RSPCA TAMESIDE AND GLOSSOP BRANCH
(Reg Charity No: 232260)
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
INDEX TO ANNUAL REVIEW, REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31[ST] DECEMBER 2022
| Trustees’ Report | .....………………………………… | Page 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Trustees | .....………………………………… | Page 3 |
| Regional HQ Information | .....………………………………… | Page 4 |
| Trustees’ Report | .....………………………………… | Page 5 |
| Constitution | .....………………………………… | Page 5 |
| Areas of Priority | ||
| Public Benefit | ||
| Governance | .....………………………………… | Page 5 |
| Training, Risk Management & | .....………………………………… | Page 6 |
| Related Parties | ||
| Investment & Reserves Policies | .....………………………………… | Page 7 |
| Future Plans | .....………………………………… | Page 7 |
| Achievements & Performance | .....………………………………… | Page 7 |
| Branch Statistics | .....………………………………… | Page 8 |
| Accounts for the year ending | .....………………………………… | Page 9 |
| 31 December 2023 | ||
| Independent Examiner’s Report | .....………………………………… | Page 10 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | .....………………………………… | Page 11 |
| Balance Sheet | .....………………………………… | Page 12 |
| Notes to the Accounts | .....………………………………… | Pages 13 to16 |
| RSPCA Greater Manchester Group | .....………………………………… | Page 17 |
TRUSTEES’ REPORT – 2023
2023 has been a busy and challenging year, as the country has moved out of all Covid-19 restrictions and many things are returning to “normal” including working practices, especially the advice to companies that people should return to their offices. This has, in many instances, hugely impacted on family dogs who were purchased during the various lock downs and were now facing lonely lives, home alone. As a result we, along with so many other charities, are being overwhelmed with requests to take in young dogs who, due to the restraints on socialisation opportunities, have developed undesirable traits such as dog to dog aggression, destruction in the home or causing neighbours to complain about prolonged barking/howling. Sadly many of the dogs have been rehomed several times during their short lives being sold on through online selling sites, gifted to yet another family home, abandoned in remote areas or euthanised.
There has been a significant increase in the number of very young cats with large litters whose owners have not been able to have them neutered in time to prevent them becoming pregnant. Notably during the C-19 emergency many people seem to have been keen to raise puppies and kittens for sale during the clamour for a new pet and are now unable to find homes for those born later during the pandemic.
Towards the end of 2023 we entered an exclusive semi-boarding agreement with one of our long term fosterers who had raised and cared for so many mums with litters of puppies and kittens, over the years. This has enabled us to double the number of animals successfully rehomed in 2023 and will ensure we continue to prioritise RSPCA inspectors’ rescued animals and help local veterinary surgeons by taking in strays and abandoned animals which arrive in their surgeries.
In the last 3 months of the year we received calls asking for help and advice from people who have bought, adopted, or been given a puppy or adult dog which MIGHT be caught up in the latest addition to the banned breeds here in the UK. The RSPCA has long campaigned against the ban on certain breeds of dogs or what they look like as in the case of Pit Bulls and now XL Bullies. The Dangerous Dogs Act has not reduced the number of serious attacks by dogs, which have increased significantly since 1991 when this law was first introduced. Trustees agreed to increase the amount we are able to give on our XL bully neutering vouchers, commensurate with the average price of neutering vets have told us they quote for a certain size of dog. With many of the XLs topping 50 kg this has been a significant demand on family finances when the cost of living is increasing so rapidly.
As a branch we would support the re-introduction of Dog Licensing at a level to at least cover administrative costs which was one of the main reasons given for abandoning the law in 1987.
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Our veterinary costs which cover treatment, vaccinations and neutering of all our rehomed animals plus our assisted treatment and neutering scheme to help owners facing financial hardship was £50,000 during the year under review.
We can’t thank everyone enough for your wonderful generosity in donating cash or food to help animals brought in by the inspectors and via local veterinary surgeries.
