2023-04-30-accounts - Fluffy Retreat Ferret Rescue And Welfare

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

Trustees' Annual Report for the period

	Period start date	Period start date			Period end date	Period end date
	01	May	2022		30	April	2023
From				To

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name Fluffy Retreat Ferret Rescue and Welfare Other names charity is known by Fluffy Retreat Ferret Rescue Registered charity number (if any) 1163841

Charity's principal address 13 Danvers Mead

Chippenham Wiltshire Postcode SN15 3TP

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Pamela Weaver	Rescue Manager / Chair
	Elaine Larne	PR/ Fundraising Manager
	Maureen Killip	Social Medica Manager
	Louise Gammon	Webshop/Website Manager

Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

Name Dates acted if not for whole year

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
H&S Manager	Nick Larne	6 Courtlands, Bewdley Street, Evesham, WR11 4AD
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Pamela Weaver

Pamela Weaver

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Trust Deed 5[th] October 2015 Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution)

How the charity is constituted (eg. trust, association, company)

Trust

Trustees are appointed or reappointed every 3 years, or sooner if required, by current Trustee panel

Trustee selection methods (eg. appointed by, elected by)

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;

Conflict of Interests Mitigation Policy and Money Handling Policy are in place. Regular risk assessments are carried out by the Trustees and trained H&S Manager.

New policy on “Supported Adoption”. Due to changes in the policy from our insurers we can no longer have foster homes looking after our ferrets (except for trustees). We have therefore developed a new policy for “supported adoption” to encourage adoption of ferrets who are end of life or need ongoing veterinary care.

New policy to support a new pilot initiative “Ferret Community Outreach
relationship with any related Fund” which supports owners within our catchment area, on low income or
parties; benefits, with emergency vet care. All payments are directly to the vet and
• trustees’ consideration of not to the individual. major risks and the system and procedures to manage All trustees give their time voluntarily and other than occasional training them. opportunities, receive no remuneration or other benefits.

Section C Objectives and activities

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)	To promote humane behaviour towards ferrets by providing appropriate care, protection, treatment and security for ferrets 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 animal welfare in general and the prevention of cruelty and suffering among ferrets.
	To offer rescue placement, rehabilitation and rehoming of stray and otherwise unwanted ferrets, found by or surrendered by the general public, vets or other animal organisations. To carry out home-checking and advising potential new owners to ensure the ferrets safety and care, and that the new owners are prepared. PR events and ferret racing to raise awareness and remove the stigma attached to ferrets, as well as raising funds for the rescue. Education days / Training / Volunteering – where possible to provide volunteering opportunities to suitable candidates to learn aspects of animal husbandry as well as many aspects of running a charity. Where possible to work with and support other rescues. Where possible to work with other animal organisations and veterinary organisations to promote welfare and teaching. To disseminate information from government organisations regarding specific legislation or changes in legislation that affect ferret keeping, or changes to known information regarding zoonotic diseases. The Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit.

Summary of the objects of the
charity set out in its
governing document
Summary of the main
activities undertaken for the
public benefit in relation to
these objects (include within
this section the statutory
declaration that trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit)

To promote humane behaviour towards ferrets by providing appropriate
care, protection, treatment and security for ferrets 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 animal welfare in general and the prevention of cruelty and
suffering among ferrets.

To offer rescue placement, rehabilitation and rehoming of stray and
otherwise unwanted ferrets, found by or surrendered by the general
public, vets or other animal organisations.
To carry out home-checking and advising potential new owners to ensure
the ferrets safety and care, and that the new owners are prepared.
PR events and ferret racing to raise awareness and remove the stigma
attached to ferrets, as well as raising funds for the rescue.
Education days / Training / Volunteering – where possible to provide
volunteering opportunities to suitable candidates to learn aspects of
animal husbandry as well as many aspects of running a charity.
Where possible to work with and support other rescues.
Where possible to work with other animal organisations and veterinary
organisations to promote welfare and teaching.
To disseminate information from government organisations regarding
specific legislation or changes in legislation that affect ferret keeping, or
changes to known information regarding zoonotic diseases.
The Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission guidance
on public benefit.

