Charity number: 1176283
THE MUTTS NUTTS RESCUE UNAUDITED ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
THE MUTTS NUTTS RESCUE Contents
For the year ending 31 December 2024
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Administrative details | 1 |
| Trustees report | 2-7 |
| Independent examiner's report | 8 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities | 9 |
| Receipts and payments account | 10 |
| Notes to the accounts | 11 |
Page 1
THE MUTTS NUTTS RESCUE Administrative Details For the year ending 31 December 2024
Trustees
Jane Freeman Desmond McGurk Sarah Jane Dyer Ellyn Groat
Lesley Karen Beckingham
Chair Treasurer
appointed 15 February 2024 resigned 17 March 2025 appointed 15 February 2024
Charity registered number
1176283
Charity contact address
28A Little Casterton Road Stamford Lincolnshire PE9 1BE
Independent examiners
Larking Gowen LLP First Floor Prospect House Rouen Road Norwich NR1 1RE
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THE MUTTS NUTTS RESCUE Trustees' Report For the year ending 31 December 2024
The Trustees present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Objectives and activities
a. Policies and objectives
The objects of The Mutts Nutts Rescue are: For the benefit of the public to relieve the suffering of domestic companion animals in need of care and attention in particular, but not exclusively, by:
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Providing or maintaining or assisting in the provision and maintenance or support of kennels, rescue homes or other facilities for the reception and care of such animals.
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Providing treatment for such animals which are sick, injured, neglected or ill-treated.
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Finding alternative caring homes for such animals.
To relieve and assist elderly persons and anyone suffering from a serious or terminal illness by providing or assisting in the provision of care for their pets and to find caring homes for such pets.
b. Activities undertaken to achieve objectives
A range of charitable services under the umbrella acronym of HOMES, namely:
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The provision of dog walking services and trips to vets and groomers for cats and dogs (Hand 2 Hold Services).
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The provision of temporary respite care for cats and dogs whilst their owners need help for example hospital care (Over 2 Us Services).
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Re-homing dogs and cats and the provision and support of long - term foster care for elderly pets (Meant 2 Be Services).
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Sharing, as appropriate, updates regarding pets who have been re-homed by the charity with family members and providing advice and guidance as to where further help might be accessed by those that sometimes we cannot help (Easy to Share Services).
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Creating personalised legacy plans for the care of pets whose owners pre-decease them (Safe to Leave Services).
At a Trustee Meeting held on 04.10.24 it was agreed that the promotion of Safe to leave services be removed from the website as it could be difficult to honour existing commitments should more than one person signed up to this service require help at the same time, but all existing commitments as regards this service will be fulfilled
In signing this Trustee Annual Report the Trustees, having taken due regard to the guidance on Public Benefit issued by the Charity Commission, have confirmed that the activities of the charity in 2024 fulfilled its objectives of benefitting the public by advancing animal welfare.
c. Principal funding
The charity’s principal source of funds in 2024 were donations which totalled £85,202 of which Gift aided ones amounted to £70,060.
Interest payments on invested legacy monies totalled £5,800 and fundraising initiatives raised £5,397.
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THE MUTTS NUTTS RESCUE Trustees' Report For the year ending 31 December 2024
Objectives and activities (continued)
d. Investment policy
At a Trustee Meeting held on 19.01.24 it was agreed that the sum accumulating in the 32 Day Instant Access A/C was reasonable, given it was paying interest of 2.6%. The capital accumulated at that time however was considered by the Trustees to be insufficient to purchase an appropriate capital asset such as a property with land that could be adapted as a home foster facility and charity HQ. It was agreed that our investment strategy for 2024 would be to invest the almost £286,000 in 3 separate banks or Building Societies and to explore the difference in potential interest earned if the money was invested for fixed-term periods as opposed to being retained in Instant Access bank accounts with 32 or 90 day notice periods.
At a subsequent Extraordinary Meeting of Trustees held on 05.09.24 it was unanimously agreed that the Provisional Report on Title prepared by the solicitor acting for the purchase and the RICS Valuation commissioned by a Surveyor supported the opportunity afforded to the charity to purchase property and land from which its charitable services could be based and expanded and as an asset that could raise funds to support the day-to-day operations and attract sponsorship and grant funding. It was a social investment that was in the best interests and fulfilled the long held aims of the charity The legacy monies invested for the charity would cover the purchase price, the associated purchase fees and some of the restoration work that would be required immediately to ensure that the house had essential works completed and the garden surrounding the house was cleared and securely fenced. The strategic priorities of the charity and the capacity of the team were also discussed, and it was agreed that priority should be given to expediting the purchase.
An Investment Policy detailing the charity’s aims and expected returns from the social investment, and following guidance detailed in CC14 on investing charity money, is being drafted.
Achievements and performance
a. Review of activities
2024 was a very busy year for the Mutts Nutts Rescue. It provided support, for however long it was needed, and via a variety of services to 58 pets, 30 of which were new to the services that the charity offers and 28 of which were either pets and their owners that we had helped previously or were in our ongoing care at the beginning of the year. This activity took place in another year when many elderly and seriously or terminally ill members of our local community struggled with the costs of living and consequently, in the absence of family or friends willing to help, were reluctant or unable to pay commercial rates charged by local kennels, catteries, dog walkers etc that their pets might require.
Support in the form of dog walks, vet and groomer visits and respite care for pets whose owners were in hospital provided by our small team of staff, trustees and volunteers gave invaluable peace of mind to frail and vulnerable members of our local community, some of whom were very dependent upon their pets for much-needed companionship and helped to ensure that the welfare of these beloved pets was being maintained.
Our Hand to Hold services were provided to a regular client base by our core team of two staff members, Trustees and a fluctuating number of volunteers who in total provided 1,437 dog walks, trips to the vet or to a groomer.
9 pets received respite care, some of them on several separate and lengthy occasions, whilst their owners were unable to care for them, and at the end of the year 5 cats and dogs remained in long term foster facilities, financially supported as appropriate by the charity, as these pets themselves were too old or had serious health issues which meant that they were considered to be unsuitable to be re-homed.
THE MUTTS NUTTS RESCUE Trustees' Report For the year ending 31 December 2024
Page 4
Achievements and performance (continued)
15 cats and dogs were however re-homed to new loving homes, and where appropriate some of these new owners were themselves elderly.
19 dogs and 4 cats in the care of 17 elderly or poorly members of our community were assimilated into the charity’s Safe to Leave service whereby their future care is assured should the owners pre-decease their beloved pets.
To be able to honour these commitments the Trustees agreed that this service should not be actively promoted via our website from October and that any new requests for such help should be reluctantly turned down, until dedicated facilities could be established for the reception of these dogs and cats.
The charity continued to respond to contacts from members of the public wanting help or advice about a pet, looking for a pet to re-home or wanting to volunteer or donate.
All who contacted us received a response, either via email, text message or telephone. Particularly for some elderly or isolated members of our community just a friendly voice on the end of a phone offering guidance, and being prepared to listen, was all that was needed.
Financial Review
a. Financial position
The year started with unrestricted funds available of £49,208 and no restricted funds. One legacy payment was received totalling £82 from the Estate of a grateful client (the bulk of the legacy from this Estate having been received in 2023).
The charity’s regular and ongoing income streams comprising donations (gift aided, non-gift aided and small cash donations) for charitable services provided and from local supporters and businesses totalled £85,202, an increase of 34% when compared to 2023. Product sales and fundraising events raised £5,397. The Mutts Nutts Rescue team attended a limited number of fundraising events, namely 2 local Fun Dog Shows where the charity’s focus was on promotion and publicity and organised a “Care of the Elderly Pet” evening on National Pet Day in conjunction with Stamford Veterinary Centre and Hegarty’s Solicitors which was well attended and feedback from attendees was that it had been enjoyable and informative. The “Pop Up Store” continued to be very successful, providing a “recycling” outlet for pre-loved pet related items and pet food to be offered to local pet lovers in return for a donation towards the veterinary fees of pets in the charity’s care and throughout the year £2,669 was raised.
