2008/2009 END OF YEAR REPORT

15        Put to sleep                                                                  9 More than last year

              >9 Due to temperament                                              3 More than last year

              >6 Due to illness                                                         6 More than last year

1          Died in care                                                                  Same as last year

30        Owners changed their minds during process                  9 More than last year

0          Returned to breeder                                                      1 Less than last year

126

59        Rehomed from their existing homes                               4 More than last year

15        Went into foster homes                                                 3 Less than last year

126

910 Dogs since taking over in April 2001

Despite having 30 volunteers across the UK at the moment, we only have 8 foster homes which is reflected in the fact that I had 20 additional dogs at my kennel this year. Earlier in the year we did have 2 additional kennels built which have proved to be a godsend but long gone are the days when we coped using my own 3 kennel pens!

Not a single dog was returned to it’s breeder, we still only have a handful of breeders signed up to have their dogs returned to them which is a real shame. I have in fact this year dropped the registration fee from £25 to £15 in the hope it will attract more breeders to sign up, it would really help us if we knew that some of these dogs could go back to their breeders and take some of the pressure off of us, especially as we have also seen a big increase in strays.

However, something that does need to be mentioned is the fact that our funds have dwindled considerably since the start of this year, assuming it’s to do with the recession with more dogs coming through who’s owners can no longer afford their vet treatment or who have lost their house, we have seen a worrying decrease in the number of public donations that we rely on to ensure these dogs get the treatment they need. We year ended with only £4,000 in the bank (which last year was £10,000) which makes us very limited as to what we can do.

We finished the year with approximately

 £4,000 in the bank

25 bulldogs in the system

30 volunteers

8 foster homes

3 volunteer kennel helpers

6 trustees

1 Part time employee

Bulldog Rescue and Re-Homing Trust

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the year ended 31^st March 2009

Contents

Registered Charity no. 1115009

Company Number 5664557 (England and Wales)

Registered Office:

PO Box 18

Midhurst

West Sussex GU29 9YU

Website: www.bulldogrescue.co.uk
Report of the Board of Trustees

Bulldog Rescue is committed to the rehoming of bulldogs who, for whatever reason, can no longer stay with their current owners. We are not a "dogs home" or a "shelter" and our network of volunteers covers the entire UK.

We are the only official Bulldog Rescue and Re-homing service for Great Britain. Co-ordinated by our Chief Executive, Tania Holmes, from West Sussex, we cover the entire mainland UK on a network of foster homes and volunteers, making sure that when a bulldog needs a new home, he is found somewhere which is exactly the right home for him.

This is the third report of the board of trustees and covers the twelve months ended 31^st March 2009.  The organisation is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity.  It is registered as Bulldog Rescue and Re-Homing Trust and uses the working name, Bulldog Rescue.

The members of the company are the same as its trustees.  The company is established under a memorandum of association which sets out the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its articles of association.

The board is responsible for the oversight of the management of all the affairs of the charity.  It seeks to ensure that all activities are within UK law and come within agreed charitable objectives.  Our work includes setting strategic direction, agreeing the financial plan, the disaster recovery plan and ensuring that activities are carried out within agreed governance frameworks.

The mission of Bulldog Rescue is:

• To promote responsible dog ownership amongst those that own a pure bred bulldog
• To ensure that all those who can no longer keep their bulldog for whatever reason, have the option of safely placing their dog in a vetted pet home.
• To ensure a place of safety is available to all bulldogs whose owners can no longer cope or look after their dog properly
• To be available to offer unbiased breed advice to all those that own a pure bred bulldog
• To educate bulldog owners in the hope that bulldogs in the future can be free from cruelty, abuse and neglect

Highlights of the year

Bulldog Rescue was in existence as an unregistered association for over 20 years until 2006. It has been running for three years as a registered charity, and is administered by Tania Holmes and her husband, David, from their home in Midhurst, West Sussex, as it has been since April 2001.  Having been a volunteer for 7 years, with effect from 1^st April 2008, Tania became a part-time paid employee of the charity, and David remains a volunteer, drawing only out-of-pocket expenses.   

During the year 2008/9 (2007/8), the charity handled 20% more dogs, up to a total of 126 (105) being signed over to Bulldog Rescue.  Of these 80 (76) were re-homed.  Of the others, 30 (21) owners changed their minds after initially applying to send their dogs through Bulldog Rescue; 15 (6) were put to sleep, 9 (6) due to temperaments that made them unsuitable for re-homing and 6 (0) due to illness, 1 (1) died of natural causes whilst in care.  0 (1) was returned to its breeder.  While awaiting re-homing, 15 (18) were fostered, 52 (32) were cared for at the Rescue kennels, and 59 (55) remained in their own homes whilst awaiting re-homing;

The volunteer network is the lifeblood of the charity and their work in collecting and fostering dogs, assessing potential new homes, and transporting dogs is key to the charity’s success.  A total of 30 (22) volunteers were active during the year.  Unfortunately, however, only 8 volunteers are able to foster dogs, which resulted in the 63% increase in dogs which had to be held in the Rescue kennels.  The two additional kennels provided with a grant from the Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust proved to be a godsend.  The special volunteers who help out at the kennels – Beverley, Peter and Sue – also provide invaluable support. 

All prospective volunteers are interviewed by the Volunteer Co-ordinator, Vicky Collins-Nattrass.  Once accepted, they sign up to the Bulldog Rescue Volunteer code of conduct and good practice, are provided with a uniform shirt and identity badge, as well as a supply of special antiseptic liquid.  They all receive a full briefing about how to work most effectively for the charity.  They are also expected to attend the Annual Volunteers’ meeting which is held in the Midlands each year.  There is always a shortage of volunteers.

Each year the trustees invite nominations for an award to be given to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the welfare of the bulldog breed during the previous year.  The 2008 award was presented at the Bulldog Picnic to Peter Petchey and Beverley Savage.  Peter and Beverley come to the kennel in Midhurst at least one day each week to walk the dogs and clean out the kennels.  They clean nose wrinkles, eyes and ears of the dogs in residence, and offer a home to some of the more difficult dogs. They also donate money and equipment including a hose pipe, a bedding store and paint for the kennels and runs.  They even take the kennel washing home with them and provide cover to allow Tania to take the occasional day or weekend off. 

Governance

The charity is governed by its board of trustees who have met on average every two months.  These meetings have been held by telephone conference, with the exception of the Annual General meeting followed by a Trustees’ meeting held in May, prior to the Annual Volunteers’ Meeting.   The meetings are attended by the Trustees with the Chief Executive in attendance.  The Trustees consider the policies and strategic direction of the charity.  The board delegates all other, operational and management, matters to the Chief Executive.  All decisions are recorded in the minutes of the meetings.   

The accounts were prepared (at no cost to the charity) by Allen J Mills FCA, whose wife, Elizabeth Mills, is a Trustee.  During the year an operational handbook was prepared by the Chief Executive, and a Trustees’ visit to the kennels to go through disaster recovery arrangements was planned.

Trustees

The Trustees during the year were:

Vicky Collins-Nattrass (Chair)

Graham Sherlock

Elizabeth Mills OBE

Dr John Nattrass

Satinder Pujji (Hon Treasurer)

Malcolm Kirk (joined December 2008)

At the AGM in May, in accordance with the Memorandum of Association, Graham Sherlock resigned and was duly re-elected.

The Trustees seek to act independently and impartially with their sole interest being the furtherance of the charity’s objects. Any potential conflict of interest must be declared in advance of any agenda item and, in such an event, an individual trustee may be excluded from the decision-making process.

Trustees were not remunerated for their work as Trustees, although out-of-pocket expenses were paid to enable attendance at meetings, and those trustees who are also volunteers were able to reclaim expenses incurred in that capacity.

Reporting on our activities

Trustees seek to go further than the minimum reporting required by the Charity Commission.  The website www.bulldogrescue.co.uk, which is maintained by Tania Holmes, is a source of excellent up-to-date breed information as well as details of bulldogs seeking new homes, news on fundraising activities, and stories about dogs which have been re-homed.

Finances and fundraising

The reserves have dwindled considerably during the year.  Not only are more dogs coming into Rescue whose owners cannot afford the vet bills, or have lost their house. 

The charity’s opening assets and cash balances totalled £7,233 (£9,577).  During the year, the total income was £31,099 (£25,628) but expenditure exceeded income by nearly £2,400.  Income from adoption fees was over £5,000 (£3,900), but by far the largest source of income remains voluntary donations which again totalled slightly over £13,000. This figure includes just over £820 (£280) given to the charity by Reggie’s Den – the online pet supply business owned and run by Tania and David Holmes.  The nearly 300% increase is a result of sales of Tania’s book, “The Bulldog Bible”, which has proved a best seller and gone into a 2^nd Edition.

The Kennel Club Charitable Trust had previously refused the charity’s application for support on the grounds that not all the Bulldog Breed Clubs provided support for the Rescue.  One of the objectives for fundraising for 2008/9 was to seek the support of all the Clubs. All were contacted and, out of the 18 clubs, 13 responded with donations totalling £1,860 (£1,500).

The Pet Plan Charitable trust pledged £3,000 towards a new van, and sign writers, Cathedral Signs, offered to personalize the van for the Rescue.  An appeal for a further £10,000 was launched.  The van will enable David and Tania to work more effectively, and to promote the name of the Rescue wherever they go.

