Hi,

Arriving home again at my cottage this weekend I discovered a further two appeal letters from DOGSTRUST. I am in receipt of these quite copiously throughout the year.
I work away from my home during the week at an accountancy practice in Suffolk so I cannot own a dog, but would love to – and indeed I am very fond of dogs. I have always donated well to DOGSTRUST in the past in the belief that they are always on their uppers and constantly in need of financial support.

Recently I have undertaken some financial work for a local charity and part of this involved filing their accounts with the Charity Commission. The Commission has a website where this is possible and where the general public can view the annual returns of any UK charity.

So; I checked the current state of affairs with DOGSTRUST only to find that contrary to being in dire financial straights these people have EIGHTY MILLION POUNDS on deposit in reserve PLUS a further TWENTY FOUR MILLION POUNDS set aside in reserve for “building”. I also noted the fact that they spent at least a third of their income last year in generating further income – and I ask – is this actually legal?

You can check the financial status yourself if you wish by using the following link;

The Charity Commission for England and Wales

You then enter the name of the charity “DOGS TRUST” (charity number 227523).

It was my understanding – admittedly from my meagre knowledge of the rules and regulations – that charities were not allowed to manage their affairs in such a way and have to spend their incomes on their respective charitable missions.

Is it not time that these people used the enormous amount of money they have in their coffers to support the less-favoured and smaller rescue centres – those which are REALLY crying out for funds? Or, perhaps it is time that we ALL said NO!

I would urge you to copy this text and email it to anyone you may know who pays these people on a regular basis.

It's the same for a lot of the big charities... RSPCA for example. None of the millions that are donated actually make their way to the individual rescue centres, they are left to fend for themselves.

A few years ago I sent a one off christmas cheque to the NSPCC after seeing their christmas appeal. They spent it on phoning me up and writing to me asking for more. I swore I would never give to a large, national charity again.

It is disgraceful that an animal charity to have all that money stashed away. Can't they find any dogs to spend it on? I am sure I could help them do that.

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http://www.gentle-newfoundland-dogs.com
http://www.royston-pet-care.co.uk



Will always miss you, my little Joshie Woshie xx

If you want real love, buy a dog

If you wouldn't use it on a child, don't use it on a dog

http://pettaxisg8.yolasite.com/
http://www.help-for-learner-drivers.yolasite.com/

That is quite disgusting, they have made hundreds and thousands of people who care donate to them believing they will genuinely be making a difference but no... Just adding to the 00's on the end of their bank statement.

I can think of a hundred ways to spend that money to better the lives of those animals in care. If I had that sort of money, it would certainly go towards those in need!!

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You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!

Harvey the Labrador X German Shepherd 12.2.08
Bella the Alaskan Malamute 1.8.09

Disgusting I thought DogsTrust was one of the good charities, clearly not

I'd love to set my own up someday.

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- Zeus a 4 year old Boxer cross.
- Milo a 2 year old Labrador.

OMG I am in a state of shock about this. Why aren't they spending the money on the dogs! Or on more buildings for housing the thousands of dogs they could take in with that kind of money. Thankfully I dont send them money but my mum sponsored one of their dogs until recently. Explains why they can afford those glossy telly ads!

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HONEY - GOLDEN RETRIEVER X WHITE GSD - 2006 -

Sending love to our beloved ones now playing together over the rainbow bridge.

ZAC - Black GSD - 1978 to 1991
TARA - Black and Tan GSD - 1981 to 1995
AMBER - Pomeranian - 1986 to 2001
BOBBY - Maltese - 1989 to 2007
SHEENA - Maltese - 1990 to 2005
JASON - Maltese - 1990 to 2005
LILLITH - Maltese - 1992 to 2003

i was giving money to a donkey charity abroad but then i realised after they were sending letters asking if i could donate more something was quite not right

so now i have decided my charity starts from home with the money being used for the care and up keep of my own animals .because you dont know what or where your money is going .

Yes, it's definitely an eye opener. And if you want another eye-opener, look for the RSPCA on the same link - but be sure you are sitting down when you do. Makes the Dogs Trust look quite poor does the RSPCA

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Bergies and borders - what more could anyone want? Siamese and maine coons, of course!

From the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam:
The Moving Finger writes, and, having writ,
Moves on, nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.
(But you can always edit your post, of course )

Wow

This is completely the opposite with my local dog charity that we support when we can. They had a total income of around £500,000 and had 36k left at the end of the year.

They rehome over 500 animals a year. Great place and it is clear that they all love what they do.

Leicester Animal Aid - Dog and Cat Rescue Leicestershire > Home

I used to give to the RSPCA by direct debit but stopped it after the first call i ever made to them. Its just a business to them.

Same thing with the RSPCA here, I cancelled my direct debit after I'd read about something they did, or rather refused to do, which disgusted me. That was some 3 years ago yet I still get phone calls asking me to reconsider, even after my asking them not to call again as I wouldn't change my mind

The last call was fairly recent and followed the usual *this is what we're doing/why we need your money* spiel, interspersed every few minutes with requests for ever decreasing amounts of money. I told the caller my spare cash now went to a local cat rehoming centre, to which he said "They must be very grateful" I told him they were and also had one big advantage over the RSPCA. He asked what that was and was told "They don't come knocking on my door or phone me if they haven't heard from me for a while"

What really sticks in my craw is that it's not actually the RSPCA calling, they employ companies to do it their behalf and if memory serves regarding this last call, this company will be paid £70k for doing so if they reached their donation target.

As you quite rightly said, it's a business to them, imo the actual charitable animal work is just a front.

Ian

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RIP Black Tom and Beckett, not just cats, they were my cats and the best ever.