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

policy on grantmaking;
policy programme related investment;
contribution made by volunteers.

2022 was a very busy year again, although we found ourselves with a lot of very difficult to manage ferrets in terms of behaviour, and this slowed down our intakes and adoptions.

We were really pleased to be able to offer an apprentice placement this year and have worked closely with her training and development over the winter.

We have also had to adapt further to changes in the way our vets work, and their clinic opening times, which has been challenging.

The cost of living crisis has been an added challenge this year, with so many people unable to afford the rising costs of keeping ferrets, especially the rising costs of vets fees. This has also impacted the number of people interested in adopting ferrets.

Section D Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year

Our main goals this year were:

Return to full in-person events in 2022

Whilst events have started to return, there were still fewer than normal in 2022.

To continue to create publications for ferret owners, the general public and for vet surgeries

We have created some publications around heat stroke in ferrets, how to manage ferrets safely during the heat and the symptoms to look out for.

We have also worked with a number of veterinary surgeries to put together a new pilot program “Ferret Community Outreach Fund” for people on low income or benefits struggling to pay for vets fees. This program allows vets to approach Fluffy Retreat for funding for emergency diagnostics and treatment, and also for pregnancy prevention. The intention of this fund is to reduce the number of ferrets requiring rescue placement. Many owners who find themselves in a position of not being able to afford an emergency vet bill, have no other option currently than to have the ferret put down or surrendered to a rescue. The goal of this fund is to try to keep ferrets in otherwise loving and good homes where possible. This pilot will continue through 2023.

To continue to raise public awareness through special interest social media stories and PR events.

We have had some very interesting cases in 2022 which we were able to share on public media to raise awareness of ferret illnesses, treatments and risks.

Section E Financial review

We aim to hold cash in our main bank account of approximately £2000. Brief statement of the These funds are held in order to meet all day to day running costs, charity’s policy on reserves including emergency vet costs, incurred by the rescue. At the year end date £1,835 was held, all of which was unrestricted funds.

As trustees we have set out guidance that we need to hold a cushion of £2,000 to protect us against immense vet fees in the case of an outbreak of illness. The rescue should not continue to take in any further animals if the overall funds go below this amount.

Any funds over £2,000 will be placed in our Business Savings Account, this account can be accessed when funds have run low, or big purchases are required. This account is to help future proof the rescue and continue to improve facilities.

Details of any funds materially in deficit

We anticipated and budgeted for a loss this year, due to plans to replace the rescue transport. This was not needed. There are no funds in deficit.

Further financial review details (Optional information)

The rescue has received a large number of donations in the form of raw meat, kibble and litter and this has helped to keep our outgoings down despite a general rise in costs. We have also received a large number of financial donations throughout the year.

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:

the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
We were able to attend a number of ferret shows and PR events in
any fundraising); person this year. But were not able to run any online fundraising events.
• how expenditure has The ferret community outreach fund was launched, after discussion with
supported the key objectives the charities commission in early 2023. We had one application within
of the charity; this financial year, which we approved and funded. The funding for the
• investment policy and community outreach program is coming from the rescue’s savings objectives including any account. ethical investment policy adopted.

Section F Other optional information

Future Plans

The rescue has a no-kill policy of ferrets, except where their mental of physical health is impacting on their quality of life. This means that we do, at times, have ferrets that are not suitable for rehoming due to long term health issues. We continue to work to find suitable arrangements for these lifers to try to limit the impact on the rescue.

To continue to create publications for ferret owners, the general public and for vet surgeries.

To continue to raise public awareness through special interest social media stories and PR events.

To promote the Ferret Community Outreach Fund to assist people who are on low incomes or benefits whose ferrets require urgent medical treatment that they cannot fund themselves.

To work with vets to promote surgical neutering of female ferrets in light of the withdrawal of delvosterone injection from the UK market.

To carry out maintenance to the ferret garden, in order to prolong it’s life and use in the future.

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Pamela Clare Weaver Full name(s) Maureen Barbara Killip Position (eg Secretary, Trustee Founding Trustee and Chair Chair, etc) Date 04/06/2023

Fluffy Retreat Ferret Rescue and Welfare

1163841

Receipts and payments accounts

CC16a

For the period 01/05/2022 30/04/2023 To from

Section A Receipts and payments

A1 Receipts	Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 564 46 110 11,232 2,847 40 579 89 8,999 2,373 695 129 27,703 - - - 27,703 1,530 2,459 50 46 2,580 3,287 6,949 707 - 257 - 260 953 24 65 934 1,733 549 165 937 894 197 24,576 - - - 24,576 3,127 - 24,299 27,426	Total funds to the nearest £ 564 46 110 11,232 2,847 40 579 89 8,999 2,373 695 129 27,703 - - - 27,703 1,530 2,459 50 46 2,580 3,287 6,949 707 - 257 - 260 953 24 65 934 1,733 549 165 937 894 197 24,576 - - - 24,576 3,127	Last year to the nearest £
201 Feed sales	564		713
202 Cleaningand litter sales	46		30
204 Non-charitable sales	110		80
205 Charitable Sales	11,232		13,443
206 Postage	2,847		3,243
209 Microchipping	40		180
210 Fundraisingand PR	579		1,244
211 Housingand storage sales	89		120
215 SundryDonations	8,999		8,774
216 Adoption	2,373		3,941
217 Gift Aid	695		707
226 Interest(bank interest)	129		4
*Sub total*(Gross income for AR)	27,703		32,475

A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).
	-
	-		-
*Sub total*	-		-
*Total receipts* A3 Payments
			32,475

301 Feed	1,530		2,607
302 Cleaningand litter	2,459		1,932
303 Enrichment	50		44
304 Non-charitable sales - costs	46		15
305 Charitable sales - costs	2,580		3,940
306 Postage and deliverycharges	3,287		3,732
307 Veterinarycosts	6,949		9,612
308 Stationery	707		720
309 Microchippingcosts	-		828
310 Fundraisingand PR costs	257		400
311 Housingand Storage Costs	-		-
312 Maintenance	260		336
313 Insurance	953		1,076
318 Miscellaneous	24		90
319 Health and safety	65		907
320 Accountant fees	934		848
321 Car repairs and runningcosts	1,733		2,393
322 IT and comms equipment	549		461
323 Telephone(contract)	165		122
324 IT software and subscriptions	937		814
326 Transaction fees and 6001002 Bank charges(ebayandpaypal fees)	894		1,126
4005002 Mileage	197		305
**Sub total **	24,576		32,309

A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table)
	-
	-
**Sub total **	-		-
*Total payments* *Net of receipts/(payments)* A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end *Cash funds this year end* CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
			32,309

		3,127	167
		-	-
		24,299	24,132
		27,426	24,299
			15/01/2024

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets	Floats Paypal Signature Accountant fees Trade creditors Details Bank Accounts ebay (Adyen) Details *Total cash funds* (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Details Details Car YT10 OYJ	Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 26,354 - 429 598 45 - - - 27,426 - OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) Unrestricted 3,000 - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) Unrestricted 902 Unrestricted 138 - - - Print Name Pamela Clare Weaver Maureen Barbara Killip	Endowment funds to nearest £
			-


			-
			-
			-
			OK
			Endowment funds to nearest £
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			Current value (optional)
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			Current value (optional)
			1,500
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			When due (optional)






			Date of approval
		Pamela Clare Weaver	20/12/2023
		Maureen Barbara Killip	20/12/2023

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

15/01/2024

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ Fluffy Retreat Ferret Rescue and Welfare members of On accounts for the year 30 April 2023 Charity no 1663841 ended (if any) Set out on pages 1 to 5 of the Trustees’ Annual Report and 1 to 2 of the Receipts and Payments Accounts I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 30 April 2023. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report 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 I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) 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. * Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.

Signed: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address:	Date:
		15 January2024

	James Gare

	FCA DChA

	Monahans
	County Gate, County Way
	Trowbridge, BA14 7FJ