We bid a sad farewell to Joyce Armfield, of Mossley, in March 2023. Joyce had been involved with the branch since 1998 when she answered and advertisement asking for volunteer dog walkers. She took an active part in the branch as a trustee, dog walker, home visitor and cat fosterer support officer for many years until her retirement from her voluntary roles. Post retirement, Joyce continued to support the branch and was always interested our news.
As a volunteer managed and operated branch of the RSPCA since 1899 we couldn’t survive without the many unpaid hours of work given freely by everyone involved. Thank you to all our volunteers, veterinary practices for accepting our welfare vouchers, supermarkets and event organisers who support us by allowing us to fundraise, collect food or simply publicise our work in the area.
Yours
Irene Platt Hon Chair on behalf of the Trustees Date: 07.06.2023
Stamford Park Dog Show contestant 2023
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R.S.P.C.A. TAMESIDE AND GLOSSOP BRANCH HONORARY OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS
PRESIDENT: Vacant.
VICE PRESIDENTS : Andrew Gwynne MP, Angela Rayner MP, Jonathan Reynolds MP.
HONORARY CHAIRMAN : Irene Platt, 48 Regent Drive, Mossley OL5 9NZ (Tel: 01457 83 3788)
HONORARY SECRETARY : Kathleen Birch
HONORARY TREASURER : Lynn Andrew
REGIONAL BOARD REPRESENTATIVE: Kathleen Birch
RE-HOMING COORDINATOR: Gail Hilton (Tel: 07954 122 481) OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Angela Clough, Kay Dinsdale, Richard Howard, Anne Kenyon, Louise Siddall; Elizabeth Wood.
A maximum of 14 Trustees/Management Committee members may be elected from eligible members of the branch at the Annual General Meeting & 3 co-options are allowed.
FUNDRAISING CO-ORDINATORS
GLOSSOP: Anne Kenyon TAMESIDE: Vacant
WEBSITE COORDINATORS/ CONTRIBUTORS : Kay Dinsdale/Louise Siddall/Nicola Whitehead/Irene Platt VETERINARY ADVISOR: Ian McConnell BSc (Hons) BVM&S, GPCert(Endo), MRCVS
BANKERS : Barclays Bank Ltd., Unit 33 Arcades Shopping Centre, Ashton-under-Lyne The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, Drummond House (CL)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER : John Simpson ACA BRANCH ANSWERPHONE: 07954 122 481 WEBSITE ADDRESS: www.rspca-tameside-glossop.org.uk FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/rspcatamesideandglossop EMAIL: office@rspca-tameside-glossop.org.uk
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TAMESIDE AND GLOSSOP BRANCH operates in the North Region of the RSPCA
National Cruelty and Advice Line: 0300 1234 999
Branch Affairs Committee & Chairman of the North West Regional Board: Gerry Miles, RSPCA Wigan and District Branch National Control Centre (Cruelty & Advice Line) :- 0300 1234 999 RSPCA North Regional Office: PO Box BR29, Leeds. LS13 2XL Operational Superintendent North:- Supt. Matt Sacks, (RHQ) Assistant Director Branches and Partnerships:- Sandra Fruish, (RHQ) Head of Branch Partnerships:- Richard Cummins, (RHQ) Senior Branch Partnership Manager:- Denise McCabe, (RHQ)
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THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS TAMESIDE AND GLOSSOP BRANCH
(Reg Charity No: 232260)
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was established in 1824. It is a charity, entirely supported by voluntary donations and its main function is to prevent cruelty to animals. This is achieved by 273 inspectors, supported by 90 animal rescue officers (AWOs) in England and Wales.
Constitution: The TAMESIDE AND GLOSSOP BRANCH was established in 1899 and is an unincorporated charitable association and a separately registered branch (charity number: 232260) of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The Branch is constituted under the RSPCA Rules for Branches. The primary role of RSPCA branches is to support the Society's Inspectorate, giving priority to the acceptance of case animals and those signed over for welfare offences/concerns, or unowned sick and injured animals presented with an Inspectorate incident number.
