# **SCOTTISH GREYHOUND SANCTUARY** # **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT** **2024/2025** CONTENTS Reference and administration details Structure. governance. and management Objectives and activities Main activities in pursuance of these objectives Achievements, performance, and fundraising Treasurer's Report Future plans Final comments 1. REFERENCEANDADMINisfRATION DEfAILS The Charity's name - Scottish Greyhound Sanctuary Registered Charity number- SC039701 Principal Address 2. STRUCTURE. GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Type of governing document - Charity Constitution Trustee Recruitment and Appointment 1. An executive committee of four trustees shall be elected at the annual general meeting of the organisation and shall consist of Chairperson. Vice Chairperson. Treasurer and Secretary. 2. The Trustees must be fully paid-up members of the organisation. 3. Individuals WILI be given a Trustee position only after receiving nominations. for a specific Trustee position. from two other fuLly paid-up members of the organisation. In the event of multiple individuals being nominated for the same Trustee position, the position will be filled by a private ballot of those present at the annual general meeting at which time a majority vote must be gained by one individual. 4. The election of a Trustee will be for one year. All Trustees shall retire annually and shalL be eligible for re-election. .•lp itp 3. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Provision of a sanctuary to Greyhounds and Lurchers in danger. Provide veterinary care where needed and to ensure the weLLbeing of Greyhounds and Lurchers. Promote responsible Greyhound and Lurcher ownership and. in particular. encourage the neutering of dogs as a means of reducing stray. abandoned and unwanted Greyhounds and Lurchers. Forge links with other Greyhound and Lurcher rescue organisations i.e. Greyhound Awareness League. in furtherance of the organisation's objectives. Provide support and aftercare through the rehoming of Greyhounds and Lurchers. Co-ordination of fundraising through events and raising awareness of the Greyhound and Lurcher breeds. Provision of home checks on all potential foster/adoption carers to ascertain individuaL and home suitability. To always provide and meet the needs of any Greyhound and Lurcher placed in rescue. Promote and implement an equal opportunities policy for all. The organisation will not discriminate on grounds of gender, marital status. ethnic origin. colour. nationality, disability. race and religion. or other grounds of discrimination not prohibited by legislation such as sexual orientation, age etc when considering potential adopters of Greyhounds placed in their care. Monitor rehomings to ensure compliance with adoption agreement and where this is breached take action to terminate adoption. 10. 4. SUMMARY OF MAIN ACTIVITIES IN PURSUANCE OFTHESE OBJECTIVES 1. The Scottish Greyhound Sanctuary {SGS} have increased the number of regular walks throughout Scotland over the past year. The response to these has been extremely positive and we have seen growing numbers of participants. The walks also provide an opportunity to potential adopters to meet the dogs and to talk to team members. 2. SGS has seen a slight reduction in the number of applications to adopt compared to 2023124. The number of fostering applications has been greater this year. 1. Adoption applications: 60 (67 in 2023124) 2. Fostering applications: 16 (9 last year) 3. Home checks: 50 {62 last year) 4. Adoptions: 44 {63 last year) 3. We received several applications to adopt from previous adopters which accounts for the Low number of home checks as those who remain at the same address do not require a second visit. In addition, several applicants do not adopt through SGS as they adopt dogs from other rescues. 4. SGS have continued to support veterinary care for dogs during 202125 which has amounted to: £17636 5. All SGS dogs have been neutered and spayed (normally prior to rehoming), and this is crucially important to the charity and the management team, unless otherwise advised by a vet. 6. We continue to support foster carers and new adopters with our fully comprehensive "follow- up service" At least two team members are involved with each follow-up. 7. We have continued to hold fundraising activities throughout the year in the form of online raff les and auctions. We have also continued to raise funds through sponsorship and membership. 8. Finally, the commitment to a fair and transparent rehoming system has been maintained and no issues have arisen regarding any concerns. 5. ACHIEVEMENTS, PERFORMANCE. AND FUNDRAISING We've had an extremely busy summer organising and attending events and waLks where we've continued our work promoting Greyhounds and Lurchers. The Stratherrick & Foyers Highland Gathering in Gorthleck near Inverness was our first event of the summer. and this proved to be a great success. We had 8 greyhounds on the day to showcase the breed, and they were a huge hit with everyone who came to say hello. The SGS team were asked to come along to the Vets for Pets Airdre open day at the end of July. We were delighted to attend and received not only excellent hospitality. but also a lovely donation from them. The highlight of the year was the SGS Summer Show which was held in Livingston in August. We had a great turn out and everyone who attended enjoyed the day. This was a great opportunity to raise awareness, and we're delighted to have received several enquiries from people who, after meeting the dogs and team. wish to foster or adopt. We were back in Livingston in September, having been invited to hold a staLI at Livingston Cricket Club Gala Day. Another great success showcasing Greyhounds as pets. We then participated in the Great Global Greyhound Walk at the end of September. This was a loveLy day out and SGS held walks in 5 locations throughout Scotland. We had 84 dogs altogether