This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

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R S P C A

MEDWAY WEST BRANCH

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of

RSPCA – Medway West Branch

Tuesday 13[th] May 2025 at 6:00pm

At Hartlip Village Hall, The Street, Hartlip, Kent. ME9 7TH

AGENDA

1 Chairman’s Address and Welcome 2 Apologies for Absence 3 Adoption of Minutes of Last AGM 4 Matters Arising 5 Adoption of Branch AGM Report and Accounts 6 Kent Inspectorate Group Report 7 Election of Committee Members 8 Election of Auditors 9 Any Other Business

PLEASE LET THE BRANCH KNOW (when returning the attendance slip) IF YOU CAN SUGGEST ANY ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR THE AGENDA.

Soft drinks and light refreshments will be available together with a selection of RSPCA goods for sale. You are welcome to bring guests but only members will be able to vote and, in order to help us organize refreshments, please complete and return the enclosed attendance slip, which also gives you the opportunity to nominate Committee Members if you wish.

PLEASE NOTE:

It is VITAL that members make every effort to attend the AGM as, if not enough members are present, we will be unable to hold the Meeting and, to comply with - Charity regulations, the AGM will have to be re organized. This means using even more precious funds on administration that we would much rather spend on the animals.

Chairman AGM Report 2024

This year has been a tough one but with the continuation of everyone's hard work and commitment we are moving forward.

At the last AGM we sadly said goodbye to Shellie Hyde the Minutes Secretary, we thank her for all her hard work and wish her well with her future endeavours. Thank you, Jackie Hazelden, for taking on this role and tackling this task this year.

Unfortunately, at the end of 2024 we have had to say goodbye to Tanith, our vet once again, as she takes on her own adventure of setting up her own clinic. While we are re-evaluating our clinic services to the community and animal welfare, we thank the Manor Veterinary Centre who are continuing to support our clients. In September the committee focused on their governance training supported by our Branch Partnership Manager Amanda Rooney. Committee members have embraced the charity toolkit and come together regarding their responsibilities. I would like to thank the committee for their continued hard work and commitment.

November saw an upsetting time in our timeline where the animals were relocated to other Branches. Following a meeting with Jema Harrison the new Field Officer we were informed that some of our procedures needed reviewing. We have taken on board all the action points and are planning a way forward for the Branch.

Moving forward the committee and branch strive for CIO status.

H. Thomas

Honorary Chair

Treasurers/Trustees Report

Treasurers Report

Treasurer’s Report 2024

It’s been an unusual year for the clinic, there have been extra fundraising events that have been added to our usual successful events and the continuing achievements of our shop in Strood.

Our shop in Strood continues to be a great asset. They made £101,739.25 this year! This is an increase of £2,551.48 from the previous year!!!!

Thanks go out to the dedicated team who keep the shop going, and to Dave and Maureen who are very much involved too.

Kevin and Chantal teamed up with shop staff to do fundraising days at the shop. These events were the One Day Fun Day which was to celebrate 200 years of the RSPCA, Chantal applied for free new merchandise with the new branding and carefully chose merchandise that we have been able to sell at each event. This idea continued with a Halloween themed event and a Christmas Grinch’s Grotto. In total these events made an extra £461.05. Well done to everyone who volunteered to help over these events!

We are very grateful for more than one legacy this year, but sad to hear the passing of Jennifer Ann Hillam who kindly left our Branch £200 that was received on 11th December. We were also informed that we will be receiving a very large legacy from June Finch in the region of £78,000.00, but that is likely to be processed at the start of 2025. These legacies will have a huge impact on our future, and we can’t thank these special people and their families enough.

Thanks go to Marc Carr and Sue Smith who have hosted more quiz nights this year for us, it takes a lot of planning to make these evenings a success. The pair held 2 quizzes this year and raised a total of £1762.55.

Our summer open day was great fun and well attended by the public, this year we put on various games as well as the usual Bric ‘n’ Brac and toy stalls. The takings were up on last year’s figures and together we made £1071.74 this year, well done to all, and thanks to the Kent and Medway Cosplay Group who made people smile, they once again helped to attract passersby to come and buy a few bargains. Thanks also to all those who gave up their time to make it such a success.

The Christmas Table that Dave organizes remains very popular with visitors to the clinic and brought in another £232.25 for the Branch.

We truly appreciate it when our supporters take the time to donate while at the clinic or charity shop, any spare change into one of our donation pots soon mounts up, and every penny truly counts!

This year we have targeted social media and created a Saturday Special which encourages donations. Social media has brought us a further £1750.69 in donations. Thus, fundraising has gone to help support the animals in our care and clients that have needed support with their pets.

We have had a difficult ending to this year with the termination of our animal licence and the closing of the clinic.

But I would like to thank everyone for their hard work and support in looking towards next year and moving things forward for animal welfare.

Please remember that if you know of a friend/colleague or even yourself who has a passion for animal welfare we would love to hear from them/you. Maybe they/you would consider joining our committee? For more information, please email trustees@rspcamedway.co.uk

L Warren

Honorary Treasurer

Trustees Report

Organisational Structure

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was founded on the 16[th] June 1824 and granted the “Royal” prefix by Queen Victoria in 1840. The current constitution of the RSPCA was created with the adoption of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1932. The work of the society is governed by the RSPCA Act and by the Rules of the Society. Membership of the Society is by subscription and may be on a life, annual or junior basis.

The Society is managed by an elected Council who, subject to the rules, control the affairs, funds, property and proceedings of the Society. They are assisted in the administration of the Society by a central organisation, headquarters and branches.

The Branch is governed by a committee who are trustees of the Branch. They have individual and collective responsibility for the management of the Branch and its funds. Subject to the overall supervision of the Society, the committee controls and monitors all the fundraising and animal welfare initiatives of the Branch including the work of The Parsons Memorial Clinic and Rehoming centre.

Objectives and public benefit statement

The RSPCA Medway West Branch is an unincorporated charitable association 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 the areas of Chatham, Rochester, Gillingham and the Isle of Grain.

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 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 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 (in italics) . 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

Details of the Medway West Branch activities can be found within the individual Trustees reports.

We support our local Inspector[s] by [ taking in, free of charge, mistreated or abandoned animals, including pets whose owners suffer ill health or 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 work is key to ‘the prevention or suppression of cruelty’ part of the RSPCA objectives and promotes humane sentiments towards animals which involves moral benefit to humankind as a whole.

We provide subsidised veterinary treatment for animals which are sick or injured and belong to local people on low incomes. We do this through our Branch Clinic. This work benefits those on means tested benefits by giving them financial help to obtain care for companion animals in need of veterinary treatment. During 2024 we treated 581 animals.

We provide subsidised neutering and microchipping of companion animals for those in the Branch area on low incomes. We do this through our Branch Clinic. This work helps to control dog/cat 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. 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 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, free of charge, lost animals and take steps to reunite them with owners. This works 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 at our clinic and on our website. 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 and other local animal welfare charities by taking in and rehoming animals from other Branch areas and boarding case animals for the National Society if required.

We provide volunteering opportunities for those who wish to support our work, including trusteeship, fundraising, providing work experience placements for schools, colleges and back to work initiatives. This benefits local people and companies by providing the possibility of doing work which is compassionate and rewarding.

The cost of maintaining the Clinic, providing appropriate levels of care for animals awaiting rehoming and undertaking pro-active animal welfare in the local community meant that the Branch spent £164,323.00 during the year.

The Branch funded this activity from incoming resources of £159,620.00 this included over the counter income from the clinic itself, adoption donations, fund raising, legacies and interest.

Risk Analysis

The Branch has carried out a review to identify major risks and has taken steps to mitigate them. (Original copies of the Risk Management Policies and Reserves may be viewed at The Parsons Memorial Clinic) The major risks identified are:

Loss of reputation through error or fraud.
Loss of income through error or fraud.
Insufficient trustees for the Branch to continue.
Insufficient volunteers for fundraising and animal care activities.
Insufficient funds to cover the costs of the clinic and other animal welfare activities.

It is the opinion of the Trustees that the Branch’s policies, procedures and controls are adequate to mitigate financial and reputation loss through error or fraud to maintain the future financial viability of the Branch. Steps are to be taken to address the issues of the recruitment of further trustees and volunteers.

Reserves Policy

The Branch holds reserves in order that levels of service provided for animal welfare may be maintained should there be a reduction in incoming resources. The Branch has designated funds of £37,000 for shop and clinic repairs, computer upgrades and for our welfare and veterinary assistance.

Reserves in this context mean funds that are freely available for the Branch’s general purposes after all commitments have been met.

The Branch has unrestricted reserves of £212,603.00.

Such reserves represent approximately 16 months expenditure based on gross expenditure, minus funds spent on repairs and upgrading.

It is the opinion of the Trustees that the existing reserves are sufficient to meet any reduction in incoming resources.

Investment Policy

As of 31[st] December 2024 the Branch investment policy was:

That the higher rate account balances should not fall below the reserves level. That current account balances should not fall below £35,000.00 (£30,000 for the Branch account and £5,000.00 for the clinic account)

The Trustees recognise that this policy should be reviewed on an annual basis following the publication of the audited annual accounts for the previous year.

Statement of Trustees Responsibilities

Under the Charities Act 1993, the Trustees are required to prepare a statement of accounts for each financial year which gives a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Medway West Branch at the end of the year and of its incoming resources and the application of such resources during the year. In preparing the statement, the Trustees are required to:

Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently.
Make judgements and estimates that are prudent and reasonable.
State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the statement of accounts.
Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue its operations.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity at that time and enable the Trustees to ensure that any statement of account prepared by them complies with the regulation under section 42(1) of the Charities Act 1993.

The Trustees are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and for taking reasonable steps for prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Signed on behalf of The Medway West Branch

Hon. Chairman Helen Thomas

Hon. Treasurer Lois Warren

Date: 8/4/24

Clinic Annual Report for 2024

During 2024, 581 owned animals were treated at the clinic (379 dogs, 182 cats, 15 rabbits and 5 miscellaneous)

178 animals were referred to The Manor Veterinary Centre for emergency treatments, operations, dentals, x- rays and blood tests (120 dogs, 54 cats and 4 miscellaneous)

The Branch also provided financial assistance for 8 cats and 2 rabbits to be treated at the request of the Inspectorate.

2 dogs, 57 cats and 33 rabbits were identichipped and 8 dogs, 14 cats, 25 rabbits and 1 guinea pig were neutered.

In February this year The Manor Veterinary Centre informed us they could no longer supply us with a vet for our weekly clinics as due to the shortage of vets nationally they were struggling to cover both their own practice and our clinic, but they would still continue to see our clients at a discounted rate. Even at a discounted rate many of our clients faced huge increases especially on monthly repeat prescriptions for heart, liver and kidney diseases so we desperately needed to find a vet. Thankfully our much-loved vet Tanith Wells who left both us and The Manor Veterinary Centre in 2023 came to the rescue and offered to cover our weekly clinics. This was a great relief for all concerned and we cannot thank her enough for her support.

However, at the end of the year the decision was made to temporarily suspend the weekly clinics. The temporary closure meant that the Branch would be able to upgrade the facilities and services we could offer to the community and ensure that all changes complied with current legislation. Through this transition period clients will still be able to access discounted veterinary services in conjunction with The Manor Veterinary Centre and also through the Branch Welfare assistance scheme where applicable.

As in previous years we have continued to run our pet food bank to help the general public and the Inspectorate.

Our assistant Manager Kevin Morton successfully completed a Health and Safety Course and a PAT testing course this year and is currently studying towards a SQP certificate.

Our Admin assistant Chantal Morton has as always worked extremely hard in keeping the website, Facebook and Instagram pages up to date, alongside her day-to-day admin. duties and covering reception. Chantal has been with us since 1998 first as a voluntary animal care assistant and then since 2002 as our Admin assistant, and we are greatly indebted to her for her outstanding contribution to the Branch.

Chantal is supported on reception by Kevin Morton, Dave Downard and Jill Watts who all contribute greatly to the smooth running of the Branch and clinic, a truly wonderful team.

Thanks also go to our Chairperson Helen Thomas for promoting our Saturday Specials.

Finally, I would like to thank all our committee members (trustees), our Branch Partnership Manager Amanda Rooney, our amazing Inspectorate team led by Chief Inspector Nick Wheelhouse and to all our members and supporters who help us in so many ways.

Michele Carr

Branch, Clinic and Animal Centre Manager

Rehoming Annual Report for 2024

During 2024 the Branch admitted 88 domestic animals (2 dogs, 21 cats, 31 rabbits and 34 miscellaneous) The miscellaneous comprised of guinea pigs, hamsters, 2 racing pigeons, 1 cockatiel and a bearded dragon.

1 rabbit was returned to the centre, and 3 kittens were born in care.

We rehomed 78 animals (1 dog, 7 cats, 32 rabbits and 38 miscellaneous)

Sadly 1 rabbit and 7 miscellaneous died, and 1 cat and 1 rabbit euthanised on veterinary advice.

I dog and 1 miscellaneous were transferred to other non- RSPCA establishments and 17 cats, 14 rabbits and 7 guinea pigs transferred to other RSPCA accommodation.

At the beginning of November all remaining animals on site which were the 14 rabbits, and 7 guinea pigs mentioned above were moved to other RSPCA centres to enable the Branch to upgrade the existing animal accommodation and clear the site for essential tree and other general maintenance.

During the year the animals have been cared for by our permanent team of volunteers Brenda Coveney, Sandy Smart, Nic Banham, Suzy Bale, Jake Morton, and Katie Attwood assisted by students on animal management course placements from various colleges and the occasional members of public who kindly donate a few hours of their spare time. To all of the above we are extremely grateful for their time and dedication.

Our thanks also go to Dave Coveney and Kevin Morton for keeping us supplied with shavings, hay, straw and readigrass.

Although Dave and Maureen Downard only foster birds for us occasionally now they have continued to help with fundraising activities by sorting donated goods from home which are then either sent to our charity shop or stored for events like our Tabletop Sale with unwanted and unopened gifts being put aside for our raffle prizes and our Christmas Table. Maureen also donates a lot of time and effort baking a huge selection of cakes for our cake stalls which always go down well.

We are extremely grateful for all their hard work as the funds they help to generate go towards the care and veterinary treatment for the animals in care. Continuing to raise funds is a huge priority especially as veterinary costs are at an all-time high. With the discounts given by our veterinary partners including Fern Cottage Vets this enables us to get all our rabbits neutered before rehoming and we can make sure that all monies raised are put to good purpose.

Michele Carr

Branch, Clinic and Animal Centre Manager

Wildlife Annual Report for 2024

During 2024 the Branch admitted 49 Wildlife casualties comprising of blackbirds, woodpigeons, feral pigeons, collared doves, starlings, swifts, robins, magpies, thrushes, gulls, crows, sparrows, 1 goldfinch, 1 fox and wild mice.

37 were treated and successfully released and 3 transferred to other wildlife establishments.

Sadly 9 died due to illness or the result of their injuries and 2 put to sleep on veterinary advice.

Charity Shop Annual Report for 2024

Our charity shop in Strood once again managed to increase their takings from the previous year thanks to Emma, Wendy, Jan, Paula, Amy, Tina, Laura, Nick, Jo, Deborah and Michelle and their numerous supporters.

The Branch is extremely grateful to all of them for their hard work and dedication.

Although the shop was opened not only to provide funds for the animals in our care but also to benefit the local community, sadly some certain individuals do not share our vision, at the beginning of the year there was an attempted break in at the rear of the shop and then a few weeks later the large shop front window was deliberately smashed with a brick. With the Kent Messenger covering the story coupled with an appeal online our wonderful supporters donated enough to cover the huge cost of a new window.

Along with the popular half price sales throughout the year the shop also held a Halloween event in October and a Christmas event in December where the Grinch paid us a visit, all a lot of fun.

We would like to thank our regular customers and donors for their continuing support and to anyone who has not had a chance to visit us yet please pop in and grab a bargain.

Michele Carr

Branch, Clinic, and Animal Centre Manager

Kent Annual Branch Report

Branch Report 2024 - Inspectorate Group Kent

Chief Inspector Nick Wheelhouse 12709 Deputy Chief Inspector Tina Nash 10608 ARO Wayne Baker 18586 ARO May Bell 18856 ARO Brian Milligan 11516 ARO Georgia Shelton 18860 ARO Adam Tasker 17473 ARO Poppy Turk 18583 ARO Becca Wilkie 18857 Inspector Clive Hopwood 16768 Inspector Kirsten Ormerod 16741 Inspector Rosie Russon 723 Inspector Deborah Rutherford 15892

Welcome to the 2024 Kent Group annual branch report.

A few team changes in 2024 we said goodbye to three officers: Inspector Grace HarrisBridge, who left to retrain as a veterinary surgeon and Inspector Dave Grant and ARO Lynn White who have both retired from the Society. We thank them for their hard work in 2024 and wish them our best! Rosie Russon continued her secondment within the Wilbefore team in 2024, providing vital training packages and face to face training for officers on the changes to the Wilberforce system and has since returned to the group at the beginning of 2025. We also saw the start of the recruitment of three new AROs to the Kent group, who completed their training during Spring and Summer and fully joined the group at the end of 2024, welcoming AROs Wayne Baker, Adam Tasker and Poppy Turk to the group, who have all hit the ground running. We also welcomed three more new AROs, whose training started in November 2024, to the group - AROs May Bell, Georgia Shelton and Becca Wilkie who are currently completing their training and will be fully up and running just in time for Summer 2025.

As always, the start of the year 2024 gave us the opportunity to catch up on essential Health & Safety and mandatory training to prepare us for the year ahead and officers setting their own priorities for the year, including equine training, small animal care and completing developmental courses.

The cost of living crisis still is ever so present in the area. The food banks are continually being used and we have brought more pet food to pet owners in the area who have fallen on difficult times. We have been able to utilise various funds from branches and the Regional Inspectorate Welfare Fund. This has been able to help many people over the years which has been greatly appreciated by most we have helped. But the main thing it has helped the lives of the pets they had and improved their lives as well as the owners.

Unfortunately whilst seeing an increase in support for owned pets and providing support through vouchers and foodbanks etc we still saw case investigations maintaining numbers into 2024, with some cases coming from neighbouring groups, which we have continued to support. Dealing with case investigations is not an easy part of the job faced by the Inspectorate and the decision to progress to a case investigation is not something that is taken lightly. Officers will always do what they can to keep an animal in situ and support the owners to make improvements, particularly with the cost of living crisis continuing, however the increase in cases has shown that, although the cost of living is affecting more and more pet owners in the community, there is still an increase in serious cases of neglect and cruelty.

Throughout the year avian influenza kept a tight hold on both wild and domestic bird populations and the group had many calls for ill and stricken birds, particularly swans / geese and seabirds which fall into the highest risk category. We were particularly saddened to see first hand the way the disease decimated the wild gannet population along the coast in Kent. Although the group is glad that they do carry the means to end suffering humanely - it still takes its toll when dealing with and seeing such vast numbers of suffering wildlife - and for their extra hard work and professionalism dealing with this disease, I am grateful. As we progressed towards the end of 2024 this eased, with Mallydams Wildlife centre continuing to increase their intake of wildlife.

Without the support of the Regional Board and Branch networks, we would simply not be as effective in rescuing animals in all sorts of predicaments. The field officers are under significant pressure and your continued patience and support is very much appreciated. Your work in supporting members of the public with funding, helping rehome unwanted animals, and caring for the sick and traumatised is to be commended. It can be a thankless task but I can assure you my team and I fully appreciate the hard work you and your teams put in.

In Kent we helped rescue, collect and rehabilitate thousands more animals from situations that would have resulted in severe injury and suffering. Within the Kent group you have officers who specialise in wildlife and care, specialist flood rescue, Inland boat rescue, and equine rescue to name but a few.

Our thanks goes out to our team of Animal Rescue Volunteers, who continue to provide support to the Inspectorate Group, Branch Network and Animal Centres. They will often travel huge distances to move animals to new homes or other centres. Their work is

invaluable in supporting the Inspectorate group, allowing officers time to continue to work on incidents of cruelty and neglect and allowing us to respond quicker to these calls.

We wish to offer our thanks to Kent Police for their invaluable assistance in exercising their powers of entry, search, seizure and occasionally arrest of people who mistreat their animals. Our thanks also goes to Kent Fire and Rescue Service for the many occasions that they have helped with rescues of animals that have got themselves trapped or in difficulty and we have needed their equipment and manpower to resolve the situation.

Of course we have not forgotten the RSPCA animal centres that take in our animals, care for them and eventually rehome them. Our sincere thanks to the Branch catteries and kennels that board, care for and rehome our animals, usually at very short notice and at the most inconvenient times, and to the experts who care for our sick and injured wildlife until they have been rehabilitated and are able to be released back into the wild.

We are also supported by Veterinary Practices from all across Kent. The support they provide helps us bring justice for animals, and support for the sick & injured. We work with other charities such as World Horse Welfare, The British Horse Society, Folly Wildlife Hospital and numerous more. We are most grateful to them all.

Finally, on behalf of everyone in the Kent group, a big thank you to all of the Branches, members and volunteers for making us feel so welcome at your meetings and for all the difficult and invaluable work you have done throughout 2024. Without you dedicating your time and efforts we would not be able to achieve all that we do.

Here are some of the many jobs we dealt with in 2024 in your branch areas...

Ashford, Tenterden and District

Deputy Chief Inspector Tina Nash successfully resolved a multi-cat household in New Romney where over 30 cats were removed with the majority being rehomed via RSPCA Ashford. Some of the cats were extremely nervous but here is one of them successfully settling into their new home.

Inspector Dave Grant came to the rescue of this beautiful male Devon Rex cat who was signed over after being found in an unsuitable environment. He was cared for by RSPCA Ashford and was affectionately named ‘Dave’.

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Canterbury and District
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Animal Rescue Officer Adam Tasker rescued this juvenile gannet who was found injured in Dover Docks. Once caught he was found to have abrasions to his wing so may have crash landed in recent storms. Adam transferred the gannet to RSPCA Mallydams for further assessment and treatment.

Inspector Deb Rutherford attended a field in Canterbury late in the evening to rescue a sheep caught up in brambles. Thankfully the sheep was unharmed and the farmer notified and the sheep was checked over the following morning.

Isle of Thanet

Inspector Deb Rutherford went to the abandoned Subway building in Ramsgate High Street and successfully released around 20 pigeons unharmed from the building!

Inspector Kirsten Ormerod and Animal Rescue Officer Adam Tasker rescued 21 pigeons from the same location in Broadstairs where sadly a house clearance disturbed a number of nests. The pigeons of various sizes and ages all appeared unharmed. They were all transferred to RSPCA Mallydams for further care until old enough to be released.

Medway West

Inspector Kirsten Ormerod attended a property in Gillingham for reports of a collapsed cat. On arrival she met ‘Mougins’ who was clearly an elderly boy who had seemingly lost his way and moved into a member of the public's garden after going on an adventure across 2 very busy main roads.. Thanks to his microchip he was successfully reunited with his thankful owner who advised Kirsten he had been missing for 4 days and they were starting to fear the worst.

Deputy Chief Inspector Tina Nash attended a property in Gillingham where 2 foxes were found in a flat having fallen through skylights and then they couldn't get back out. Tina managed to catch both feisty foxes, gave them both a good check over and they were thankfully re-released in a park nearby unharmed

Kent North West

Inspector Kirsten Ormerod rescued 2 german shepherds and a cat from a property in Gravesend where sadly their owner had moved out and left them behind. The dogs named Sheba and Keira who are mother and daughter were especially terrified and in poor condition and had clearly not been outside or on a lead in a long time. They were initially taken to a private boarding establishment for veterinary care and TLC. They are an extremely bonded pair and it became clear they needed to stay together.

Thanks to RSPCA Kent North West Branch the decision was made to sign them over to the breed specific charity German Shepherd Rescue Elite where they went straight into foster care. A special thank you goes to the branch for supporting Kirsten with this. The first 2 photos were the day they were rescued and the 2nd is a much happier and healthier pair now!

Folkestone and District

Inspector Kirsten Ormerod responded to reports of a small oil spill on the south coast in Folkestone. Kirsten managed to rescue 3 guillemots who were lethargic and covered in oil. They were transferred to RSPCA Mallydams. A further 2 more were rescued in Broadstairs and also transferred to RSPCA Mallydams.

Inspector Clive Hopwood responded to reports of a gull caught on netting on a flat roof section of a townhouse. Fire and Rescue cut it out and brought it down. A quick check over and rest of netting removed and the gull was happily released nearby unharmed.

Kent West, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge

Animal Rescue Officer Adam Tasker investigated reports of a cockerel being abandoned in an overturned supermarket container in a field next to the A21 in Tonbridge. After making enquiries Adam was able to rescue him and transfer him to a private boarding facility into much more appropriate accommodation! He has now been named Hovis and since been rehomed.

Inspector Kirsten Ormerod collected this fledgling jackdaw that she found in a cage in a member of the public's front room in Tonbridge surrounded by dogs and cats. She was advised that a member of the public rescued it a week ago and was attempting to rehab it herself. Kirsten took it to Folly Wildlife who said it was extremely skinny but would hopefully make a full recovery.

Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone

Animal Rescue Officer Adam Tasker rescued poor 7 month old Lola the cat who Adam found living in filthy conditions in a dog crate in a dark room in Tunbridge Wells. Thankfully Lola was signed over to Adam immediately and removed from the property and taken in by Maidstone Branch to find a new, loving home.

Inspector Kirsten Ormerod investigated reports of 6 hamsters (mixture of male and female) that were approximately 8-10 weeks old found in a cardboard box at a bus stop on South Park Road in Maidstone. They were brought in to RSPCA Leybourne. Although understandably stressed they were physically ok but the females were pregnant and babies soon arrived. They have now all been successfully rehomed.

RSPCAOMEDWAY WEST BRANCTr UPCOMING EVENTS Bingo night- June TBC-- th Table Top- 9 August Quiz October- TBC.. Halloween event- TBC Christmas event- TBC . Christmas table- early llov- Late Dec. ??* Please keep an eye on our social media channels for dates and further information. www.Instagram.comlrspGamedway

RSPCA – MEDWAY WEST BRANCH

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

2024-2025

Elected at AGM held on 14[th] May 2024 (In alphabetical order)

Ms Taryn Chambers 109 Patrixbourne Avenue, Gillingham, ME8 6TY

Mrs Brenda Coveney 6 Juniper Close, Chatham, ME5 0NX

Mr Dave Downard (Hon. Vice Chairman) 26 The Ridgeway, Chatham. ME4 6PD

Mrs Maureen Downard 26 The Ridgeway, Chatham. ME4 6PD

Mrs Jackie Hazelden 60 Harptree Drive, Chatham, ME5 0TF

Mrs Helen Thomas (Hon. Chairman) Greenborough House, Warren Lane, Hartlip. ME9 7XL

Mrs Lois Warren (Hon. Treasurer) 260 Walderslade Road, Chatham. ME5 0PA

STAFF MEMBERS

Ms Michele Carr (Branch, Clinic and Animal Centre Manager)

Mr Kevin Morton (Assistant Manager)

Mrs Chantal Morton (Branch and Clinic General Administrative Assistant)

Mrs Emma Smith (Shop Manager)

Mrs Wendy Medhurst (Shop Assistant)

FIliAI%LIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE ) EAR EliDED31 DECEMBER 2024 FOR RSPC"A KEi%T- IIEDWAI. WE¥r CHARITI, T*0: 209192

RSPCA l¥EiYt- MEDII'AI. W'E INDE.X TOTHE FINANCIAL sTATEhIEs FOR THE I'EAR EliDED31 DECEMBER 2024 Pgt Indeptndtnt Ex•miner's Report St¥temeni of Flnntixl Artivilies B•l•net Shtet Notes to the Aceoun¢s

I)DEPE%DF.NT EI.4%II%F.R'S RF.PORT TOTHE TRI'STELS OF RSPC"4 KTr.N"I"_ IIFDII'41 II"EST BRAP4CH We report on the Accounis of Ihe TTUSt i%ledwa)' West Bmchl for the >ear ended 31" December 2024. which dre sdouionpa8ts2to 11. ctive Res nsibilitie5 of Trustees Ind Exminer The chari¢)'s irusiees are ffSlM)nsible for ihe pr¢paraiion of ihe account5. The chariry's trustees coThsider that an audkt is noi required this )ear under section 144 1?) of ihe Chariiies Acl ?01 I ith¢ Charilie5 A¢ii and Ihat independent examirwtion is needed. li is our re5w>nsibilii) io.. exarnine the 8¢wun15 under seoion 145 of the ?01 l act- follom the pr(edur¢s laid down in ihe Generdl Direrfions givtn b). Ihe Chwity Commission under section 14515Xbl of the Chariiies Act and io sthie wheiher particular rnatte hav¢ corne to our attention. ndent Ei mintr'5 Re Our examination was carried out in ac¢ordance with ihe g¢nerdl Directions given bj the Ch8rilN Commissioners. An ¢xamination includes a review ofihe aecounting records kept b) the ¢harii}' and a comparison of the accoynts preqenied with ihose records. li a150 includes wnsidei0¢) of aThy unusual iiems or disclosures in the aceounis. Thd setkinb> explanalion5 from you as iwsiees ¢on¢¢rnin8 any such maneTS. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evid¢nce thai would b¢ requir in an audit. and cons¢qv¢nil>' no opinion is given a5 wh¢th¢r the acwunts preseni 8'1rue and fair view. albd ihe repon is limited io ihose matter5 sd out in ihe staiemeni below. In conneciion with our examinalion. no matter come to our aneDiion-. whbch 8ives us reasonable ¢wse 10 believe that in any material respeci. the requirements: keep a¢couniin8 records in ac¢ordance wilh sttiion 110 of ihe Chariiies Acl: and io prepart accounts whieh xcord wilh the a¢counlin8 records and u>mply with Ihe accounting requirement5 of the Ch8riii¢s Act have noi been met. or to whieh. in our opinion. ¥ttention should be drawn in othr enable a proper und¢rstandin8 of the nts to bt reached. Signed .. Thomp50n Elphic Chartered Certified Accountsnts. The Corner House. 2 High Sireel. Aylesford. Kent ME20 7BG Date 4 April 2025.. Pa8e I

RSPC.4 kE%T_ %lodfA•i Mt5t For tbt iYreDdtd Jlsi Dtt¢•lYr 2024 3111?n024 J111212023 P•oles l #rtstli¢l¢d d5 I nmtricttd JTh¢iim¢ thd fro tnl0S wjd 33.520 Ch8ri18blt &liviiits 21208 23.091 'rradin8 aciiviiies 103.485 102.01 Investmcnt inLX>m¢ 709 (hb¢r inu)m¢ 438 494 Toiil 106.q26 RaisinB lunds 44.329 41.5(K> Chfjritsble BL%iViIS 119.rp)4 113.228 {4.7•31 11.792 3fA.Y39 353.147 T¢bil fvndj trrltd forwTd 3fy1.9J9

Blthr¢ Shttl 45 at 31 Dt¢embtr 2024 31112n024 JJ112Q023 l tymtricttd l thvrslrbcttd Fixtd l.'urr¢nt •wfs 5.76B &731 l)L'bi(>TS C'llsh QE bank and in hBnd 24Y.&13 26L412 260.541) 271J82 C-r¢diTor5: amounts f11@ iihin onL' )'ear io 4.676 4.928 et ('urr¢Trl,Isse 263x16 364.939 Fl,'Tr4Tr% 0Tr' I'llTr. C-H..IRIn' Llnre%tri¢l¢d In¢ funds 361L236 364.939 Tolil ,939 Appn)w¢d b> Ihe trustt5 5i8Kd theirbehdfb).: Mr5 11 TIKKn Ichawl 4 Awl 2025 D¢ PèJe 3

IL8P(-,I KFNT- M'rsl ot¢5 lo iht 4tto¥ats ortkt )¢•r¢wd¢d 31$1 Dt¢emlKr 2•24 Biiij o(prerItIti Bisij o(prtpArtiti• •d Messillet oftoillz ro•r¢ ThLX a¥Liiunis h&%¢ prLyaF¢d under hislL)rii71 comewion With itenE rffj)8DiStd ai cost or ¢rnnSaCtTh iajue ttnless b¢ri¥ 5TM¢d m the le5.• Mtasltotlse The a¢collnis haie w¢I¢d in Miib". th¢ of R¢wm0d¢0 .11¢¢". rlcrounEmg4Trd Rwrtln8 h. C'hlrliK pr¢twJng thtif a¢Ol i drda(C Mith thr Rrynin8 Stanthrd alL1¢ IIK •]Ml lil trTiir haie IK¢n Kkmifxd ITh th¢ 47 FR% 102 %()RPI P4

RSP(.4 KET. Iltd) Ilttl F•tIbtytrrwdJJSE Dftrnbvr J•24 Ret•1tho(lVJr•p n ISWpCrtlikeb Mtst¢t4AI IN¢llr(I1Wen1¢tl5 IOID 5 12FRSIOJ SIXiPI 14•d Twx Gifi.4idrnKuv4I& IsiN1M isa i tilts Dcthied Nrr rt%ryn le. dre&lniI.1T4Xnt th¢ rwyEd 1¢) $tih£ Donal '*IIM•t¢er dTr

Fvthtyttrt•dtd31x Druwbrr1•24 E¥pNthr¢•lld lknblwlks Lknbllhy rffoi•51 ProbW•wi14rll•bll4kb 11.17* 11 19. FAsin?50Rr proFr¢

R%IY'.4 KENT- Il¢&•y II'NT For tht ytAre•ded 31$1 DttthbErl•Z4 Alll)si50f ill¢owt 31112a024 31112llOLI l •rtsiri¢itd r¥Thd$ I"ttrtSlrlrted 33.520 37.653 Gift Aid 2.498 tity1 rrfovmkd h gMenwThuhtrcharrt5 Membership 8j 9XMsps In lknoted 8. fa¢ilitKJhl s¢rY¢s 33 520 17.308 Rerrt itteiv Sak of8or# I club 103.485 102.U80 103 4B5 lieomt Irtrm IhwMIwiJ.. Irrtu¢ 7ng ()ihtr.' 438 494 431 4Y TC)T,11. INI'()IITr. 1%9 620

SPC.4 KFNT- M't ot¢5 lo ib¢ 4¢¢oM•is Fot Ihc >tAr cwdtd 31 Dtetmbtr2•24 31111ll•34 31112n023 I wr¢Mriritd xpert41I1wr¢ ow 18.361 I)JKTJi)n@ m¢mFrtT4hip%hemes•bd stsgJtyB funthising even 12J(K) AdThmi%inB. Tk¢ll8. dirett mil a1 pUNlty (Xh¢r irlinB ¥li¥il 567 1.846 10.IfrA 9.196 44.329 RSP('A HQ Vo¢riww u15 iw.Iti¢hipJ & C'linic (*ov¢rwK¢ 10.076 15.653 9426% 13.192 8.1.184 TQTAI. Tr.IPI'NDITI"RI. 164J23 Page 8

ILSPCA kFNT_ M¢dwi Mest For Ihe itr endtd 3151 Dtttmber 2124 Dttaib of certain ittrns of td[lTt .1 Trfe5 lor eximiiiiioTr o(tbt 31112r2024 J1112nozJ 1ndtp¢ttel eimlntr's ftes ()thtr ItRI & PnTrfeAsiiittl ftes yld i• ibt Indtpttydtt 1.775 3.105 3.188 Pld tthploytes 6.1 Staff ('ogts 31112Q124 31111ry023 XY.078 80.305 Sorll 5tturli) Total tojb ¢mph)ytes rrttli'td ¢•bl1¢¢ Iticl¥dlAi t•pkniYr for ibt rillI wtlod than £éOJKl 62 J1112n024 31112Q023 Thi prtx of tht ¢hrlt> In Wlhkh Iht tNploytN ork (arItabl¢ Ariii'ld Totsl TDilble flxrd l-OAbP¥ttr lfftd & rqulpmelll 1st JiTrur) 2024 A¢Miiion5 Re%a1mI0n5 Di%rM)%al 311 n¢¢tMbtr 2024 16¥1.172 9.083 9.041 11.7hY 9.1)41 IW.1164 7.2 1)tpreci•ilibn Imp*lrmrtyii lil JITh1+ 2024 71J07 9.042 8.659 11.672 l(K).580 iSPisB15 IkwrLLiaiion 31st Dtctrnber 2024 1.959 22 2.088 73.166 9.081 8.7$4 11.6 102.66% 7J %el l)ou& ¢1 IM)n&" at Isl J4Nuar4 2024 97.965 41 382 97 98.485 bDDk i•lut at 31st Dertrnbtr 2024 %7 7$ Yh.4nii Page 9

or lh¢ i"¢ir r4dtd JIM Dt¢tmbtr 2•24 Sio¢ks .4wl)5i8 o(Itotky h¢ J111212024 3111212011 SJ67 6.046 68$ 6.731 DtblorJ •id J111212024 31112120ZJ I rldt dthtts ¥.679 2,414 979 2.174 lJ33 40tt 10 I rtdlton and Atcr¥li Aolly offr¢dltor4 3111212024 J1112Q023 Arrruilj •d dtfrrt4 l¥¢mf 2.991 1.937 1070 4.b76 4.928 P'otr 11 C4Jh il •d h 3111212•24 31112QO2J Short ttrm de1t C lyh •t bink oo h•id 49.955 199.649 48.98$ 249.5 260.540 Pae 10

Fwtht }trtDdtd Jlst DEtethlYr 21 Chrh)' 12.1 Ikth115 of malert held d d¥rytht C'l'RRL%T rtptrrtkns ljpt P¥rpwA•d J•wwr) 21ll4 G¢neml wrpD3e uThft5trd fwml Nla 364939 159fi 1164.3231 3(4>2J6 Tothl F¥wdb 34 I Ib4 3I1Tr 3(41 736 11.2 ofTh•itrknl f¥Ads hehl and Ik PREI'IDI'% rry•nlAi perlod PIrP •N Ty l•¢o•r Tr••ife b14r JI l)ettmh4r 202J JUrV 20LI (kmrnl purrth¢ rd UnrtMvthJ rthj 333.147 166.526 1154.734 364.939 P•3e11

FIliAI%LIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE ) EAR EliDED31 DECEMBER 2024 FOR RSPC"A KEi%T- IIEDWAI. WE¥r CHARITI, T*0: 209192

Fvthtyttrt•dtd31x Druwbrr1•24 E¥pNthr¢•lld lknblwlks Lknbllhy rffoi•51 ProbW•wi14rll•bll4kb 11.17* 11 19. FAsin?50Rr proFr¢

2024-12-31-accounts

R S P C A

MEDWAY WEST BRANCH

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Tuesday 13[th] May 2025 at 6:00pm

AGENDA

PLEASE LET THE BRANCH KNOW (when returning the attendance slip) IF YOU CAN SUGGEST ANY ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR THE AGENDA.

PLEASE NOTE:

Treasurers/Trustees Report

Treasurers Report

Treasurer’s Report 2024

Trustees Report

Organisational Structure

Objectives and public benefit statement

Advancement of animal welfare

Charitable activities pursued for the public benefit

Risk Analysis

Reserves Policy

Investment Policy

Statement of Trustees Responsibilities

Wildlife Annual Report for 2024

Charity Shop Annual Report for 2024

Kent Annual Branch Report

Branch Report 2024 - Inspectorate Group Kent

Welcome to the 2024 Kent Group annual branch report.

Ashford, Tenterden and District

Isle of Thanet

Kent North West

Folkestone and District

Kent West, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge

Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone

RSPCA – MEDWAY WEST BRANCH

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

2024-2025

STAFF MEMBERS