We're registered!!!! (sort of)

Friday saw out bid to become a registered charity pass its final hurdle!

The person at the Charity Commission tasked with ensuring we ticked all the right boxes, and had everything worded legally gave us the final pass we required to become registered. We do not have a "number" yet because now our file is passed to the registrations team who assign the number. We're told this will take up to 15 days.

Five months of solid work by a dedicated team of volunteers has paid off.

Registration is important on so many levels. For the public in gives the reassurance that we are legal. It also stops some of the sniping that I have heard from one supposedly charitable group who seem to have resented our presence. It also saves us money, because now we can get a reduction in VAT on our veterinary treatment bills and advertising. It should also mean that we can claim gift aid on our donations. It's win win all the way.

New Objects agreed

The Directors have voted unanimously to accept the proposed Objects as suggested by the Charity Commission in order to complete registration. This is good news. The amendment must not be sent to Companies House and the Commission to complete this process.

Amendment to our Memorandum

Blimey, we've probably tried too hard but the Charity Commission have recommended we amend our chosen Objects because there are elements that not charitable in law. This is a requirement for us to complete the registration. This is what happens when you do not take legal advice and believe everything in the best interests of a dog is therefore charitable. That said the areas that are a cause for concern covered such things as having a non-destruction policy. This cannot be one of our objects in law, but can be a policy. Rest assured that our non-destruction is going nowhere.

Fortunately the good chaps at the Commission have recommended a wording that is charitable in law. We now need a directors meeting to approve the amended Memorandum.

Dog fighting again

BBC News ran a detailed story on dog fighting today. I have already put into words my intense anger at these brutal acts and I did not want to see the report but I had to. The poor Staffie they showed with its broken jaw and numerous wounds over his head gave an indication of how pathetic our system of dealing with the perpetrators will be. The law simply is not strong enough. Breeding is too easy, and with that there is no way of knowing how many dogs are out there and with whom. A license scheme which I have always opposed seems even more necessary today. My objection to such a scheme is based on how well it will be administered and upheld. With that comes lots of taxpayers money and just do not see that being a priority for any political party.