## **DESTITUTE ANIMALS SHELTER**
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**31 DECEMBER 2024 Registered Charity No: 222935**
**BARLOW ANDREWS LLP CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS**
**DESTITUTE ANIMALS SHELTER**
## **CONTENTS**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees’ Report|**1 - 4**|
|Independent Examiner’s Report|**5**|
|Statement of Financial Activities|**6**|
|Balance Sheet|**7**|
|Notes to the Accounts|**8 - 14**|
**DESTITUTE ANIMALS SHELTER**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT**
## **Officers and professional advisors**
|**Charity number**|222935|
|---|---|
|**Charity address**|1 Northolt Drive|
||Bolton|
||BL3 6NJ|
|**Trustees**|James Bancroft|
||John G Durham (Chairman)|
||Fiona Farnworth|
||D. Michael Morgan|
||Alan G Smith (Treasurer)|
||Eleanor Smith|
|**Independent examiner**|David A Kay, FCA|
||Barlow Andrews LLP|
||Chartered Accountants|
||Carlyle House|
||78 Chorley New Road|
||Bolton|
|**Bankers**|The Royal Bank of Scotland plc|
||Bolton Central Branch|
||46-48 Deansgate|
||Bolton|
||The Co-operative Bank|
||19 Knowsley Street|
||Bolton|
**Page 1**
**DESTITUTE ANIMALS SHELTER**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT (Continued)**
The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Charities Act 2011 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice 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)".
## **Structure, governance and management**
## **Legal constitution and charitable status**
The Charity, registration number 222935, operates under a Trust Deed dated 1 July 1924 and a subsequent Declaration of Trust dated 13 September 1933.
## **Trustees**
The current trustees are as listed on page 1. James Bancroft and Eleanor Smith were appointed on 4 August 2025. In addition, Brian Southwood retired during the period, following many years of dedicated service to the Shelter.
The trustees are members of the Management Committee which meets regularly and oversees the running of the Charity. New trustees are appointed by the existing Board. On appointment of a new trustee, the existing trustees explain to the new trustee the decision-making process of the trust and provide an overview of the administrative procedures employed by the charity.
## **Objectives and activities**
The object of the Charity is to maintain a shelter for the care, treatment and re-homing of unwanted, homeless, illtreated, stray, injured or sick dogs and cats using funds raised by, donated to, bequeathed to or otherwise received by the Shelter.
The Charity’s activities include the provision of short to medium term accommodation and, where necessary, veterinary treatment for dogs and cats which it receives, whilst actively seeking to reunite them with their owners or to place them with new owners.
## **Public benefit**
Each year the trustees review the objectives and activities of the Charity to ensure that they continue to reflect its aims and to provide public benefit. Information provided in the review of the year on pages 3 clearly indicates that they do.
## **Financial review**
The Charity’s Statement of Financial Activities for the year is presented on page 6. The trustees report that legacies amounting to £205,288 (2023: £111,765) were received during the year. The continued receipt of legacies is imperative to enable the Shelter to continue. During the year we made realised gains of £5,916 (2023: losses of £63,387) on investment disposals and unrealised gains of £58,567 (2023: gains of £74,991) on investment revaluations. There was a net decrease in the year of £37,971 on our unrestricted funds.
## **Investments policy**
Investments are held primarily for their annual income return and long-term growth potential. The portfolio is weighted towards low risk and ethical stocks.
**Page 2**
## **DESTITUTE ANIMALS SHELTER**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT (Continued)**
## **Risk management**
The trustees continue to review any major risks arising from or impacting on the activities of the Shelter. We consider that the systems which we have in place to mitigate such risks already identified are adequate in normal circumstances.
## **Reserves policy**
The Shelter aims to maintain sufficient free reserves to meet its day to day running costs, bearing in mind that the unpredictable nature of legacies and donations means that income can vary significantly year on year. Unprecedented events such as the coronavirus pandemic also underline the need to maintain a healthy reserves level. Free reserves are our unrestricted funds which are not designated by the trustees for specific projects or purposes, or which are not represented by either tangible fixed assets or fixed asset investments. The trustees’ target for free reserves is a minimum of 6 months’ average expenditure, currently about £180,000. At year end free reserves stood at £36,422. We are confident that we can achieve the target level over the next few years.
## **Achievements and performance in the year, and plans for the future**
During this year we have seen changes to the Shelter structure as a result of consultancy work undertaken. Thank you to all our staff and volunteers for starting out on the road to change that we are going along. The hard work of caring for the animals that come to us is just as important as ever, as we try to re-home as many as possible.
