2024-12-31-accounts - Royal Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals Essex South And Southend Branch

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Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024

Trustees	Mrs S C Beaumont	(Chairperson)
	Ms. M S G Ward	(Treasurer)
	MsJ Ripton	(Secretary)
	Mrs S I Abrahams
	Mrs B L Goodfellow
	Mrs C AJones
	Mr RJ Moran

*Trustees are appointed or reappointed annually at the AGM

Staff:
Shop Managers	Branch staff
Mrs T Clements	Ms M Summers (Animal Support)
Mrs S Warrington
Mrs C S Cruikshank
Mrs L Tinklin

Registered Address:	RSPCA Essex South, Southend and District Branch
	6 West Street
	Rochford
	Essex
	SS4 1AL
Auditors:	Community 360
	Winsley’s House
	High Street
	Colchester
	Essex
	CO1 1UG

Bankers:
Royal Bank of Scotland	Santander	CAF (Charities Aid Foundation) Bank
13-15 London Road	Bootle	25 Kings Hill Avenue
Southend-on-sea	Merseyside	Kings Hill
Essex SS1 1PR	L30 4GB	West Malling
		Kent ME19 4JQ

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Objects and public benefit statement

The RSPCA Essex South, Southend & District Branch an unincorporated charitable association and a separately registered branch of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (the Society), responsible for carrying out animal welfare work in the districts of Southend, Castle Point, Rochford, the towns of Wickford, Battlesbridge and South Woodham Ferrers (part of).

The trustees hold regular meetings throughout the year at which decisions are made. The day to day running of the shops is delegated to the Shop Managers.

The branch operates within a national network of separately registered organisations that pursue the same objectives and which are known collectively as the Royal Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The objects of the Branch are to promote the work and objects of the Society, namely by all lawful means to prevent cruelty, promote kindness to and alleviate suffering of all animals, with 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 2006 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Commission.

Advancement of animal welfare

Under the Charities Act 2006, 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. 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, is beneficial to the society at large, and 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 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, free of charge, mistreated or abandoned animals, including pets whose owners suffer ill health, financial difficulties or pass away. 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. This is key to ‘the prevention of cruelty’ part of the RSPCA objects, and promotes humane sentiments towards animals which involves moral benefit to humankind.

Within the financial means available to us, we provide vouchers to subsidise veterinary treatment for animals, which are sick or injured and belong to local people on low incomes. We do this through negotiating with local vets, provision of pet food or receiving sign-over of their pet. This work benefits those individuals by giving them financial help to care for their companion animals or relieving them of their need to care for them, as obligated by law.

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We provide subsidised neutering and microchipping of companion animals for those in the Branch area on low incomes. We do this by a voucher scheme or working in joint venture with other animal welfare charities. This work helps to control dog/cat populations through neutering and benefits those on means tested benefits by giving them financial help, thereby promoting responsible pet ownership.

Animals in our care receive veterinary treatment, vaccination, neutering, micro-chipping and are assessed for re-homing. This work helps to control the incidence and spread of disease and suffering through vaccination and neutering. We re-home at low cost, animals in need to people willing and able to have a companion animal. Whilst we recognise that companion animals provide measurable benefits to people’s physical and mental health, we consider the provision of pets as subsidiary to the main charitable aim of this service, which is to reduce animal suffering. Our policy to have a set 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 objects, to re-home to those who could not afford them.

We take in, without charge, lost animals and take steps to reunite them with owners. This work benefits our local community (including local authorities) by preventing animals straying and posing a risk to themselves and to people through road traffic accidents. We respond to enquiries (both direct and via the Society’s national call centre) 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 providing cat and dog information contact telephone numbers on our website. We take in many calls to our “0300” telephone number as well as to our shops, which are also able to help or re-direct. The public benefits through the promotion of responsible pet ownership. Within the terms of our governing document, we support the National Society / other RSPCA branches / local animal welfare charities through collaborating in providing funding for animal welfare events and promotions.

We provide volunteering opportunities for those who wish to support our work, including trusteeship, retail volunteering, fostering, and fundraising. We do not have our own Rehoming Centre, so we are unable to support volunteer interest on more one-to-one with the animals. However, this can still benefit local people and companies by providing the possibility of doing work, which is compassionate and rewarding.

Branch Activities 2024

We experienced another very busy year, with most of our rehoming activities continued to be supervised by our Rehoming coordinator & voluntary elected Trustees working closely with local boarding establishments.

