could find somewhere else.
In March 2025 the shop owner lowered his asking price by £122,750. This was significant enough for the charity to reconsider purchasing it. After much discussion within the Trustees it was agreed to purchase the combined two - floor units, which would give a much - needed larger area for processing donated goods as well as a bigger selling area. The price was agreed with the owner and a reputable solicitor was instructed to act on behalf of Wolfwood for the conveyancing. Apparently as a charity it is not very straightforward, but the process is in motion and to date our solicitor is still waiting for important information and documentation from the seller in order to continue.
Our charity shops are very well supported with donations and shoppers. Consideration is given to those who are homeless or in great need. Our Morecambe shop especially is in a area of great poverty and the goods are value for money.
The rescue horses and ponies in sanctuary with the charity continue to be well cared for, happy and thriving, they love the open space living next to the shores of Morecambe Bay. They generate no income, but we are able to absorb their costs.
The distressing issue regarding the XL Bully Ban within the Dangerous Dog Act 1991 has calmed down since it’s initial implementation in December 2023, although the repercussions are ongoing. A steady stream of dogs in need continue to arrive via the Council Stray System or members of the public. The kennel accommodation is always working to capacity, with many opportunities for staff and volunteers to learn skills within correcting or adapting unacceptable dog behaviour. It’s very rewarding when a long stay dog eventually finds the home they deserve.
Wildlife casualties arrive thick and fast between April and September especially. The intensive hand feeding makes for long days of early starts and late finishes. Our success rate is fairly high, especially with the use of intensive care incubators, which will need replacing at some point.
The charity does not employ excess staff - sickness and annual leave being covered by colleagues. All employees and volunteers have easy access to the manager should any issues arise and need addressing, with meetings when appropriate. The staff turnover is low.
Wolfwood accepts volunteers, some stay a long time and it is rewarding to see enthusiasm and love of animals displayed. Some go away to University, but visit when home. We welcome students on college placement, school work experience, Duke of Edinburgh candidates and those in the community who may need supervision. Companies sometimes give their time on their charity days.
Supporters are very good when any fundraising events take place, with some Trustees helping run stalls.
Opportunities to speak to local community groups are taken up, which are always interesting when they are made aware of the scope of work undertaken within the charity.
Wolfwood has a good working relationship with the Stray Dog System, Police, local vets and members of the public. It continues to provide a good service for the local community, animal population and is currently sustainable for the foreseeable future. The work can be tiring, frustrating, hard but nearly always rewarding.
Heather Wakelin
Wolfwood Trustee
25 March 2026
Wolfwood Profit And Loss Account For the year ended 31 July 2025
| Income Bowerham Shop Calendar donation Calendar sales Christmas Fair Collection boxes Donations Donations - Dog Rehoming Donations - Horses Donations - Wildlife E Bay Sales Fund Raising Events Gift Aid Tax Recovered In Memorium Morecambe Shop Rags Scrap metal Gross profit Expenses Advertising and PR Bank charges Bowerham Shop Rent Bowerham Shop Stationery etc Cleaning Collection boxes Depreciation Dog food Electricity Horses ID Chips Insurance Kennel equipment Legal and professional Morecambe Shop Rent Rates Refreshments Rent Repairs and maintenance Software Staff training & welfare Staff uniforms & clothing Stationery and printing Telephone and internet Van expenses Veterinary fees Wages Wild life Net profit For the year ended 31 July 2025 |
101,064 250 200 2,217 1,016 24,988 14,280 1,070 1,191 242 5,633 4,680 171,027 193,854 3,000 - (1,888) (104) (5,004) (1) (6,969) 66 (4,575) (25,676) (22,699) (8,077) (112) (3,403) (1,208) (4,968) (12,000) (6,423) (16) (11,000) (27,329) (287) (1,462) (70) (1,069) (1,183) (6,517) (82,480) (215,633) (4,032) |
2025 2024 £ £ 123,266 200 177 2,164 942 24,732 8,180 - 719 63 3,882 5,955 367,438 184,201 - 109 524,712 722,027 524,712 722,027 (315) - (5,004) - (6,746) - (8,402) (24,162) (16,394) (16,640) - (6,084) (769) (4,796) (12,000) (4,855) - (10,000) (27,094) - (3,088) - (1,201) (2,160) (13,569) (84,165) (206,623) (1,725) (454,121) (455,793) 70,591 266,235 |
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CHARITY COMMISSION . Independent examinerfs report on the FOR ENGLAND AND WAIES accounts Section A Indep¢ndent_ExaJ)inerS Report Report to tha trustaes On accounts for the year '. }/ J endèd [_. S•t out on pag•s Charity no , {rf any) I I reF)rt to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above ch8rity1lhe Trust") for the year ended Responslbilitiès and basis of report As the chantys trustees, you are S$SIble for the preparation of the acUnts in $Gcordance wilh the rwuireThnts of the Charitias Act 2011 (Ihe AIY). I report In r88F*d of my examinathjn of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and In carrying Out my examinalion, I have followed all the aptyicable Directlons given by the Charity Commi8slon urbder 88¢tn 145151(bl of th8 Act. Ind•pendont trh8 chanty's gross ITkcome eXded £250,000 and18m qualified lo •xamln•r'$ 8talement undertake the examination by being a qualrfied member of {Snsert name of applicable listed bodylj Deletgl I If not applical)b. I have &%npfeted my examinats'on. I confirm that no matèrial matters have com8 to my atten16on In nnectiOn wtlh the ex8min815on lolher than that disdosed below'l which gives me cause to belbve Ihal In. any maten'al respect.. the accounting recivd8 were not kept in accordance with $8ction 130 of the Charithes Act; thè accounts dKI rK)t 8cc>Nd wth the accounting records., or the accounts did not comply th the applicable requirements conceming the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Ch8nti6s IA¢counts and ReF#Xts) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and fairf yW which is not a matter tnsi(¥ered as part of an ind8p8ndént examination. I have no concems 8rKI have come auoss no other matt8r3 In connection with the examination to whth attention shouhl be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ' Please delete words in the brackets rfthey do nol apply. Date: Slgned: Relovant professlon81 | qualiflcatlon($) or body ' IER Oct 2018