## **Report of the Trustees** For the period ending 31 January 2025 period ending 31 January 2025. The charity has been running since January 2020 and was registered as a CIO in October 2021. ## **Reference and administration details** ## **Registered charity number** 1196322 (England and Wales) ## **Registered address** 35 Tarragon Place, Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS32 8TP ## **Board of trustees** Miss Joanne Bray - Chairman Miss Jacelyn Hawkey - Secretary Mrs Melissa Lee - Treasurer ## **Structure, governance and management** ## **Governing document** Constitution ## **Charity constitution** Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) ## **Recruitment and appointment of new trustees** Appointed by existing trustees at trustees’ meetings ## **Organisational structure** The charity is managed by 3 trustees. All volunteers report directly to the trustees. The charity works hard to connect with other rabbit rescues across the country thus enabling a greater number of rabbits in need to be helped. ## **Induction and training of new trustees** During the year the trustees endeavour to keep up to date with all legal and regulatory requirements. In addition, new trustees are required to read the guidance given by the Charity Commission relating to trustee duties and responsibilities. **2** Trustee Report and Accounts - Year ending 31 January 2025 ## **Objectives and activities** ## **Objectives and aims** rabbits, and to provide and maintain rescue homes or other facilities for the reception, care and treatment of such animals, medical treatment, including vaccinations and neutering where appropriate and to educate the public in matters pertaining to animal welfare in general and the prevention of cruelty and suff ering among animals. ## **Our activities** We support our community by taking in, free of charge, mistreated or abandoned animals, including pets whose owners suff er ill health or fi nancial diffi culties or pass away. Animals in our care receive veterinary treatment, are vaccinated and neutered as part of our on-going programme and are then assessed for rehoming. This work helps to control the spread of disease and population growth. responding to enquiries from the public. The public benefi ts through the promotion of responsible pet ownership. We provide volunteering opportunities for those who wish to support our work, including trusteeship, fostering, rescue volunteers and fundraising. This benefi ts local people and companies by providing the possibility of doing work which is compassionate and rewarding. Some of our volunteer placements also help our local South Gloucestershire Council ‘Preparing for Adulthood Team’ and helping young people at Step Together, providing placements for young people and young people who have learning diffi culties or are neurodivergent, gain volunteer experience to build their confi dence and skill set. ## mistreated or abandoned animals, including pets whose owners suff er ill health or fi nancial diffi culties or pass away. To promote humane behaviour towards animals by off ering free animal care, and to provide advice and education by giving appropriate information to adopters and responding to general enquiries. Also providing volunteering opportunities for those who wish to support our work, benefi ting the local community and companies by completing work which is compassionate and rewarding. number of people who are using our service. **3** Trustee Report and Accounts - Year ending 31 January 2025 ## **Review of year – achievements and performance** We’ve had an extremely busy year and have managed to achieve even more even though the management team are stretched. Now settled at our new centre, we have managed to expand and add another 2 aviaries in November. This has now fi lled the remaining space. We also have new volunteers in place, to help every day with cleaning, feeding and looking after the welfare of the rabbits in our care. We were hoping to use some of the units for boarding but the demand for our service has increased year on year and so the aviaries have all been used to house rabbits that been surrendered. We have continued to take on Duke of Edinburgh students at the weekend, expanding to help young people who have special needs to complete the volunteering part of their certifi cate. Our volunteer team has expanded and we now have a faithful fundraising team who attend many events throughout the year, which has helped boost the fundraising income. Every year we see a huge increase in rabbits that needed rehoming but because we only have a limited number of spaces, our intake has remained steady. Our veterinary costs have signifi cantly increased compared to the previous year because unfortunately quite a few of the rabbits surrendered have been found to have health issues and also veterinary fees have increased Day to day costs for the main rescue centre and our group of permanent residents remain minimal because of the hard work from our exceptional team of volunteers, who help at the rescue on a daily basis and from all the food and supplies that are donated from our dedicated supporters. Our regular supporters have remained faithful to us and we have managed to keep our donation income steady. ## **Financial review** This year the net funds raised from the public to fund the rescue came to £54,428. Most of the funds have come in via donations, adoption fees, fundraising and grants. For the second year in a row, adoption fees have dipped due to a decrease in rabbits being adopted. The cash held at the end of the year is £17,400. There were no trustees’ expenses paid for the year ended 31 January 2025. ## **Charitable activities** Each year, we continue to see an increase in the number of surrender requests, and this year has been no exception. With over 400 requests received, it is simply impossible for us to assist everyone, as we do not have the capacity or space to accommodate them all. their pets with them. This has not only aff ected the number of foster families we require but has also impacted the number of adoption enquiries. Another major reason for surrender is the inability to meet rabbits’ welfare needs—whether due to lack of time, fi nancial constraints, or unsuitable living arrangements. As a result, our surrender list is, regrettably, longer than ever before. the number of our permanent residents has declined due to age and health issues, and now stands at six. We also have several rabbits in permanent foster care, some receiving palliative care due to the poor condition in which they arrived. Many of these cases involve respiratory illnesses or cancer. **4** Trustee Report and Accounts - Year ending 31 January 2025 