2024-03-31-accounts - Rabbit Welfare Fund

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Charity No. 1167093

RABBIT WELFARE FUND

TRUSTEES' REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

RABBIT WELFARE FUND TRUSTEES' REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTENTS

	Page(s)
Charity Information	1
Trustees' Annual Report	2 - 6
Independent Examiners' Report	7
Statement Of Financial Activities	8
Summary Income And Expenditure Account	9
Balance Sheet	10
Notes To The Financial Statements	11 - 17
The following pages do not form part of the statutory accounts:
Detailed Statement Of Financial Activities	18 - 19

RABBIT WELFARE FUND CHARITY INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Charity No. 1167093

Registered Office

61 Bridge Street Kington HR5 3DJ

Trustees

Rachel Walters Emma Boyd Roslyn Lamb Alan Wilson

Accountants

Noakes Accounting Limited 66 South Street Taunton TA1 3AF

Independent Examiners

Albert Goodman LLP Goodwood House Blackbrook Park Avenue Taunton TA1 2PX

RABBIT WELFARE FUND TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Introduction

The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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) (effective 1 January 2019), as detailed in the accounting policies.

Administration

Rabbit Welfare Fund Registered Charity No. 1167093

Trustees

The following Trustees served during the year:

Rachel Walters Emma Boyd Roslyn Lamb Alan Wilson

Registered Office

61 Bridge Street Kington HR5 3DJ

Accountants

Noakes Accounting Limited 66 South Street Taunton TA1 3AF

Independent Examiners

Albert Goodman LLP Goodwood House Blackbrook Park Avenue Taunton TA1 2PX

H&S Adviser Mark Dron

Specialist Vet Adviser

Dr Richard Saunders

Structure, governance and management

Rabbit Welfare Fund (the "Charity") was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 16 May 2016, charity number 1167093.

All of the trustees currently in place are the first charity trustees, and hence have been in place since the Charity was registered. As stated in the governing document, these trustees will remain in place until they resign or are removed. Any additional trustees, of which there are currently none, shall have terms of three years.

The trustees are responsible for 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 taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Rabbit Welfare Fund was formed when the sister membership organisation Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund, a limited by guarantee company (Company No. 10044925), was receiving donations to put towards improving rabbit welfare. The two organisations still share common goals and Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund ("RWAF") still raise donations on behalf of Rabbit Welfare Fund.

RABBIT WELFARE FUND TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Aims and objectives

These remain unchanged as:

TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC IN THE CARE AND OWNERSHIP OF DOMESTIC RABBITS KEPT AS PETS IN BRITAIN AND TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE KNOWLEDGE OF RABBIT MEDICINE AMONGST THE UK VETERINARY PROFESSION.

TO CONDUCT OR PROMOTE THE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH AND PUBLISH THE USEFUL RESULTS OF SUCH RESEARCH INTO SPECIFIC HEALTH PROJECTS IN ORDER TO INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS IN DOMESTIC RABBITS.

We have a brilliant and constantly updated website to offer the most contemporary and best practice advice to rabbit owners, as well as the messages that we put out on social media and in the press.

We continue to run a telephone helpline 5 days a week, in which we provide advice to rabbit owners, and give similar advice via our e-mail service.

A huge amount of our resource is dedicated to the rabbit friendly vet list, which offers rabbit friendly vets the chance to be found and matched up with rabbit owners in their area.

Achievements and performance for the year April 2023 to March 2024

The Rabbit Welfare Fund has been instrumental in changing perceptions about rabbits as pets.

Our work has helped more people understand that rabbits have complicated needs. They aren’t cheap, easy children’s pets that can be locked in a small hutch at the bottom of the garden. There’s still a long way to go, so we’ll keep making our voice heard to help domestic rabbits live the fulfilling lives they deserve. Our campaigns are long term, because we are pushing for behaviour change from rabbit owners, and improvements in legislation, and this can take time.

Welfare Officer

Through the work of our Animal Welfare Officer, we are aiming to tackle the huge problem of unlicensed breeders advertising on classified online adverts. These breeders are not subject to any regulations, legislation, or welfare checks, and they provide no care advice to their customers. They are also very unlikely to provide proper welfare for the rabbits while they are in their care. Our Welfare Officer used the data provided by Hindesight, and looks for patterns that identify larger scale unlicensed breeders. He then investigates the situation using online resources, surveillance, and often paying a visit in person. If he can produce enough evidence, he will report the breeder to the relevant local authority.

Sadly, because of a combination of a lack of legislation, lack of resources or simple apathy on the part of the local authorities, often little or no action will be taken on the cases we raise. However, the investigations will often highlight wider legal issues. A key example is tax-evasion. These breeders are making a large undeclared income, and we are finding that the HMRC is becoming increasingly interested. Our aim is to make it as hard as possible for these breeders to do business, using whatever tools that the law allows.

Our Welfare Officer, Mark,, has been in place for over six years and has raised thousands of cases. However, because of both a lack of action from Local Authorities, and a lack of funding within the Rabbit Welfare Fund, we unfortunately suspended this role in October 2023.

2023 Round Up

There are many reasons rabbits are amongst the most neglected of pets and so much work to do to improve their welfare. As we say goodbye to 2023 and welcome 2024, we thought it would be helpful to share with you what we think are the main problems and how we’re trying to help.

We are a very small organisation, and to make the best use of our limited resources, we need to focus on areas where we can make a real change. Our work in education, campaigning and lobbying supports the amazing and difficult work done by rescue shelters.

• An estimated 1.5 million rabbits are kept as pets in the UK, a jump from 1 million since last year. Many new owners have no experience with the needs of the species. Rabbits are commonly misunderstood and thought of as cheap and easy children’s pets.

If looked after correctly, pet rabbits should live between 10-12 years. They are a big commitment!
Rabbits are hugely misunderstood, and a huge proportion are kept alone, with inadequate housing, a poor diet, and a
lack of vet care.
Most housing sold for rabbits is unsuitable.
Incorrect care advice is frequently given to owners.
There is no legislation to protect against rabbits being mis-sexed at sale. This, along with the huge increase in new rabbit owners, has resulted in a massive increase in accidental litters.
Female rabbits can become pregnant immediately after giving birth. Around 1 in 3 rabbit owners were not aware of this.
Lockdown resulted in a surge of unregulated rabbit breeding and sales.
There has been a boom in internet sales. These are mostly unregulated, and little or no welfare advice is given to
buyers.

RABBIT WELFARE FUND TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

With the exception of Scotland, there is a lack of licensing for breeders in the UK.

• Much of the above, combined with the cost-of-living crisis, means that there is an abandonment crisis going on right now. Before Covid, at least 67,000 rabbits a year ended up in rescue. This is now thought to be nearly 100,000. Rescues are reporting a huge increase in rabbits being dumped on their doorsteps. Many simply cannot cope.

• Rabbits are also rehomed online, increasing the overall number of abandonments, which is thought to be the worst in over 25 years.

• As well as being kept in people’s homes and gardens. Rabbits can be found at places such as farm parks, petting zoos and agricultural shows. Welfare standards are often inadequate in these locations, which means the animals suffer and also sets a bad example to the visiting public.

Rescue crisis

We launched an urgent appeal for people to support our breeding amnesty and sign our petition to demand government action to make rabbit breeders require the same licensing as dog breeders.

Anyone is legally allowed to breed and sell rabbits. This results in uneducated and inexperienced rabbit owners having multiple litters which they can’t look after and are too many to sell to responsible pet owners.

Rabbit breeders are not inspected or required to meet any minimum standards. Babies are mis-sexed and sold with no proper checks or care information. Unsuspecting owners are faced with accidental litters, which results in rabbits being dumped in the wild for a gruesome death and rescue centres being overrun.

We believe that a change in legislation would mean an immediate improvement in the welfare of rabbits being sold and a subsequent drop in the number of rabbits being abandoned or dumped.

Our breeding amnesty campaign calls for:

An immediate pause in the breeding of rabbits.
Retailers to stop selling rabbits.

• Classified sites to stop allowing adverts for baby rabbits.

