2024-08-31-accounts - Dogs First

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01/09/23 Period start date To 31/08/24 Period end date

Charity name: Dogs First

Charity registration number: 1198644

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	To benefit the public to relieve the suffering of animals in need of care and in particular to provide and maintain rescue homes for the care and treatment of such animals, and to activelyseek new homes.
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	We rescue, transport, feed and seek veterinary care for all the animals that come in to our care. We provide pet food to those min need in order for them to keep their animals.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	Trustees have been given the appropriate Charity Commission documentation to read.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers 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	We rescued, cared for and rehomed over one hundred and fifty animals over this period. Providing vet care and treatment. We supported families through the difficult process of rehoming their pets. We supported over 95 families via the pet food bank, enabling them to keep the pets. And provided ongoing support for all the families using either the food bank or by adopting from us.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41	We have exceeded the targets we set ourselves, and received recognition for our achievements via local and national awards.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	Major restructuring and rebuilding took place from November 2023, and has been ongoing through 2024, to ensure the future for the charity, and its financial security. We set fundraising targets to enable the purchase of a new equipped vehicle. We reached the target and have grants applied for to fund a further vehicle.
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	Balance of £23,711.47
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The reserves held are to cover outgoings on vet bills, food, insurances and vehicle upkeep
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£12000
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	n/a
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	n/a
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	We have taken steps to ensure the ongoing financial security of the charity. Uncertainties arise due to rising bills and rising expenditure.

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	We apply for and receive grants from grant providers. Supporters have set up direct debits and make donations. We host fundraising events and run football cards.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	At this period of time, we do not have a social investment policy.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The number of animals coming in to rescue, and the need for vet care and neutering puts a strain on resources, as most animals surrendered have not received veterinary care or been neutered.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Trust Deed
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	Trustees are selected and appointed by the board of trustees.

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	Safeguarding, Code of Conduct, Discipline, Data Protection, and Health and Safety, Whistleblowing, Child Safeguarding and financial controls policies.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	A Board of trustees, led by the chair, and a team of volunteers that answer to the trustees.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Dogs First
Other name the charity uses	Dogs First Rescue
Registered charity number	1198644
Charity’s principal address	32 Falmouth Walk Cramlington Northumberland NE23 1RU

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
Pat Heard	Chair
LyndsayHenning	Treasurer	Until November 2023
Heather Moran		Until Spring2024
Pauline Wales
Andrew Wales
Patrick McGovern		From November 2023
William Moran		From November 2023
Joanne Jennings		From November 2023
Louise Moore		From December 2023

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity

Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for 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

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) PAHeard

Full name(s) Patricia Anne Heard

Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc)

Date

November 2024

Dogs First Accounts for the period 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024

Charity Number 1198644

Income & Expenditure Account for 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024

Income & Expenditure Account for 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024
Direct costs £ Donations Veterinary fees 19,935 Adoptions Other supplies 2,016 Fund Raising - general Fund Raising - specific Grants Other costs Vehicle running costs 7,943 Depreciation charge on vehicles 7,472 Promotional Items & Marketing 5,523 Insurance & Tax 3,160 Fund Raising costs 2,847 Storage 2,108 Workwear 888 Office Supplies & Postage 602 52,495 Surplus for the year 43,133 95,628 General Fund Fixed Assets Balance brought forward 14,067 Small Equipment Surplus for the year 43,133 Vehicles Balance carried forward 57,200 Net book value brought forward Additions in year less depreciation charged in year Bank balance 57,200 Expenditure Income Balance Sheet as at 31st August 2024	£ 21,478 37,112 17,893 19,145 95,628 100 1,000 39,861 -7,472 33,389 23,711 57,200	£ 21,478 37,112 17,893 19,145
		95,628

		57,200

PA Heard Chair

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Dogs First

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Dogs First (the Charity) for the year ended 31 August 2024

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation fo the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts 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 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:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records;

In carrying out my examination I have noted that there are some deficiencies in the manner in which the accounting records have been maintained. I have also noted that the charity is still in the process of implementing some of the key financial controls required for effective running of the charity, including the setting of budgets to effectively control expenditure. The previous independent examiner’s report highlighted the deficiency in accounting records, however, given the previous review was signed off after the curent period closed and the changes in the board of trustees and new treasurer in place, it is expected that the necessary improvements will be undertaken in the coming months.

Signed:

Name: John Alexander Lawson

Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any): FCA member of ICAEW Address: 6 Annfield Road, Cramlington, NE23 3GY

Date:

Dogs First Accounts for the period 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024

Charity Number 1198644

Income & Expenditure Account for 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024

Income & Expenditure Account for 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024
Direct costs £ Donations Veterinary fees 19,935 Adoptions Other supplies 2,016 Fund Raising - general Fund Raising - specific Grants Other costs Vehicle running costs 7,943 Depreciation charge on vehicles 7,472 Promotional Items & Marketing 5,523 Insurance & Tax 3,160 Fund Raising costs 2,847 Storage 2,108 Workwear 888 Office Supplies & Postage 602 52,495 Surplus for the year 43,133 95,628 General Fund Fixed Assets Balance brought forward 14,067 Small Equipment Surplus for the year 43,133 Vehicles Balance carried forward 57,200 Net book value brought forward Additions in year less depreciation charged in year Bank balance 57,200 Expenditure Income Balance Sheet as at 31st August 2024	£ 21,478 37,112 17,893 19,145 95,628 100 1,000 39,861 -7,472 33,389 23,711 57,200	£ 21,478 37,112 17,893 19,145
		95,628

		57,200

PA Heard Chair

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Dogs First

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Dogs First (the Charity) for the year ended 31 August 2024

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation fo the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I 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:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records;

Signed:

Name: John Alexander Lawson

Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any): FCA member of ICAEW Address: 6 Annfield Road, Cramlington, NE23 3GY

Date: