CAUSEWAY COAST DOG RESCUE LIMITED TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023 The trustees, who are also directors of the company for the purposes of company law, present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2023. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities". Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing iheir accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). Objectives and activities The charity's objectives are specifically restricted to advan the welfare of dogs within Northern Ireland by rescuing and re-homing dogs that have been ill-treated or surrendered. Where owners can no longer, for whatever reason, provide care for their dogs the charity will provide shelter, veterinary treatment, assistance. care and a re-homing service. The aspiration is to open an official dog sanctuary at a location on the North Coast, enabling the public to visit, to replace the current arrangement which is to 'foster' each dog at volunteers, homes in the interim stages of re-homing. The charity is also providing support to the public in relation to animal welfaie, both proactive and reactive. Achievements and performance The charity has continued to re-home unwanted dogs both on the North Coast and throughout Northern Ireland. The charity has continued to improve and increase relationships with other charities in Northern Ireland and in England and has continued to meei its requirements as members of the ADCH (Association of Dogs and Cats Homes) to ensure a high level of professionalism and standards are retained and maintained within the operating procedures of the day-to-day work. In addition, memberships have extended to include other agencies to ensure best practice and learning skills. Requests from the public to signposl or support following them witnessing a potential crime - of abuse towards an animal, has continued to steadily increase. The charity has supported these individuals but is currently reviewing a more cohesive approach to the issue of animal welfare on the North Coast, and Northern Ireland, this continues by working with other charities as well as challenging the agencies responsible for investigating and providing the animal welfare service. Many issues are arising from the ongoing enquiries relating to dog ownership, dog welfare and looking at how we can improve this. The charity has been lobbying and meeting political parties to discuss animal welfare in their area to raise awareness. The number of dogs surrendered continues to increase, all of which have been rehomed. The charity continues to support the public with their queries and concerns by signposting to the relevant responsible authority. This year, the members have continued to address the planning application for the new charity's facilities in Coleraine and will continue to review how to take this forward. The charity has redesigned its websrte and updating social media with an aim to increase following and support. The charity uses this medium to inform members of the public on how to report animal cruelty, how to rehome and adopt a dog and how to surrender an unwanted dog. Trustees and members of the Causeway Cost Dog Rescue recognise the importance of supporting local residents and communities, howevei the need to do this has been increasing over the years with Councils no longer rescuing and rehoming unwanted dogs, this has fallen to the charities to deliver and support the communities in any way possible.
CAUSEWAY COAST DOG RESCUE LIMITED TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023 Financial Review The results for the year are set out in the attached financial statements on page 7. The company returned net outgoings for the year of £45,677 (2022 - net income £86,378). At 31 October 2023 the total funds of the charity amounted to £358,821 (2022 - £404,498) comprising restricted funds of £117,768 (2022 - £119,388), and unrestricted funds of £241,053 (2022 - £285,110). Of the total funds reported above, £154,029 is made up of cash at bank. The trustees consider it prudent to hold monies in reserve in the event that untoreseen circumstances should lead to financial difficulties which might put the future of its general charitable work in jeopardy. The trustees have examined the charity's requirements for reserves considering the main risks to the organisation and established a formal policy which stipulates thal free reserves be maintained at a level which ensures that the charity's core activity could continue during a period of unforeseen difficulty. Free reserves are defined by the trustees as unrestricted income funds freely available for use as the charity so determines and thereby excludes any funds committed, invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity and restricted or designated funds. It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specitic use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month's expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at Ihis level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity's cuirent activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year. Plans for the future The charity continues to maintain the land purchased, with a view io designing a new facility to rescue unwanted dogs. This location will be a bespoke dog rescue centre looking at best practice and aims to build relationships with other charities io ensure knowledge is transferred by learning from others. Education for children and families when adopiing a dog is crucial. Since COVID-19 commenced there are many households which have never had a dog before and seem to be struggling with the dog's needs. Causeway Coast Dog Rescue will continue lo advise and support where needed. The charity will aim to coniinue their goal to ensure a flagship centre is designed as a result of the research and advice of leading sanctuaries within the United Kingdom to work with local communities while also developing best practice. The trustees will continue to source conferences and meetings with MLAS and Counsellors to ensure the message and work of the charity reaches its target audience and with the potential of the Executive coming back into Stormont the charity will continue to engage the relevant Ministers and MLAS to raise awareness and review outdated legislation. The charity also intends to review potential locations for the charity shop and will look to design a strategy for the charity's development. The trustees will continue to be proactive and encourage individuals to improve the health and well-being of their dog and ensure that each dog is adopted with an appropriate home.
CAUSEWAY COAST DOG RESCUE LIMITED TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023 Structure, governance and management Causeway Coast Dog Rescue Limited is a company limited by guarantee and was incorporated on 17 June 2010 as a private company limited by guarantee. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objectives and powers of the company and is governed by its Articles of Association. The liability of its members is limited in that every member of the company undertakes to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 in the event of the company being wound up. The first trustees are those persons notified to Companies House as the first trustees of the charity. Trustees are appointed by ordinary resolution. or by a decision of the directors, and retire by rotation, although they will be eligible for re-election. No less Ihan three trustees are to serve during the year. No trustee will be paid remuneration unless it is authorised by article 6 of the charity's Memorandum of Association. Reference and administrative details The reference and administrative details of the charity can be found on page 1. Statement of trustees, responsibilities The trustees {who are also directors of Causeway Coast Dog Rescue Limited for the purpose of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees, report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the trustees to prepare the financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure of the charitable company for that year. In preparing these financial statements, the irustees are required to: Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. Observe the methods and principals in Ihe Charities SORP; Make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent" State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subjeci to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and Prepare the financial siatements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that Ihe company will continue in business.
CAUSEWAY COAST DOG RESCUE LIMITED TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023 The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accouniing records thal disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and the relevant charity legislation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Statement as to disclosure to our independent examiners In so far as the trustees are aware at the time of approving our trustees, annual report.. There is no relevant information, being information needed by the independent examiner in connection with preparing their report, of which the independent examiner is unaware. and The trustees, having made enquiries of fellow directors that they ought to have individually taken, have each taken all steps that they are obliged to take as a director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the independent examiner is aware of that information. The trustees, report was approved by the Board of Trustees. Margaret Dimsdale-Bobby Trustee 29 July 2024