The World of Owls
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees’ Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)
Year ended 31 July 2025
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2025 ~~.~~
| Reference and administrative details | Reference and administrative details | Reference and administrative details | Reference and administrative details | Reference and administrative details | Reference and administrative details | Reference and administrative details | Reference and administrative details | Reference and administrative details | Reference and administrative details | Reference and administrative details | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered | charity | name | The | World of | Owls | |||||||||||||
| Charity registration | number NI100938 |
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| Company registration | number NI041189 |
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| Principal office and office |
registered —World ofOwls Centre 32 Mountshalgus Lane |
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| Randalstown | ||||||||||||||||||
| Co Antrim | ||||||||||||||||||
| BT41 3LE | ||||||||||||||||||
| Northern | Ireland |
| The trustees | The trustees | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Michael Gibb | ||||||||||||||
| Mrs Charlene | Gibb | |||||||||||||
| Ms | Christine Palmer | |||||||||||||
| Mrs Paula | Sawyer | |||||||||||||
| Ms | Allison | Sutherland | ||||||||||||
| Company secretary Elaine |
Gibb | |||||||||||||
| Independentexaminer Gary |
Martin FFA/FIPA | |||||||||||||
| 4 | Newtown Crescent | |||||||||||||
| Newtownards | ||||||||||||||
| BT23 | 7GP |
Structure, governance and management
The company is limited by guarantee and has no share capital. It is recognised as a charity by HM Revenue and Customs.
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Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees’ Annual Report {Incorporating the Director's Report) (continuea)
Year ended 31 July 2025
Structure, Governance, and Management
The World of Owls Animal Sanctuary (WOO), located in Northern Ireland, operates as a charitable organisation aimed at the welfare, conservation, and rehabilitation of birds of prey and other exotic animals ~~.~~ The governance of the sanctuary is carried out by a Board of Trustees, in compliance with its constitution and relevant legislation ~~.~~
World of Owls (Woo) is the only animal sanctuary of its kind in Northern Ireland and as such is the premier Owl, Birds of Prey and Exotic Animals conservation center in the country ~~.~~
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The organisations core objectives include:
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Rescue and rehabilitation of birds of prey and other animals in distress.
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Public education through workshops, presentations, and interactive experiences ~~.~~
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- Conservation of endangered species, with a particular focus on native wildlife. ¢ Collaboration with wildlife experts and veterinarians to ensure the best care for the animals ~~.~~
The majority of animals in our care have been rescued due to sickness, maltreatment, homelessness and neglect. In caring for them, we also provide a large range of benefits to the public at large, including education on animal welfare, and the prevention of cruelty as well as broader environmental and ecological issues ~~.~~ For our younger visitors, the education program is clearly linked to the NI Revised Curriculum taught in their schools ~~.~~ We provide employability training and volunteering opportunities to a number of different welfares, and community ~~-~~ based organisations province wide ~~.~~ We also work with the Social Security Agency, the Education Authority, schools, colleges, universities, and disability groups in providing work experience placements, education and training in an ecological and environmental framework ~~.~~ Woo therefore operates with volunteers from so many different walks of life providing opportunities and enrichment through many different activities ~~.~~
When planning our activities for the year, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit ~~.~~ There is absolutely no private benefit and no potential harm from any of Woo objectives ~~.~~
Achievements and performance
World of Owls continued to strengthen its partnerships with the Education Authority and other educational bodies across Northern Ireland ~~.~~ Through these collaborations, we delivered a wide range of services that support our Mission Statement and expand our reach to a broader and younger audience ~~.~~ Our outreach work has continued to grow, allowing us to share our conservation message with more schools, community groups, and organisations than ever before ~~.~~
The Centre also enjoyed a noticeable rise in visitor numbers throughout the year ~~.~~ This increase reflects the public’s growing interest in wildlife education and the ongoing efforts of our team to enhance the visitor experience.
Fundraising activities remained active throughout the year and, in the opinion of the trustees, were successful in supporting our ongoing operations and development plans ~~.~~
Challenges Faced:
- Despite these successes, the sanctuary faced several challenges, including: * — Rising food prices, which significantly increased the cost of caring for our animals ~~.~~ ¢« Arise in the number of injured or orphaned animals requiring rehabilitation ~~.~~ ¢ Unpredictable weather conditions impacting wildlife release and outdoor activities.
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The World of Owls
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees’ Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued) Year ended 31 July 2025
Conclusion:
In conclusion, World of Owls continues to play a vital and impactful role in the rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation of wildlife across Northern Ireland, while also educating the public on the important issues surrounding wildlife protection. The Trustees are proud of the sanctuary’s achievements over the past year and remain dedicated to supporting its continued growth, resilience, and long ~~-~~ term sustainability in the years ahead.
Financial review
The surplus for the year and the way it has been dealt with, are set out in the Statement of Financial Activities ~~.~~
Small company provisions
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies’ exemption ~~.~~
The trustees’ ; annual report was approved ON........7....fccfeecssesseseeseeeeeeQWas/!b aNd — Signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
Mr. Michael Gibb Trustee
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