Wild Bird Rescue Dorset
Charity Number: 1194952
Trustees' Annual Report & Financial Statements
for the period 1[st] January 2024 to 31[st] December 2024
20[th] March 2024
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset. Charity Number: 1194952
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements
for the Financial Period from 1[st] January 2024 to 31[st ] December 2024
Reference & Administration Details
Charity Details:
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registration no: 1194952, registered with the Charity Commission on 25[th] June 2021.
The charity is registered with HM Revenue & Customs for Gift Aid.
Charity’s Address
Phylcott, West Morden, Dorset, BH20 7EA Phone: 07719658751 Email: sandy@wildbirdrescuedorset.uk Website: www.wildbirdrescuedorset.uk Facebook: facebook.com/wildbirdrescuedorset Instagram: #wildbirdrescuedorset
Names of the Charity Trustees who Manage the Charity
Sandra Cristel Becker Christopher Keevil Karen Peirce Angela Welch
Names & Addresses of Advisors
None
Bank
Lloyds Bank plc. Registered Office: 25 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HN
2
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset. Charity Number: 1194952
Structure, Governance & Management
Type of Governing Document:
Constitution – based on the Charity Commission’s model governing document for Foundation Charitable Incorporated Organisations, ie: where the Trustees are the only Members of the charity.
Governance
The charity is governed by the Trustees and meetings are held twice yearly, or more frequently if it is deemed necessary. Additional Trustees can be appointed by way of agreement by all existing Trustees by vote. All newly appointed and existing Trustees are reminded regularly of their responsibilities.
Risk Management
The Trustees have identified major risks which face the charity and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate the effect of those risks. Trustees take reputational, operational, and financial risk very seriously. Risks are monitored regularly and managed positively to limit the adverse consequences that can arise from unfavourable events.
Organisation
The Trustees continue to discuss the financial affairs and management of the charity, and to leave the day-to-day running of the charity to its Founder Sandra Cristel Becker. In the event of any need to acquire capital items, this is presented to the trustees for their decision.
Trustee Selection Methods:
There must be at least three charity trustees. In accordance with the Constitution, Trustees are appointed or re-appointed for a term of one year, to be extended automatically unless otherwise dictated by terms laid out in the Constitution.
In appointing Trustees due consideration is given to ensuring that the Trustees have, among them, the skills and experience necessary to manage the charity effectively and in accordance with charity law.
Objects
Statutory Declaration on Public Benefit
The object of the CIO is for the benefit of the public;
To further the conservation and preservation of the wild bird species by providing a rescue, care and rehabilitation service for sick, injured, or orphaned wild birds, with the aim of eventually releasing them back to the wild to their natural habitat. Occasional rescue, care, rehabilitation and / or rehoming of other wild, abandoned, feral or injured creatures.
Activities & Performance
Statutory Declaration
The Trustees of Wild Bird Rescue Dorset confirm that they have paid due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
3
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset. Charity Number: 1194952
Wild Bird Care and Rehabilitation
During 2024, Wild Bird Rescue Dorset had an intake of 581 birds and 47 various species. We had a fantastic result this year of almost 65% of birds making a full recovery and were able to be released.
Due to our small set up and limited facilities and future funding, we aim to stay around 500 intakes maximum a year.
All release sites for fledglings were carefully vetted for safety and in line with the species’ natural habitat. Older birds were mainly released back to their originating area to join their family and territory. We, once again, encountered an unprecedented number of “catted” birds this year, which many succumbed to infection, despite veterinary support and antibiotics. Catted birds amounted to well over half of intakes at almost 60%, which is drastic for the species of birds that are now heading towards being red listed.
We saw less pox and canker but more aspergillus infections this year, prevalent amongst wood pigeons, feral pigeons and collared doves. Many pigeons and doves died within a couple of days of being admitted, mainly from emaciation, most likely due to aspergillus infections, which is virtually impossible to cure despite trying various remedies.
We encouraged finders of any PMV and pox pigeons to be taken directly to a vet as our current quarantine facilities are not adequate to house more than 4. We are all under the agreement that any bird that is unable to be successfully rehabbed and released should be humanely put to sleep. To keep a wild animal in captivity promotes unnecessary cruelty and is not natural for any wild creature. Captivity due to incurable conditions such as PMV or severe wing damage etc, should not be normalized. This is also in keeping with the rules and protocols of our registration with the British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council.
Blackbirds and starlings were down this year most likely due to the virus that has become prevalent primarily within that species called the Usutu virus (USUV). This is a mosquito-borne virus that can kill blackbirds and other birds. It was first detected in the UK in London in 2020. Birds show signs of weakness, lethargy, loss of coordination, and seizures and can die very suddenly.
