RIDGEBACK RESCUE TRUSTEES' REPORT, EXAMINER'S REPORT PROFIT & LOSS AND BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
Footprints Accountancy
CIMA
24 Gander Lane Barlborough Chesterfield S43 4PZ
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RIDGEBACK RESCUE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Trustees'Report | 3-5 |
| Responsibilities of the Trustees | 6 |
| Examiner's Report | 7 |
| Profit & Loss Account | 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 |
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RIDGEBACK RESCUE TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
The trustees have pleasure in presenting their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st December 2020.
Introduction
The details as set out below are those required by the Charities Commission.
Legal Status
Ridgeback Rescue (formerly The Midlands & Northern Ridgeback Support & Rescue Trust) is constituted by a deed of Trust, and is registered as charity number 116704.
Trustees
Ms Julie Robinson Mr Kevin Blackwell Mrs Kerry Rhodes Mr Tyler Rhodes Mrs Sheridan Gray Ms Helen Crowe
All trustees have acted for the entirety of the financial year.
Objectives of Ridgeback Rescue
The objectives of the charity are to provide appropriate care, protection, treatment, security and support for Rhodesian Ridgebacks; to relieve suffering and distress where necessary to find suitable permanent new homes for such animals; and to educate and advise both Rhodesian Ridgeback owners and the wider public in matters pertaining to the health, welfare and the prevention of cruelty and suffering of these dogs.
Organisation
The management of the charity is under the control of the trustees. The trustees shall have power to deal with any matters not covered by the charity's rules.
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RIDGEBACK RESCUE TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
Review of Developments, Activities & Achievements
The pandemic continues to be a struggle for the entire country hard, indeed the whole of the global economy has taken a severe hit. Standing orders and general donations have, rather understandably, decreased as everybody has had to tighten their belts.
From a financial standpoint, it was fortuitous that we had already decided to draw an end to our association with C-Four Paws for kennel rental, and this arrangement concluded with our final payment to them in January 2021. With the addition of a qualified behaviourist/dog trainer to our ranks, we have been able to save money massively on assessments and the production of written reports when we are approached about problem dogs. Where previously these dogs would have had to come into our kennel facility for assessment and a third party report generated, we are now able to personally assess them in situ and rehome directly from their current owner, should this be deemed appropriate. When kennelling is still required, we have now commenced using kennels on an ad hoc basis and also have the option of utilising one of our Trustees to foster dogs, should that be required. This more fluid way of working has proved doubly positive not only in that we are no longer paying for empty kennel space, but that we are also able to kennel the dogs in a more geographically convenient area rather than having to transport them up and down the country to our previous central hub. This year, the full total spend on kennelling and foster fees was down to just £2900, a considerable reduction from last year’s kennel bill of £11,210.
It is heart-warming to see that the Scottish Ridgeback club is still very much supporting our charity, and is splitting their fundraising efforts equally between ourselves and the Rhodesian Ridgeback Welfare Trust. This year, funds were generated from both shows and sponsored events.
Fundraising this year has been of a much lesser endeavour than usual but we have made strides with our merchandise in the online shop. Our range has been updated and care selecting products really has paid off with the “big hitters” being the Dogmatic headcollars. Our coats and fleeces are always very much in demand but sadly our manufacturer has had several problems and personal issues to deal with meaning we have had quite the hiatus in being able to stock as many as we have demand for. Indeed, we have a waiting list for them and expect them to fly off the shelf as soon as they become available. In this interim period, we were, however, able to stock generic coats from a local trade supermarket and rather surprisingly these have also done very well enabling us to claw back quite a sizeable mark-up (so much so that we have decided to continue this range even when the Ridgeback-specific coats and fleeces come back in stock again at the beginning of 2022).
Due to the amount of merchandise we now have to store, it was thought prudent and sensible to arrange the use of a storage facility. The cost for this service is £1800 per annum, but it does ensure our products are safe, dry and easily accessible.
This year, again due to the restrictions of Covid, we were unable to run our hotly anticipated Fun Show in Malton, or to produce any of our fun fundraising videos. Sadly, another casualty in our events diary was our Predation Workshop with Claire Staines of Lothlorien Dog Services arranged for Welton in May. We are hopeful that finally next year, we may pull it off and also be able to reschedule our Fun Show with Julian Norton, the Yorkshire Vet, that we are so excited to get off the ground.
