Charity No. 1167093
RABBIT WELFARE FUND
TRUSTEES' REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
RABBIT WELFARE FUND TRUSTEES' REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTENTS
| Page(s) | |
|---|---|
| Charity Information | 1 |
| Trustees' Annual Report | 2 – 5 |
| Independent Examiners' Report | 6 |
| Statement Of Financial Activities | 7 |
| Summary Income And Expenditure Account | 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 |
| Notes To The Financial Statements | 10 – 16 |
| The following pages do not form part of the statutory accounts: | |
| Detailed Statement Of Financial Activities | 17 – 18 |
RABBIT WELFARE FUND CHARITY INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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
1
RABBIT WELFARE FUND TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Introduction
The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
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
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.
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RABBIT WELFARE FUND TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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.
Achievements and performance for the year April 2024 to March 2025
As a small organisation, we must focus our limited resources where they can have the greatest impact. Our efforts in education, campaigning, and lobbying are designed to support the vital and often difficult work carried out by rehoming organisations across the country.
Key Facts About Rabbit Welfare
Many of you will be familiar with the following facts, but they bear repeating:
-
An estimated 1.5 million rabbits are now kept as pets in the UK — a significant increase from 1 million last year. Many new owners lack experience and understanding of the species’ needs.
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When cared for properly, rabbits can live 10–12 years , making them a long-term commitment.
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Rabbits are frequently misunderstood and are often kept alone, in inadequate housing, with poor diets and insufficient veterinary care.
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Most commercially available rabbit housing is unsuitable.
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Incorrect care advice is commonly given to owners.
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There is no legislation requiring accurate sexing of rabbits at the point of sale. This, combined with the rise in inexperienced ownership, has led to a surge in accidental litters.
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Female rabbits can become pregnant immediately after giving birth — a fact unknown to around one-third of rabbit owners.
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The COVID-19 lockdowns triggered a boom in unregulated breeding and sales.
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Online sales have increased dramatically, with little to no welfare guidance provided to buyers.
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Outside of Scotland, rabbit breeders are not licensed or inspected.
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These factors, compounded by the cost-of-living crisis, have led to a rescue and abandonment crisis . Pre-COVID, approximately 67,000 rabbits entered rescue annually; this figure is now estimated to be closer to 100,000 .
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Rescues report a sharp rise in rabbits being abandoned or dumped — many are overwhelmed and unable to cope.
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Rabbits are also rehomed informally online, further contributing to the abandonment crisis, which is now considered the worst in over 25 years.
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Rabbits are not only kept in homes and gardens but are also found in farm parks, petting zoos, and agricultural shows , where welfare standards are often inadequate, causing suffering and setting poor examples for the public.
The Rescue Crisis
Currently, anyone can legally breed and sell rabbits , regardless of experience or knowledge. This has led to widespread irresponsible breeding, mis-sexing, and the sale of rabbits without proper checks or care information. The result is a growing number of accidental litters, abandoned animals, and overwhelmed rescue centres.
We believe that legislative change is urgently needed to improve welfare standards and reduce abandonment rates. Our campaign to close this loophole gained significant traction in 2025.
Our Easter broadcast campaign highlighted the lack of licensing requirements for breeders. We collaborated with adoption centres across the UK to share local stories with local media outlets, resulting in widespread coverage. The campaign achieved 39 million views across all media platforms , including national radio and a prime-time television appearance — our most successful media campaign to date.
Education and Support
Educating and supporting rabbit owners is central to improving welfare. Our website receives approximately 40,000 unique visitors per month , and we work diligently to ensure the information is accurate, accessible, and comprehensive.
Our free helpline is available to all — from rabbit owners to concerned neighbours. We received around 2,000 calls a year .
3
RABBIT WELFARE FUND TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Empowering the Public to Take Action
To support concerned individuals, we have added complaint templates to our website. These resources are designed to help animal lovers raise formal concerns about welfare standards at farm parks, petting zoos, mobile zoos, and pet shops. By making the legislation accessible and actionable, we aim to empower the public to advocate for better treatment of animals in these settings.
Demanding Legislative Change
In response to the Post-Implementation Review of the Licensing of Activities Involving Animals (LAIA) legislation, we produced a comprehensive review and submitted three key recommendations aimed at significantly improving rabbit welfare in England:
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Amend the LAIA Regulations to make rabbit breeding a licensable activity, and require that all animals sold are correctly sexed.