All our rabbits are neutered, vaccinated, and receive any necessary veterinary treatment. We are proud to maintain strong partnerships with Highcroft Veterinary Hospital, Vets4Pets Kingswood, Emersons Green Veterinary Practice, Vets4Pets Weston-super-Mare, and, more recently, Watkins and Tasker Vets in Portishead. At The Littlest Lives Rescue, we never discriminate based on breed, age, or medical condition. If a rabbit cannot be rehomed for any reason, we ensure they are cared for either at our rescue centre or within permanent foster homes. We currently have no plans to add to our group of permanent residents, as they are all elderly and require signifi cant ongoing care. Importantly, no adoptable rabbit is ever euthanised due to lack of space or time. Our rescue is managed daily by three dedicated trustees who work tirelessly to ensure that all operations run smoothly, effi ciently, and safely. Once again, our team of volunteers has gone above and beyond this year. We are deeply grateful for their ongoing commitment, hard work, and unwavering support. Every person involved plays a vital role in the success and growth of The Littlest Lives Rescue — and we could not have achieved all that we have without their dedication. ## **Activities for generating funds** Local events have been very successful for raising money, gaining new supporters and raising awareness. as they have remained popular with our dedicated followers. Our bonding service has helped in rehoming the rabbits in our care much quicker than before. Now with 3 fully trained volunteers on the team it has made the adoption process much more streamlined and has increased funds at the same time. Every Easter one of our volunteers has taken on the mammoth task of baking Easter biscuits to sell. For 2024 3,500 biscuits were baked raising £2,988! This is an increase of 165% on last year, which is amazing. We are hoping to do this every Easter and increase sales year on year. in 2025. We also have a small amount of merchandise for sale, a yearly tea towel that is created by our followers and a calendar which boosts our income around Christmas. We have switched from using the Just Giving platform to using Donorbox for collecting donations and running campaigns. ## **Plans for future periods** funding and connectivity with our donors. Some thoughts are to: - Create a new monthly fundraising scheme, which will provide continuous funding for our permanent residents. This would include a sponsorship pack with a leafl et of who the permanent residents are, what their money will be used for, a thank you card/letter and promotional items (car sticker) - Increase donors from the corporate sector. The majority of our fundraising at present is from individuals. - Concentrate on applying for grant funding, so we can keep the rescue running. **5** Trustee Report and Accounts - Year ending 31 January 2025 ## **Reserves policy** The charity aims to retain reserves to cover at least one month’s running for the rescue centre, as donations are heavily relied upon in order to fund the ongoing expenditure. As it stands at the year end, free reserves of £17,400 were held, which is 4x the monthly expenditure. This is in excess of the reserve policy minimum. without reliance on further donations. ## **Investment policy and objectives** The Charity does not hold long term investments as its purpose is to use the annual donations and income received for the ongoing charitable activities. ## **Declaration** The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees. **Signature:** **Full name:** Joanne Bray **Position:** Chairperson **Date:** 03-02-2026 **6** Trustee Report and Accounts - Year ending 31 January 2025 ## **Independent Examiners Report** ## **Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of The Littlest Lives Rescue** I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Littlest Lives Rescue for the year ended 31 January 2025. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act'). I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 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 can 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: - the accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or the financial statements do not accord with those records; or - the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of financial statements set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. 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 financial statements to be reached. Vicky Newham CPAA Solutions Accountancy & Bookkeeping Ltd 1 The Mews Little Brunswick Street Huddersfield HD1 5JL 03 February 202 6 **7** Trustee Report and Accounts - Year ending 31 January 2025 ## **Charitable Accounts** ## **For period ending 31 January 2025** ## **Section A - Receipts & Payments** **----- Start of picture text -----**
A1 RECEIPTS
Unrestricted Restricted
Total 2025 Total 2024
funds funds
Donations 12,330 12,330 17,437
Adoption Fees 4,400 4,400 6,300
Fundraising Initiatives 15,275 15,275 12,182
Sales 1,597 1,597 1,765
Bonding and boarding 2,541 2,541 3,481
Grants - 18,285 18,285 4,477
Lease refunds - - - 36
TOTAL RECEIPTS 36,143 18,285 54,428 45,678
A3 PAYMENTS
Veterinary Costs 22,584 12,479 35,063 32,148
Rescue Set up Costs 641 - 641 1,161
Cost of Sales 597 - 597 1,044
Waste Removal 230 - 230 1,258
Marketing & IT 1,131 - 1,131 708
Food and Animal Supplies 1,516 221 1,737 2,812
Professional Fees 420 - 420 900
Plant Maintenance 852 - 852 642
Insurance 953 - 953 867
Motor Expenses - - - 4
Direct Costs 356 - 356 380
Payment Fees 423 - 423 428
Professional Partnerships 161 - 161 444
Subscriptions 99 - 99 95
Entertainment 247 - 247 -
Leases 1,074 - 1,074 -
SUBTOTAL A3 PAYMENTS 31,284 12,700 43,984 42,891
A4 ASSET AND INVESTMENT PURCHASES
-
Shed and Aviary 2,945 2,945 2,662
SUBTOTAL A4 PAYMENTS - 2,945 2,945 2,662
TOTAL PAYMENTS 31,284 15,645 46,929 45,553
NET INCREASE FOR YEAR 4,859 2,640 7,499 125
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**8** Trustee Report and Accounts - Year ending 31 January 2025 ## **Section B - Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period** ||**Unrestricted**
**funds**|**Restricted**
**funds**|**Total 2025**|Total 2024| |---|---|---|---|---| |**Cash held in bank**|14,760|2,640|17,400|9,901| |**Assets retained for the charity’s own**
**use**|||**Current Value**|| |Plant & Machinery|||5,826|| |Computers|||256|| |Marketing Equipment|||463|| ## **Declaration** The trustees declare that they have approved the accounts. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees. ## **Signature:** **Full name:** Joanne Bray **Position:** Chairperson **Date:** 03-02-2026 **9** Trustee Report and Accounts - Year ending 31 January 2025