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2025-12-31-accounts

RSPCA STOURBRIDGE AND DISTRICT BRANCH TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2025

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Charity number: 205759 Trustees: Mrs A Bowdley (Secretary) Mrs R Thomas (Treasurer) Ms H Cain Mrs J Jones Mrs V Dodson Ms L Shaffer Principal address: RSPCA Stourbridge & District Branch PO Box 7381 DY9 0WJ Auditors: DSE Accountants 2 Croft Court, Croft Lane, Temple Grafton, Alcester. B49 6PW Bankers: CAF Bank Ltd. 25, Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent. ME19 4JQ

RSPCA STOURBRIDGE AND DISTRICT BRANCH TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2025

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The charity is constituted as Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) . The charity operates as an autonomous branch of the National RSPCA subject to its rules for branches (as updated in 2022). A Committee, elected at the AGM, governs the branches, who are Trustees of the branch. All trustees are briefed on their responsibilities as trustees prior to their acceptance of the role. The trustees hold regular meetings at which decisions are made.

The trustees actively review the risks which the charity faces on a regular basis through regular meetings of the trustees that cover operational and financial reviews. The trustees also examine other operational and business risks which the branch face and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks, which have been identified as:

OBJECTS AND PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT

The RSPCA Stourbridge and District Branch is a CIO and a separately registered branch of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (the Society), carrying out its direct animal welfare work in Stourbridge, Hagley and surrounding areas.

The objectives of the Branch are to promote the work and objectives of the Society - to promote kindness and to prevent or suppress cruelty to animals by all lawful means - with particular reference to the area of the Branch, in accordance with the policies of the Society.

The trustees have reviewed the outcomes and achievements of our objectives and activities for the year, to ensure they remain focused on our charitable aims, and continue to deliver benefits to the public. We have complied with the duty under the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Commission.

ADVANCEMENT OF ANIMAL WELFARE

Under the Charities Act 2011, the advancement of animal welfare is recognised as a distinct statutory charitable purpose. This legislation and the Animal Welfare Act of the same year indicate an acceptance by society that treating living creatures with compassion has a moral benefit for the public as a whole. Whilst this public benefit is clear, it is sometimes difficult to quantify and must be balanced against any detriment.

The Branch’s animal welfare work, although local in nature, benefits society at large, and also aims to help people in need with the care of their animals. The next section of this report highlights the Branch’s main activities and demonstrates the benefit provided to the public. All our charitable activities, as described in more detail in the following pages of this report, focus on promoting kindness and preventing or suppressing cruelty to animals and are undertaken to further these purposes for the public benefit.

CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES PURSUED FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT

We support our local Inspectors by taking in mistreated or abandoned animals. The Society’s Inspectorate (as well as providing education, information and advice) rescues animals in distress and enforces laws against the cruel mistreatment of animals in England and Wales by bringing prosecutions.

RSPCA STOURBRIDGE AND DISTRICT BRANCH TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2025

We provide subsidised veterinary treatment for animals that are sick or injured and belong to local people on low incomes. We do this through liaison with vets.

We provide vouchers for subsidised neutering for companion cats and dogs on a case-by-case basis. This work helps to control cat/dog populations through neutering and benefits those on means tested benefits by giving them financial help to neuter and microchip companion animals, thereby promoting responsible pet ownership.

Animals in our care receive veterinary treatment, vaccination, neutering, micro-chipping and are assessed for rehoming. This work helps to control the incidence and spread of disease and suffering through vaccination and neutering.

We rehome animals in need at low cost to people willing and able to have a companion animal . Our policy to charge a reasonable adoption fee for animals aims to highlight the ongoing personal and financial commitment of pet ownership. It would not be in the best interests of animals, and therefore would fall outside our objectives, to rehome to those who could not afford them .

We take in, where possible, lost animals and take steps to reunite them with owners. This work benefits our local community by preventing animals straying and posing a risk to themselves and to people through road traffic accidents.

We respond to enquiries from the public about animals locally. The public benefits from knowing that we can intervene to assist animals in need.

We offer free animal care advice by telephone, internet or referral to professionals e.g. veterinary surgeons. The public benefits through the promotion of responsible pet ownership .

We provide volunteering opportunities for those who wish to support our work, including trusteeship, fostering and fundraising. This benefits local people and companies by providing the possibility of doing work that is compassionate and rewarding.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

The Stourbridge and District Branch’s animal welfare work during 2025 has included rescuing and rehoming various unwanted animals, advice and financial help with veterinary costs. We have a dedicated group of fosterers who enable us to continue with our vital rehoming work. In 2025 we rehomed 36 cats (45 in 2024).

During 2025 we have continued to work hard at our social media presence. We have seen our followers on Facebook and Instagram sites continue to increase. We also have a YouTube Channel where the public can see videos of animals available for adoption. Through these sites, we continue to create a greater awareness of the branch, giving out regular advice on animal welfare issues, promoting the animals in our care who need homes, advertising lost and found pets and answering lots of messages on animal related issues.

We also continued to run a pet food bank to assist those people on benefits who would otherwise need to surrender their pets. This food bank will run for as long as required and caters for cats, dogs and small furries.

During 2025 we also increased our fundraising activities to include Patreon, a members only platform with volunteers that maintain refreshed content regularly.

Throughout 2025 we continued to use both our local and the main RSPCA website for advertising animals in our care and are still finding that a good source of potential adopters.

We have endeavoured to maintain to our fosterer network – this remains a focus as it is difficult to find good foster homes.

RSPCA STOURBRIDGE AND DISTRICT BRANCH TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2025

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The total incoming resources for the year amounted to £65,030 (2024 £43,645) Expenditure in the year amounted to £89,265 (2024 £93,529) The deficit for the year was £24,235.

Although we have spent more than our income we are lucky enough to have reserves from previous large legacies. These large reserves have meant that we are able to sustain such a loss but need to increase income in the coming years if we are to continue to operate.

RESERVES POLICY

The Branch Trustees regularly monitor financial balances and recognise from time to time they need to cut back on expenditure as necessary until sufficient funds have been raised to supplement these balances. However, we are in the fortunate position that we now have reserves in the bank to cover us for at least the next 2 years. The Branch however are aware that even though they are in a fortunate position currently, they cannot rest on their laurels and must continue to promote awareness of the branch and the work it does, to ensure funding opportunities present themselves again when necessary.

INVESTMENT POLICY

Money not required is deposited in a higher interest building society account with immediate access.

FUTURE PLANS

We intend to continue to make full use of the website and social media to inform local communities about the work the branch carries out, and more importantly, promote the animals we have available for rehoming. Every year we look to make improvements and in 2026 we will continue to look at ways we can improve, including our intention to explore using the Zeffy platform for fundraising more. This appears to be a good way of tracking fundraising activities, with a regular and direct transfer of funds into branch accounts.

During 2026 we will also continue to raise branch awareness and important animal related issues using social media as this continues to be the most engaging, far reaching and cost-effective method of communication. We will continue to explore different fundraising opportunities.

We will continue to support the local community with the pet food bank as long as it is required.

We would still benefit from recruiting a few more fosterers, as this continues to be the limiting factor as to how many animals we’re able to help. Changes in fosterer spaces towards the end of 2025 means that branch no longer pays for any cabin or foster spaces. This will therefore significantly benefit the branch financially in 2026, helping to preserve funds.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the Charity’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the Trustees should follow best practice and:

RSPCA STOURBRIDGE AND DISTRICT BRANCH TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2025

The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy, the financial position of the charity and which will enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with applicable law, regulations and trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Board of Trustees approved this report on 8 June 2026.

Mrs Andrina Bowdley Branch Secretary

A P P R O V A L

RSPCA Stourbridge Branch

Accounts for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

DSE Accountants 2 Croft Court Temple Grafton Alcester

B49 6PW

RSPCA Stourbridge Branch

Contents

----- Start of picture text -----
Officers and advisers 1
Accountants' report 2
Approval of financial information 3
Profit and loss account 4
Balance sheet 5
----- End of picture text -----

RSPCA Stourbridge Branch Officers and Advisers

Proprietor

R Thomas

Accountants DSE Accountants 2 Croft Court Temple Grafton Alcester B49 6PW

Page 1

Accountants' Report to R Thomas on the Preparation of the Unaudited Financial Information of RSPCA Stourbridge Branch

We have prepared for your approval the financial information of RSPCA Stourbridge Branch for the year ended 31 December 2025 which comprises the Profit and Loss Account and the Balance Sheetfrom the entity's accounting records and from information and explanations you have given us.

This report is made solely to you. Our work has been undertaken solely to prepare for your approval the financial information of RSPCA Stourbridge Branch. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than R Thomas for our work or for this report.

You have approved the financial information for the year and have acknowledged your responsibility for it, for the appropriateness of the financial reporting framework adopted and for providing all information and explanations necessary for its compilation.

We have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have given to us and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the financial information.

......................................... DSE Accountants

2 Croft Court Temple Grafton Alcester B49 6PW

14 April 2026

Page 2

RSPCA Stourbridge Branch

Approval of financial information

I approve the financial information which comprises the Profit and Loss Account and the Balance Sheet.

I acknowledge my responsibility for the financial information, and for providing DSE Accountants with all information and explanations necessary for its compilation.

I give my authority for the financial information to be submitted to HM Revenue and Customs.

The financial information was approved by the proprietor on 14 April 2026.

SIGNED SECURELY 19/04/2026 at 4:41:51 PM UTC .........................................

Page 3

RSPCA Stourbridge Branch

Profit and Loss Account for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

Turnover
Donations
Fundraising
Head Office
Facebook
Adoption Fees
Other income
Other Income
Interest Received
Total income
Cost of sales
Cats
Vets Fees
Facilities for Pets
Gross loss
Expenses
Rent
Light, heat and power
Insurance
Printing, postage and stationery
Sundry expenses
Irrecoverable VAT
Mileage Expenses
Accountancy fees
Legal and professional fees
Bank charges
Net loss		 2025
£
£
20,193
456
41,524
-
2,857
65,030
-
6,316
6,316
71,346
15,124
39,643
31,310
(86,077)
(14,731)
-
342
238
789
926
-
286
480
47
80
(3,188)
(17,919)		 2024
£
£
25,159
363
15,961
17
2,145
43,645
108
7,571
7,679
51,324
13,178
38,398
34,400
(85,976)
(34,652)
320
487
822
698
1,806
2,367
322
480
35
216
(7,553)
(42,205)		 2024
£
£
25,159
363
15,961
17
2,145
43,645
108
7,571
7,679
51,324
13,178
38,398
34,400
(85,976)
(34,652)
320
487
822
698
1,806
2,367
322
480
35
216
(7,553)
(42,205)
51,324
(85,976)
(34,652)
(7,553)
(42,205)

Page 4

RSPCA Stourbridge Branch

Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2025

Current assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Net assets
Financed by:
Capital account
As at 1 January 2025
Loss
Current account
As at 1 January 2025		 2025
£
£
237
221,288
221,525
221,525
(42,205)
(17,919)
(60,124)
281,649
281,649
221,525		 2024
£
£
-
239,444
239,444
239,444
-
(42,205)
(42,205)
281,649
281,649
239,444		 2024
£
£
-
239,444
239,444
239,444
-
(42,205)
(42,205)
281,649
281,649
239,444
-
(42,205)
(42,205)
281,649
281,649
239,444

Page 5