2021-03-31-accounts

Schnauzerfest our Annual Report and Accounts 2019-2021

Registered Charity Number 1185975

CONTENTS

1 Trustees Report

4 Fundraising and awareness

8 Our community

12 Structure and governance 14 Financial Review

15 Independent examiner's report

16 Financial statements

18 Notes to the financial statements

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE PERIOD OCTOBER 2019 TO JULY 2021

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

Schnauzerfest is an animal welfare charity working to relieve the suffering of dogs, in particular but not exclusively schnauzers, who are in need of care and attention. We also promote humane behaviour towards dogs. We achieve our objectives by supporting animal welfare charities, organisations and individuals involved in the rescue, rehabilitation, fostering, rehoming and adoption of dogs, including those saved from puppy farms, back yard breeders and other breeding facilities.

Schnauzerfest educates the public on matters around responsible pet ownership and animal welfare with a particular focus on exploitative commercial dog breeding.

The Trustees confirm that they have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. They believe that Schnauzerfest’s work achieves this in a number of ways which will be illustrated in this review.

AT A GLANCE

As well as costs for routine veterinary treatment for rescue dogs we funded a number of specialist veterinary interventions:

31 dogs assisted 18 breeding dogs helped

14 rescue organisations received financial assistance

5 dogs post-adoption received help

1 liver shunt case

7 cataract operations 1 cleft palate case

1

LOOKING BACK ON OUR FIRST PERIOD AS A CHARITY

Our first year operating as a charity was always going to be a period of immense demand as we got to grips with everything involved with being a registered charity. However, the extraordinary circumstances of 2020 created by the COVID-19 pandemic hugely added to this. Despite everything that we faced, Schnauzerfest still managed to provide support to many rescues and dogs while laying solid foundations for a strong, stable future. This is testament to the dedication, generosity and resilience of every supporter, donor and volunteer.

Our vision is one where the charity provides financial assistance to rescue organisations and individuals having responsibility for rescue dogs. We aim to deliver this by paying veterinary costs and making the process straightforward and helpful for the recipients. We strive to minimise the administrative requirements for recipients of financial assistance. We keep our procedures under constant review and where the Trustees decide it will improve delivery of support we will adapt, while maintaining the highest standards of assurance for our donors and supporters.

As our first year operating in this way, relationships with eligible organisations needed to be established, or adapted if existing prior to our charitable status. There were some unexpected challenges the charity faced with a small number of recipient organisations. We have worked hard to ensure that our mission is communicated clearly to all organisations which we offer support to, or which approach us for assistance. We are delighted that in the majority of cases our aims were understood and procedures appreciated and agreed to. Moreover the support which our donors make possible was appreciated by recipients.

In the early months of the pandemic, The Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) proved to be an invaluable source of support for rescues. We are proud to be an affiliate member of this organisation which promotes best practice in the sector and to have collaborated with members during the period of this review. We look forward to doing more with member organisations.

2

CASE STUDY - TED

In early March 2020, an elderly, stray schnauzer was taken in by Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary, Lancashire. He was in a poor state and was admitted to hospital and underwent a number of tests and investigations. He was quiet, depressed and weak. It was found that his dental health was poor, and he was suffering from vestibular disease. Ted's eyes were also badly infected and affected by severe ‘dry eye’, a highly unpleasant condition, which causes painful, inflamed eyes.

Ted was fostered by a wonderful couple who cared for him, brought him through many difficult setbacks and several veterinary interventions. All this was during the first pandemic lockdown which added to the difficulties.

Ted steadily put on weight, gained strength and enjoyed a summer of being loved and cared for, probably for the first time in his life. In October, we received the sad news that everything had got too much for his old and frail body.

Our fighter Teddy lost his final battle today. The vestibular disease was just too much for his body to cope with and he stopped eating and drinking. He went peacefully with his mummy and daddy by his side. He leaves a massive hole in our hearts. I hope that he knew he was very much loved even though we only had him for 7 months, he enriched our lives and we will miss our Teddy Boo. Please thank all schnauzerfest supporters for their prayers and support.