Objects : The objects of the Branch are to promote the work and objects 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 ie Tameside and Glossop, in accordance with the policies of the Society.
RSPCA Areas of Priority in Animal Welfare
(No significance is to be attached to the order in which these priorities are given) Companion Animals : with particular importance being attached to responsible pet ownership, methods of population control.
Farm Animals : with particular reference to cruelties involved in certain intensive systems, and to the transport, export and slaughter of food animals.
Animal Experimentation : with particular emphasis on reducing both the total number of experiments which are carried out, and the numbers and suffering of such animals as are in fact used in these experiments.
Wild Animals : with particular reference to animals in captivity, blood sports, exploited species and the use of traps, snares and poisons in the control of wild animals.
Public Benefit:
The trustees have reviewed the outcomes and achievements of our objectives and activities for the year, to ensure they remain focused on our charitable aims, and continue to deliver benefits to the public. We have complied with the duty under the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Commission. Under the Charities Act 2011, the advancement of animal welfare is recognised as a distinct statutory charitable purpose. This legislation and the Animal Welfare Act of the same year indicate an acceptance by society that treating living creatures with compassion has a moral benefit for the public as a whole. Whilst this public benefit is clear, it is sometimes difficult to quantify and must be balanced against any detriment. The Branch’s animal welfare work, although local in nature, benefits society at large, and also aims to help people in need with the care of their animals. The next section of this report highlights the Branch’s main activities and demonstrates the benefit provided to the public. All our charitable activities, as described in more detail below, focus on promoting kindness and preventing or suppressing cruelty to animals and are undertaken to further these purposes for the public benefit.
We support our local Inspectors by: taking in previously mistreated or abandoned animals, including pets whose owners suffer ill-health, financial difficulties or who have passed 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 objects, and promotes humane sentiments towards animals which involves moral benefit to humankind as a whole.
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We continue to support individuals in need, including homeless families, to feed and care for their dogs, cats and other animals including those who are found accommodation via “A Bed for Every Night (ABEN) scheme” operating throughout Greater Manchester and specifically for the shelter in the Tameside area.
We provide subsidised veterinary treatment for animals which are sick or injured and belong to local residents on low incomes . We do this through a voucher scheme . This work benefits those on means tested benefits by giving them financial help to obtain care for companion animals in need of veterinary treatment . These vouchers are only issued when an animal is in urgent need of veterinary treatment and its owner doesn’t have enough money to meet the Veterinary Surgeon’s fees.
We provide subsidised neutering and microchipping of companion animals for those in the Branch area on low incomes. We do this on a day to day basis through a voucher scheme with the help and generosity of local veterinary surgeons accepting the vouchers as part payment. This scheme helps to control companion animal populations through neutering and helps those owners in receipt of certain means tested benefits by giving them financial help to neuter and microchip their 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 to caring individuals and families. 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 of aim of this service, which is to prevent 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 objects, to rehome to those who could not afford them.
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 or, depending on the nature of their enquiry, direct them to our National Society’s inspectors via the help and advice centre, local veterinary practices or species and breed specific rescue centres.
We offer free animal care advice by phone, leaflets and at our public events. Such as our fun dog shows and our continued support of animal adopters via pre and post adoption home visits which ensure that the animals in our care find their best possible homes.
Within the terms of our governing document, we support the National Society, other RSPCA branches and local organisations by collaborating on fund raising events and campaigns.
Voluntary opportunities included: Trusteeship & Fostering, Pre and Post Adoption Support. Volunteers are recruited from all sectors of the community who support our work, enabling individuals to gain valuable experience in caring for animals, interacting with professionals (eg social workers, housing officers & CPNs) and other members of the public.