Legacy receipts were much higher in 2024 than 2023, and notifications of legacies due to come in are at a similar level. Our expenses have increased largely due to a big increase in vets fees, increases to wages and consultancy fees. We do, however, continue to seek out better deals on expenses where we can.
The 200 Club lottery still raises much needed funds which help to pay for our special rehoming scheme for elderly animals which would not otherwise find a new home, and our vets fees. We recommend this lottery to any of our supporters not already members. Donations are collected by standing order and monthly cash prizes can be won.
The Shelter shop on Chorley Old Road, Bolton, has been closed for refurbishment and to look at a fresh way of it be operated. It re-opened in January 2025.
We are still trying to find a new home for the Shelter, with the present one now considered to be too small and difficult to improve the standards that we feel we should be operating to now. The funds that we have invested are always necessary to cover running costs in case no money comes into the Shelter, but the rest, and more, is needed to fund and develop the new site when we find it.
The trustees extend their special thanks to our managers and staff for all their hard work during this difficult year
**Page 3**
## **DESTITUTE ANIMALS SHELTER TRUSTEES’ REPORT (Continued)**
## **Statement of trustees’ responsibilities**
The Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) require the trustees of the charity to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity as at the end of the financial year and of the surplus or deficit of the Charity for that year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards and the statements of recommended practice of the Charities Commission have been followed;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis, unless it is inappropriate to assume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud or other irregularities.
## **Independent examiner**
A resolution for the reappointment of David A Kay FCA of Barlow Andrews LLP as Independent Examiner is to be proposed.
## **Approval of Trustees’ Report**
This report has been approved by the Board and signed on its behalf:
**Alan G Smith Treasurer**
## **27 October 2025**
**Page 4**
## **DESTITUTE ANIMALS SHELTER INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
I report to the trustees on the accounts of Destitute Animals Shelter (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 154 of the Charities Act 2011. My independent examiner’s work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity, the charity’s members as a body and the charity’s trustees as a body for my independent examiner’s work, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’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.
## **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:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of 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 no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
**David A Kay FCA Barlow Andrews LLP Chartered Accountants Carlyle House, 78 Chorley New Road, Bolton**
**27 October 2025**
**Page 5**
**DESTITUTE ANIMALS SHELTER STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**Notes**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Other trading activities
4
Investments
**_Total income_**
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
6
Charitable activities
6
**_Total expenditure_**
**Net expenditure for the year**
**before gains/(losses) on investments**
Gains on investment assets
5
**Net movement in funds**
Funds brought forward
**Funds carried forward**
13|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
**2024 total**
**funds**
**£**
**2023 total**
**funds**
**£**
265,134
-
265,134
158,074
12,003
-
12,003
11,068
7,760
-
7,760
8,786
21,233
-
21,233
28,975|
|---|---|
||306,130
-
306,130
206,903|
||15,016
-
15,016
30,620
393,568
-
393,568
293,322|
||408,584
-
408,584
323,942|
||(102,454)
-
(102,454)
(117,039)
64,483
-
64,483
11,613|
||(37,971)
-
(37,971)
(105,426)
1,121,999
-
1,121,999
1,227,425|
||1,084,028
-
1,084,028
1,121,999|
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The 2023 total funds were all in respect of unrestricted funds and included no restricted fund income or expenditure.
**Page 6**
**DESTITUTE ANIMALS SHELTER**
## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**Notes**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
8
Investments
9
**Current assets**
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors:**
Amounts falling due within one year
11
**Net current assets**
**Net assets**
**Funds**
Unrestricted funds
14
**Total funds**|**2024**
**£**
97,193
950,413
1,047,606
17,673
42,119
59,792
(23,370)
36,422
1,084,028
1,084,028
1,084,028|**2023**
**£**
108,331
934,237|
|---|---|---|
|||1,042,568|
|||86,898
20,053|
|||106,951
(27,520)|
|||79,431|
|||1,121,999|
|||1,121,999|
|||1,121,999|
Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf on 27 October 2025.
**John G Durham Chairman**
**Page 7**
**DESTITUTE ANIMALS SHELTER**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **1. Accounting policies**
Destitute Animals Shelter is an unincorporated registered charity, governed by a trust deed, as detailed on page 2. Its registered address and principal place of business is 1 Northolt Drive, Bolton, BL3 6NJ.
## **1.1 Basis of accounting**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019 and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2019.