Members of the public to support rescue and “adopt don’t shop”.

We had a great deal of support for the amnesty. The RSPCA, Blue Cross, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, Wood Green Pets Charity and Burgess Pet Care were all behind it. It was also supported by Gumtree and Preloved who both suspended adverts for new baby rabbits over the Easter 23 period. This was a great start to the campaign and something we will build on for 2024.

Educating and supporting rabbit owners is key to improving welfare Our website is a fantastic resource for both existing and potential rabbit owners. We get around 40,000 unique visitors every month and work hard to make sure that the information is up to date, accessible and covers all of the essentials.

Our free helpline is open to everyone, from rabbit owners, to concerned neighbours alike. In 2023 the helpline received around 2,000 phone calls.

Every 12-18 months we print 50,000 of our comprehensive rabbit care booklet: On the Hop. These are sent to vet practices and rescues, given out at shows and events, and sold on our website. On the Hop is also available as a free download on our website.

The ‘Good Practice Codes for the Welfare of Pet Rabbits in England’ was launched in 2021 and revised and relaunched in 2023. We were instrumental in this and have sent a link to as many businesses and local authorities as possible. We are also pushing Defra to adopt the Codes.

YouTube is hugely popular, but we know that it is full of inaccurate information. We have spent time identifying many of the most popular rabbit-related channels and have been leaving comments and links to steer people towards the right information on our website.

Farm parks, petting zoos and animal encounters

In our experience, the majority of these places do not care for their rabbits properly, and often allow handling sessions for children which is extremely stressful for the rabbits. We have written to every farm park, petting zoo and animal encounter in England to share the updated ‘Codes’ and try and make changes.

We have had some great feedback from this, with some asking for more information, asking us to give lectures, and send On the Hop booklets for visitors.

We’ll continue to work at this.

Agricultural shows and rabbit shows

It’s no secret that we have concerns over traditional rabbit shows, and we know that huge agricultural shows which have hundreds of thousands of visitors maximise the cruelty involved and send all the wrong messages to the public. This year three of the largest shows in England broke with tradition and did not include a typical rabbit show. Instead, we were invited to attend two of the shows and educated the visitors. The feedback from this was fantastic and almost everyone was fully supportive of this progress.

RABBIT WELFARE FUND TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Attending these shows costs us a great deal and it’s hard work, but it’s well worth it to showcase rabbits in accommodation that suits their needs and to promote rescue. Our huge thanks to Burgess for supporting this with a Runaround warren system and Acorn and Angel rescues.

We are keeping the pressure on Defra and the shows themselves to mandate that the Animal Welfare Act is applied to them. We hope that more shows take note in 2024.

TV and Media

For the first time ever we used a PR company to promote our campaigns and as a result we had a really busy year which included an appearance on national breakfast TV, Closer magazine, radio interviews, and 90 online pieces. It came at a cost but the coverage figures were huge – an estimated 6.8 million views! This was great for spreading our messages and getting support for the breeding amnesty and petition. We’d love to keep the momentum going on this, but sadly we don’t have the funds to continue at the moment.

We also responded to some really terrible examples of rabbit welfare on TV, such as the shows ‘Sort Your Life Out’ and ‘Afraid of the Dark’. We challenged the TV Production companies to do better. This is still very much a work in progress. Unlicensed breeders For the last seven years we have had the benefit of the brilliance of Mark, our Welfare Officer, who investigated and reported unlicensed breeders.

Unfortunately, despite providing local authorities with a comprehensive dossier of evidence each time, we can probably count on one hand the number of breeders that have been investigated and licensed as a result. This is usually because the local authority doesn’t think that the breeder falls into this category due to not meeting a ‘business test’, even though we can prove categorically that they do. This is another example of the system not working and why we want all breeders and sellers to be licensed.

You can read more about this on our petition.

Not all vets are rabbit savvy

Because of their complex care needs, rabbits are classed as exotic pets, which is a surprise to many owners. Whilst in training, vets spend a worryingly little amount of time learning about rabbits. This does vary between vet schools, but to become rabbit savvy means the vet has to go out of their way to do more training and continual professional development (CPD) on rabbits.