Donations received in memory, or collected at the funerals, of several departed friends of Bulldog Rescue were used either to sponsor a kennel (covering the costs of maintaining a dog in the kennel for a year, including vets bills, heating and food) or for the charity’s general purposes.  Regular gifts from individuals have really mounted up, and in due course the Income Tax already paid by taxpaying donors can be reclaimed under the Government’s Gift Aid scheme.  Volunteer and Trustee, Graham Sherlock took responsibility for identifying potential sources of funds, and developing imaginative new fund raising ideas.  During the year grants were received from several charitable trusts including the Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust, the Walker 597 Trust and the Barry Green Memorial Fund.

The Annual Bulldog Rescue Picnic held on a rainy day in September 2008 still resulted in a respectable contribution to funds of a little over £2,000.  The other key event during the year was the very popular Bulldog Day at the Canine Academy, Tollerton, Nottingham organised by Vicky Collins-Nattrass.

The introduction in 2008/9 of a £5 charge for all who wanted to register their interest in applying for a dog has resulted in an additional £2,600 - a considerable boost to funds.  The very popular calendar competition and subsequent calendar sales again made a good profit. 

When looking at the charity’s expenditure, by far the largest expense was veterinary bills which were over £12,000 (£11,000).  Administration and volunteer expenses were £9,000 (£4,500), which includes volunteer expenses and Tania’s salary and National Insurance.  Fortunately, as the charity had a positive balance at the start of the year, the small shortfall was not material.

Trustees seek to maximise funds spent in direct furtherance of the charity’s objects and keep the proportion of charitable funds spent on administration and fundraising to a prudent minimum level commensurate with the effective and professional operation of the charity and its future financial sustainability.

Restricted and unrestricted funds

Funds are applied for the purpose for which the donor requests.   On the rare occasions when this is not possible, with the donors’ permission, the funds are used to support the work of the charity more generally.  General appeals for a specific purpose always bear a note to the effect that when sufficient funds have been raised to finance that need, the balance will be applied to the charity’s running costs.

Equal opportunities

We are committed to the principle and practice of equal opportunities and aim to apply equal opportunities principles to the recruitment of volunteers, selection of foster and adoption homes and in the delivery of training and information.

Auditors

During the year, Reg Pullen was again appointed the charity’s auditor.  He provides this service on a voluntary basis and his services are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

The Trustees would like gratefully to acknowledge the tireless and invaluable work of Tania and David Holmes, and all the volunteers, and the support and assistance of the many organisations and individuals who have helped Bulldog Rescue during the year.  We include not just our major donors but all those who have contributed in any way to help make the year such a success.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees

Vicky Collins-Nattrass

Chair

Date:   3rd  December 2009

Auditor’s Report to the Trustees of

Bulldog Rescue and Re-homing Trust

I have audited the financial statements of Bulldog Rescue for the year ended 31st March 2009 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and related notes.  The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standards under the historical cost convention and the accounting policies set out therein.

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Section 235 of the Companies Act 1985.  My audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s members as a body, for my audit work, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and auditors

The trustees are responsible for preparing their report and the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom law and accounting standards.

My responsibility is to audit the financial statements in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and United Kingdom auditing standards.

I report to you my opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view and are properly prepared in accordance with the Companies’ Act 1985.  I also report to you if, in my opinion, the report of the trustees is not consistent with the financial statements, if the charity has not kept proper accounting records, if I have not received all the information and explanations I required for the audit, or if information specified by law regarding directors’ remuneration and transactions with the charity is not disclosed.

I read other information contained in the report of the Trustees, and consider the implications for my report if I become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial statements.  My responsibilities do not extend to any other information.

Basis of audit opinion

I conducted my audit in accordance with United Kingdom auditing standards issued by the Auditing Practices Board.  An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgements made by the trustees in preparation of the financial statements, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the circumstances of the charity, consistently applied and adequately disclosed.

I planned and performed my audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which I considered necessary in order to provide me with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or error.  In forming my opinion I also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the financial statements.

Opinion

In my opinion, the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the charity as at 31^st March 2009 and of its incoming funds and application of resources for the year then ended. They have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 1985.

R T Pullen ACMA

107 Winchester Road

Four Marks

ALTON

Hampshire

GU 34 5HU

11^th October 2009

Bulldog Rescue and Re-homing Trust

Balance Sheet at 31^st March 2009

Note 1

The Kennels are being depreciated on a straight line basis of 12.5% per annum

Thus the position is:

Bulldog Rescue and Re-homing Trust

Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended

31^st March 2009

                                                                                            Note       

Note 2