## **Schnauzerfest our Annual Report and Accounts 2022-2023** **Registered Charity Number 1185975** ## **CONTENTS** 1 Trustees Report 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 APRIL 2022 TO MARCH 2023** ## **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 promote humane behaviour towards all dogs. We achieve this by supporting animal welfare charities, organisations and individuals involved in the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of dogs. In addition we provide support for individuals who are unable at a point in time to meet the costs of veterinary care for their dogs. We educate the public on matters around responsible pet ownership and animal welfare with a focus on the dog breeding industry. ## **GRANTS FOR VETERINARY TREATMENT** Thanks to our incredible supporters we were able to send out Schnauzerfest Grants to **36** rescue organisations to cover veterinary costs for dogs in their care. In addition **12** owners received assistance. With a rise in the cost of living there were increasing calls for assistance from individuals in the last quarter of the period this report covers. **----- Start of picture text -----**
£128,836
total Grants
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The Trustees confirm that they have carefully considered the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake and believe that Schnauzerfest’s work does so in a number of ways. Throughout this annual review, the activities undertaken by Schnauzerfest will demonstrate that the charity’s work in pursuit of its charitable purposes have created material public benefit and prepared Schnauzerfest to further this in future. **1** ## **WHERE ARE THE DOGS WE HELP LOCATED?** Our supporters are located all around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. We have good relationships with rescue organisations, which collectively cover much of this wide geographic area. Our membership of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes means we have access to resources which assist us in identifying rescues and dogs in need of help. As well as this, our supporters are excellent at bringing dogs to our attention. We can also rely on them to tell others about our work and are seeing more people applying for help via this route. **We helped dogs in Wales Scotland Northern Ireland Eire and 23 counties in England** **2** ## **WHAT SCHNAUZERFEST SUPPORT MEANS TO RESCUES** **Unexpected news yesterday, Nellie went to the vets to be spayed and we were very surprised by the news that she will be having puppies in the next week or two** 😮 **Thankfully her lovely foster carer has offered to care for her and her puppies until they're ready to find their forever home. We appreciate everything you have done for us recently especially the incredibly generous grant you have given us.** When Nellie arrived into the care of All Dogs Matter, a rescue in North London, after a life of breeding, nobody knew she was carrying a surprise with her. All went well and both mum and puppies are now living precious lives as family pets. **Thank you so very much. Sadly we have a huge number of dogs we could allocate the funds to.** **Vet bills are rocketing at the moment.** **A combination of owners not seeking veterinary care over the last few years and the general cost of vet bills, even the most basic stuff.** Berwick Animal Rescue Kennels, Northumberland, January 2023 **3** Suzie was an elderly dog whose whole life had been spent breeding before she was rescued by Friends of Rescue in Northern Ireland. She had multiple health problems requiring extensive veterinary treatment. Suzie was cared for in a foster home and it was hoped she would eventually be well enough for adoption. Sadly it wasn't to be and she died 3 onths after rescue Friends Of Rescue 12 August 2022 . AA THANK YOU. We work with a handful of rescues or rescue related businesses and one that helps us so much with all our wee bearded babies is Schnauzerfest this charity is such a lifeline for us and they have helped many of our really sick schnauzers in need They have quite literally helped us with medical costs adding up to thousands, still covering our little Megan's ongoing needs post adoption and now our wee Suzie x Our vet bills are excruciatingly big so the pressure this alleviates is immense. Suzie s treatment costs: £3159 We just wanted to make a huge public thank you to Janetta and the gang who put their heart and soul into helping the needy If you don't follow or support them please do, they help many other organisations such as ourselves and share all their beautifully written stories of the animals they help • **This vet requires same day payment. Next week she has her next operation which will be around £1500 as the growth is not as huge. Vet charges have considerably increased, despite discounts. He keeps costs as low as possible but what he’s now charged for everything he buys has rocketed. Within about a month we will have more donations and dogs ready for adoption, but just now we’re in a temporary cash flow dilemma with her operation looming which we are unable to put off as she’s suffering.** Trustee, West Yorkshire Dog Rescue When an ADCH member we've previously worked with reached out for help, a Grant was put in place to help them continue caring for their dogs. With rising costs all round, helping rescues to survive the animal welfare crisis is essential work. Raven's Rescue in the West Midlands had to close to new intake in December when they faced a monthly vet bill of £15,000. W **e sent £2000 of a £3000 award we had received from the Jean Sainsbury Trust to Raven's Rescue to help them reopen.** **This is truly amazing and we cannot thank you enough. It is an absolutely amazingly generous donation and we truly appreciate it.** **5** ## **WHEN OWNERS NEED HELP** We are here to help dogs get the care they need. We know we cannot help everyone but where there's a charitable need and help is sought, we do our best to help those who cannot afford at that time to pay for treatment. We are sensitive to people’s circumstances and understand it may not be easy asking for help. Keeping dogs with their families is a growing part of our work and something we see continuing to expand while cost of living pressures remain. When 10 year old Colin needed complex dental surgery his owners knew it was going to be a challenge to afford the estimated cost which exceeded £1200. Colin’s health and well-being risked compromise if his treatment was further delayed. A full Grant was put in place, treatment went ahead and Colin recovered well. His family became monthly donors as soon as their finances permitted it. **----- Start of picture text -----**
May I thank you all again for your
financial help and kindness on behalf of
Colin. It has been a big relief.
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**6** When 4 year old Ella went to live with her new family she had been ‘retired’ from breeding. There was no expectation of any health issues as they rehomed her direct from the breeder and nothing untoward was spoken about. Shortly afterwards it was discovered that her bladder was full of struvite stones. The situation would have been catastrophic if swift veterinary treatment had not been given. Unfortunately, health problems had led to a reduction in family income and Ella’s insurance would not cover what turned out to be an expensive and life saving intervention. ## **A Schnauzerfest Grant assisted Ella’s family with the unexpected costs of Ella's surgery.** **----- Start of picture text -----**
When Cilla suddenly lost the use of her legs and required back
surgery with an estimated cost of £7000 her owners reached
out for help
Without Schnauzerfest paying for
her back surgery, Cilla would not
be here. The charity has literally
saved her life and given it back as
she can walk again.
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**7** ## **WHEN DOGS NEED NEW HOMES** We are not a rehoming organisation but we are asked to assist owners when they cannot keep their dogs. Other cases involved dogs whose owners had died or were terminally ill and family and friends needed help finding homes for their dogs. In all cases we offer advice and use our nationwide network of contacts in experienced, reputable rescues to find a solution that suits all concerned. ## **We were asked to help** **I thank you from the bottom of all our hearts, you've been a big help and support.** **dogs ranging in age from 8 weeks to 13 years old** **4 standard schnauzers** **44 mini schnauzers** **----- Start of picture text -----**
I really cannot thank you
enough for all you’ve done
for him, I am truly humbled.
It’s been a happy sad day
but I know he’s going to be
looked after
so well.
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I will never be able to say thank you
enough, you made such a hard
situation so much easier.
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**8** ## **GETTING OUR WORK OUT THERE** Helping as many rescues and dogs who we can, is made possible by a whole community of donors, supporters and volunteers. Together we are a passionate, committed and enthusiastic community. We are massively grateful to everyone who helps make the charity what it is. For the first time, we attended two big events, having a busy stall at **All About Dogs Show** in Newbury and **Paws in The Park** in Kent. Across both events we had contact with thousands of people to talk about our work, animal welfare, the dog breeding industry and rescues. Without our amazing volunteers we could not have attended these events and we are hugely thankful to everyone who helped and visited our stalls. ## **walks, walks, walks** We were delighted that social dog walks resumed in earnest following the problems caused by COVID. Supporters organised a lot of walks throughout the year, with a big, fun batch of walks taking place on several dates and in many locations during October and December. These helped raise the profile of the charity as well as being essential fundraisers. We are incredibly grateful for everyone who organises and attends a walk. **9** ## **COMMUNICATION** Raising awareness of the charity, it’s mission and impact, and building a positive reputation with new audiences is our goal. Activity to support this happened throughout the year. ## **Social media** We have an active and busy social media presence, using it to tell people about our news, what their support allows us to do, how to get involved, and campaigns we run. Facebook remains our busiest channel with rising engagement. This is backed up with steady support from the others. ## **News** We made good use of our mailing list, communicating regularly with supporters via email. Engagement is high, a reflection of the interest from supporters and quality of the content. Continuing to build our list is an important activity. using Mailchimp's analytics we can gauge whether we're getting things right **----- Start of picture text -----**
followers: 18,665
reach: 415,586
78.4%
followers: 6506
reach: 24,971
profile visits
29.5%
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**10** **Our supporters, donors and volunteers make up a vibrant, dedicated community who help us improve the lives of a lot of dogs** **11** ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** Good governance is fundamental to our charity and something we are fully 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 we recognise and value as 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. **12** ## **BOARD OF TRUSTEES** ## **There are four Trustees, all were appointed on 24 October 2019. Janetta Bensouilah** **Anne Barlow Camilla Kinton** **Annabel Wilson** Janet Tomalin was appointed a Trustee in June 2022 and resigned 23/03/23 Kate Mitchell resigned as a Trustee 24/03/23 ## 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 regularly by Zoom. Every meeting has standing agenda items covering performance, activities, planning, communications, risk and compliance matters. To these are added other relevant items 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 constituted 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** **2 Lapwing Close Basingstoke Hampshire RG22 5UU** CHARITY NUMBER: 1185975 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER BANKERS UHY Hacker Young CAF Bank Ltd PO Box 501 25 Kings Hill Avenue The Nexus Building Kings Hill Broadway West Malling Letchworth Garden City Kent Herts ME19 4JQ 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 £131,270 and expenditure was £148,092 and unrestricted funds at year end were £48,190. ## 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 and signed on their behalf by Trustee Janetta Bensouilah, dated 16 June 2023. **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 2023 **16** BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2023 2023 2022 Not Current assets Stocks Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 10 11 3,853 463 48,007 3,626 473 64.166 52,323 68,265 Creditors: amounts falllng due wfthln one year 12 (4,133) {2,992) Net C￿￿ent assets 48,190 65,273 Income fundg Un￿Stricted funds 48,190 65,273 48,190 65,273 The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 16 June 2023 J Bensouilah Truste• 17 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 **18** NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued A¢Muntr• WbBb•• {ConUrA Tho chty to of SBckn 11 'B&siE WKI Sth 12 'OthwFinan¢Jql In5tr4rnfA5 of FRS 102t0￿1 otim fjnwtiHI i7stsurnerd5. 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