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Provide additional resources to Local Authorities (LAs) to enable more effective enforcement of the LAIA Regulations.
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Elevate the Good Practice Code for the Welfare of Rabbits to a statutory Code of Practice.
Our recommendations were shared with relevant Members of Parliament, Government Ministers, and bodies including Defra , and we have campaigned vigorously to ensure these proposals are considered in any future legislative updates. We also attended the Companion Animal Sector Council (CASC) Forum in March, where we engaged directly with key stakeholders to advocate for these changes. Our efforts will continue.
To support this campaign, we created a template letter and encouraged our supporters to write to their MPs. We are grateful to all who took action, your voices are vital.
In addition, we met with DAERA in Northern Ireland to discuss the many welfare challenges facing rabbits and to encourage their inclusion in the next iteration of the Animal Welfare Pathway .
RVHD2: Another Year, Another Strain
In 2025, we responded to the emergence of a new strain of Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease 2 (RVHD2-HV) . Our work focused on combating misinformation and educating both veterinary professionals and rabbit owners about the need for an updated vaccine alongside the existing one.
This required extensive research, and we issued regular evidence-based updates to both groups. We were pleased to receive the support of the British Veterinary Zoological Society (BZVS) , who co-signed a joint statement endorsing our findings and recommendations.
Supporting Public Complaints
Local Authorities are responsible for enforcing legislation that protects rabbit welfare. However, enforcement is inconsistent and often inadequate due to limited resources and varying priorities. In 2024, we submitted a Freedom of Information request to every LA in the UK. The responses revealed that only six licensed rabbit breeders exist nationwide — a clear indication that the ‘business test’ within current legislation is not being applied, and that breeders are operating without welfare checks.
To empower the public, we have developed a range of complaint templates and supporting materials , now available on our website. These resources enable individuals to report welfare concerns effectively, referencing the relevant legislation. Notably, the first use of our template resulted in the cessation of small animal sales at a local auction .
Sponsor a Rescue
For over a decade, we have supported the invaluable work of rabbit rescues across the UK. To date, we have raised over £60,000 , which has been distributed to support their efforts.
Financial review
The Rabbit Welfare Fund is relatively small charity and the majority of the income funds our campaigning and educational work.
Income had decreased significantly from £171,273 to £105,074 during this period, due to fewer large legacies having been received compared with the previous year. Overheads have increased, leaving a net deficit of £38,274, compared with last year's surplus of £78,227. We continue to monitor our overheads and reserves to ensure that we are able to meet our obligations.
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. As at 31 March 2025 our funds at the bank were slightly greater than the £85,000 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.
4
RABBIT WELFARE FUND TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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 2025 there was £83,442 of general unrestricted funds, which is in excess of that required by the policy.
Plans for future periods
Our focus going forward will be educating the public on the proper care needs of rabbits. A key part of this is addressing how rabbits are presented in public spaces, such as farm parks. We will be reaching out to farm parks and asking them to:
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Stop using rabbits in ‘pat-a-pet’ sessions.
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Improve housing standards and provide accurate educational information so visitors learn best practices for rabbit care. In addition, we plan to bring back our annual conference and launch a dedicated educational day for professionals who work with rabbits.
Approval
This report was approved by the board of Trustees on 17 January 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Rachel Walters Trustee
5
RABBIT WELFARE FUND INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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 2025, set out on pages 7 - 16.
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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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the accounts do not comply with these records; or
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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
28 January 2026
6
RABBIT WELFARE FUND STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Investments 5 Other 6 Total Expenditure on: Raising funds 7 Charitable activities 8 Other 9 Total Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 16 |
Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 54,900 20,221 1,503 26,640 |
Restricted Funds 2025 £ 1,810 - - - |
Total Funds 2025 £ 56,710 20,221 1,503 26,640 105,074 8,497 31,307 103,544 143,348 (38,274) - (38,274) 164,525 126,251 |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 131,569 11,884 591 25,173 |
Restricted Funds 2024 £ 2,056 - - - |
Total Funds 2024 £ 133,625 11,884 591 25,173 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 103,264 | 1,810 | 169,217 | 2,056 | 171,273 | ||
| 6,729 31,307 99,715 |
1,768 - 3,829 |
266 18,023 72,803 |
1,169 - 785 |
1,435 18,023 73,588 |
||
| 137,751 | 5,597 | 91,092 | 1,954 | 93,046 | ||
| (34,487) - |
(3,787) - |
78,125 - |
102 - |
78,227 - |
||
| (34,487) 129,929 |
(3,787) 34,596 |
78,125 51,804 |
102 34,494 |
78,227 86,298 |
||
| 95,442 | 30,809 | 129,929 | 34,596 | 164,525 |
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.
7
RABBIT WELFARE FUND SUMMARY INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Income Interest and investment income Gross income for the year Total expenditure for the year Net (deficit)/surplus before tax for the year Net (deficit)/surplus for the year |
2025 £ 103,571 1,503 105,074 (143,348) (38,274) (38,274) |
2024 £ 170,682 591 |
|---|---|---|
| 171,273 (93,046) |
||
| 78,227 | ||
| 78,227 |
8
RABBIT WELFARE FUND BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Current assets Stocks 13 Debtors 14 Cash at bank and in hand Liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 15 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Net assets excluding pension asset or liability Net assets The funds of the charity Restricted funds Restricted income funds 16 Unrestricted funds General funds 16 Designated funds 16 Total funds |
2025 £ 2,000 30,768 96,858 129,626 (3,375) 126,251 126,251 126,251 126,251 30,809 30,809 83,442 12,000 95,442 126,251 |
2025 £ 2,000 30,768 96,858 129,626 (3,375) 126,251 126,251 126,251 126,251 30,809 30,809 83,442 12,000 95,442 126,251 |
2024 £ 10,000 112,040 46,940 168,980 (4,455) 164,525 164,525 164,525 164,525 34,596 34,596 121,929 8,000 129,929 164,525 |
2024 £ 10,000 112,040 46,940 168,980 (4,455) 164,525 164,525 164,525 164,525 34,596 34,596 121,929 8,000 129,929 164,525 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30,809 | 34,596 | |||
| 126,251 | 164,525 | |||
| 126,251 | 164,525 | |||
| 126,251 | 164,525 | |||
30,809 95,442 |
34,596 129,929 |
|||
| 83,442 12,000 |
121,929 8,000 |
|||
| 126,251 | 164,525 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 17 January 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Rachel Walters Trustee
9
RABBIT WELFARE FUND NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1 Accounting policies
Accounting basis
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) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
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. |
10
RABBIT WELFARE FUND NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Governance costs
Other expenditure
These include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and 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.
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.
11
RABBIT WELFARE FUND NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| 3 Income from donations and legacies Donations Fundraising Sponsor A Rescue Gift Aid 4 Income from charitable activities Charitable activities income 5 Income from investments Bank interest 6 Other income RWAF management fee income 7 Expenditure on raising funds Fundraising Sponsor A Rescue 8 Expenditure on charitable activities Charitable activities expenditure |
Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 37,135 16,027 - 1,738 |
Restricted Funds 2025 £ - - 1,810 - |
Total Funds 2025 £ 37,135 16,027 1,810 1,738 56,710 Total Funds 2025 £ 20,221 20,221 Total Funds 2025 £ 1,503 1,503 Total Funds 2025 £ 26,640 26,640 Total Funds 2025 £ 6,729 1,768 8,497 Total Funds 2025 £ 31,307 31,307 |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 113,234 17,291 - 1,044 |
Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - 2,056 - |
Total Funds 2024 £ 113,234 17,291 2,056 1,044 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54,900 | 1,810 | 131,569 | 2,056 | 133,625 | ||
| Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 20,221 |
Restricted Funds 2025 £ - |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 11,884 |
Restricted Funds 2024 £ - |
Total Funds 2024 £ 11,884 |
||
| 20,221 | - | 11,884 | - | 11,884 | ||
| Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 1,503 |
Restricted Funds 2025 £ - |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 591 |
Restricted Funds 2024 £ - |
Total Funds 2024 £ 591 |
||
| 1,503 | - | 591 | - | 591 | ||
| Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 26,640 |
Restricted Funds 2025 £ - |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 25,173 |
Restricted Funds 2024 £ - |
Total Funds 2024 £ 25,173 |
||
| 26,640 | - | 25,173 | - | 25,173 | ||
| Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 6,729 - |
Restricted Funds 2025 £ - 1,768 |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 266 - |
Restricted Funds 2024 £ - 1,169 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 266 1,169 |
||
| 6,729 | 1,768 | 266 | 1,169 | 1,435 | ||
| Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 31,307 |
Restricted Funds 2025 £ - |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 18,023 |
Restricted Funds 2024 £ - |
Total Funds 2024 £ 18,023 |
||
| 31,307 | - | 18,023 | - | 18,023 |
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RABBIT WELFARE FUND NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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 2025 £ - - 70,434 2,955 7,148 25 19,153 |
Restricted Funds 2025 £ 372 3,457 - - - - - |
Total Funds 2025 £ 372 3,457 70,434 2,955 7,148 25 19,153 103,544 |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ - 1,801 50,900 2,991 5,251 11 11,849 |
Restricted Funds 2024 £ - 785 - - - - - |
Total Funds 2024 £ - 2,586 50,900 2,991 5,251 11 11,849 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99,715 | 3,829 | 72,803 | 785 | 73,588 |
Included within 'Legal and professional costs' is an expense for independent examination fees of £1,670 (2024: £1,160).
10 Staff numbers
The average number of employees during the year was as follows: 3 (2024: 3).
11 Staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses
No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000 (2024: None).
Rachel Walters (trustee) received payment for management services supplied to the charity during the year totalling £40,794, including benefits (2024: £40,353). Rachel was reimbursed travel, veterinary, and training expenses during the year totalling £2,024 (2024: £609). The total amount owing to Rachel Walters at 31 March 2025 was £Nil (2024: £292).
Roslyn Lamb (trustee) received payment for administrative services supplied to the charity during the year totalling £6,246, including benefits (2024: £6,543). Roslyn was reimbursed travel and training expenses during the year totalling £232 (2024: £Nil).The total amount owing to Roslyn Lamb at 31 March 2025 was £Nil (2024: £312).
Emma Boyd (trustee) was reimbursed travel expenses during the year totalling £346 (2024: £Nil).The total amount owing to Emma Boyd at 31 March 2025 was £Nil (2024: £Nil).
Alan Wilson (trustee) was reimbursed travel expenses during the year totalling £238 (2024: £Nil).The total amount owing to Alan Wilson at 31 March 2025 was £Nil (2024: £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.
During the year the charity became due the following donations and other monies from RWAF:
| Collected by RWAF from individual donors Direct donation from RWAF Debtor monies owed to the charity, received into RWAF bank account |
2025 £ 21,497 3,532 5,900 30,929 |
2024 £ 22,245 5,925 - |
|---|---|---|
| 28,170 |
None of the donations would be considered outside the normal course of business. There were no restricted donations from RWAF itself, or any other related party. During the year the charity received £23,503 (2024: £19,531) from RWAF in respect of amounts owing to it as above.
During the year RWAF became due the following amounts from the charity of which £1,193 (2024: £Nil) had been reimbursed:
| Advertising expenses Vets fees, food and other rabbit welfare provisions Share of rent of ‘lock-up’ premises Salaries paid from RWAF in error RWAF income received into charity bank account |
2025 £ - 2,413 2,331 - 50 4,794 |
2024 £ 3,001 1,758 2,331 1,280 24 |
|---|---|---|
| 8,394 |
The total amount owed to the charity by RWAF at 31 March 2025 was £27,328 (2024: £23,503).
13
RABBIT WELFARE FUND NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| 13 Stocks Finished Goods (RWF Leaflets) 14 Debtors Trade debtors Accrued income and prepayments Other debtors 15 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Accruals Other taxes and social security Other creditors |
2025 £ 2,000 2,000 2025 £ 400 3,040 27,328 30,768 2025 £ 3,375 - - 3,375 |
2024 £ 10,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 | ||
| 2024 £ - 88,537 23,503 |
||
| 112,040 | ||
| 2024 £ 3,125 726 604 |
||
| 4,455 |
14
RABBIT WELFARE FUND NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| 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 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 |
£ 2,836 31,760 34,596 121,929 8,000 8,000 164,525 £ 1,949 32,545 34,494 31,304 8,000 12,500 20,500 86,298 At 1 April 2024 At 1 April 2023 |
£ 1,810 - 1,810 103,264 - - 105,074 £ 2,056 - 2,056 169,217 - - - 171,273 Incoming resources Incoming resources |
£ (1,768) (3,829) (5,597) (126,330) (11,421) (11,421) (143,348) £ (1,169) (785) (1,954) (82,468) (8,624) - (8,624) (93,046) Resources expended Resources expended |
Transfers £ - - - (15,421) 15,421 15,421 - Transfers £ - - - 3,876 8,624 (12,500) (3,876) - |
£ 2,878 27,931 At 31 March 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30,809 | |||||
| 83,442 | |||||
| 12,000 | |||||
| 12,000 | |||||
| 126,251 | |||||
| £ 2,836 31,760 At 31 March 2024 |
|||||
| 34,596 | |||||
| 121,929 | |||||
| 8,000 - |
|||||
| 8,000 | |||||
| 164,525 |
15
RABBIT WELFARE FUND NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Purposes and restrictions in relation to the funds:
Represent the amount by which investments exceed their historical cost.
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 2024-25 accounting year has been the Eilis Power legacy.
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 |
Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 66,049 29,393 95,442 |
Restricted Funds 2025 £ 30,809 - 30,809 |
Total Funds 2025 £ 96,858 29,393 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 126,251 |
17.2 Prior year
| Cash at bank and in hand Other net current assets/(liabilities) Total |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 12,344 117,585 129,929 |
Restricted Funds 2024 £ 34,596 - 34,596 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 46,940 117,585 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 164,525 |
16
RABBIT WELFARE FUND DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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 Employers' NI Pensions Training Travel & subsistence Premises costs Rent Use of home Cleaning |
Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 37,135 16,027 - 1,738 |
Restricted Funds 2025 £ - - 1,810 - |
Total Funds 2025 £ 37,135 16,027 1,810 1,738 56,710 20,221 20,221 1,503 1,503 26,640 26,640 105,074 6,729 1,768 8,497 31,307 31,307 372 3,457 3,829 66,260 1,442 502 226 2,004 70,434 2,331 624 - 2,955 |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 113,234 17,291 - 1,044 |
Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - 2,056 - |
Total Funds 2024 £ 113,234 17,291 2,056 1,044 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54,900 | 1,810 | 131,569 | 2,056 | 133,625 | ||
| 20,221 | - | 11,884 | - | 11,884 | ||
| 20,221 | - | 11,884 | - | 11,884 | ||
| 1,503 | - | 591 | - | 591 | ||
| 1,503 | - | 591 | - | 591 | ||
| 26,640 | - | 25,173 | - | 25,173 | ||
| 26,640 | - | 25,173 | - | 25,173 | ||
| 103,264 | 1,810 | 169,217 | 2,056 | 171,273 | ||
| 6,729 - |
- 1,768 |
266 - |
- 1,169 |
266 1,169 |
||
| 6,729 | 1,768 | 266 | 1,169 | 1,435 | ||
| 31,307 | - | 18,023 | - | 18,023 | ||
| 31,307 | - | 18,023 | - | 18,023 | ||
| - - |
372 3,457 |
- 1,801 |
- 785 |
- 2,586 |
||
| - | 3,829 | 1,801 | 785 | 2,586 | ||
| 66,260 1,442 502 226 2,004 |
- - - - - |
50,539 - 34 119 208 |
- - - - - |
50,539 - 34 119 208 |
||
| 70,434 | - | 50,900 | - | 50,900 | ||
| 2,331 624 - |
- - - |
2,331 624 36 |
- - - |
2,331 624 36 |
||
| 2,955 | - | 2,991 | - | 2,991 |
17
RABBIT WELFARE FUND DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
This page does not form part of the statutory accounts
| General administrative costs Software costs Insurance Printing, postage & stationery Telephone & internet Subscriptions 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 Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds Net movement in funds |
5,383 479 70 216 939 61 |
- - - - - - |
5,383 479 70 216 939 61 7,148 25 25 1,980 1,670 11,421 4,082 19,153 143,348 (38,274) - (38,274) |
4,899 88 204 - - 60 |
- - - - - - |
4,899 88 204 - - 60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,148 | - | 5,251 | - | 5,251 | ||
| 25 | - | 11 | - | 11 | ||
| 25 | - | 11 | - | 11 | ||
| 1,980 1,670 11,421 4,082 |
- - - - |
1,980 1,160 8,624 85 |
- - - - |
1,980 1,160 8,624 85 |
||
| 19,153 | - | 11,849 | - | 11,849 | ||
| 137,751 | 5,597 | 91,092 | 1,954 | 93,046 | ||
| (34,487) - |
(3,787) - |
78,125 - |
102 - |
78,227 - |
||
| (34,487) | (3,787) | 78,125 | 102 | 78,227 |
18