Governance: Up to fourteen trustees are elected annually at the Annual General Meeting and drawn from individuals who have been members of the National Society and Branch for at least 3 months. All new prospective Trustees are briefed on the responsibilities of the role prior to accepting the position and are offered in-service training such as financial reporting, recruitment of volunteers, public speaking on an ad hoc basis as required. The branch is also empowered to co-opt up to 3 additional Trustees, who bring their skills and experience to the branch.
All major decisions are made by the trustees at 11 monthly management meetings each year. These meetings continue to take place online and urgent decisions are made possible through emails and, in order to overcome any barriers to participation in branch management, via phone calls.
Paid Staff: The Branch is managed and operated on a day to day basis entirely by volunteers working from their own homes and has no paid staff.
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Address: The branch has an address for correspondence only which is: C/O, Heyrod Village Hall, John Street, Heyrod, Stalybridge, SK15 3BW, and may be contacted via email, phone, website or through the chair (see list of committee members on page 1)
Training: Training is provided by the National Society of the RSPCA.
Risk Management: The Management Committee regularly reviews the major risks to which the charity is exposed annually. Where appropriate, systems and procedures have been established to mitigate identified risks.
Related Parties: The charity is guided by the national body of the RSPCA. The charity is able to purchase goods for resale for fundraising purposes and, most importantly, medicines from the national body to treat the animals in branch care under veterinary supervision.
Investment Policy: There are no restrictions on the charity’s power to invest however it is branch policy that these funds both unrestricted and restricted should be invested ethically. The investment strategy is set by the Trustees annually and takes into account recent demand for funds. This strategy is set within an overall policy which states that funds in excess of short term needs will be invested in low risk investments with a view to ensuring capital appreciation of the fund at a reasonable market rate. In the year under review, income exceeded expenditure by £19,280.
Reserves Policy: It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the charity, at a level, which equates to at least 12 months unrestricted expenditure. This reserve is considered necessary in order to mitigate any fluctuation in income and ensure that our service to animal welfare is maintained, including funds to cover boarding costs of animals brought into the branch for re-homing by RSPCA Inspectors, applications from people on low income for financial help to meet assisted veterinary neutering costs or emergency assisted veterinary treatment costs for their animals, management and administration costs. In the event of our funds reducing to £90,000 it has been agreed that we would cease all charitable activity until funds reach a reasonable level to enable the charity to fulfil its objectives.
Future Plans : We are committed to helping owners who are experiencing financial hardship or have lost their homes, through donations of animal food and vouchers towards their veterinary costs. We will continue to recruit volunteer foster carers who are able to offer their time and homes to care for those animals in need of extra TLC, because of illness, injury or age and volunteer drivers who are able to deliver food for the animals of people in crisis. The increasing demand on our finances due to rising veterinary costs, that of animal food and requests to take in and care for more animals our plans to carry out Community Animal Action Days have again been put on hold. We have updated policies including safeguarding and financial security.
Achievements and Performance :
We continue to assist owners to access the services of local private veterinary practices which accept our veterinary vouchers for emergency treatment and/or neutering.
We donate pet food to local food banks for owners who are experiencing extreme financial hardship and to deliver food to individuals who have experienced an unexpected or sudden change in their fortunes. This has meant that families have been able to continue to feed their animals and no longer had to forego meals themselves or be faced with the prospect of having to give up their much loved companion animals. We liaise with local veterinary surgeons to help fund extra expense involved in the treatment of strays (mainly cats) and take them into branch care if we have room.
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BRANCH STATISTICS
| 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANIMALS REHOMED | ||||
| DOGS | CATS | MISC(incl Rabbits) | TOTAL | TOTAL |
| 106 | 196 | 2 | 304 | 151 |
| WELFARE NEUTERING- Privately owned | ||||
| DOGS | CATS | MISC(incl Rabbits) | TOTAL | TOTAL |
| 17 | 70 | 0 | 87 | 27 |
| WELFARE TREATMENT– Privately owned | ||||
| DOGS | CATS | MISC(incl Rabbits) | TOTAL | TOTAL |
| 8 | 14 | 0 | 22 | 33 |
In order to ensure continued care for the animals we have been asked to take into care, trustees made the decision to enter into an exclusive animal boarding agreement with a local farmer who had previously fostered branch animals, rearing numerous litters of puppies and kittens. This has resulted in a significant increase in the number of cats and dogs we have been able to accept from inspectors and local veterinary surgeons with a corresponding increase in both boarding and veterinary costs (see notes to the accounts number 7). When compared with 2022 (61 dogs, 90 cats) adoptions have increased by 200%.
At the end of 2023 we had 21 dogs and 13 cats in branch care. A very elderly fostered dog sadly died during the year. His caring, knowledgeable, fosterers gave him lots of love and the chance to experience the luxury of a warm, comfortable bed for the first time in his long life.
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RSPCA TAMESIDE AND GLOSSOP BRANCH
(Reg Charity No: 232260)
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
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Report of the Independent Examiner to the Trustees of The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Tameside & Glossop Branch
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 11 to 16.
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 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
-
follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
-
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. 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 consideration of any unusual items for disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s qualified statement
This charity, in common with many others of similar size and organisation, derives a substantial proportion of its income from voluntary donations which cannot be fully controlled until they are entered into the accounting records, and are therefore not susceptible to independent verification.
In connection with my examination, no other matter, except that referred to in the above paragraph, has come to my attention:
-
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
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to keep accounting record in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached
John A Simpson Chartered Accountant
Date
48 Bredbury Green, Romiley, Stockport, SK6 3DN
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THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS TAMESIDE & GLOSSOP BRANCH
Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 December 2023
| Notes Incoming Resources Donations, legacies and similar 2 incoming resources Activities in furtherance of the charity's objective 3 Activities for generating funds 4 Investment income 5 Total incoming resources Resources Expended Costs of generating funds 6 Charitable expenditure: Activities in furtherance of the charity's objects 7 Management and administration 8 Total resources expended Net movement in funds for the year Balance at 1 January 2023/22 Balance at 31 December 2023/22 |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ 83,250 0 83,250 30,192 45,667 0 45,667 23,682 0 0 0 0 1,823 0 1,823 312 |
|---|---|
| 130,740 0 130,740 54,186 |
|
| 0 0 0 0 107,126 0 107,126 67,797 4,334 0 4,334 5,394 |
|
| 111,460 0 111,460 73,191 |
|
| 19,280 0 19,280 (19,005) 191,449 0 191,449 210,454 |
|
| 210,729 0 210,729 191,449 |
The notes on pages 13 to 16 form part of these accounts.
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THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS TAMESIDE AND GLOSSOP BRANCH
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2023
| Notes Fixed assets Motor Vehicles 10 Investments 11 Current assets Stocks Cash at bank Creditors: amounts falling due 12 within one year Net current assets Total net assets Funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds |
Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds £ £ 0 0 75 0 |
Total Total 2022 2022 £ £ 0 0 75 75 |
|---|---|---|
| 75 0 |
75 75 |
|
| 818 0 220,478 0 |
818 818 220,478 202,666 |
|
| 221,296 0 |
221,296 203,484 |
|
| 10,642 0 |
10,642 12,110 |
|
| 210,654 0 |
210,654 191,374 |
|
| 210,729 0 |
210,729 191,449 |
|
| 210,729 191,449 0 0 |
||
| 210,729 191,449 |
Approved by the board of trustees on 12.06.23 and signed on its behalf by Lynn Andrew
The notes on pages 13 to 16 form part of these accounts
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THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS TAMESIDE & GLOSSOP BRANCH
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023
1 Accounting Policies
Basis of preparation
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to the accounts.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102 and with the Charities Act 2011.