in attendance and the event was a great opportunity to once again highlight the breed. Our Fundraising Co-ordinator has been busy throughout the year organising regular auctions and raff les. These have provided SGS with additional income and have been very popular with the wider SGS community. We are also grateful to individuals who have raised funds for SGS throughout the year. 6. FINANCIAL REVIEW Scottish Greyhound Sanctuary Charity Number: SC39701 Statement of Receipts and Payments - For the year ended 31 March 2025 31 March 2025 31 March 2024 Receipts Donations Sales Fundraising Membership Sponsor a Dog Bank Interest Other Income TOTAL 12890 728 7012 810 80 929 8805 31254 12723 738 10122 528 120 1183 9588 35002 Payments Veterinary Expenses Kennelling Dog General Expenses Purchases Insurances Professional fees- Accountant Sundry Expenses Telephones Postage and Stationery FueL Bank Charges Long Term Foster Expenses Long term foster vetlmedical expenses TOTAL 9171 20351 1251 813 666 2686 1119 648 29 1196 754 201 1197 220 2484 8465 24830 5925 4030 36377 SURPLUSI(DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR 6424 -1375 BALANCES Bank balance b/f 01.04. SurpluslDeficit for the year Balance c/f 31 March 2025 87345 6424 93769 **SGS Treasurer** ## **Treasurer’s Report,** The report covers the period 01.04.24 - 31.03.25, as in previous years, also the tax year. I have included the summary sheet as we would if we were in person, please see this above, this is submitted to OSCR. ## **Thinking about SGS Expenditure or payments on above schedule:** _Veterinary Expenses_ - as always are our single highest expenditure. Although significantly lower than many years being £17636 as opposed to the previous year of £20351. This is the second year where foster dog expenses were accounted for separately and their vet fees were £8465 of this amount leaving £9171 for dogs in foster. A further £2484 was paid for other associated costs for long term foster dogs. The commitment to long term foster dogs being substantial totalling £10949. _Dog General Expenses -_ was used to furnish foster dogs with items needed but not of a medical reason and again less than last year. _Purchases_ - Harnesses, muzzles, calendars and clothing for resale. _Insurance_ – Public Liability _Sundry Expenses -_ £29 which was for an ICT payment. _Telephones_ : One line held by SGS as well as the 0845 cost each month of between £3-£5. Additionally, fees for www domain etc now here _Postage and Stationery –_ for sending items to fosterers etc. ## **Thinking about money in or Receipts on above schedule:** - Receipts overall are down but not by much £31254 as opposed to £35,002 s - Donations remain strong and increased many thanks to those involved at £12,890 - fantastic - Sales are very low and remain so, as last year. - Fundraising from give as you live, charities trust etc has reduced £7012 as opposed to £10122. - Memberships rose to £810 from £528 last year. - Bank interest was similar. - Other income has remained very similar at £8805 as opposed to £9,588. At the end of this period the balance available to SGS was £93769 where last year this figure was £87345, a good increase. Income received by SGS over this year was £31254 as opposed to £35,002 last year, again primarily from donations and from fundraising. A significant portion of this being gift aid. Expenses paid over this period was £24830 with the most significant expense being veterinary fees, significantly lower than the year previous. This left a surplus figure over the year of £6424 the first surplus for 4 years or so. We, as a charity, must submit these accounts along with AGM documentation by 31.12.2025 and intend to do so shortly after the AGM. Many Thanks as always, go to our independent examine . 7. FUTURE PLANS The plans for 2025126 includes: 1. Continuing to promote kennel and foster dogs on the website. 2. Continuing our fundraising activities. 3. Attending more externally organised shows and activities. 4. Continuing to promote regular walks throughout Scotland. 5. Continuing to increase our social media presence. 8. FINALCoMME￿[S SGS had a year of 2 halves as the beginning of the year started off very slowly with applications to adopt and foster. We still had many greyhounds and Lurchers needing heLp, and it was hard to have to put most on the waiting list until we could free up spaces in kennels or in foster care. The closing of Thornton. the last remaining track in Scotland. meant we had even more greyhounds needing help. We felt they needed priority, so again. other dogs had to wait. The overall cost of owning a dog has escalated this year with regards to vet and insurance costs and this further impacted on the number of applications. We are pleased to say. that thankfully, the number of applications picked up during the second half of the year. SGS has a policy to heLp previously adopted hounds by taking them back into our care as long-term fosters if their home circumstances have changed. Many of these hounds are elderly or require ongoing medical care. and we have had a few this year who have come back due to sad circumstances. It is rewarding to know these lovely dogs can live out their twilight years in a safe and loving environment, and we are grateful to our long-term fosterers who dedicate so much time to caring for these lovely older dogs. Rescue work is constantly demanding and often very emotional. but the SGS team have worked hard together this last year. There are many aspects that make a rescue successful and the team work to their individual strengths. which include: phone calls: home-checks: transports: fundraising: treasury; administration: and media work. These are all necessary for success. Hard as rescue work is, it's so rewarding to get feedback from our adopters telling us how much these special dogs have enriched their lives in so many diff erent ways. This alone spurs SGS to continue our work to help these wonderful dogs. SGS Chair. •))