On the positive fund-raising side, we were very proactive in our use and publicity of other ways in which our supporters could generate funds. We had 47 people sign up to our Weather Lottery meaning regular payments coming in for that. We are now also encouraging the use of Amazon Smile when people shop on line. We were staggered to find that this method of shopping alone raised in excess of £600 for our charity this year. Easy Fundraising continues to be a popular avenue for people to help us raise our bank balance without it costing them a bean, and we were also fortunate enough to have 2 separate legacies gifted to us.
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RIDGEBACK RESCUE TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
Our largest outgoings for the year were again in the form of veterinary bills which totalled £5937 for the year. Eli, who required complicated and expensive surgery for his dermoid sinus is now doing great with no anticipated surgery, medication or problems going forward. His bill was roughly £3200 but as our supporters raised £2000 specifically for him, this really eased the burden. Evie our long-term foster “golden oldie” continued to be in and out of the vet’s office with her medical issues. Her bill for the year was £500. It will, however, be the last payment we need to make for our darling girl as sadly she passed away towards the end of this year.
The Pandemic continues to have an impact on both the numbers of dogs being surrendered and also the type of dogs coming through our doors. We are starting to see the ramifications of those people who took on dogs during lockdown without perhaps being “Ridgeback people”. By this I mean that many of the dogs have not been appropriately trained, socialised, schooled or given the adequate boundaries and guidance. As these dogs are now entering adolescence, their hormones are also kicking in and many people who had not done their homework before getting them, are finding they are simply “too much dog” for them now they are powerful, boisterous, disobedient teenagers. The average age of those dogs being surrendered to us has reduced significantly because of this, although we are still seeing some dogs at the other end of the scale … our oldest this year was a heart-breaking 13 years old.
The number of people seeking help, advice or support for their dogs through our charity was 60 The number of dogs being surrendered to us this year was 20 The number of dogs fostered prior to rehoming was 2
Lastly, I would to thank our Trustees who have all worked seamlessly as a team and put in hours of work in ensuring the smooth running of the charity, website optics, social media accounts and round the clock support to those who need us. This year has brought some very trying situations both from a logistical, emotional and ethical stand point. Some decisions have not been easy to reach but I am glad to say that on every occasion, the Trustees have worked together as a single entity, agreeing en masse with all decisions and plans. The bank balance, moral and reputation of the charity is at an all-time high and is certainly in the most healthy position moving forward into 2022.
Kerry Rhodes, Chairman – Ridgeback Rescue
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RIDGEBACK RESCUE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
Responsibilities of the Trustees
The Charities Act requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for every financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity at the end of the year and of the surplus, or the deficiency for the year.
In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies, and then apply them on a consistent basis, making judgements and estimates that are prudent and reasonable. The trustees must also prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The report was approved by the Trustees on and is signed on their behalf by Mrs Kerry Rhodes
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RIDGEBACK RESCUE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent Examiner's Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Dated:
Footprints Accountancy CIMA 24 Gander Lane Barlborough Chesterfield S43 4PZ
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RIDGEBACK RESCUE DETAILED INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
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2021 2020
£ £ £ £
TURNOVER
Sales 13,805 39,496
-
Adoption, rehoming & fostering 9,785
Pet insurances 209 -
Donations 16,225 -
Training Services 719 -
-
Funding 1,150
41,892 39,496
OTHER INCOME
Interest receivable 3 29
41,895 39,525
DIRECT COSTS
Merchandise purchases 7,705 11,272
Veterinary fees 5,937 6,031
Kennel fees 2,932 11,210
Shows & events 172 -
(16,746) (28,513)
OTHER CHARGES
Premises expenses:
-
Storage 1,843
-
1,843
General administrative costs:
Insurance 666 718
Printing, postage & stationary 343 2,617
Accountancy 420 240
Office costs 606 898
Telecommunications 66 -
Subscriptions 50 -
2,151 4,473
(3,994) (4,473)
NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) 21,154 6,539
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RIDGEBACK RESCUE BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
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2021 2020
£ £ £ £
CURRENT ASSETS
Bank accounts 103,921 85,727
Stock 2,500 2,500
Loan to trustee 2,900 -
109,321 88,227
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Creditors & Accruals (420) (480)
NET CURRENT ASSETS (LIABILITIES) 108,901 87,747
NET ASSETS 108,901 87,747
CAPITAL AND RESERVES
Balance as at 1st January 2021 87,747 81,208
Net profit for the year 21,154 6,539
Balance as at 31st December 2021 108,901 87,747
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