The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "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).
Overview
Sadly, we have to report that this has been an extremely critical year. As with last years, this has been one of the most demanding years ever. This is in part due to the ever increasing numbers of unwanted dogs and other animals, the dogs are especially suffering, in particular the Bull Breeds. They are being abandoned in huge numbers, ending up in the council pounds and destroyed after 7 days. Inappropriate breeding of dogs by unlicensed people and lack of neutering is driving this difficult situation.
The charity is under increasing pressure to offer support to members of the public and authorities seeking help with issues arising from unwanted animals. Our campaign, Compassion Without Borders, means that we do not discriminate against whatever their origin or breed. In the past, we have been contacted by overseas groups wishing to save lives of dogs in their care in the hope that we can provide a better future for dogs living in misery. We continue to give a life-line to such groups, however we have had to significantly reduce the numbers we can help.
Our help is constantly sought to assist with Bull Breeds and larger breeds, especially those in dog pounds and welfare kennels. These dogs would lose their lives if rescues do not offer places. This has proven to be a great strain on our services, fortunately our well appointed facilities allow us to support more difficult cases. The new animal ambulance has also proven to be an asset.
Our new cattery boarding facility is ready to be licensed for 15 cats. This will enable us to fund the rescued cats.
At the sanctuary, we plan carefully, financially and practically, for all the animals that we know will need our help. We have to feed the animals, heat the sanctuary and pay the vet bills. It all comes at a cost. The animals come to us for many reasons, some genuine, mostly because of the unkindness or thoughtlessness of humankind. We see so much suffering, but we also experience the immeasurable joy of seeing an animal regain health and confidence and go on to a loving home. We are fortunate to have the amazing support from many kind people. It is this that inspires us to continue our work in the community. We pride ourselves in helping the animals and those people involved with them. Much of this has already been covered.
Objectives (Impact statement)
The Charity has fully met its objectives to the members of the public and the animals we serve. Our function is to Rescue, Rehabilitate and Rehome animals, also, to work in the community giving support. We are committed to the welfare and well-being of all animals especially those neglected, abused and abandoned. In doing so we are helping members of the public with pet related problems and issues. We provide a much-needed service by ensuring that new owners are given the correct guidance and advice needed when choosing a companion animal. We network with other organisations for the benefit of the animals, sharing knowledge and expertise.
Every animal we home is linked to a person who may gain companionship and emotional support and often relief from loneliness. On the other hand, by supporting those that need help to find a home for an animal in their care if can often alleviate considerable stress for the person knowing that their pet will be found an appropriate, safe home. Many of the people who contact us asking for help are experiencing challenging circumstances and lifestyle change, i.e. eviction, domestic violence, homelessness, financial difficulties and ill health.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Achievements and performances during the year
In the last year, we rehomed 418 dogs (includes 140 from council pounds), 97 puppies, 230 cats and kittens. We saved the lives of over 800 animals by welcoming them into our sanctuary, foster homes and emergency boarding.
The new rabbit unit mentioned last year is now up and running. We have taken into consideration the rabbit welfare regulations to ensure that each rabbit has the space required to live an enriched life.
The demand for pet food by the public has increased. We run a pet food assistance service for pets in need. We reach out to hostels for homeless people and provide food and bedding for their pets and neutering and other veterinary assistance. We continue to transport food that was surplus to our requirements to other rescues, near and far. We networked with local food banks to provide pet food.
Renewal and improvements
For many years our meadows and woodland became very muddy. We were unable to make use of these facilities during the wet and wintery weather. To rectify the problems and improve the area, we have a concrete path around the meadow and woodland. This enables the staff to use it all year and for the dogs to enjoy the freedom to run. Linked to the flooding problem, we had issues with our farm field. Much was under water at certain times of the year. We sought the help of an agriculture drainage specialist, who was able to excavate to provide a ditch for the water to run into. It's proven to be very effective in helping to prevent flooding and as an additional benefit, proving habitat for newts and frogs.
Moss Cottage Retreat
In the last financial year, Moss Cottage Retreat had a complete refurbishment and this proved beneficial to the staff who use the facilities. Moss Cottage is a very successful boarding business. However, we are having to reduce the availability of boarding places to four. We are using 6 kennels for fully vaccinated rescue dogs awaiting homes. Moss Cottage does provide an income that helps fund the Sanctuary and this is recognised in the Accounts.
Staff
Staff costs have a huge impact on our funding. There is an obvious impact on the payroll, especially due to national insurance, pension and the new living wage. We employ around 20 members of staff, part and full time at the sanctuary. We have had to increase the numbers of staff to enable us to provide support caring for the larger dogs
Our charity shop and fundraising events are completely run by volunteers.
Training
General training, Health & Safety and specific dog handling is ongoing.
Our HR and Health and Safety is managed by Peninsular. They update us regularly with current regulations and notify us of any changes. They also provide an assessor to check the Health and Safety procedures, with a visit booked in for review.
We continue to train staff, with new and appropriate methods, to enable safe interaction with the animals they care for. General health and safety training is essential and is given priority.
We cover all aspects of training in recommendations that are provided for each individual dog and owner. We are finding it very difficult to recruit our own trainer, happy to work with the ethics that we stand by.
It is important to recognise the special needs of specific dogs. We seek the help of specialists and experts in rehabilitation when required. Training has become a very big issue, due to many dogs lacking in social interactions when they come to us. This is becoming very costly; however, corners cannot be cut. We have a duty of care to public safety. We are hoping to apply for grants for training costs. We were fortunate to receive a grant of £10,000 from Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust. New procedures have been put in place for staff handling dogs, particularly for apprentices and trainees.
Shop and Events
The shop remains a vital source of income. We are very luck to receive from our supporters large quantities of quality items, which are valued and priced and go to the shop for sale. Some of the items are put aside for our regular auctions. One of our volunteers is very successful in managing the online auctions and raising large sums. The same applies to our volunteer shop manager who takes the time to have the items carefully assessed and valued leading to an increase in sales and shop takings. It has become hugely successful. We are fortunate to have a dedicated team of volunteers. It raised even more than in the last financial year.
Animal Welfare
We take animal welfare very seriously and prioritise this at all times. We are a member of ADCH (Association of Dog and Cat Homes). Our facilities are of the highest standard and are well above the regulatory requirements for welfare standards. We are sent annual returns for completion which we submit every year.
Our facilities for cats and dogs are of the highest standard. We are always aiming to improve habitat and enrichment. We recognised the need to improve facilities for the rabbits and this has been completed. A future project is to improve the facilities for the birds and farm animals. This is becoming more urgent especially due to bird flu requirements. We comply with all the DEFRA requirements but recognise the need for further enrichment in these areas.
The vet bills have continued to increase enormously due having to deal with incoming animals that have received no veterinary care for most of their lives.
Many require expensive operations, neuters and vaccines as well as extra care due to neglect.
We purchased a new animal ambulance, which we professionally had kitted out for safe transport of animals and proper livery, which complies with tax regulations.
We still have 2 other vans for general use and fundraising. Keeping the 3 vans is necessary but comes at a cost.
Cats at the Sanctuary
230 cats and kittens were rehomed with many others still at the sanctuary and in foster care.
It's been a difficult year for the cattery with periods of unprecedented low adoptions while request for help has increased dramatically, with 100s of cats on the waiting list, the fostering team have been essential providing extra care, especially for kittens and for cats with special needs. We rely on the help of volunteers, in particular Tracey Hillon, who not only fosters, but helps find homes for the cats. We continue to provide help with feral cats when we can. As with the dogs, the veterinary costs for the cats has risen considerably
Cat Outwork
We continue to do as much as we can with limited resources and outside support. The loss of the Cats Protection has impacted the volume of what we’re able to do. We have been fortunate enough to have a small team of volunteer and fosterers to help with the work.
The cat outwork function is to care for the feral and stray animals which fall outside the remit of the main sanctuary which is rescue and rehoming of domestic pets.
The outwork consists of trapping, neuter and return of ferals often in commercial premises as well private households. There is also a response to pregnant cats and kittens including orphans needing to be bottle reared.
Farm Animals and Small Animal Unit
Our farm area at the Sanctuary continues to be home to many animals. We currently have 3 sheep, 1 goose, 2 turkeys, 3 cockerel, 16 hens, 6 ducks and 15 rabbits.
We have just under an acre containing 2 paddocks used for the sheep and a main field housing the birds. The rabbits (mostly pairs) are currently housed in our new rabbit unit in 8 individual cover runs. They have insulated shelters that have walk-in doors for easy access to clean and maintain. This has improved the welfare standards greatly.
Our birds are housed in sheds and huts within netted enclosures. They are then allowed access to the main field and sheep paddocks. With Avian Flu a threat during the year, we do confine the birds to their enclosures to protect them from wild birds fouling their water bowls and feed. We follow the Government website to check for the latest outbreaks. We limit access onto the farm.
We submit the Sheep & Goat Annual Inventory each year to DEFRA. The sheep are vaccinated and wormed yearly and sheared early spring.
We have now prevented the flooding in the paddock by having the ditch done. We still need to upgrade the facilities as previously stated.
Our mature Cross Shetland ponies are cared for by Trustee Margaret Brady and Judy and expertise and care from Shylowen Horse & Pony Sanctuary. Farm staff attend to help poop pick and muck-out the stable.
There has been a change with our donkeys, sadly we lost Paddy & Jacko. Rollo our remaining donkey needed a companion, and so we rescued a female donkey, Tiffany. She was in a sorry state, but is now thriving in her new home. We have also moved the donkeys to a more suitable location, closer to the Sanctuary, with better facilities. This enables a member of staff to assist Hilary with the donkeys. It has come at a cost, an increase in rent of £130 a month.
Hilary Hudson dedicates all her time to care for the trio every day, seeing to their needs, arranging feed, bedding, the farrier and any veterinary care required. She also arranged and paid for a new stable, mud mats and other essentials.
The sheep, ponies and donkeys are part of our Bright Eyes Sponsorship campaign to help raise funds for their care. Photos and updates are sent to sponsors.
Trustee update and Responsibilities
As trustees, we each take on a role to assist the smooth day to day running of the charity as well as the usual duties of trustees.
Margaret Brady oversees Health & Safety and banking with Kennel Manager, Cathy Billington. Frances Ellis is responsible for the flow of animals in and out of the Sanctuary as well as general administration and staffing.
Jane McGee gave notice in January 2025 of her intention to resign as a trustee at the end of the financial year. Her resignation was 31st March 2025.
Preparation was made to appoint two new trustees early in the new financial year. Helen Smythe, a long term volunteer, who assisted with fostering and financial aspects of the charity, Elaine Parr, have both been appointed. This brings the number of trustees to four.
The trustees recognise the importance of ensuring sustainability for the charity and are planning ahead and taking steps to secure the future of the organisation.
Planned Future Projects
We completed the projects we planned last year. The projects in hand are a new block of kennels to give additional accommodation for dogs that urgently need to come in from the dog pounds after serving 7 days. A purpose-built veterinary unit and operating theatre is being developed, together with recovery pens for dogs and cats after operations, including an isolation room fully equipped to manage for infectious diseases.
It's essential we have indoor facilities for dogs to exercise when the weather is bad. In view of this we have had plans drawn for 2 new indoor arenas.
Legacies, Grants and Loans
LEGACIES
Ronald Swanson £10,000
Mrs Carroll £18,000
Cecilia Pritchard £15,000
Florence Griffiths £24,189
Pauline Robson £17,454
Pat Herman
TRUSTS
Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary – Connie Cuff £1,000 monthly (£12,000 received)
With grateful thanks for the many donations left to our Charity.
Donations
Donations came through Facebook and Enthuse, also from owners of animals we helped/rehomed, and appeals. Money donations are dropped off at the Sanctuary, shop, stalls and at all the venues we fundraise at. This is all accounted for in the Accounts. It’s difficult to put a value on the donations of goods and food, but it would certainly be in excess of £100,000.
We received a donation from The Blue Boys – in their memory - £9,258.
Specialists
We feel that we ought to mention the assistance given by Colin Thomson, our bookkeeper, Thanks to Peter Buck, Paul Bell and the team of Champion accountants for help and advice throughout the year. Also, Allison, Nat and the team from Mersey Vets. They attend to all our animals and are on hand to support us at all times.
The team at Kennelbuild for their design and expertise in assisting with appropriate kennel/cattery construction meeting all welfare standards.
Leah and the team from The Dog Clinic and the court approved experts for giving their time and for their support with legal issues.
Special grateful thanks to Barrister Pam Rose, who gave her time voluntary with legal advice and support, and Kellie O’Shea for helping deal with XL issues and for using her legal background and experience to support us.