The Branch financial position remained stable, with the Trustees continuing to pursue the prudent financial policies adopted over the previous few years. Wherever possible, the Trustees have sought to get best value for expenditure and negotiate support from other organisations in terms of match funding. We continue to review our operating model to create efficiencies in the way we deliver services. Our expenses for the year totalled £249,109. Income for the year has improved on last year primarily due to legacy income however, we have not expanded our fundraising activities fully. Income totalled £351,495 which was primarily generated through adoption fees, legacies (£185,352), and sales from our shops in the area i.e., Shoeburyness and Rochford. We have allocated funds to specific projects such as increased welfare support and treatment initiatives with some funds ringfenced to support activities to improve our infrastructure.

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The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy, at any time the financial position of the charity. They have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonable open to them to safeguard the assets of the charity and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

We have a small team of employees who are responsible for managing our shops and the day to day rehoming activities. Many roles continue to be managed by a small group of volunteers, thus putting an enormous strain on the current Trustees. We would welcome applications from any members with three months or more membership, especially anyone interested in fundraising to become a Trustee.

The Branch, however still maintained its efforts on behalf of the animals, with fosterers and rehoming trustees/volunteers working steadfastly to meet the increasing workload. Thanks to their efforts, the Branch was able to deal with more than 300 animals either through direct rehoming or welfare assistance. In addition, Food and supplies have been donated to foodbanks via direct donation and Pets at Home VIP scheme. This achievement would not have been possible without the help and support of our boarding establishments, fosterers and veterinary practices.

We still struggle with the general public perception of the structure and responsibilities of the RSPCA. This is both disappointing and frustrating for our local branch as we are a self-funding separate charity which is passionate about the life quality of the animals in our branch area.

Intake and Rehoming activities

CATS : This year we took in 120 cats/kittens . We continued to work closely with Danahar Animal Centre for boarding and rehoming many of our cats and some dogs. A special ‘thank you’ should be given to their staff and volunteers involved in the cat rehoming process who do a remarkable job making sure the cats/kittens go into suitable, permanent homes.

Each year we take in pregnant stray cats and have many kittens born into our care. Cats reach sexual maturity at 4 months old (when they are still kittens); and a female cat can have several litters a year. With this in mind, we continue to focus on our cat neutering, to help reduce the risk of cat overpopulation in our district.

We work closely with a number of local charities to support trap, neuter and release programs as well as supplying food and medical care.

DOGS : It was a busy and challenging year with further increases year on year in the number of dogs needing our assistance. 84 dogs and puppies were brought into the branch in need, we provided veterinary care and rehabilitation, where necessary and eventually finding suitable new homes for them.

Post Covid-19 lockdown, we have seen more behavioural issues due to the lack of training and socialisation as puppies making rehabilitation and rehoming more time intensive.

In addition, we continue to offer welfare assistance to several needy dogs in the area, providing donated food to those in financial crisis, assisting with training and behaviour advice to enable owners to keep their dogs and emergency veterinary treatment where necessary.

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PERMANENT FOSTERING: We support a 20 dogs and cats under permanent foster care agreements, due to behavioural issues or being too elderly or unwell with specific medical needs to enable them to be rehomed.

Rehoming animals in our care

The continued social media presence, mainly the Facebook page, continues to be an excellent platform to reach our target audience for adopters and raising general awareness of the branch. Increasingly, many adopters use ‘Find a Pet’ on the national RSPCA website, where you can search by ‘distance from you’. Out of area adoption is beneficial for our animal rehoming options, although we have found that arranging viewings and subsequent home visits can lengthen and animals stay in comparison with that of a local adopter.

In 2024, we continued to regularly liaise with Press Office at Headquarters to arrange press releases and help promote animals or cases of interest at our branch as well as online events and competitions being organised by headquarters. Additional effort by our branch manager, has led to special fundraising campaigns for individual animals who require significant treatment and long-term support. Our links with local Dog Wardens and other welfare service providers remains strong and continues to help prevent suffering of animals within our district.

As always, we are eternally grateful to our amazing staff and volunteers as, without your continued commitment, we would not be able to help as many animals as we do. Our thanks and acknowledgement also go to our service providers, who always go above and beyond to support us. Working in partnership, we can give animals in our care the second chance they deserve.

The Board of Trustees approved this report on 13 June 2025

Mrs S Beaumont Chairperson RSPCA Essex South, Southend and District Branch

Proposed: R Moran Seconded: J Ripton

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RSPCA ESSEX SOUTH AND SOUTHEND BRANCH Charity registration number 208538 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

RSPCA ESSEX SOUTH AND SOUTHEND BRANCH CONTENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Page Statement of financial activities Balance sheet Notes forming part of the financial statements Independent examination report

RSPCA ESSEX SOUTH AND SOUTHEND BRANCH STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 2024 2024 2024 2024 2023 Notes Incoming resources Incoming resources from generated funds Donations and legacies Charitable activities Activities for generating funds Investment income Total incoming resources 129,377 1,600 54,375 185,352 122,880 153,793 8,620 291,790 3,730 157,523 8,620 351,495 149,063 5,737 277.680 1,600 58,105 Resources expended Cost of generating funds Cost of raising funds Charitable activities 117,655 106,013 223,668 742 100 24,599 24,699 118,497 130,612 249,109 126,755 126,128 252,883 Total resources expended 742 Net movement in funds befor8 transfers 68,122 858 33,406 102,386 24,797 Transfers belween funds {86,919) 280 86,639 Net movement in funds (18,797) 1,138 120,045 102,386 24,797 Total funds brought forward at 1 January 2024 208,246 6,842 106,230 321,318 296,521 Total funds carried forward at 31 December 2024 189,449 7.980 226.275 423,704 321,318 The notes on pages 3 - 7 fomi part of these financial statements

RSPCA ESSEX SOUTH AND SOUTHEND BRANCH BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 2024 2023 Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets 2,936 6,062 Current assets Investments Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 67,000 12,570 360,322 439,892 67,000 8,964 256,214 332,178 Creditors: amounts falling due within one y8ar 19,124 16,922 Net current assets 420,768 315,256 Total assets 423,704 321,318 Funds of the charity Unrestricted funds Designated funds Restricted funds Total funds 10 10 10 189,449 226,275 7,980 423,704 208,246 106,230 6,842 321,318 These financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on and were signed on their behalf by.. M Ward - Treasurer

RSPCA ESSEX SOUTH AND SOUTHEND BRANCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 1. Accounting policies 1.1 Basis of preparation The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement on Recommended Practise applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) (Charities SORP (FRS 102}}, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102} and the Companies Act 2006. 1.2 Cash flow The financial statements do not include a cash flow statement because the charity, as a small reporting entity, is exempt from the requirement to prepare such a statement under Financial Reporting Standard 1 "Cash flow statements" 1.3 Incoming resources Income from donations and grants, including capital grants, is included in incoming resources when these are receivable. When donors specify that donations and grants, including capital grants are for a particular restricted purpose, this income is included in incoming resources of restricted funds when receivable. 1.4 Resources expended and recognition of liabilities All expenditure is incurred on an accruals basis. The majority of costs are directly attributable to the specific Charitable activities. Liabilities are recognised on the accruals basis in accordance with normal accounting principles. Management and administration of the charity represent costs incurred in the management of the Charity's assets, organisational administration and compliance with Charitable and statutory requirements. 1.5 Depreciation Depreciation is provided to write off the cost of fixed assets over their expected useful lives All assets straight line 1.5 Fund accounting Funds held by the Charity are either.. Unrestricted general funds These are funds which can be used in accordance with the Charitable objects at the discretion of the Trustees. Restricted funds These are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the Charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

RSPCA ESSEX SOUTH AND SOUTHEND BRANCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 1.5 Fund accounting continued Designated funds These are funds that the Charity have set aside for a specific purpose. 1.6 Related parties There were no related paty transaction in the financial period. 2. Charitable activities Unrestricted Restricted Designated Total Total Total 2024 2024 2024 Total 2024 Total 2023 Activities for generating funds Shop income Door to door collection Other fundraising events Animal welfare Rehoming Pet insurance Sponsorship 108,263 21,816 973 108,263 21,816 4,703 111,191 23,094 1,482 3,730 20,681 20,681 12,815 421 60 149,063 2,060 153,793 2,060 157,523 3,730 3. Investment income Total 2024 Total 2023 Bond and interest income 8,620 8,620 5,737 5.737 4. Cost of raising funds Unrestricted Restricted Designated Totsl Total Total 2024 2024 2024 Total 2024 Total 2023 Wages Purchases Shop costs Telephone Fundraising costs 82,050 1,767 33,045 321 472 117,655 82,050 2,509 33,045 321 572 118,497 93,163 1,393 30,789 879 531 126,755 742 100 100 742

RSPCA ESSEX SOUTH AND SOUTHEND BRANCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 5. Charrtable activities Unrestricted Restrict8d Designated Total Total Totsl 2024 2024 2024 Total 2024 Total 2023 Postage and stationery Advertising Vet fees Vouchers Temp care Bank charges RSPCA HQ fees RSPCA Care - Danaher Vehicle costs Volunteer costs Accountancy fee Depreciation Hardship Room Hire Other expenses 251 251 362 57 52,377 3,230 19,328 1,349 3,768 33,459 969 742 375 4,279 474 3.000 2,359 126,128 44,246 10,226 11,247 54,472 11,247 17,076 1,367 1,346 36,544 1 ,446 915 375 3,126 17,076 1,367 1,346 36,544 1,446 915 375 3,126 2,447 106,013 2,447 130,612 24,599 No staff member was paid more than £60,000 in the year. The average number of staff employed during the period was 6. 6. Tangible fixed assets Fixtures Computer Motor Equipment Vehicles Totals fittings Cost As at 1 January 2024 Additions As at 31 December 2024 35,155 2,692 5,095 42,942 35,155 2,692 5,095 42,942 Depreciation As at 1 January 2024 Charge for the year As at 31 December 2024 33,497 1,658 35,155 1,345 449 2,038 1,019 3,057 36,880 3,126 40,006 1,794 As at 31 December 2024 898 2,038 2,936 As at 31 December 2023 1,658 3,057 6,062

RSPCA ESSEX SOUTH AND SOUTHEND BRANCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 7. Current asset investment Totsl 2024 Total 2023 Unlisted investments 67,000 67,000 Total 2024 67,000 67,000 Total 2023 8. Debtors other debtors 12,570 12.570 8,964 8,964 9. Creditors: Amounts falling due withln one year Total 2024 Total 2023 Trade creditors Social security costs Other creditors 17,862 277 985 19,124 13,961 1,094 1,867 16,922 At 31112124 10. Funds analysis At 01101124 Incoming resources Outgoing resources Transfers Unrestricted funds 208,246 291,790 223,668 86,919 189,449 Designated funds Designated hardship fund Designed shop hardware Designated fundraising Designated vehicle Designated purdeys cats Designated welfare pec Designated welfare vouche Designated winding up Designated delapidations 14,526 3,403 1,669 2,962 (14,526) (449) (100) (1,019) {901) (9,325) (11,247) 2,954 1,569 2,038 3,399 64,035 85,280 67,000 95 570 69,526 30,000 3,730 3,834 12,152 67,000 684 54,375 (1,658) 24,699 974 106,230 58,105 86,639 226,275 Restricted funds Pip & Peg Cat neutering Wilsonlwoodview Enhance Tai hydro 5,726 996 5,726 996 1,258 1,600 (742) 400 (120} 280 120 6,842 1,600 742 7,980 Total funds 321,318 351.495 249,109 423,704

RSPCA ESSEX SOUTH AND SOUTHEND BRANCH STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 11, Payments to trustees No remuneration was paid to any Trustee or to any person or persons known to be connected with any of them. 12 Going concern These accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis. 13, Comparative Ststement of Financial Activities 2023 2023 2023 2023 Notss Incoming resources Incoming resources from generated funds Donations and legacies Charitable activities Activities for generating funds Investment income 122,880 122,880 149,063 5,737 277,680 149,063 5,737 277,680 Total incoming resources Resources expended Cost of generating funds Raising funds Charitable activities Total resources expended 126,524 105,125 231,649 231 19,667 19,898 126,755 126,128 252,883 1,336 1,336 Net incomingl(outgoing) resources before transfers 46,031 1,336 19,898 24,797 Gross transfers between funds Net incomingl(outgoing) resources before other recognised gainsllosses 46,031 (1,336) {19,898) 24,797 Net movement in funds 46,031 (1,336) 8,178 {19,898) 126,128 24,797 Total funds brought forward at 1 Jan 2023 162,215 296,521 Total funds carried forward at 31 Dec 2023 208.246 6,842 106,230 321,318

RSPCA ESSEX SOUTH AND SOUTHEND BRANCH INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 I report on the accounts of RSPCA Essex South and Southend Branch for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 1 to 7. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The Charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (The Act) but that an independent examination is needed. The charities gross income exceeded £250,000 and l am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of Association of Accounting Technicians. It is my responsibility to: Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and To state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's Statement My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes considerations of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independent examiner's statement In the course of my examination. no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records., or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the form and content of the accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I 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 accounts to be reached. David Courtier FMAA Community360 Winsley's House, High Street, Colchester, Essex QB for and on behalf of: Date 2¥/0é/25

RSPCA ESSEX SOUTH AND SOUTHEND BRANCH Charity registration number 208538 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024