3

FUNDRAISING AND RAISING AWARENESS

THE HEART OF SCHNAUZERFEST

Schnauzerfest relies entirely on voluntary support and donations. We fundraise in a variety of ways. As it was our first year operating as a charity we did have plans to introduce additional events to complement our established nationwide October dog walks. When the pandemic hit early in 2020, this necessitated a rapid and radical rethink. In particular how we would fundraise if the walks could not go ahead. When the decision was made in July 2020 to cancel the dog walks we began work in earnest to develop a virtual alternative event which became Schnauzerfest Walks The Globe.

This was our major event of 2020 which replaced in-person walks. We wanted it to be engaging enough to reach a new audience as we had lost our traditional way of using in-person walks to bring awareness to rescue dogs and puppy farming. We were very grateful that a private donor funded the development of an interactive Schnauzerfest Walks The Globe website and a volunteer dedicated many hours to working with the web developer.

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400
supporters
raised over
£19000
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The aim was to achieve enough pledges of support from people that one lap of the globe (24901 miles) would be walked between October and the end of the year. We achieved that within a few days and extended the challenge. By mid January 2021, five laps of the world had been pledged in miles.

" I love animals and I don’t have money to donate so, this is a way that I can help and I’m so happy to be useful for your organization." Participant, Schnauzerfest Walks The Globe

4

SOCIAL MEDIA & OTHER VIRTUAL FUNDRAISING

In February 2020 we were accepted by Facebook into their Charitable Giving Scheme which enables us to raise funds using Facebook’s fundraising tools. Our solid social media presence means we were able to make excellent use of this and those on Instagram for fundraising.

We introduced a number of virtual fundraising and social events:

Quizzes run on Facebook and through the company Virtual Quiz Events to widen participation beyond Facebook. Virtual Schnauzerfest Weekend, May 2020

Fun Zoom call for dogs

Step Out For Schnauzerfest - April to October

• Regular Bonus Ball Competitions

Online Pop Up Charity Shops run in a dedicated Facebook group. These replaced the traditional in-person market stalls at summer and Christmas events. They are popular and well supported by buyers and donors. The hybrid model we adopt of auction-sale with a maximum price cap reflects the charity’s inclusive ethos

We are extremely grateful for the generosity of donors who provided a regular supply of high quality prizes and items for these events.

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£ 3033
Raised
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Low to no-cost fundraising options We registered with organisations through which supporters can raise funds at no extra cost to them: Amazon Smile, Easy Fundraising, Top Cashback, Recycle4Charity, Thrift+, eBay. :

Lottery

We joined Giving Lottery to deliver a weekly lottery and launched it in February 2021. This will provide regular income for the charity and offers weekly cash prizes for supporters.

5

SHOPPING WITH SCHNAUZERFEST

WEBSITE SHOP AND EBAY

In January 2021 we opened our online shop which runs from our website. It is organised and managed by a volunteer. The shop stocks a range of Schnauzerfest branded items, plus books. We have plans to expand the range to include a broad selection of quality and inexpensive items.

The same volunteer also runs our Ebay shop where secondhand donated items are sold, as well as our branded merchandise. We are extremely grateful for the time and dedication of our volunteer for running these outlets which are a growing source of income for the charity as well as helping to raise awareness of our work.

REGULAR DONORS

During the period covered by this review we had the support of 61 regular monthly donors. We are exceptionally grateful to everyone who donates to us. What regular donors help to ensure is stability of income for the charity and this allows us to look ahead with confidence.

PRIVATE DONORS

Schnauzerfest is very fortunate, and grateful to have a small group of generous private donors who funded particular costs through the period covered by this review. This allowed us to, without using donations, develop some projects and to plan creatively for the future.

6

CASE STUDY -EMBER

When Ember was saved from a puppy farm at a year old she'd already had a litter of puppies. She also had cataracts in both eyes. Her rescue, Dogs Friends in Somerset placed her in an experienced foster home. Just as she was about to have cataract surgery, lockdown hit and her surgery was cancelled. By the time it was possible for her to return, sadly one eye had developed complications and surgery was no longer possible.

After months with her fosterer, Ember had overcome a lot of her anxiety and psychological problems arising from her background. As she will always at best be partially sighted, she will stay with her fosterer. Her eyes are regularly checked at Langford Vet Referral hospital and as soon as it is decided that surgery is the right thing for the other cataract, it will go ahead. Schnauzerfest supports the ongoing veterinary costs for Ember.

7

OUR COMMUNITY

Schnauzerfest has an incredibly generous and passionate community of supporters. From spreading the word, to one-time donors who gave donations for a particular campaign, or pledged miles for Schnauzerfest Walks The Globe, to regular donors and supporters, every single supporter played a role in making the first reviewed period of our charitable work successful.

Fundraisers undertook a number of activities for the charity, setting themselves sponsored and virtual challenges. Together we inspired supporters and encouraged people to be involved with supporting Schnauzerfest online, utilising Zoom, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. This was particularly important, and appreciated by all involved during the pandemic lockdowns.

We hope to expand the number of fundraisers undertaking challenges and events they set themselves and offer full support to them.

We work with a number of generous small businesses and creatives who choose to support the charity. We have formal agreements in place with them to protect donors, supporters and the charity.

The Schnauzerfest community is a strong one that not only enables the charity to financially carry out its work but is instrumental in raising awareness of rescue dogs and in particular the exploitative commercial dog breeding industry and its impact on animal welfare.

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6%
commercial
supporters
30% sales
64%
individual donations
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INCOME SOURCES

8

OUR VOLUNTEERS

We have amazing volunteers who make everything the charity does possible. During our first reporting period we identified a number of areas where volunteer help was needed so that we could function and develop as a charity. This was hastened by the many and varied challenges posed by the pandemic.

Our volunteers donate professional skills, expertise, enthusiasm and thousands of hours to the charity. Without them our first year would have been dismal. Instead, it was uplifting, productive and successful, inspite of all the challenges.

Volunteers provide their time, skills and dedication in these areas:

• social media

• photography

• press and media printing

• product design

• website design, management and development webshop and ebay

• creating, making, donating, selling items

• IT support

• education

• supporter engagement and care

• organising events

• promoting our work in a wide range of contexts

A feature in Edition Dog magazine and appearing in their annual calendar was organsied by a volunteer

9

FUNDRAISING RESPONSIBLY

I n February 2021 we became members of the Fundraising Regulator and we follow the Code of Fundraising Practice. We created a fundraising pack for supporters wishing to fundraise for us which is available on our website and which follows the Code. We ensure our contact details are available to all supporters and encourage contact with us to ensure we are responsive, supportive and proactive with our fundraisers.

COMMUNICATING WITH THE PUBLIC AND SUPPORTERS

We enjoy staying in touch with our volunteers, supporters and the wider public. It is fundamental to the charity. We aim to engage and communicate on every aspect of our work through social media and traditional channels and when possible to do, face-toface. The pandemic made the latter impossible for most of the period covered by this review.

Instead, we developed a number of different ways to communicate including Zoom calls, Facebook updates and emails. In March 2021 we launched an e-newsletter to improve delivery of information and maintain engagement with our supporters and to demonstrate the impact of donors’ support on the dogs the charity helps.

We are always looking at ways to improve our communications and work hard to develop excellent relationships with organisations, businesses and individuals with an interest in our work.

Messages of support greatly encourage us and every word of support raises confidence in what the charity can and does achieve. We see communication as a two-way thing and encourage supporters to get in touch and are highly responsive in return. We are always very grateful for everything that anyone does to help the charity with its work.

10

CASE STUDIES - TWO BLIND DOGS

CLEMMIE

We were asked to help Clemmie when it wasn’t known whether her eyesight could be improved. It was important she was in a home where her future would be secure and quality of life given maximum priority. She'd recently left a puppy farm. Subsequently it was found her sight couldn't be saved, she's probably always been blind. She lives with an experienced adopter of dogs from troubled backgrounds and Schnauzerfest supporter. Clemmie's future is safe, she's living a wonderful life. Her adopter has the full backup of the charity should any need arise for Clemmie in future.

TEDDY

Teddy's adopter was fully prepared for him to remain a blind dog, one saved from a puppy farm. However, it was possible for one eye to have cataract removal surgery which was a success. This gave Teddy confidence to move on with enjoying his new life not having to cope with the additional challenges of total blindness. While he'll always be partially sighted, the transformation in him with some restored has been profound.

11

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Good governance is fundamental to our charity and something we are absolutely committed to. With it, Schnauzerfest is well placed to achieve its objectives. It ensures that we are compliant with relevant legislation, we can review all risks we are facing, and create a positive, protected community of supporters who are fundamental to our success. We take data protection and privacy seriously.

We adhere to the Code of Fundraising Practice and all required charity regulations.

INTEGRITY

As a charity we are committed to doing what is right and doing it openly and honestly. The Trustees govern and scrutinise all decisions to ensure we meet the standards set by the Charity Commission and Fundraising Regulator as well as the rigorous standards we set ourselves.

Keeping our supporters' and donors' trust is something we take very seriously. We work at all times to ensure that we manage the finances responsibly and are transparent, truthful and reliable. Transparency is key to demonstrating integrity which we do whenever it is possible. There are some occasions where we might be prevented from being transparent by legislation (for example data protection) or, where a case is operationally sensitive (for example a welfare case). We consider carefully at all times what we share and when, with a steadfast commitment to transparency.

We have controls in place to protect our volunteers’ and supporters’ privacy and we treat information security and data protection as key risks and have appointed a Data Controller.

12

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

There are five Trustees, all were appointed on 24 October 2019. Janetta Bensouilah Founder Katherine Mitchell Treasurer Anne Barlow Camilla Kinton Annabel Wilson

REMUNERATION OF TRUSTEES

All Trustees act in a voluntary capacity and receive no remuneration or other material benefits from their services to the charity.

TRUSTEE MEETINGS

The Trustee Board meets formally by Zoom. In the period of the review there were ten meetings with standing agenda items covering performance, activities, planning, communications, risk and compliance matters. To these were added other relevant matters in line with the Trustees’ responsibilities.

APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES

Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a meeting of the charity trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment the charity trustees will have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the organisation. The trustees will make available to each new trustee, on or before appointment a copy of the current version of the constitution and a copy of the latest Trustees’ Annual Report and statement of accounts.

GRANT GIVING POLICY

The key element of our work is providing financial support for veterinary treatment. The payment of every veterinary treatment grant is considered and sanctioned by the Board of Trustees.

13

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

Schnauzerfest is constitued as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) as a body corporate under Part 11 of the Charities Act 2011. The CIO registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales on 24 October 2019.

PRINCIPAL ADDRESS INDEPENDENT EXAMINER BANKERS 11 Sussex Road UHY Hacker Young CAF Bank Ltd Wyton on the Hill PO Box 501 25 Kings Hill Avenue Huntingdon The Nexus Building Kings Hill Cambs Broadway West Malling PE28 2EY Letchworth Garden City Kent Herts ME19 4JQ CHARITY NUMBER: 1185975 SG6 9BL

FINANCIAL REVIEW

We are pleased to present our full financial report and statements in the following pages. In brief, our total income for the year was £152,469, expenditure was £63,580 and unrestricted funds at year end were £88,889.

RESERVES

The Trustees have decided a policy of maintaining 3-6 months of expenditure. They consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised

The Annual Report of the Trustees of Schnauzerfest was approved by the Trustees 10 August 2021 and signed on their behalf by Trustee Katherine Mitchell.

14

FINANCIAL REPORT AND STATEMENTS

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SCHNAUZERFEST

15

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

16

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2021 2021 Notss Current assets Stocks Deblors Cash at bank and in hand 4,565 2,456 84,299 10 91,320 (2,431) Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 11 Net current assets 88,889 Income funds Unrestricted funds 88,889 88,889 K Mrtttdi T¥usl•• 17

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

18

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued Accountlng pollc&•s Critical accountin9 estimates and judgernents B&sl¢ Iln8n¢lal•$$gts Basic financial as5e15, which inGlude debtors and cash and bank balan￿5, are initialty tneasured al ITan$a¢tion price irtluding iranss¢tion cosis and srè subst4U￿1IY ¢arried ai amorti$d ¢o$i using the effecbve Interest method unless the arrarwjemenl conslitules a finanuro transaction, where the tr£nsac￿on is moa$utgd ¥1 Ihtr pre$oni vslut of Ihtr fulurg rewpts dis¢ouni•d ai 8 msrkei ratr of intsr¥$i. Fin8n(4¥1 asseis classrfied as re￿I￿a￿e wrthin one year are not amDrtised. In the applKation ol the charitys accounting poliGies. the tru5tee5 are ￿quired to make jUdgeT￿nts, •Slimattr$ snd a$$umption$ about Carrying a￿U￿1 of s$so1$ and1oknlrfig$ thai artr not readily appartrni from other Sour￿5. The estimate5 and ass(Kialed assumptions are based on historical expenence and ot￿r faGtors that are consKJered ID be relevant Actual results fflay differfrom these estimates. The eslirnales and undedying assumptions are Trviewed an on9Ding basis. Revisiorbs to accounting eSlimattr$ srt recognised in the pèriod in YthKh Ihtr eslimsitr is rewstrd rèvision aff•ct$ only thai peri(￿. or in the period of the revi$ion future penods where the affects tth ¢wrent end tslure periiMJs. Impairmentolllnanclal assets FinanrAal assets. other than Ihose hdd ai fair value th￿Ugh inty)me and oxpènditure. are asstssed fr)r Indicators of imp8irmeni 81 each reporting da. Financial ¥ssel$ are mp81￿￿ where there 1$ obiedive evidenGe that. a5 a result of one or more events that (￿Curred after the Initial recognitson of the finan(xal assei. Ihe esiimated future ¢a$h flows have been aHe¢d. Oonations and lega¢io5 If an 8ssei Is Impaired. impairment lo$$ is the differen￿ beh¥een the Carrying amount and the pre$enl value ol the eslimaled cash flows discounted al the asset's original effecbve Interest rate. The Impairment loss is recognised in nel incomellexpendilurel for the peri(wJ. Unrestri¢ted Restri¢ted funds funds Total 2021 2021 2021 If Ihets ￿ a decrtrss8 in the iTnpaItT￿nI bss arising fr(m an tveni ￿urring afttr Ihtr impairmènt was rec￿nised. the impairment is reversed The reversal is such that the Current carrying arwunt doe$ not trXGeed what the caTrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previoU￿y been rewni$trd. The Impairm￿1 ￿versal ts re(wnised In net In¢onEllexrwditurel for Ihe Ktriod Ck)nalK)ns and grf GiftAd Rtrtal Pathw$ Other 81.414 5.424 8.462 5,163 6.3(6 87,720 5,424 8,462 5,163 Dfrrecognltlon of thanclalassots FinanrAal asseis are derecognised the ¢￿traG1Ual rights to the cash fflow5 from trb& asset expire are Settled, or when the th8fity Iran$fers the fin8n¢ial asset and subslanbally all tre rl$ks rewards of oWne￿hIp lo another entity, or If some swanrficanl risks and rewards ol ownership are relained but control ol the 8sset has transferyed to party that b able to s811 asgel In its 8nlkefy to an unre181ed third party. 100,463 106,769 Incom Irom charitablo a¢tivitiOS Basic f￿anCial liabilities 8asi¢ f￿anCIal li8bililS. including crtditsrs and bank loans ￿rtIallY re¢ogni¥td ai tr8nsa¢tv)n price Un￿SS the arrangement consti￿leS A f￿anCIng Iransdclion. vthere the debt instNment is measured at the pro$&ni v¥lu$ ol the futur$ paymems dIs￿nI8￿ al a market rate of Intsresl. Finan¢i81 li8bilitig8 dasslfied as payable within one year are rK)l amortised. 2021 Debt Instruments are subsequenlly carried at amortised cost. usiw the effeclrie Interest rate method. Shop 8nd online $8k5 45.7(M) ¢roditots are obligab￿s 10 pay for yoods ( servi¢t$ thai have ttn a¢quired in Ihtr ordinary ￿r$8 of operation5 from suppliers. Amoun15 payable are Classif￿d as current liatslil￿5 if payment is due wthin e ￿¥r or l$$s.11 not. they artr pre$¥nitd as non-¢urreni liabildies. Tr8dtr ¢rtdiiof$ 8t$ r$¢ognisd Inilially al transaclK)n pri￿ and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective Inlerest method. Derecognitlon of thanclalllabilitles Finan￿￿1 lisbilil*S srt dert¢ogni$ed whtn Charity's contractual oblvJations •xpio or discharged or ¢ancelkd 19

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued Expendityro on charltsble actlvifjes Shop arKI onllne 8al88 2021 Total 2021 2021 Shop costs and online fees V81 knlls 8.747 8.747 44.879 44,879 8.747 44.879 53.626 Share of support costs18ee note 61 Share ofgovemance costslsee note 61 3.254 467 5.450 783 8.704 1.2￿) 12.468 51,112 63.580 Analysls by fund Unrestricted tunds Re5tricte(l fvnds 12,468 43.015 8.097 55.483 8.097 12.468 51,112 63.580 Support COSt5 Support Gov8rnanco Costs costs 2021 Support Gov8rnarL8 costs costs 4.024 1.423 123 2.487 647 4.024 1.423 123 2.487 847 InSurar￿e Printing and stationery Bank and trdnsacts'w fee5 Memberships and licences Acwuntsncy 1.250 1.250 8.704 1.250 9.954 Analysed between Charitable actwrtias 8,704 1.250 9,954 Trustee8 None of the trustees lor any persms connected V￿th them) received any r8muneration cf b8nefils frcm the charity durirvJ the t￿n0d. 20

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued Employees The average number ofemploy88s during th8 ￿riod was". 2021 Number Stocks 2021 Finished 9￿￿&and gO￿S for resa 4,565 10 DoblOY8 2021 Amounts falllng due wtthln yoar= othordebiors Pttrpaymenb and 8¢cwed incom 1,726 730 2,456 11 eredltors.. amounts fallln9 due wlthln one y 2021 T￿de Credit(￿5 Accruals and deferred income 1,014 1,417 2,431 12 Analys1$ of not bbtwwi knnds Unr•$trl¢t•d R•8trl¢i•(I funds funds 2021 2021 Tot•1 2021 Fund balarbces at 31 Ma￿h 2021 are represented by.. Current asselslllHbililEsl 88,889 88,889 88.889 88,889 13 Related pavty transac0r￿S There V￿re no disdosable rekted pgrty transaction5 during the perK>d. 21

Schnauzerfest

A charity registered in England and Wales (1185975) 11 Sussex Road, Wyton on the Hill, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE28 2EY www.schnauzerfest.org Tel: [phone] [e-mail] Cover image: Ollie