Fundraising
Facebook and Social Media
Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok are our main platforms to reach out to our supporters, raise funds, promote our animals, raise awareness of the work we dog at the sanctuary and in the community. We have 144,000 followers.
Once again, thanks to retired Trustee, Tracey Hillon, who set up the original Facebook page. She continued to give tremendous support for Facebook fundraising with auctions, book sales and general sales. She raised £1,000s. She did this alongside of fostering cats and kittens, and promoting them on Facebook to seek homes.
Community Work
We are very grateful to have been chosen for another year as community partners by our local Pets At Home in Burscough. We receive in excess of £5,000 in VIP Lifeline vouchers to spend in the store. We are able to buy specialist foods, medication and supplies with this. We get extra funds at Easter & Christmas with our participation with our volunteers collecting at the store.
We are active in the community assisting with pets and problems, giving advice on dog training and general animal care. We are highly regarded in the community.
We continued to assist with neutering Bull Breeds and we funded the neutering of parent animals whenever we collected puppies. This also includes the ongoing neutering deadlies for XL Bullies to comply with the DEFRA regulations for exemption.
Volunteers
We value our volunteers, however we recognise the need for a volunteer co-ordinator, as it’s becoming increasingly difficult for the staff/trustees to manage this along with their other duties.
Volunteers provide essential support that improves the lives of our animals and supports our staff. Volunteers help in a variety of areas, not just for animal care at the sanctuary but also helping staff at the boarding kennels, assisting at our dog shows and in our charity shop.
As well as individual volunteers we have also had valuable assistance from corporate groups, they help us with work on the site such as painting and gardening. We had lots of daffodils planted in the Autumn which was amazing when they all flowered in the spring. Staff also give their time, when they are off or during the evening, Facebook admin, fundraising and working with the animals. The volunteers are a valuable asset. Our volunteer shop manager, Chris Foss and her team have considerably increased the takings in the shop without us having to provide any salaries. Tracey Hillon, as well as fostering cats and kittens and giving assistance with other animals, runs the online auctions which provides a valuable income to the sanctuary.
We have over 60 regular volunteers who help with fundraising, at the shop, stalls, shows and at the sanctuary.
The local community support us greatly, so it is always good to have them working with us.
Fundraising
Our main fundraising is our charity shop, our dog shows and social media. We have become very successful at our fundraising. However, we are always looking for ways to fundraise for the sanctuary to help with increasing costs.
Dog Shows – These are well supported. We have five Fun Dog Shows each raising between £5-£6,000. Our Grand Sales at Lydiate raise from around £1,000 each event.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to all the wonderful people who have adopted and given hope to a homeless dog or cat. Your leap of faith gave us the space to save others.
To all the team at Kennelbuild for creating fabulous kennel and cattery facilities at the Sanctuary.
Nat, Allison and all the team at Mersey Vets. All the team at Northway Vets, Bernie & Eric,
Shylowen Horse & Pony Sanctuary. Steph and team from Recue Me Animal Sanctuary.
To the fabulous team at Pets At Home in Burscough for nominating us to support for the year,
raising funds and awareness for our charity. Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust and all the trusts that have considered us for grants.
All those who have considered us for a legacy and made provisions in their wills.
All the family & friends for raising funds in memory of loved ones who have passed away.
To the pound pullers, who go the extra mile to save the dogs facing imminent destruction.
To all those who have donated via PayPal, Enthuse, Facebook, GoCardLess.
To all who have sent us cheques, those that take part in the Amazon Wish List appeals.
To our Bright Eyes Sponsors.
To all who have brought in food, bedding, pet accessories and items for sale and our auctions.
To Hazel & Brian, for their wonderful raffle prizes and gifts, saving us a lot of money and a huge job.
Special thanks to Peter Strange at Amazon. The donations have really helped us and saved us money.
To all the fabulous foster carers and volunteers, what would we do without you! To Chris Foss and her the amazing team at our Formby shop.
May and Ken Humphreys for supporting our donkeys, with loving care and financially. Mary & George for their weekly dedication for helping Hilary take care of the donkeys. Denise and Johnny for permitting us to use their wonderful paddock and for ongoing support.
To our shed team, Peter, Jeanette, Vicky, Clare, Tracy for sorting donated goods ready for sale.