We have a rabbit-friendly vet list on our website, and a big part of our resources are dedicated to keeping the list online and up to date.

In 2023, we ran CPD courses free of charge and hosted three webinars on The Webinar Vet. This was at a cost to us of around £9,000, but we had almost 3000 views in over 65 countries! This will make a difference in many practices and improve the outcomes for many pet rabbits.

We also help vets by guiding them in best practices and writing clinical policies. The website has a section dedicated to vets and vet nurses with useful resources available.

Lack of enforcement

Local authorities are supposed to enforce the legislation that exists to protect rabbits. We report many cases a year where, for example, a farm park has poor welfare. Sadly, the results are usually disappointing. Local authorities have limited resources, and priorities mean they do not enforce the legislation. Different authorities can also have very different approaches, which we think should be standardised.

In 2024, we aim to produce a pack for anyone who works with rabbits so they can see which legislation applies to them. This will provide clarity and should help with enforcement.

Bracheycephalic (flat faced) breeds

This is a huge area of concern because Brachy rabbits suffer many health problems. We are working with other organisations to try and make a change here, but it is a long, hard process. Internally, we have stopped using any images of Brachy breeds on our website, magazine and marketing because we need to stop normalising these breeds and the health problems they suffer from. Sponsor a Rescue

For well over a decade now we have been supporting the brilliant work of rescues and fundraising for them. To date we have raised over £40,000 which has been shared out to rescues. Retailers

As well as encouraging retailers to sign up to the breeding amnesty, we have contacted several on line retailers with a review of the products they sell, highlighting our concerns and encouraging them to review what they offer for sale. We will keep the pressure up in 2024.

Financial review

The Rabbit Welfare Fund is relatively small charity and the majority of the income funds our campaigning and educational work.

RABBIT WELFARE FUND TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Income had increased from £90,445 to £171,273 during this period, largely because of a sizeable legacy that is due to us. Overheads have decreased, leaving a net surplus of £78,227, compared with last year's deficit of £57,665. We continue to monitor our overheads and reserves to ensure that we are able to meet our obligations.

During this year we made the Welfare Officer and the Vet List Manager roles redundant as we did not feel as if we had the necessary funds to continue with those roles.

We are not large enough to have investments, other than money in our deposit bank account, so we do not have an investment policy or risk assessment in place for this. However as at 31 March 2024 our funds at the bank were less than £85,000 so they would be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme in full.

The risks that could affect the charity are, like all charities a drop in donations. With the current economic uncertainty, we have to bear this is mind. We have considered the risk this may cause us and have come to the conclusion that the risk is minimal because the majority of the donations we receive are small. We do not take financial risk.

Donations and legacies account for the majority of the income. In this year we are aware that we are expecting a sizeable donation from a legacy left to us by a member and we are very grateful to Julie Boscher for thinking of us and supporting our work to improve the lives of all companion rabbits.

We generate a significant amount of donations from members of RWAF and any orders processed via our website shop.rabbitwelfare.co.uk.

We have a reserves policy in place, whereby we maintain 3 months of general unrestricted funds in our deposit account. This is to cover unforeseen drops in income. As at year end 31 March 2024 there was £121,929 of general unrestricted funds, which is in excess of that required by the policy.

Plans for future periods

Rabbit Strategy and actions

The rabbit welfare strategy is due to be launched soon. There are ten areas of action in this document with the Codes of Practice being one of them. That leaves nine areas of action, so we will aim to identify a lead organisation for each area of action and progressing each one.

Improving welfare standards in public facing areas and events

Farm parks, rabbit shows, petting zoos, and similar places usually have low welfare, and do not meet the welfare needs of the rabbits there. They also give the public the totally wrong impression of how to care for rabbits and this is an area we will continue to educate the public about, and challenge the businesses themselves on.

Legislation

We will keep pushing for a change to the legislation so that rabbit breeders need to be licenced in England. We also want to produce a pack so that all local authorities, farm parks and any other businesses that keep rabbits know which legislation applies to them and we will seek to have this legislation and the animal welfare act enforced by local authorities.

Approval

This report was approved by the board of Trustees on 21 November 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

Rachel Walters Trustee

RABBIT WELFARE FUND INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Independent examiners report to the Trustees of Rabbit Welfare Fund

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts for Rabbit Welfare Fund (“the charity”) for the year ended 31 March 2024, set out on pages 8 - 17.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
the accounts do not comply with these records; or
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.

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.

Michelle Ferris BSc (Hons) FCA DChA Albert Goodman LLP Goodwood House Blackbrook Park Avenue Taunton TA1 2PX

02 December 2024

RABBIT WELFARE FUND STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

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Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total Funds Funds Funds Total Funds
2024 2024 2024 2023 2023 2023
Notes £ £ £ £ £ £
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies 3 131,569 2,056 133,625 51,219 2,095 53,314
Charitable activities 4 11,884 - 11,884 16,170 - 16,170
Investments 5 591 - 591 190 - 190
Other 6 25,173 - 25,173 20,771 - 20,771
Total 169,217 2,056 171,273 88,350 2,095 90,445
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 7 266 1,169 1,435 636 1,234 1,870
Charitable activities 8 18,023 - 18,023 49,939 8,475 58,414
Other 9 72,803 785 73,588 86,125 1,701 87,826
Total 91,092 1,954 93,046 136,700 11,410 148,110
Net income/(expenditure) 78,125 102 78,227 (48,350) (9,315) (57,665)
Transfers between funds - - - - - -
Net movement in funds 78,125 102 78,227 (48,350) (9,315) (57,665)
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward 51,804 34,494 86,298 100,154 43,809 143,963
Total funds carried forward 16 129,929 34,596 164,525 51,804 34,494 86,298
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All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in Note 16 to the financial statements.

RABBIT WELFARE FUND SUMMARY INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

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2024 2023
£ £
Income 170,682 90,255
Interest and investment income 591 190
Gross income for the year 171,273 90,445
Total expenditure for the year (93,046) (148,110)
Net surplus/(deficit) before tax for the year 78,227 (57,665)
Net surplus/(deficit) for the year 78,227 (57,665)
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RABBIT WELFARE FUND BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

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Notes 2024 2023
£ £
Current assets
Stocks 13 10,000 10,000
Debtors 14 112,040 43,172
Cash at bank and in hand 46,940 36,051
168,980 89,223
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 15 (4,455) (2,925)
Net current assets 164,525 86,298
Total assets less current liabilities 164,525 86,298
Net assets excluding pension asset or liability 164,525 86,298
Net assets 164,525 86,298
The funds of the charity
Restricted funds
Restricted income funds 16 34,596 34,494
34,596 34,494
Unrestricted funds
General funds 16 121,929 31,304
Designated funds 16 8,000 20,500
129,929 51,804
Total funds 164,525 86,298
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The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 21 November 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

Rachel Walters Trustee

RABBIT WELFARE FUND NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

Accounting basis

Change in basis of accounting or to previous periods

There has been no change to the accounting policies (valuation rules and method of accounting) since last year and no changes have been made to accounts for previous years.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted general funds These are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objects of the charity. Unrestricted designated funds These are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted income funds These are available for use subject to restrictions imposed by the donor or through terms of an appeal. Income Recognition of income Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity becomes entitled to, and virtually certain to receive, the income and the amount of the income can be measured with sufficient reliability. Income with related Where income has related expenditure the income and related expenditure are expenditure reported gross in the SoFA. Donations and legacies Voluntary income received by way of grants, donations and gifts is included in the SoFA when receivable and only when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the income. Tax reclaims on donations Income from tax reclaims is included in the SoFA at the same time as the and gifts gift/donation to which it relates. Donated services and These are only included in income (with an equivalent amount in expenditure) facilities where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable, and material. Volunteer help The value of any volunteer help is not included within the accounts. Investment income This is included within the accounts when receivable. Gains/(losses) on revaluation This includes any gain or loss resulting from revaluing investments to market of fixed assets value. Gains/(losses) on investment This includes any gain or loss of the sale of investments. assets Expenditure Recognition of expenditure Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis. Expenditure includes any VAT that cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates. Expenditure on raising funds These comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income, fundraising trading costs and investment management costs. Expenditure on charitable These comprise the costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities activities and services in the furtherance of its objects, including the making of grants and governance costs. Grants payable All grant expenditure is accounted for on an accrual paid basis plus an accrual for grants that have been approved by the trustees at the end of the year but not yet paid. Governance costs These include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and

RABBIT WELFARE FUND NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

statutory requirements of the charity, including any audit/independent examination fees, costs linked to the strategic management of the charity, together with a share of other administration costs.

Other expenditure

These are support costs not allocated to a particular activity.

Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stocks. Cost includes all direct costs and an appropriate proportion of fixed and variable overheads.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Trade and other debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprised cash at bank and on hand, demand deposits with banks and other shortterm highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less and bank overdrafts. In the Statement of Financial Position, bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings or current liabilities. In the Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents are shown net of bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the charity's cash management.

Trade and other creditors

Short term creditors are measured at the transaction price. Other creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has as 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. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

Financial instruments

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Basic financial assets, including trade and other receivables, cash and bank balances and investments in commercial paper, are initially recognised at transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Basic financial liabilities, including trade and other payables, bank loans, loans from group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price. Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

2 Charity information

Rabbit Welfare Fund is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales. The registered office address is 61 Bridge Street, Kington, HR5 3DJ.

RABBIT WELFARE FUND NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

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3 Income from donations and legacies
Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total Funds Funds Funds Total Funds
2024 2024 2024 2023 2023 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Donations 113,234 - 113,234 35,111 - 35,111
Fundraising 17,291 - 17,291 14,684 - 14,684
Sponsor A Rescue - 2,056 2,056 - 2,095 2,095
Gift Aid 1,044 - 1,044 1,424 - 1,424
131,569 2,056 133,625 51,219 2,095 53,314
4 Income from charitable activities
Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total Funds Funds Funds Total Funds
2024 2024 2024 2023 2023 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Charitable activities income 11,884 - 11,884 16,170 - 16,170
11,884 - 11,884 16,170 - 16,170
5 Income from investments
Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total Funds Funds Funds Total Funds
2024 2024 2024 2023 2023 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Bank interest 591 - 591 190 - 190
591 - 591 190 - 190
6 Other income
Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total Funds Funds Funds Total Funds
2024 2024 2024 2023 2023 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
RWAF management fee income 25,173 - 25,173 20,771 - 20,771
25,173 - 25,173 20,771 - 20,771
7 Expenditure on raising funds
Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total Funds Funds Funds Total Funds
2024 2024 2024 2023 2023 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Fundraising 266 - 266 636 - 636
Sponsor A Rescue - 1,169 1,169 - 1,234 1,234
266 1,169 1,435 636 1,234 1,870
8 Expenditure on charitable activities
Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total Funds Funds Funds Total Funds
2024 2024 2024 2023 2023 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Charitable activities expenditure 18,023 - 18,023 49,939 8,475 58,414
18,023 - 18,023 49,939 8,475 58,414
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RABBIT WELFARE FUND NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

9 Other expenditure

Benevolent Fund Veterinary Payments Other Expenditure - RWF Rescue Rabbits Management and volunteer costs Premises costs General administrative costs Interest payable and similar costs Legal and professional costs	Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ - 1,801 50,900 2,991 5,251 11 11,849 72,803	Restricted Funds 2024 £ - 785 - - - - - 785	Total Funds 2024 £ - 2,586 50,900 2,991 5,251 11 11,849 73,588	Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ - 1,254 53,805 2,955 8,371 1 19,739 86,125	Restricted Funds 2023 £ 1,029 672 - - - - - 1,701	Total Funds 2023 £ 1,029 1,926 53,805 2,955 8,371 1 19,739 87,826

Included within 'Legal and professional costs' is an expense for independent examination fees of £1,160 (2023: £784).

10 Staff numbers

The average number of employees during the year was as follows: 3 (2023: 3).

11 Staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses

No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000 (2023: None).