Only 2.4% of birds were transferred to other rescues (rare species, sea birds, or raptors). We still have a good working relationship with other local rescues and will continue to exchange certain birds such as migratory fledglings so that the rehabbers who have a good existing flock can intake others of the same species, which ensures a better survival rate upon release. By allowing certain species being raised together and “sharing the load” between us all, meant we all have reasonable capacity. Moreover, the quality of care was not affected by the high numbers of varying species being cared for at the same time.
Overview: 375 birds made a full recovery and were released. 14 were transferred. 191 died in total either by euthanasia, dead on arrival, or passed away on site. 5 still in care.
We were very lucky to have fantastic support from local vets and committed, hardworking support volunteers. Below are some informative pie charts of our intakes over the year.
4
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset. Charity Number= 1194952 Survlval Rate 70 50 30 io Il Includlngfirst24 hours • After first 24 hourg Root Clrcumstances of Admlsslon ghyslcal traumL &2X Orphafft.. 8.2% Nosl l Habitat di5turbanco or d*siwuctiDn.- 7.Z Inappropriah huThan 0.3% ETrtrapThent 0.7% imal iThtoracLiorc 51.1 Displacod.. 22.9% Colllsion.. 3.6% Anlmal Inlerattlon Displaced Inapproprlate human IntèTvenUOn Orphan Enirapment Nestl Habhaidlslufbante ordE5truttllln ph1¢31 trauma
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset. Charity Number= 1194952 Patlents yAge at Intak• NE5tliw'. 9.5% Nqonate.. 1.6% AdulL. 30.2% JuVnil.. 9.5% Hatchling I Chiik. 1*0% Egy.. Flodgllng.. 28.6% Adult * Fledgllng • Hatchllnglchlck ILeThI1e Neonate • Nestllng Most Prevalent Cltles wirnbDrnw. 7m6 BourMmoh.. 5.4% pton.. 7.4% Dorcheslor &4% 5wanagR.' 6.0% W&rÈharn'. 9.4% OIL 37.5% Weyfflouth.. &0% croekmoor. 4.3% lytchett P4atravers.' 7.4% Bournemouth creekrMor r Oorchesier tytchett Matravers Swanage • p(rt)le Wareham • upton Weymouch mboine
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset. Charity Number= 1194952 Disposltlon Percentages Tr4•slerr¢d'. 2.4% DoBd on arrtval.. 4.8% Dl•d +24hr.' I3% Di&d in 24hr. 12.2% Euthanizod +24hr. 1.9% Euthanized in 24hr 3.3% Pnd1h 0.2% Rl•a5od.. 64B% Dead on arrtr4al Pendin8 Died +24hr Released Died In 24hr Transferred Euthanized +24hr Euthanlzed In 24hr Most Frèqutnt Clrcumstances of Admlsslon Physical tr&umL 7.1% Orph•o.' 9.4X Grded.. 18.816 (at 1htertIOty.. 57.1% Dlspla¢ed from rtst.. 7.$% Cat interathon • DL%placed from nest Grounded • Orphan Physlcal trauma
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset. Charity Number: 1194952
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset currently has 1 support volunteer who is able to soft release wood pigeons and feral pigeons. We trialed a new volunteer but unfortunately this did not work out. We do not have any volunteers on site at the rescue at this time.
We have a few volunteers locally who are happy to assist with collecting birds from local vets or finders. We also encourage finders to bring the birds directly to the rescue where possible, or advised to take to a vet, depending on the severity of injury/illness, for example broken legs, wings or open wounds exposing internal organs. This saves crucial time in getting the bird veterinary help and cuts down travel time and stress for an injured or sick bird. Many local vets in the area contact us regarding the rehabilitation of birds that have been brought to them by the general public.
Other Activities
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset has continued to raise public awareness of conservation issues relating to wild birds, and the way individuals may support our work. We have recently started a Sunday morning social media event every week trying to encourage people to scrub their bird baths and clean their feeding areas to help cut down on the amount of disease and to try and curb the ever persistent bird flu that constantly poses a threat. We are often adding new articles and information via our website, which is proving to be a good source of information for many.
We are also planning to visit local seaside towns to catch, treat, and release as many feral pigeons with stringfoot as possible. We will aim to carry this out after baby bird season has subsided.
We regularly post online and provide seasonally appropriate information and advice. Further information is also available on our website and via social media. Our Facebook page currently stands at 2400 thousand followers, and 233 Instagram followers.