At a Trustee Meeting held on 10.01.25 the average monthly shortfall of income compared to expenditure of approximately £2k was discussed. It was agreed that this is not financially sustainable long term, and several issues were discussed at length that it is anticipated will address this going forward.
On 30.10.24 the charity used legacy monies that it had invested earlier in the year to purchase a local property and land which unexpectedly became available, and which can be gradually restored to provide the charity with a “Home from Home” foster facility and central office. A valuation report prepared in accordance with RICS Valuation – Global Standards confirmed that the market value of the freehold property being purchased was substantially greater than the purchase price, and the Final Report on Title prepared by the solicitor acting for the charity on the purchase confirmed that upon completion of the purchase of the property and registration at the Land Registry the Mutts Nutts Rescue would obtain a good and marketable title to the entire property.
This purchase followed exceptional legacy payments totalling £258,391 being received by the charity in 2022, and the Trustees’ subsequent decision to actively pursue investing this capital in land and/or property, a social investment that would balance furthering the charity’s purposes whilst achieving a
THE MUTTS NUTTS RESCUE Trustees' Report For the year ending 31 December 2024
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Financial review (continued)
financial return.
The purchase price of the property and the professional fees associated with its purchase were paid using cash reserves and donations. There is no mortgage on the property but it will require funds, estimated to be in the region of £40k to restore and update the house and the large garden surrounding it to a standard from which the charity can begin utilising it to further its purposes, and complete the initial phase of the long term strategy that the Trustees are developing for the short, medium and long term use of the property and land.
A further £105k from a Fixed Term 12-month Bond purchased in March 2024 will be available for the charity to fund some of this initial phase of the restoration work on 28.03.25 whilst also providing a strategic reserve to fund at least 12 months of the Mutts Nutts Rescue’s operating costs which are currently standing at approximately £5k per month.
A priority for the charity in 2025 will be to actively pursue funding and sponsorship from grant funding charities and organisations, local businesses and supporters, and to enlist help from professional tradespeople and volunteers willing to donate their time and materials required.
Despite routine expenditure exceeding income by approximately £2k per month the Trustees considered this to be acceptable whilst its charitable activity, and the demand for it, increased throughout the year. This attracts donations from users of our charitable services and supporters, both individuals and businesses, and as the charity’s own facilities for the care the treatment of pets expands it will alleviate the need to pay for some boarding capacity. Gift aided donations received throughout the year will attract a rebate of approximately £17k and a further sizeable injection of £105k from invested legacy monies will enable the charity to progress its plans and provide an operating reserve, as The Mutts Nutts Rescue enters an exciting period of consolidation and expansion, built upon what the Trustees and their professional advisers consider a sound capital social investment.
At a Trustee Meeting held 04.10.24 the costs for the development and maintenance of our charitable services and the number of pets and their owners that we are helping and to whom we have an ongoing commitment were extensively discussed.
It was agreed that the charity needs to revisit and establish the parameters of the services that it can reasonably provide and the need to attract donations, however small, from vulnerable people needing our help. This is a work in progress, every person and their pet that we help has different needs and resources, but a review of all the literature being used, the new Welcome Packs being created for fosterers and rehomers and people surrendering their pets to us, our website and social media postings need to clarify the issue as to what costs caring for a pet, particularly an elderly one, the charity might incur. It was agreed that there is possibly a misconception that the charity’s services are provided by volunteers, and the costs incurred are merely individuals’ time and that we have no need of donations to fund veterinary fees and medication for the pets in our care.
A simple leaflet suggesting minimum donations for all the various services the charity offers that the two staff members who handle all such enquiries and complete all the necessary paperwork can refer to as being the charity’s guidelines would support the employees in this often sensitive and emotive element of their role, and hopefully attract donations from people who use our services that more adequately reflect, whenever appropriate, the costs incurred by the charity in supporting their pets.
b. Reserves Policy
Our Operational Strategy for 2024 was to provide the HOMES services to existing and new clients but whenever possible to utilise the help of trained and committed volunteers to walk dogs and to foster dogs and cats in their own homes.