To our fundraising team Di & Rogue, Margaret, Sandra and Sue, who stand collecting in all weathers at our partnered Pets At Home store in Burscough and everyone who gives up their free time to help at our shows and sales. To Jeanette and all the cake bakers, craft makers, stall holders who add a special touch to our shows. To Joan at Lydiate Parish Hall, for supporting all our events.
To everyone who has completed marathons, fun runs, parachute jumps, cake bakes, sponsored events and raised funds in their work places. Thanks to all the corporate teams for their voluntary days helping at the Sanctuary.
Our sanctuary volunteers who help us weekly walking dogs, helping the cats and around the site.
Joe Ferber who mends all the stuff we break.
Tracey Hillon for all the auctions
The mazing fundraising on our behalf.
Kellie for all her legal advice, support and dedication to the animals. Leah and the team from The Dog Clinic. Barrister Pam Rose for her dedication to Xls and Pit Bull cases.
To our bookkeeper, Colin and accountant Peter and team for their professional services and advice.
To our Facebook team, Chris, Lauren, Sophie, Clare for giving their free time to process 1000s of adoption forms and arrange viewings, and Ange for creating the fabulous 'Finally Home Friday’ videos.
Last but not least, our amazing team who work tirelessly every day at the sanctuary to serve the needs of the animals that rely on them. We would like to thank them for the hours they give voluntary.
We hope that we haven’t forgotten anyone, but if we have, please forgive us, it’s been the most difficult year, and we thank you anyway.
Breed Specific Legislation
At the time of the last Trustee report we summarised the dreadful position for dogs of prohibited type, and their owners, following the rushed and confusing XL Bully ban. 2024 saw two of three neutering deadlines, which created yet further problems due to a lack of adequate planning by the government. The charity was contacted by owners and vets, as well as other rescues, seeking clarification of the position for exempted dogs who were medically unsuitable for neuter in time for the prescribed deadlines – for example dogs who had life-limiting conditions rendering them as high surgical risk, or females who had come into season unexpectedly early and so were not appropriate candidates for surgery due to well-documented increased risk. Vets and other professionals were advising owners to contact DEFRA to seek their advice, but no exceptions or extensions were provided.
Additionally, some dogs who had been exempted on a precautionary basis as advised by DEFRA at the time of the ban, but were not in fact of prohibited type – including young dogs who had not grown to reach the minimum necessary height to render them XL Bully type – were still required to be neutered by the deadlines. For dogs who could not neutered due to veterinary refusal, there was still no process for removal from the register. A process had been promised “soon” since the announcement of the XL bully criteria in October 2023.
This meant that owners would be required to comply with a deadline they could not possibly comply with if a qualified veterinary surgeon refused to perform the surgery, or breach the regulations of exemption and face potential seizure of the dog they had exempted, for reasons entirely out of their control.
Vets nationwide were faced with a deluge of as many as 45,000 of the 57,000 exempted XL bully types requiring neutering between June and December 2024. Many could not accommodate the sudden increase in surgical demand or the post-operative care of so many large dogs in short timescale, and further there was a documented upsurge in the number of surgical complications due to excess bleeding – to the extent that a new pre-operative protocol was implemented by some vets, who prescribed a coagulant agent as standard for XL Bully operations. The problem was sufficiently significant for a veterinary research team at the University of Surrey to launch a scientific study to investigate why this new phenomenon of reported excess bleeding was taking place.
Having already opened channels of communication with the government legal department, and following a huge number of direct appeals to us for assistance, we appealed direct to DEFRA for their help and asked that they implement a form of extension or exception in cases where a vet could examine a dog and provide an opinion as to their suitability for surgery. We also asked them to release details of their scheme for removal of dogs from the register where they could be confirmed not to be of prohibited type, so that owners were no longer required to comply with strict legal rules which could lead to criminal prosecution if breached. They refused to provide assistance. We appealed to the outgoing government again immediately prior to the dissolution of Parliament but to no avail.
After much discussion, bearing in mind the volume of community requests for help and additionally given that two of our own dogs who are exempted to the rescue find themselves incapable of being rehomed due to rules which may not in fact apply to them, the Trustees once again sought legal advice and secured the assistance of Counsel on a pro bono basis. We launched proceedings to seek legal clarity for owners and rescues and at the time of writing, two years after the government promised owners and rescues that they would release details of how to remove non-type exempted dogs from the register “soon”, we await a final outcome of those proceedings.