## **1.2 Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis**
The trustees are satisfied that the charity has adequate working capital and funding in place to ensure that it is a going concern, and the financial statements have been prepared on that basis.
## **1.3 Income**
Income is recognised on a receivable basis and is reported gross of related expenditure. Items of income are recognised when each of the following criteria are in place: the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions have been met or are fully within the control of the charity, there is sufficient certainty that receipt of the income is considered probable, and the amount can be measured reliably. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been provided in the financial statements.
## **1.4 Expenditure**
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to that category. Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and that the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Costs of raising funds comprise the costs associated with shop trading and similar activities and with organising appeals and collections etc. They include the associated support costs of those activities.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs directly incurred by the charity in the delivery to beneficiaries of its core activities. The support costs associated with delivery of these activities is also included.
## **1.5 Fund accounting**
General unrestricted funds are those which are available for use or retention at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds which the trustees have earmarked for specific projects or purposes out of general funds and can be varied at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds are funds subject to specific restrictive conditions imposed by funding bodies, donors etc. Expenditure which meets these criteria is allocated against the fund, together with a fair allocation of management and support costs.
**Page 8**
**DESTITUTE ANIMALS SHELTER**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
( **CONTINUED** )
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **1.6 Tangible fixed assets**
Depreciation is provided on cost in equal annual instalments over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The rates of depreciation are as follows:
Buildings - Chorley Old Road 2% p.a. on cost Buildings and fixtures - Northolt Drive 4% p.a. on cost Motor van 20% p.a. on cost Office equipment 15% p.a. on cost
## **1.7 Fixed asset investments**
Fixed asset investments are carried at market value, being quoted market price for listed investments. Both realised and unrealised gains and losses are included in the Statement of Financial Activities.
## **1.8 Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid bank deposits.
## **1.9 Financial instruments**
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
## **Basic financial assets**
Basic financial assets, which include trade debtors and cash and bank balances, are measured at transaction price. In the case of trade and other debtors this is normally the settlement value due.
## **Other financial assets**
Financial assets classified as other financial assets, such as fixed asset investments, are stated at fair value, gains or losses arising on re-measurement being recognised in the statement of financial activities.
Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the charity transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.
## **Basic financial liabilities**
Basic financial liabilities, which include trade creditors, are recognised at transaction price. In the case of trade creditors this is normally their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
**Page 9**
**DESTITUTE ANIMALS SHELTER**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## ( **CONTINUED** )
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **2. Income from donations and legacies**
|**2. Income from donations and legacies**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Fund-raising and appeals, Friends of the Shelter,
Gift Aid and other donations
Legacies and bequests
**3. Income from charitable activities**
Animals adopted, homed or claimed
BMBC – strays and carcasses
**4. Income from trading activities**
Net income from 200 Club, charity shop, pet-tac, ID chips etc.
**5. Gains/(losses) on investment assets**
Realised gains/(losses) on investment disposals
Unrealised gains on investment revaluations
Net gains for the year|**2024**
**£**
59,846
205,288
265,134
**2024**
**£**
11,623
380
12,003
**2024**
**£**
7,760
7,760
**2024**
**£**
5,916
58,567
64,483||**2023**
**£**
46,309
111,765|
||||158,074|
||||**2023**
**£**
10,021
1,047
11,068
**2023**
**£**
8,786
8,786
**2023**
**£**
(63,378)
74,991
11,613|
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||
**Page 10**
## **DESTITUTE ANIMALS SHELTER**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
( **CONTINUED** )
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **6. Expenditure**
|Veterinary fees, drugs, treatment etc.
Animal food, cleaning, carcasses
Salaries and wages
Motor and travel
Advertising, stationery, postage
Accountancy and payroll fees
Investment management
Legal and other professional fees
Rates, water, gas and electric
Repairs, maintenance, security
Telephone
Sundry expenditure
Depreciation charges
2024 Totals
2023 Totals|**Raising**
**funds**
**Charitable**
**activities**
**2024**
**Total**
**2023**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
-
31,115
31,115
36,667
-
3,524
3,524
1,976
-
199,412
199,412
187,912
-
2,844
2,844
2,736
1,095
1,617
2,712
3,797
1,215
23,092
24,307
11,610
10,557
-
10,557
12,331
350
34,245
34,595
5,888
-
31,380
31,380
33,151
-
45,050
45,050
8,469
101
910
1,011
1,109
98
7,179
7,277
4,316
1,600
13,200
14,800
13,980|
|---|---|
||15,016
393,568
408,584
323,942|
||30,620
293,322
323,942|
Included above are governance costs of £2,600 (2023: £2,698), being independent examiner’s fees of £2,250 and legal fees of £350.
|**7. Staff costs**
Salaries, wages and similar costs
Employers’ national insurance
Employer’s pension contributions|**2024**
**£**
188,961
8,472
1,979
199,412|**2023**
**£**
177,873
7,989
2,050|
|---|---|---|
|||187,912|
The average number of employees during the year, including part-time ones, was 10 (2023: 10).