Page 6
THE MUTTS NUTTS RESCUE Trustees' Report For the year ending 31 December 2024
Financial review (continued)
Our operations demanded an income of at least £60k per annum. At the end of the financial year the charity's total funds amounted to £385,984. This includes unrestricted funds of £88,893 which therefore means that the Trustees’ objective, as stated in our latest Reserves Policy, of having reserves set aside that equate to 1 year of operation will be met.
c. Principal risks and uncertainties
The Trustees reviewed the risks to which they felt the charity was exposed on a regular basis throughout the year. The viability of the charity from an activity point of view, namely having the capacity to help elderly and seriously or terminally ill members of the local community with their pets when help was needed was considered to be a manageable risk, but one that needed constant evaluation as the ability to provide emergency foster care for pets, appropriate new homes and services such as dog walking and trips to the vets are dependent upon two members of staff, a network of inducted and trained volunteers, including Trustees, and occasionally paid boarding facilities.
The retention of suitable fosterers could be a challenge (mainly due to fosterers giving a permanent home to those pets that they were fostering) as was the recruitment of volunteers to help walk dogs at times that suited both the volunteers and the pet owners.
The operational strategy for the charity going forwards and its aim to increase its capacity to provide more facilities for fostering and opportunities for exercising dogs will help alleviate the concern and risk that suitable accommodation can be found for pets in our care in an emergency, but there is also a recognition amongst the Trustees that whatever capacity the charity has it is very unlikely, in the current climate of economic hardship, health problems and sometimes isolation experienced by some elderly members of our local community that we are dedicated to helping, to be able to help in all cases.
Two new Trustees joined the Board on 15.02.24 and having a larger number of Trustees with specific professional expertise and experience has given the charity the ability to review its working practices, procedures and fund-raising systems and start instigating new ones, bringing more security to the charity’s future.
The financial viability of the charity was strengthened enormously by a large legacy received in 2022. The financial returns from and promotion of the charity’s aims and purposes that the social investment in property and land that this legacy has enabled the charity to purchase will be thoroughly monitored at Trustee meetings.
The Trustees continue to consider that there are no other substantial risks beyond the ongoing liabilities disclosed in the accounts and the normal risks associated with running events and working with pets for which the charity holds public liability insurance.
The property and land purchased are also appropriately insured via a policy organised with a specialist broker.
THE MUTTS NUTTS RESCUE Trustees' Report For the year ending 31 December 2024
Page 7
Structure, governance and management
a. Constitution
The charity was incorporated on 14 December 2017 and commenced trading on that date. It is registered with the Charity Commission (charity no. 1176283).
The Mutts Nutts Rescue is a charity governed by a Constitution, dated 14 December 2017, which established the objects and powers of the organisation and its trustees.
b. Organisational structure and decision-making policies
The Trustee Board of 5 Trustees take responsibility for strategic decisions to ensure that all the charity does supports its purposes and benefits the public, take responsibility for governance and managing its financial resources and sign off the charity’s Annual Return and Accounts.
All Trustees have signed the charity’s Trustee Eligibility Declaration Form, are registered with the Charity Commission and fully appreciate the responsibilities incurred upon taking up such a role. Following Charity Commission guidance regarding the recruitment of Trustees (CC30) and an induction process 2 new Trustees joined the Board on 15.02.24. When considering appointing Trustees, the Board has regard to the requirement for any specialist skills needed and the skill sets of the existing Trustees.
The CEO and Assistant Operations Manager take responsibility for the day to day running of the charity, particularly regarding the services it provides to local people and their pets. They both actively participate in the services provided such as dog walking, arranging trips to the vets or groomers and where appropriate fostering pets. They are the charity’s first point of call for those requesting and offering help, and they respond to phone calls, emails and forms submitted via the website. They assist in publicity and promotion of the charity via social media and fundraising events, maintain a database of pets in our care, people associated with them and supporters and volunteers and supply statistics for the Trustees to summarise activity and performance on a quarterly basis.
The CEO also takes responsibility for the induction, training and supervision of the fosterers and volunteers.
The charity has a close working relationship with two local Veterinary practices, two privately owned pet shops and works with local care networks, for the elderly and vulnerable.
Trustees' responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Page 8
THE MUTTS NUTTS RESCUE Trustees' Report For the year ending 31 December 2024
Trustees' responsibilities (continued)
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed / scheme. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
…........................... Jane Freeman, Chairman
Date: 28/4/2025 The Mutts Nutts Rescue 28A Little Casterton Road Stamford PE9 1BE
Page 9
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE MUTTS NUTTS RESCUE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 1 to 10.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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 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:
- 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2 the accounts do not accord with those records
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.
SIGN
Signed:
Giles Kerkham FCA DChA
Larking Gowen LLP
Chartered Accountants 1st Floor Prospect House Rouen Road Norwich NR1 1RE Date: 29/4/2025
Page 10
THE MUTTS NUTTS RESCUE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| RECEIPTS Legacies Donations Charitable activities Other trading activities Interest income TOTAL RECEIPTS PAYMENTS Raising funds Charitable activities – vet fees and animal care Charitable activities – payroll Other Assets purchases TOTAL PAYMENTS NET (PAYMENTS)/RECEIPTS Transfer between funds CASH FUNDS B/FWD CASH FUNDS C/FWD |
2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ Endowment funds Unrestricted funds Total funds - 82 82 85,202 85,202 - - - - 5,397 5,397 - 5,800 5,800 - 96,481 96,481 - 75 75 - 11,647 11,647 - 47,361 47,361 - 5,057 5,057 251,678 - 251,678 251,678 64,140 315,818 (251,678) 32,341 (219,337) 295,391 40,111 335,502 43,713 72,452 116,165 |
2023 £ Total funds 38,618 53,012 - 5,485 5,877 |
|---|---|---|
| 102,992 696 15,227 44,232 6,088 - |
||
| 66,243 36,749 298,753 |
||
| 335,502 |
Page 11
THE MUTTS NUTTS RESCUE STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| NON-CURRENT ASSETS Tangible fixed assets - at cost CURRENT ASSETS Stock Debtors Cash - current account Cash - 32 day deposit account Close Brothers Savings account Total cash Total current assets Total Assets less Liabilities CHARITY FUNDS Endowment Unrestricted |
2024 2024 £ £ Endowment funds Unrestricted funds 251,678 - - 300 - 17,841 - 16,165 - - 43,713 56,287 |
2024 £ Total funds 251,678 300 17,841 16,165 - 100,000 116,165 134,306 385,984 295,391 90,593 385,984 |
2023 £ Total funds - 28 9,069 49,570 285,932 - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43,713 72,452 |
335,502 | ||
| 43,713 90,593 |
344,599 | ||
| 295,391 90,593 |
344,599 | ||
| 295,391 49,208 |
|||
| 344,599 |
Endowment funds are made up of £251,678 relating to direct and associated costs of the purchase of a property in October 2024. The remaining balance within this fund relates to cash held to assist in the renovation of the property.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the trustees and were signed on their behalf by:
………………………………………………………..
Jane Freeman Trustee Date: 28/4/2025
THE MUTTS NUTTS RESCUE NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Page 12
1. Transactions with Trustees
No remuneration, expenses or other benefits were paid to the Board of Trustees or people connected with them by the charity.
There were no other transactions with or payments to trustees or connected parties.
2. Endowment Funds
Endowment funds derive from legacy receipts. There are no restrictions on either holding the funds as capital or transferring to unrestricted funds to apply as revenue expenditure. During 2024, £249,978 of the fund was invested in a property purchase, as described in the Trustees' Report.