REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND |
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 |
FOR |
ANIMAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOUNDATION |
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND |
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 |
FOR |
ANIMAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOUNDATION |
ANIMAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOUNDATION |
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 |
Page |
Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 4 |
Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
Balance Sheet | 6 | to | 7 |
Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 | to | 11 |
ANIMAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06371987) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 |
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019). |
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
Objectives and aims |
The objectives of the charity are the advancement of animal welfare and environmental protection, the advancement of education via awareness-raising programmes and the protection of public health. |
The Animal Protection Agency Foundation works with specialised consultants and other organisations to conduct awareness raising programmes on all issues concerning the trade in wild animals as pets. The Animal Protection Agency Foundation coordinates research into the impacts of the wildlife trade on individual animals and the natural environment, as well as the risks of disease transmission between wildlife and people. |
Social investments |
In consideration of the Charities Act 2006 definition of charitable purpose; the trustees of the Animal Protection Agency Foundation consider that the objectives and activities of the Charity are for the public benefit by supporting the advancement of animal welfare, environmental protection and public health promotion. In setting the programme each year, the trustees have regard to both the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit in terms of advancement of animal welfare, environmental protection and public health promotion for the public benefit. The trustees always ensure that the programmes undertaken are in line with the charitable objectives and aims. The activities, which are described in a separate section below, cover the following charitable purposes for public benefit. |
· Promoting kindness to animals and working towards an end to the suffering of animals in the exotic pet trade. |
· Raising awareness of the human health risks associated with exotic pet keeping. |
· Carrying out research and conducting education initiatives on the species conservation and environmental |
protection issues associated with the exotic pet trade. |
ANIMAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06371987) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 |
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE |
Charitable activities |
We were invited by DEFRA to respond to their Post Implementation Review of The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (LAIA Regulations). We submitted evidence specifically on the issues of pet markets and snake enclosure sizes but also touched on problems relating to the lack of welfare provision for fish, and absence of regulation for animals bred for reptile food amongst other issues. |
Alongside other organisations we met with Defra officials to present evidence from our investigations of reptile markets which showed the extent of animal welfare problems and illegal activities. We also highlighted problems in the LAIA Regulations that we argued were hindering law enforcement and, to this end, we recruited the support of the Chair of Licensing at Doncaster Council who participated in the meetings and offered a local authority perspective. |
We liaised, over a period of six months, with documentary makers, Rare TV, regarding a Channel 4 programme on exotic pets. We showed them our evidence from exotic pet markets and explained the law regarding these events, which provided sufficient justification for them to film undercover at a large reptile market in Milton Keynes. The resulting documentary, 'Exotic Pet Trade - Exposed: Untold' was a damning portrayal of the exotic pet industry. |
The International Herpetological Society (I.H.S.), organisers of the largest UK reptile markets, which are on a similar scale to the largest events in Europe, announced their plan to stage two, rather than the usual four, events in 2023. The I.H.S. cited the impact of animal welfare campaigns as a reason for halving their events. |
We conducted investigations at two large I.H.S. reptile markets at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre (BEC) in Trafford, Manchester in September and November 2022. We met with Trafford Council at their offices to show them our evidence of illegal trading and also discussed the problems with the venue manager. Following this, the I.H.S. announced their events would not take place again at the BEC but would move to the Marshall Arena Milton Keynes for two dates in June and September 2023. |
We coordinated an investigation for the June event and liaised with the council ahead of the event. Shortly after the market took place, the I.H.S. announced that the Marshall Arena had withdrawn permission for the September event. Again, we endeavoured to pre-warn all potential venues in England about the event, which the I.H.S. eventually advertised would take place in Rotherham. |
Following pressure, mainly from us, a reptile market in Guildford planned for 15 October 2022 was cancelled by the venue following advice from Guildford Council. On examining our evidence from the 31 July 2022 event, the Council promptly forewarned the venue of the likelihood of further illicit trading at the October event. Event organisers, the Surrey Reptile and Amphibian Society (SRAS) subsequently disbanded. |
The Ulster Reptile Show, billed as the first reptile show in Northern Ireland, was advertised to take place on 8th July 2023. We wrote to Antrim and Newton Abbey Council with our concerns and referenced the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 which bans the trading of pets from market stalls. In June, the event organisers announced the postponement of the event due to "a last minute changing of definitions by DAERA". |
We coordinated a multi-organisation call for Defra to publish a long overdue report by the Animal Welfare Committee on snake enclosure sizes and revise the LAIA Regulations according to its recommendations. The Welsh Government had already implemented a legal requirement for enclosure sizes that permit snakes to stretch to their full length and we obtained a statement from the Welsh Government describing how successful the implementation of this provision had been. We liaised with the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation who organised a Parliamentary Question on snake enclosure sizes, which elicited a generic response from Lord Randall of Uxbridge but was useful to raise the profile of the issue. |
Once the Animal Welfare Committee report had been published, we coordinated a multi-organisation sign-on letter challenging the report's recommendation that snakes could be kept in restricted size vivaria for 14 days before being transferred to enclosures permitting them to stretch to their full length. We argued that 14 days was excessive and unnecessary and would cause suffering, and that temporary conditions should not exceed 24 hours. |
ANIMAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06371987) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 |
We responded to an EFRA Cttee call for evidence prior to their meeting with Environment Secretary, Therese Coffey on the issues of pet markets and snake enclosure sizes and we fed into the Labour Party National Policy Forum Consultation and pushed for positive lists to be included in their manifesto. |
We were invited to give a presentation at the official launch of the Progressive Veterinary Association (PVA), which was led by its patron, Peter Egan, and followed by a Q&A with the media. The presentations were also covered in the PVA newsletter. |
We attended an event in the European Parliament organised by Eurogroup for Animals and Animal Advocacy and Protection on positive lists. The purpose of the event was to convince the European Commission to conduct a feasibility study on positive lists soundly and comprehensively. The event was a success. |
We joined a multi-organisation call for Rishi Sunak, the new Prime Minister, to honour the commitments set out in the Government's 2021 Action Plan for Animal Welfare, which included a restriction on the keeping of primates as pets. We also submitted evidence to a Defra consultation on specialist primate keepers. |
FINANCIAL REVIEW |
Reserves policy |
The Foundation has not adopted a policy on reserve funds as we have a committed team of volunteers who act as an excellent safeguard should financial resources fall below expectation. |
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
Governing document |
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. |
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees |
In accordance with the Articles of Association, the number of trustees shall be no less than three but are not subject to any maximum. |
New trustees may be appointed by ordinary resolution. Every new trustee shall sign in the minute book a declaration of acceptance and of willingness to act as a trustee of the charity. |
Trustees are recruited as required or when a particular skill gap is identified. Trustees are selected based on what they can contribute to the charity. Trustees need to be prepared to take an active part in the running of the charity and therefore need to be able - and willing - to give time to the efficient administration of the charity and the fulfilment of its objectives. |
Prospective trustees are required to consider whether there would be any possible conflicts of interest if they were to be appointed as a trustee. It is particularly important that the individual is free to make a full contribution to the trustees' discussions and decisions. |
When recruiting new charity trustees, the existing trustees ensure they understand the purposes and aims of the charity, as well as their broader duties and responsibilities as trustees so that they are able to explain to prospective trustees what is required of them. |
ANIMAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06371987) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 |
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
Organisational structure |
In terms of organisational structure, the trustees are responsible for the strategic direction of the charity, governance and charting performance against budgetary expenditure. |
The Director of Operations is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the charity, reporting on progress to the trustees at trustee meetings. If there are extraordinary issues that need to be brought to the attention of the trustees, extra meetings are scheduled as required. The Director of Operations is responsible for recommending projects to the trustees, project management and annual financial performance. |
The Director of Operations is supported by a team of paid and voluntary staff and consultants. |
Partners |
The Animal Protection Agency Foundation works closely with International Animal Rescue (IAR) on various projects and is part of Eurogroup for Animals, a European coalition of animal protection groups. |
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
Registered Company number |
Registered Charity number |
Registered office |
Trustees |
Company Secretary |
Approved by order of the board of trustees on |
ANIMAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOUNDATION |
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
(INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 |
2023 | 2022 |
Unrestricted | Total |
fund | funds |
Notes | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies |
Charitable activities |
Animal Welfare |
8,291 | 5,264 |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Charitable activities |
Animal Welfare |
11,831 | 3,547 |
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( |
) |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 3,584 |
ANIMAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06371987) |
BALANCE SHEET |
31 JULY 2023 |
2023 | 2022 |
Unrestricted | Total |
fund | funds |
Notes | £ | £ |
CURRENT ASSETS |
Cash at bank |
CREDITORS |
Amounts falling due within one year | 4 | ( |
) | ( |
) |
NET CURRENT ASSETS |
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
NET ASSETS |
FUNDS | 5 |
Unrestricted funds | 3,584 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 3,584 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 July 2023. |
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2023 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. |
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for |
(a) | ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and |
(b) | preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. |
ANIMAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOUNDATION (REGISTERED NUMBER: 06371987) |
BALANCE SHEET - continued |
31 JULY 2023 |
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on |
ANIMAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOUNDATION |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 |
1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of preparing the financial statements |
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. |
Income |
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. |
Expenditure |
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. |
Taxation |
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. |
Fund accounting |
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. |
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. |
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. |
2. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS |
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 July 2023 nor for the year ended 31 July 2022. |
Trustees' expenses |
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 July 2023 nor for the year ended 31 July 2022. |
ANIMAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOUNDATION |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 |
3. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
Unrestricted |
fund |
£ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Charitable activities |
Animal Welfare |
5,264 |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Charitable activities |
Animal Welfare |
3,547 |
NET INCOME |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 3,584 |
4. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
2023 | 2022 |
£ | £ |
Trade creditors |
5. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.8.22 | in funds | 31.7.23 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 3,584 | (3,538 | ) | 46 |
TOTAL FUNDS | (3,538 | ) | 46 |
ANIMAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOUNDATION |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 |
5. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 8,293 | (11,831 | ) | (3,538 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | (3,538 | ) |
Comparatives for movement in funds |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.8.21 | in funds | 31.7.22 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 1,867 | 1,717 | 3,584 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 1,867 | 1,717 | 3,584 |
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 5,264 | (3,547 | ) | 1,717 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 5,264 | (3,547 | ) | 1,717 |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.8.21 | in funds | 31.7.23 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 1,867 | (1,821 | ) | 46 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 1,867 | (1,821 | ) | 46 |
ANIMAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOUNDATION |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 |
5. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 13,557 | (15,378 | ) | (1,821 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | 13,557 | (15,378 | ) | (1,821 | ) |
6. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |