Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/01/2023 Period start date To 31/12/2023 Period end date
Charity name: CANINES FOR AFRICA
Charity registration number: 1190104
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The purposes of the charity are to promote, for the benefit of the public, the conservation of flora and fauna throughout the world, and in particular (but not limited to) flora and fauna classed as endangered, threatened or near threatened, primarily (but not exclusively) in Africa and India by: a) The training, deployment and provision of wildlife protection and anti- poaching field rangers and canine units, to protect rare, threatened or endangered species and to promote biological diversity. b) The provision of grants to organisations established to conserve flora and fauna for the public benefit; and c) Advancing education and raising awareness of the public in the need to preserve and protect the environment and all areas of conservation.” |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Our main modus operandi is the breeding and training of specialised dogs – for anti-poaching, detection, tracking, patrol, research etc. We then train game rangers to become dog handlers and the resulting man/woman- and- dog units are deployed into game reserves. All expenses for the training (food, travel, lodging etc.) is covered by us, as is equipment for the dog. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public |
Para 1.18 | I confirm that all the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
benefit
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | We have not used any volunteers during this period |
| Other | ||
| Achievements and Performance | ||
| SORP reference | ||
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Canines for Africa has trained and deployed five anti-poaching K9 units during the period of this annual return. Not only have our operations created jobs for trainers and rangers, and income for breeders, veterinarians and others, they have been instrumental in protecting rhinos and other animals from poaching. Our units are also used, when requested, by local communities, needing help in search-and-rescue or tracking dangerous animals threatening villages, thus saving lives of humans as well as animals |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Fewer units were deployed this year, due to less funds in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | I changed strategy this year in fundraising, focusing on achieving one or two large donations in lieu of many smaller ones. I achieved this objective, with a verbal commitment of $1.3 million, but the donor was tragically killed before the agreement came to fruition. I am following up with his foundation to see if this can still happen |
|---|---|---|
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | n/a |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The position is far from what is desired, largely due to the large donation falling through. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | There is no policy for holding reserves. When there are funds in the account, it is because funds are only spent when trustees believe that a particular project has all the credentials for responsible funding, and this takes time to research |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | 0 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | There is no requirement for reserves to be held. Trustees see that there are always small amounts of money available to pay banking, communications etc. fees, but fund are put into fieldwork as soon as feasible after receipt. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | The unrestricted fund is in deficit, mainly due to a high percentage of funds being channeled to field operations, and higher- than expected costs. We are working very hard to raise enough fund to cover our administrative costs. |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | There are no uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern. There is a documentary on K94A in the pipeline, which should help with fundraising once it is finished. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 |
Principle sources of funds have been private individuals and conservation foundations |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | n/a |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The trustees see no significant risks to the charity. We need to raise more funds to cover expenses (mostly travel) but are confident we can do this next year. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Only the current trustees can decide on the addition of a new trustee. All must agree on the choice for this to happen. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 |
|
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Canines for Africa |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | K94A |
| Registered charity number | 1190104 |
| Charity’s principal address | Wolfson College, University of Oxford, c/o Dr Moussavi Oxford OX2 6UD |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ms Vianna von Weyhausen |
Chair | Entitled if unanimous | ||
| Dr Kaveh Moussavi | Entitled if unanimous | |||
| Mr Patrick Maina | Entitled if unanimous | |||
| Corporate trustees–names of the directors at the date the report was approved | Corporate trustees–names of the directors at the date the report was approved | Corporate trustees–names of the directors at the date the report was approved |
|---|---|---|
| Director name | n/a | |
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| n/a | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets n/a held in this capacity
Name and objects of the n/a charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for n/a safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
n/a
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Vianna von Weyhausen
Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc)
Date
12 September 2023
CANINES FORAFRICA Charity No-1190104 BALANCE SHEET ANNUAL ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD 1ST JAN TO 31ST DEC 2023 Total this year Totsl last year Flxed a8118t8 Yr 2023 Yr 2022 Tangible assets 2.9 1.291 Invstmnts rot81 fixed assets 2,359 1,291 Current assets Stock and work in progress Debtors Investmentslshort Tern) C8sh at bank and in h8nd 13.981 21.746 Tot•1 ¢UffT•rtI •M•I• 13.981 21.746 Creditors.'IOue wlhin one yearl Net current Asse{118b¥1¥rtle8) 13,981 21,746 Total assets less currentliabilities 16.339 23,037 Cr8ditor5.'IDue aft8r one year I 98.143 32.918 Pro$m)n$ for liabilities and charges Net assets 181,8041 19,8B11