We maintained contact with a network of wildlife and bird rescuers, carers, rehabilitators and vets across Dorset and the UK by way of social media, and email, where tips, advice and information relating to birds and other wildlife were discussed and shared. We are still registered with The British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, where we are registered and listed as a trusted rescue.
We were happy to witness a positive change in more vet practices willing to take in birds by the public and contacting us to collect and rehab. This alleviates a lot of pressure when we are busy and trying to find a volunteer driver or the time to take a very poorly bird to a vet asap. We are very grateful for this support.
Our yearly veterinary inspection by Lynwood Veterinary Practice in February 2024, was carried out by Anna Alborino Veterinary Surgeon BSc BVetMed MRCVS. She was very thorough and is happy to continue working with us.
Although there were no official Avian Bird Flu outbreaks, we continued with extreme measures to ensure that no dangerous pathogens entered our rescue. All birds were triaged outside in full PPE before entry into the rescue and quarantined. Unfortunately, some vets would not see any wild birds at all, and those that did would only euthanise. As we do not take in any waterfowl or water related birds, poultry, or raptors, we have already minimized our risks to the virus, however, the protocols remain in place for the foreseeable future.
Our little charity shop is doing very well and is helping to support us financially. Maureen is in her 80s and runs the shop for us voluntarily, along with a couple of other volunteers that come when they can. The shop is open 4 days a week for 3 hours. We are running out of space now as it has become so popular that we may look into a larger premises depending on funds.
Within the rescue The Chair and Founder, Sandra Becker, completed her Level 3 of Veterinary Assistant and Animal Care with distinction. A local veterinary practice kindly donated some large outdoor veterinary cages they no longer had use for. The Founder and a Trustee attended a
8
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset. Charity Number: 1194952
Hospital Day Seminar at Secret World, where we were able to network with other rescues and vets nationwide.
We’ve been very fortunate over the past year to receive incredible support from local individuals and businesses. The kindness and generosity of our community have been vital in keeping the rescue going. Whether it’s financial donations, volunteering time, or providing resources, every contribution has helped us care for injured and vulnerable birds, giving them the best chance to recover and return to the wild where they belong.
This support has meant the world to us and has also helped us connect with so many wonderful people who share our passion for protecting our wild birds. We’re so grateful for this generosity and hope to continue raising awareness of what we do. By encouraging others to get involved, or simply knowing how to help an injured animal they find, we can work together to make a real difference for the wildlife that needs us most.
9
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset. Charity Number: 1194952
Financial Review
Principal Sources of Funding and Outgoings
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset’s principal source of funds is from private donations.
The charity was supported by a few local businesses, who raised funds by selling certain items and granting us the profit. This has helped the rescue and promotes what we do and encourages other local businesses to find innovative ways to raise funds for us.
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset are registered as a CIO Charity with HMRC so that Gift Aid may be reclaimed on donations where the donor indicates that is their wish. The forms are available on our website and can be filled out and directly sent to us via this online method.
Statement of the Charity's Policy on Reserves
The Charity’s policy on reserves is to generate and maintain a balance which is sufficient:
a) to preserve the financial viability of the Charity in the event that unforeseen and/or unavoidable circumstance precipitate a short-term fall in its income;
b) to enable the Charity, in the interests of meeting its objectives, to fund short-term deficits in a cash budget, e.g. money may need to be spent before donations are received and to cover the risk of unforeseen emergency or other unexpected need for funds, e.g. an unexpected large vets bill.
For these purposes the Charity will endeavour in the future to generate and maintain reserves which are at least 20% of its annual turnover.
Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit
The Trustees declare that the charity had no funds which were materially in deficit at the date of the statement of assets & liabilities.
State of the Charity’s Finances
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset’s current resources from unrestricted funds are only just sufficient to meet its immediate outgoings. Being a newly registered charity, we aim to raise these funds so that we have funds in place that will sustain us for a few months ahead.
Particulars of Any Outstanding Guarantee Given by the Charity
The Trustees declare that the charity has given no guarantee where potential liability is outstanding at the date of the statement of assets & liabilities.
Particulars of Any Outstanding Debt
The Trustees declare that the charity has no outstanding debts which are secured by an express charge on any of the assets of the charity at the date of the statement of assets & liabilities.
Statutory Statements on Liabilities
The Trustees declare that:
• The charity has given no guarantees where potential liability under the guarantee is outstanding at the date of this statement (eg: any outstanding/ongoing contract or legal undertaking to buy or provide specific services);
10
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset. Charity Number: 1194952
• The charity has no debt outstanding at the date of this statement which is owed by the CIO and which is secured by an express charge on any assets of the CIO (eg: a mortgage on property owned by the charity).