Please read the newsletter (at back of Charity Accounts) for an insight into the work we do and the many lives saved.
The charity received income of £1,195,573 (2024: £1,054,868) during the year. The expenditure in the year totalled £1,072,985 (2024: 805,995) which resulted in a surplus for the year of £122,588 (2024: £248,873) contributing to help build reserves.
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level which enables the charity to continue with its ongoing activities. 70% - 80% of the Charity's income is voluntary income. The trustees consider that holding sufficient reserves will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity's current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised.
Due to a reliance on income from legacies, which is hard to predict, the Trustees have set a level for general funds of £850,000 which equates to approximately 12 months of projected costs.
There are currently £937,433 of unrestricted reserves, excluding designated reserves, which equates to 10.7 months running costs.
The charity has a small balance of investments, being cash held on deposit which helps provide a better return than the interest rate available at present.
The trustees have assessed the to which the charity is exposed and keep these under regular review.
The charity is a company limited by guarantee , as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
The Board is responsible for the recruitment and appointment of new Trustees. Any potential trustees are interviewed by relevant members of the Board and, if suitable, appointed as a Trustee.
New trustees are given a thorough induction by existing Board Members to explain the role and responsibilities of a Trustee and the work undertaken by the charity.
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Champion Accountants LLP be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
The trustees, who are also the directors of Carla Lane Animals In Need 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 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 trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Carla Lane Animals In Need (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the trustees' report; or
sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks applicable to the company and the sector in which they operate. We determined that the following laws and regulations were most significant; the Companies Act 2006, Employment legislation and Health and Safety legislation.
We obtained and understanding of how the Company is complying with those legal and regulatory frameworks by making inquiries to management.
We assessed the susceptibility of the Company's financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur. Audit procedures performed by the audit team included:
Identifying and assessing the design effectiveness of controls management has in place to prevent and detect fraud;
Understanding how those charged with governance considered and addressed the potential for override of controls or other inappropriate influence over the financial reporting process;
Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in its significant accounting estimates;
Identifying and testing journal entries; in particular any journal entries posted with unusual account combinations;
Reviewing material variation from our expectation in the income, expenses and balances; and
Assessing the extent of compliance with the relevant laws and regulations.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees 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, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Champion Accountants LLP is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Carla Lane Animals In Need is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Fir Tree Animal Sanctuary, 3 Spurriers Lane, Prescott Road, Liverpool, Merseyside, L31 1BA.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds that are set aside for specific future expenditure. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Direct charitable costs are allocated to the Charity's main activity heading.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
A review for impairment of the leasehold land is carried out if events or changes in circumstances indicate that he carrying amount of the fixed asset may not be recoverable, whether through the economic benefits or through disposal.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
The value of Donated Goods are estimated based on the donation, and usage, of 900 cans of animal food per week. Donated goods are received from various funders throughout the year.
Adoption and re-homing income
Insurance
Light and heat
Telephone
Sundries
Animal care and foodstuffs
Motor expenses
Veterinary fees
Repairs and renewals
Notional costs of donated goods
Staff training
Bank charges
Donations
Trustees expenses amounted to £20,000 (2024; £20,000)
All expenses were donated back to the charity in full.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The remuneration of key management personnel (who are detailed on the Legal and Administrative page) was as follows:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
These are unrestricted funds which are material to the charity's activities.
The funds have been designated by the trustees during the year and represent the following purposes:
£2,536,709 represents the value of the fixed assets of the Charity. The funds tied up in these are not easily liquidated and cannot be relied upon for the day to day running of the organisation.
The balance remaining to be spent on the funds previously designated for a new Cattery building and Rabbit unit which are in need of improvement has been spent in the year and transferred back to General Funds.
The amount designated last year for essential work on the electricity supply to the Animal Centre has been spent in the year and transferred back to General Funds.
£170,000 is the balance remaining on the funds previously designated for the building of a new kennel area. This has been increased by a further £160,000 in the year.
The amount previously designated for Site renovation works which are essential for the ongoing care of the animals has been spent in the year and transferred back to General Funds.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
The charity had no material debt during the year.