No employees earned more than £60,000 in either year. The remuneration of key management personnel was approximately £99,000, including employer pension contributions and net national insurance costs.
No trustee expenses were reimbursed in either year.
**Page 11**
**DESTITUTE ANIMALS SHELTER**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** ( **CONTINUED** )
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **8. Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost**
At 1 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2024
**Depreciation**
At 1 January 2024
Charge for the year
Written off on disposal
At 31 December 2024
**Net Book Value**
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023
**9. Investments**
Valuation at 1 January
Additions at cost
Disposals at cost
Unrealised gains/(losses) on revaluation
Movement in cash on deposit
**Valuation at 31 December**|**Fixtures,**
**fittings and**
**equipment**
**Motor**
**vehicles**
**£**
**£**
53,504
14,392
-
-
-
-|**Freehold**
**land &**
**buildings**
**£**
382,763
3,662
-|**Total**
**£**
450,659
3,662
-
454,321
342,328
14,800
-
357,128
97,193
108,331
**2023**
**£**
1,025,147
855,623
(1,007,901)
74,991
(13,623)|
|---|---|---|---|
||3 0
53,504
14,392|386,425||
||38,646
12,640
2,240
400
-
-|291,042
12,160
-||
||40,886
13,040|303,202||
||12,618
1,352|83,223||
||14,858
1,752|91,721||
|||**2024**
**£**
934,237
419,629
(463,717)
58,567
1,697
950,413||
||||934,237|
At year end there was 1 single investment representing more than 5% of the total portfolio value: Scottish Mortgage (at 5.38%)
The cost of investments at 31 December 2024 was £879,964 (2023: £922,355), consisting of listed investments of £877,793 and a cash deposit of £2,171.
**Page 12**
**DESTITUTE ANIMALS SHELTER**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## ( **CONTINUED** )
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**10. Debtors**
Prepayments and accrued income
Value added tax recoverable
Other debtors
**11. Creditors - amounts falling due within one year**
Trade payables
Sundry creditors and accruals
**12. Financial instruments**
**Carrying amount of financial assets**
Trade receivables, VAT recoverable, other debtors,
cash, bank and investments
**Carrying amount of financial assets**
Trade payables, sundry creditors and accruals|**2024**
**£**
2,434
15,239
-
17,673
**2024**
**£**
7,015
16,355
23,370
**2024**
**£**
1,072,930
23,370|**2023**
**£**
6,500
5,702
74,696|
|---|---|---|
|||86,898|
|||**2023**
**£**
13,314
14,206|
|||27,520|
|||**2023**
**£**
1,034,688|
|||27,520|
## **13. Analysis of net assets between funds**
All assets and liabilities held at year end relate to unrestricted funds.
**Page 13**
## **DESTITUTE ANIMALS SHELTER**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
( **CONTINUED** )
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **14. Movements in funds**
|**Current year**
**Unrestricted funds**
Designated funds
General funds
**Total funds**
**Previous year**
**Unrestricted funds**
Designated funds
General funds
**Total funds**|**Balance at**
**01.01.24**
**Income &**
**net gains**
**Expenditure**
**& net losses**
**Fund**
**transfers**
**Balance at**
**31.12.24**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
19,907
-
-
(19,907)
-
1,102,092
370,613
(408,584))
19,907
1,084,028|
|---|---|
||1,121,999
370,613
(408,584)
-
1,084,028|
||**Balance at**
**01.01.23**
**Income &**
**net gains**
**Expenditure**
**& net losses**
**Fund**
**transfers**
**Balance at**
**31.12.23**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
7,655
-
(7,748)
20,000
19,907
1,219,770
218,516
(316,194)
(20,000)
1,102,092|
||1,227,425
218,516
(323,942)
-
1,121,999|
The trustees have decided that funds no longer need to be specifically designated for a foster dog scheme. As a result, there are no designated funds at the end of 2024. The £19,907 balance at 31 December 2023 was in respect of said scheme.
## **15. Related party transactions**
There were no related party transactions this year or the previous year.
**Page 14**