Remuneration of Trustees
All Trustees act in a voluntary capacity and receive no remuneration or other material benefits from their services to the Charity.
Out-of-pocket expenses necessarily and reasonably incurred by Trustees in promoting the purposes of the Charity are reimbursed at cost.
Declaration
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf,
Sandra C Becker, Principal Trustee. Date: 20[th] March 2025
11
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset. Charity Number: 1194952
Statement of Financial Activity
Receipts & Payments Accounts for the Financial Year Ended 31[st] December 2024
CC16a Report at end of this document
Disposition of Funds
The Charity has no designated or restricted funds
Notes to the Accounts
a) Accounting Policies
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 Section 133, using the Receipts and Payments basis available to small charities.
b) Reimbursement of Out-of-Pocket Expenses
No Trustees received any reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses in the financial year.
c) Salaries & Professional Fees
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset does not charge any professional fees for the services that it provides. No trustee receives any payments for the services they provide to the charity. In the current financial year the charity employed no staff or external contractors.
d) Fixed Assets
The charity has no fixed assets
e) Creditors
Cheques issued prior to the end of the financial year but not appearing in the end of financial year bank statement are only reported as outstanding creditors if they remain unpresented at the time of producing the financial statements.
f) Rounding Discrepancies
All amounts are recorded to the penny, but in these accounts are shown as digitally rounded to the nearest pound. This can occasionally result in a total apparently not being the sum of its constituent amounts. All individual amounts, and their totals, are nevertheless correct.
Approval of the Board of Trustees
The Trustees declare that they have approved the above Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees
Sandra C Becker, Principal Trustee.
Date: 20[th] March 2025
8
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset. Charity Number= 1194952 ¢HA¢tIlY CUMMISSilJtr• ILD BIRD RESCUE DORSEr No 1194W2 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Forthe peiiod from 01101024 3111212024 To Section A Receipts and payments Endowment funds rundg totb¢naist rundg Total funds Last>ai toth• Tr•ar•st£ tolh• n•ar•stÈ ttn•ar•tt tOtn•arE A1 Recei tbfiats)ns cash Events ColecDon Pwe5 sak$ tnItIn Po I jG1n AMAZON SNIILE )NATIoNS DIPECT TO 84NK Sub totallGross income forAfiI 7,16 Y3 1,568 1¥0 150 9,661 19.896 2D.255 350 20.6D5 A2 Asset And Invèstmènt sAlè$, (sèè te1. Sub (o¢al TotalrÈcelpts 260 20,6 A3Pa nts In5uTanrÉ Vetsf (Tre31) Admin frgEsI 4Vet6rt¢ Wor¢pre55 MBrkpting {Chiim(St PD&ers, PÉE¥ 1,461 2QJ ourse5 797 3.182 4,7 797 EQUIPMENTI INC CONSLIMABLESI FEED AIMTENANCE PEST CONTROL 4.807 4Q2 KIEDICATION DIRECT PURCHASE Veteiirtar atiOn 1.B ¥dunr cOStÈ ShDP llty Surn up DEbrtcard 15Th11aneDuSrt ShoPt X1 S2 xo 47 J2 65 ¥$ 2,754 20,778 2,7 ,7 Sub (o¢al 16,109 A4 Asset and investment purchase5, Sub Iofal 20.778 1&109 Iletofrn¢elpts/{paymentsJ Afj Transfers 1JetYen funds A6 Cash funds lèsl year end Cash this . 17 173 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unre9trKted funds Re9trieted fund5 End0%7nent fund5
Wild Bird Rescue Dorset. Charity Number= 1194952 ton•arstE tonoar•st£ to n•ar•st£ B1 Cash lunds BANK s.¥ netfrMthlsT Total cash fvn(ts 5}1 Unre9tricted fund to n•aristE Re9tThded funds tofi•ar•stÉ EndoY4Tnent fund to n•ar•st£ B2 Other monetaryassets DDllBknnsdi1we&10rweIf5 Fundlll which costloptmlI ¢uttEnt Valu 83 Inve$lment asset NE Current Yalup set bFlon B4 Assets retoined fortho charitys own u Metal Feedshtd 700 Fund to whlch )t4s AmountdL WhM du• 86 Llabllmes NE S¥n2d orlt[UStee5 itr£ Ustee# Dat8 or SvJnatur8 Print Nam