The charity constitutes a public benefit as defined by FRS 102.
Incoming resources
Donations, legacies and similar incoming resources - These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when:
The charity becomes entitled to the donation, legacy or similar income and any conditions for the receipt are met;
The trustees are reasonably certain they will receive it; and
The trustees are reasonably certain that its value can be reliably measured.
Tax reclaims on donations and gifts - Incoming resources from tax claims are included on the SOFA at the same time as the gift to which they relate.
Investment income - This and any tax credits are included in the accounts when receivable
Expenditure and liabilities
Generally liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure.
Tangible fixed assets for use by the charity and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets for use by the charity, when owned, are stated at cost less depreciation. The van is being depreciated over 6 years.
Investments
Investments are stated at market value at the balance sheet date. The SOFA includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluation.
Stocks
Stocks consist of purchased goods for resale. Stocks are valued at the lower of cost or net realisable value. Items donated for resale are not included in the accounts until they are sold.
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THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS TAMESIDE & GLOSSOP BRANCH
Notes to the accounts
For the year ended 31 December 2023
| 2 Donations and gifts Subscriptions Collection boxes General donations Legacies Miscellaneous Profit share 3 Activities in furtherance of the charity's objects Special events Animal sales and adoptions 4 Activities for general funds Sales of goods 5 Investment income Bank interest Dividends 6 Costs of generating funds Event expenses |
Unrestricted Restricted 136 838 26,951 50,000 515 4,810 |
2023 £ 136 838 26,951 50,000 515 4,810 83,250 2023 £ 217 45,450 45,667 2022 £ - 2023 £ 1,823 - 1,823 2023 £ 0 0 |
2022 £ 119 894 26,779 0 80 2,320 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 83,250 0 |
30,192 | ||
| 2022 £ 552 23,130 |
|||
| 23,682 | |||
| 2022 £ |
|||
| - | |||
| 2022 £ 312 - |
|||
| 312 | |||
| 2022 £ 0 |
|||
| 0 |
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THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS TAMESIDE & GLOSSOP BRANCH
Notes to the accounts
For the year ended 31 December 2023
| 7 Activities in furtherance of the charity's objects Vets fees Boarding Home-checker, fostering expenses & associated veterinary fees Branch contribution to RSPCA Cat fostering and expenses Depreciation Vehicle costs 8 Management and administration Postage and stationary Other costs Independent examiner's fees |
Unrestricted Restricted £ £ 5,493 45,728 44,640 6,064 2,006 - 3,195 |
2023 £ 5,493 45,728 44,640 6,064 2,006 - 3,195 107,126 2023 £ 272 3,512 550 4,334 |
2022 £ 3,480 20,060 37,700 1,378 867 1,789 2,523 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 107,126 0 |
67,797 | ||
| 2022 £ 440 4,404 550 |
|||
| 5,394 |
9 Trustees' remuneration
The trustees received no remuneration during the year ended 31 December 2023 ( 2022: £ Nil ).
During 2023 trustees expenses for RSPCA business amounted to £3,131 (2022 £NIL)
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THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS TAMESIDE & GLOSSOP BRANCH
Notes to the accounts
For the year ended 31 December 2023
| 10 Fixed Assets Motor Vehicle Cost at 01 January 2023 Addition Cost at 31 December 2023 Accumulated Depreciation at 01/01/23 Depreciation 2023 Accumulated Depreciation at 31/12/23 Net Book Value at 31/12/23 11 Investments Market value at 1 January 2023 (Loss) / gain on revaluation during year. Market value at 31 December 2023 Historical cost at 31 December 2023 All investments are listed UK securities 12 Creditors Accruals |
2023 £ 7,158 0 7,158 7,158 0 7,158 0 2023 £ 75 0 75 24 2023 £ 10,642 10,642 |
2022 £ 75 0 |
|---|---|---|
| 75 | ||
| 24 | ||
| 2022 £ 12,110 |
||
| 12,110 |
13 Related party transactions
Goods and services were purchased from the national RSPCA charity to the value of £4,128 These goods were either sold during the year or held in stock at the year end. The total also includes medicines purchased for the treatment of animals.
The charity received £23,850 from the National RSPCA mainly relating to door to door collections and legacies.
.
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Greater Manchester Group Annual Report 2023
Chief Inspector Nina Small
Summary
2023 was yet another busy year for the Manchester group as the team spent their days investigating animal welfare concerns, rescuing wildlife, arranging food bank deliveries and tutoring new staff.
It has been another challenging year as the cost of living crisis is still impacting pet owners in a big way. Inspector Alison Fletcher (Lancashire group) set up food banks across the north and Inspector Deb and ARO Helen have been assisting with collecting and delivering food to help stock them.
The lack of space for animals has been a huge problem in the region and we have had to push back as much as possible on owners wanting to rehome their animals. RSPCA Animal Centres are constantly full to capacity, so we have had to source new private boarding establishments as spaces in PBEs are taken as soon as they become available, which results, unfortunately, in animals spending months in there before being assessed and able to be advertised for rehoming.
The devastating effects of Avian Flu and the impact it has had on the rehabilitation and treatment of birds was still a big issue through the spring and summer as well, as birds returned back to the UK. Many vets were refusing to treat wild birds and Stapeley Grange and other private centres were also unable to house them for rehabilitation.
Towards the end of the year, the announcement was made that XL Bullies were going to be added to the list of banned dog breeds in the UK. Although the RSPCA did not support this decision, it had a huge impact on our work.
During 2023 we welcomed two new Animal Rescue officers; Ross Allan and Alison Hasler, both joined the Manchester Group and our Tutor Inspectors; Jess A, Beth and Ryan took them under their wing until they were fully fledged.
ARO Alex Ashton also began his training later on in the year and we expect him to be a great team member in 2024.
Inspector Jess A left the group in May to go on Maternity Leave and Inspector Beth took her place as DCI.
Again we have had help from our Animal Rescue Volunteers who have assisted the group with transporting animals to and from branches/vets, this is hugely important as it helps free up officers to continue investigating welfare concerns.
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Case Investigations
Manchester is one of the busiest groups in the country and that means sadly more cruelty case investigations to deal with. In 2023 we investigated 107 cases. So far over 23 have been dealt with via a prosecution, approx 16 have been dealt with by way of a caution, approx 43 were closed once an investigation was completed and another 26 are still open and/or waiting for a decision.
Some examples of cases the team have dealt with this year are below.
Inspector Jess A investigated concerns over a dog that was being left unattended by the owner. Unfortunately when she got into the address she found an emaciated dead dog and dead cat and two live cats. The owner disappeared but after a year, Insp Jess managed to trace the owner and submit the case file. The owner was found guilty of Section 4 and Section 9 offences and received a 5 year ban on all animals, 16 week suspended sentence and 20 R&R days. The two live cats were successfully rehomed.
One of the cats in the vets
Insp Deb also dealt with a dog that had died from lack of nutrition in 2023. An MOP took the dog off the owner after seeing how emaciated he was, but unfortunately he died a couple of hours later. Del Boy was then taken to a private vet who contacted the RSPCA. The case went to Crown Court where the owner pleaded guilty to section 4 and section 9 offences and received a ban on keeping any animal as a pet for 10 years and a suspended 21 month sentence.
Inspector Beth also dealt with a horrendous case when police found dead dogs left in a house with other animals and children. The owner had rung the police to report a child missing but once the police entered and saw the awful conditions and dead animals they contacted us. A mother had starved to death and her young pup had choked on some food as he was too emaciated and weak to swallow it. Thankfully two other puppies survived and a male dog was found to be normal body condition which suggests he fed that dog and not the others. The owner was sentenced to a 3 year community order, 12 months mental health treatment, lifetime ban on animals, can appeal after 7 years. One of the pups in a new home
Inspector Rachel’s non accidental injury case concluded in 2023. A neighbour’s cctv caught the owner beating the cat and picking it up and slamming it down onto the ground. During interview it was revealed this was not the first time it had happened. The owner’s partner rehomed the cat before we investigated so unfortunately the cat was never traced. The owner of the cat pleaded guilty and received a 5 year ban on all animals, 12 week suspended sentence unpaid work & costs.
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Rachel also had an abandonment case of two cats, which were rescued and rehomed. During interview the owner stated he had not been back to the property for a further nine days from when we first sealed the property. He received a lifetime ban on all animals, 12 months’ community order, unpaid work & costs.
One of the cats in her new home
Inspector Ryan investigated a dog that had been neglected by his owner. The dog had a severe skin condition and had not received any treatment from a vet. The owner pleaded guilty and received a 10 year ban on keeping dogs, a 12 month community order and costs.
Some of the rescues of 2023
ARO Lee’s cat rescue: Pixie the 9 month old cat who'd only been going outside for 1 week was up this tree for three days, on day one some neighbours used a ladder but she just went up higher and they couldn't reach, day two we were called and I got the fire service to come but she just went higher so they couldn't get her and we had to leave some food up there on a branch, day three I came back and called a tree surgeon who used a cherry picker to finally get her down, the tree surgeons were called 'mad about trees' and said they didn't want to be paid they just wanted to do a nice thing, we returned pixie to a very grateful owner.
ARO Steve and Inspector Deb rescued a swan who had been stabbed and attacked with sticks by youths in Sale Water Park. Although she received some nasty looking wounds, the swan was treated by Ashleigh Vets and cared for by ARO’s Sonia and Steve over the weekend before being released back to her mate.
ARO Helen rescued a hedgehog that had fallen down an open drain hole. After successfully getting him out, she took him to a rescue centre for some time to recover.
Inspector Rachel was called to a Deer that had got itself stuck in a fence, luckily MOPs stepped in and prised the bars apart, luckily it only had some superficial grazes and ran off as soon as it could.
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ARO Dave was called to a poor tangled up fox in goal post netting. He released it and it ran off.
Insp Rachel picked up a cat with a growth on its back. She checked the chip and it had been reported missing since 2017! She went round to the address on the chip and spoke to the family and they couldn't believe he was still alive. They thought it has got in the father's car, travelled 20 minutes to Longsight where he owns a garage, then got lost. They were happy to pay for its treatment and the cat was returned happy & healthy.
ARO’s Lee & Steve managed to free this cow that had fallen down a ravine and been stuck there all day. At first they thought she had a broken leg but after calling a vet out, she was safe to move up, given painkillers and some warm hay to sleep on and moved back to her field the next day.
ARO Dan rescued an owl that had got tangled in football nets in Ormskirk. The owl was taken to Stapeley to recover before being re-released a few weeks later.
Insp Ryan made it onto TV in 2023 to discuss the huge rise in abandoned and abused pets. Here he was at RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital visiting his case dogs and talking about the surge of animals coming into the RSPCA for care that are having to go into private boarding establishments.
Insp Jess arranged a litter picking day for the group for the Act of Kindness campaign. In total they collected around 22 bags of litter from various locations in Manchester!
We are lucky to have a large number of branches in our area that are very supportive of our inspectorate group. Without this help and support we wouldn't be able to rescue the many animals that our officers rescue daily.
On behalf of the Manchester group thank you for all your help and support over 2023
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RSPCA TAMESIDE AND GLOSSOP BRANCH (Registered Charity No: 232260) www.rspca-tameside-glossop.org.uk office@rspca-tameside-glossop.org.uk www.facebook.com/rspcatamesideandglossop twitter: twitter.com/RSPCAbranch Answerphone 0795 412 2481