Rachel Walters (trustee) received payment for management services supplied to the charity during the year totalling £40,353, including benefits (2023: £38,631). Rachel was reimbursed travel expenses during the year totalling £609 (2023: £498). The total amount owing to Rachel Walters at 31 March 2024 was £292 (2023: £Nil).

Roslyn Lamb (trustee) received payment for administrative services supplied to the charity during the year totalling £6,543, including benefits (2023: £6,136).The total amount owing to Roslyn Lamb at 31 March 2024 was £312 (2023: £Nil).

Emma Boyd (trustee) was reimbursed travel expenses during the year totalling £Nil (2023: £216).The total amount owing to Emma Boyd at 31 March 2024 was £Nil (2023: £Nil).

Alan Wilson (trustee) was reimbursed travel expenses during the year totalling £Nil (2023: £102).The total amount owing to Alan Wilson at 31 March 2024 was £Nil (2023: £Nil).

All of the trustees received their remuneration through the payroll of the charity with effect from 1 January 2021, with Rachel Walters previously receiving her remuneration as self-employed income. All of the payments made were permitted by the charity’s governing document.

12 Related party transactions

All of the four trustees of the charity also serve as the directors of Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund ("RWAF"), a company limited by guarantee, and have control over this entity.

The charity and RWAF share a 'lock-up' premises. During the year the charity paid £2,331 (2023: £2,331) in contributions towards rental costs to RWAF.

During the year RWAF incurred the following expenses on behalf of the charity which have been or are due to be reimbursed:

Advertising expenses Vets fees, food and other rabbit welfare provisions	2024 £ 3,001 1,758 4,759	2023 £ - 968 968

During the year the charity received donations from individual donors, collected by RWAF on its behalf. None of these donations would be considered outside the normal course of business. There were no restricted donations from RWAF itself, or any other related party. The total amount owed to the charity by RWAF at 31 March 2024 was £23,503 (2023: £23,258).

RABBIT WELFARE FUND NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

==> picture [450 x 297] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
13 Stocks
2024 2023
£ £
Finished Goods (RWF Leaflets) 10,000 10,000
10,000 10,000
14 Debtors
2024 2023
£ £
Accrued income and prepayments 88,537 19,914
Other debtors 23,503 23,258
112,040 43,172
15 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024 2023
£ £
Accruals 3,125 2,925
Other taxes and social security 726 -
Other creditors 604 -
4,455 2,925
----- End of picture text -----

RABBIT WELFARE FUND NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

16 Movement in funds

16.1 *Current year* *Restricted Income Funds:* Sponsor A Rescue Fund Benevolent Fund Total *Unrestricted Funds* *General Funds:* *Designated Funds:* Vet Specialist Adviser Fund Premises Fund Total *Total Funds* 16.2 *Prior year* *Restricted Income Funds:* Sponsor A Rescue Fund Benevolent Fund Total *Unrestricted Funds* *General Funds:* *Designated Funds:* Vet Specialist Adviser Fund Premises Fund Total *Total Funds*	At 1 April 2023 £ 1,949 32,545 34,494 31,304 8,000 12,500 20,500 86,298 At 1 April 2022 £ 1,088 42,721 43,809 79,654 8,000 12,500 20,500 143,963	Incoming resources £ 2,056 - 2,056 169,217 - - - 171,273 Incoming resources £ 2,095 - 2,095 88,350 - - - 90,445	Resources expended £ (1,169) (785) (1,954) (82,468) (8,624) - (8,624) (93,046) Resources expended £ (1,234) (10,176) (11,410) (128,138) (8,562) - (8,562) (148,110)	Transfers £ - - - 3,876 8,624 (12,500) (3,876) - Transfers £ - - - (8,562) 8,562 - 8,562 -	At 31 March 2024 £ 2,836 31,760 34,596 121,929 8,000 - 8,000 164,525 At 31 March 2023 £ 1,949 32,545 34,494 31,304 8,000 12,500 20,500 86,298

RABBIT WELFARE FUND NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Purposes and restrictions in relation to the funds:

Revaluation reserves Represent the amount by which investments exceed their historical cost. Restricted funds: Sponsor A Rescue Fund Represents sponsorship donations which are split and used to support a number of rescue shelters.

Benevolent Fund Represents grants received to enable the medical care of rescued rabbits. The source of these funds during the 2022-23 accounting year has been the Eilis Power legacy. Capone Fund Represents specific donations to fund our animal welfare officer. Designated funds: Vet Specialist Adviser Fund Represents funds set aside for the provision of specialist advice required by the charity in furtherance of its core aims and objectives. Premises Fund Represents funds set aside for unexpected premises and relocation costs.

17 Analysis of net assets between funds

17.1 Current year

Cash at bank and in hand Other net current assets/(liabilities) Total *ior year* Cash at bank and in hand Other net current assets/(liabilities) Total	Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 12,344 117,585 129,929 Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ 1,557 50,247 51,804	Restricted Funds 2024 £ 34,596 - 34,596 Restricted Funds 2023 £ 34,494 - 34,494	Total Funds 2024 £ 46,940 117,585 164,525 Total Funds 2023 £ 36,051 50,247 86,298

17.2 Prior year

RABBIT WELFARE FUND DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

This page does not form part of the statutory accounts

Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Donations Fundraising Sponsor A Rescue Gift Aid Charitable activities Charitable activities income Investments Bank interest Other RWAF management fee income Total Income and endowments Expenditure on: Raising funds Fundraising Sponsor A Rescue Charitable activities Charitable activities expenditure Other Benevolent Fund Veterinary Payments Other Expenditure - RWF Rescue Rabbits Management and volunteer costs Wages & salaries Pensions Training Travel & subsistence Staff entertainment Relocation expenses Premises costs Rent Use of home Cleaning	Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 113,234 17,291 - 1,044 131,569 11,884 11,884 591 591 25,173 25,173 169,217 266 - 266 18,023 18,023 - 1,801 1,801 50,539 34 119 208 - - 50,900 2,331 624 36 2,991	Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - 2,056 - 2,056 - - - - - - 2,056 - 1,169 1,169 - - - 785 785 - - - - - - - - - - -	Total Funds 2024 £ 113,234 17,291 2,056 1,044 133,625 11,884 11,884 591 591 25,173 25,173 171,273 266 1,169 1,435 18,023 18,023 - 2,586 2,586 50,539 34 119 208 - - 50,900 2,331 624 36 2,991	Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ 35,111 14,684 - 1,424 51,219 16,170 16,170 190 190 20,771 20,771 88,350 636 - 636 49,939 49,939 - 1,254 1,254 50,952 32 1,450 1,283 47 41 53,805 2,331 624 - 2,955	Restricted Funds 2023 £ - - 2,095 - 2,095 - - - - - - 2,095 - 1,234 1,234 8,475 8,475 1,029 672 1,701 - - - - - - - - - - -	Total Funds 2023 £ 35,111 14,684 2,095 1,424 53,314 16,170 16,170 190 190 20,771 20,771 90,445 636 1,234 1,870 58,414 58,414 1,029 1,926 2,955 50,952 32 1,450 1,283 47 41 53,805 2,331 624 - 2,955

RABBIT WELFARE FUND DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

This page does not form part of the statutory accounts

General administrative costs Software costs Insurance Printing, postage & stationery Telephone & internet Bank charges Interest payable and similar costs Other loan interest Legal and professional costs Accountancy fees Independent Examination fees Solicitors fees Other legal & professional fees Consultancy fees Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds Net movement in funds	4,899 88 204 - 60 5,251 11 11 1,980 1,160 8,624 85 - 11,849 91,092 78,125 - 78,125	- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1,954 102 - 102	4,899 88 204 - 60 5,251 11 11 1,980 1,160 8,624 85 - 11,849 93,046 78,227 - 78,227	8,077 - 132 100 62 8,371 1 1 1,395 784 8,562 8,398 600 19,739 136,700 (48,350) - (48,350)	- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 11,410 (9,315) - (9,315)	8,077 - 132 100 62 8,371 1 1 1,395 784 8,562 8,398 600 19,739 148,110 (57,665) - (57,665)