About the Friends of
Bath Cats and Dogs Home
In 1980 a group of animal lovers formed and independent Charity, The Friends of Bath Cats and Dogs Home.
Our main aim is to raise much needed funds to support Bath Cats and Dogs Home, which has been voted the number one re-homing centre in the UK for the second year running; a recent Dogs Trust survey revealed that 101,586 stray dogs were found in the UK in 2005, of them, 7,743 had to be destroyed, as homes could not be found for them. We also occasionally donate funds to other animal welfare organizations whose work reduces pressure upon the home.
We currently have about 1,400 Friends who through their subscriptions, donations, legacies and fundraising over the past 24 years have raised the magnificent sum of around £2m. A Committee of Trustees manages these funds, organizes fundraising events and also approves all donations large or small.
Over the years the Friends have contributed £1.2 million to the re-development of the Home, provision of an Animal Ambulance, outfitting the vet’s suite and cost of a new IT system. The Friends have contributed £400K towards vets’ bills since 2004 and recently, £450K of a total cost of £500K for 2 new ‘state of the art’ circular kennels and runs to replace very old and tired buildings. Construction started at the end of February 2006 and was completed at the end of August 2006.
Each Friend gets a short newsletter three times a year, with information on our recent activities and major events such as the Open Day in early September and the Christmas Bazaar in November, together with a copy of the Home Newsletter. In addition, they have the satisfaction of knowing their contributions go directly to animal welfare, at minimum cost.
Why not become a member of The Friends? Your contributions will make a difference. Subscriptions start at as little as £3 a month – but you can pay more if you want to! If you are a standard rate taxpayer, we can reclaim £0.28p for each £1 from the Inland Revenue for the Charity, so please also complete a Gift Aid mandate – it isn’t often Mr Brown gives back some of our hard earned money! If you are a higher rate taxpayer you can reclaim a further £0.18 for each £1 for yourself. You can pay by cash or cheque or by standing order if you would find this more convenient. Please also remember us in your will – legacies are exempt from inheritance tax and can reduce your IHT liability – by simply stating your wishes in your will and quoting our charity number. It is also now possible to donate unwanted shareholdings directly to the charity e.g. individually held windfall shares as a result of privatization or demutualization.
The Friends have always depended heavily on volunteers to run and support all our fund raising events. We need new blood and lots of muscle, so, Ladies and Gentlemen, if you can please donate your time, energy and expertise we would love you to become a volunteer (link to Events page).
20 June 2007