Lucy's Trust NIC102210
Report approved 29/08/2023
Lucy's Trust, C/O Rob Durston Photography, 81-129 Springfield Road, 3Rd Floor, Belfast, BT12 7AE
Trustee board: Dr Olivia Kennedy Mr Robert Durston Ms Charmaine Kennedy
Trustees' annual report for the year ended 31st October 2022
The trustees present the annual report and statement of Receipts and payments and Assets and liabilities for Lucy's Trust for the year ended 31st October 2022.
In producing this document and in our activities throughout the year, Lucy's Trust has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for NI's guidance on public benefit to ensure that all activities entered into have helped to achieve our objectives, and also to ensure that public benefit is provided.
Objectives and activities
The charity's purposes are:
• To relieve canine suffering, and distress by taking in stray, neglected and unwanted dogs, particularly those which have been neglected and require subsequent veterinary attention, and those which have difficulty finding rescue space elsewhere (due to breed or behavioural issues), with the aim of rehabilitating those dogs, providing proper care and veterinary treatment and rehoming them where possible. Where rehoming is not possible to provide permanent sanctuary for those dogs.
• To educate the public in matters relating to animal welfare, treatment and care of animals, specifically the proper care and treatment of dogs, In so doing to encourage a humane attitude amongst the public towards animals. The principal activities of the charity are to work with dogs at the sanctuary who have behavioural issues, to show the general public that these dogs can be worked with safely and their problems overcome, and to provide sound advice and education to the wider public to assist with safe responsible ownership of dogs, to improve both canine welfare, and help prevent dog bites, through proper understanding of dog behaviour. Education is provided on request by direct messaging, via the public forum of Facebook, and by organising information days and talks with qualified canine behaviourists.
Achievements, performance and Public beneft
Lucy's Trust continues to take into the sanctuary, where kennel space and time permits, dogs who have issues which preclude them going to a "normal" rescue centre, or finding a home with the public (due to bite history etc). We now mainly take in dogs from other rescues who have a significant bite history, who are feral/semi feral and cannot be placed into public homes, and to which the rescues facilities and environment are not deemed suitable to provide long term care for these dogs with regards to their mental health and therefore their wellbeing. Meeting the criteria of relieving canine distress and suffering.
Win the year beginning October 31st 2021 and ending October 31st 2022, we took in four dogs. One dog (border collie) came from a public home into our care, through the facilitation of a dog trainer and behaviourist who deemed him unsafe to be publicly rehomed.
One dog came from Almost home animal rescue, and had been waiting on a place here for over two years. He had a significant bite history and was now at high risk of euthanasia.
It was felt that the environment here would be much more suited to his needs, with only his caregivers here, he was able to decompress and avoid his triggers.
A third dog came from Monaghan pound as an emergency, she was to be euthanised the next day. her behaviour in kennels meant that the pound could not rheum her to the public as she showed severe fear aggression. The fourth dog was a private rehome, an 8 year old springer with mild behavioural issues, but where no place could be found for her (rescues all full) we decided to fit her into our home.
All of these dogs were offered permanent sanctuary at the Trust, and have settled in well and safely. We continued to
provide permanent/temporary sanctuary to over 30 dogs at any one time , and have provided veterinary care for chronic and acute conditions arising in these animals, many of whom are now elderly or geriatric. we provided ongoing treatment and management of arthritis for many of our
dogs.
In the Time period 31st October 2021, until 31st October 2022, we sadly had to euthanise four dogs, Ruby (staffie-15 years old) due to cancer, Cassie, (lab x rottie- 10 years old) due to seizeres from bacterial encephalopathy, Suuki (collie x -15 years old) cancer, and Lady (14 yo Pomeranian) due t complications from diabetes.
.
Behavioural help requests: We are unfortunately now seeing the result of lock down in the behavioural requests for help, requests for surrenders and unfortunately every pound and animal rescue is struggling with the sheer weight of dogs needing placement and help.
It has been unprecedented and will no doubt persist for the foreseeable future.
Other business: We had a portion of roofing replaced in February 2022, and hope to raise funds to replace all roofing in the coming years.
Unfortunately to due Director Olivia Kennedys ill health in this time period, no progress was made on fundraising. Lucy’s Trust has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for NI's guidance on public benefit to ensure that all activities entered into have helped to achieve our objectives, and also to ensure that public benefit is provided.
Going concern
The trustees have reviewed the budgets for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are adequate funds in place to ensure that the organisation can continue in its activities and that the financial statements for the year ended 31st October 2022 can be signed off as a going concern.
Structure, governance and management, governing document and constitution of the charity Lucy's Trust is governed by Constitution
Recruitmentand appointment of Trustees
Trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting by fellow Trustees. All Trustees must agree on the election of an individual
Pay and remuneration
No trustee received any pay or remuneration during the year
Organisational structure
Lucy's Trust is governed by the Trustees, and managed by the director Olivia Kennedy, (who is also a trustee)
Lucy's Trust- statement of Trustees' responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustee report, and the statement of receipts and payments, and statement of assets and liabilities in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland with income less than £250,000 requires the Trustees to prepare a statement of receipts and payments and a statement of assets and liabilities for each financial year. The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which are sufficient to show an explain the organisations transactions, and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the assets and liabilities of the organisation.
They are also responsible for safe guarding the assets of Lucy's Trust, and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities .
Signed on behalf of the Trustees
Trustee 1
Trustee 2
Date 29th August 2023