Post by mugsy on Feb 9, 2006 13:58:36 GMT 1
Directors of a dogs home which takes Warrington strays have agreed to cooperate with a Charity Commission probe, instigated by the Warrington Guardian.
Staff at Leigh Animal Sanctuary told two reporters, who telephoned the front desk posing as donors, that it is a 'charitable trust'.
And an associated body called Friends of Leigh Animal Sanctuary Ltd, based at the same premises, says in its recent set of accounts, that it collects money for 'charitable purposes'.
The home ... said it thought it was acting lawfully and said the money was used correctly for the care of stray animals.
But a Charity Commission spokesman said: "Neither Leigh Animal Sanctuary nor Friends of Leigh Animal Sanctuary Limited are registered charities.
"The Charity Commission was in contact with Friends of Leigh Animal Sanctuary Limited in 2001 and 2002, but based on the information we received at that time, it appeared that this organisation was not exclusively charitable.
"We will now be considering the information provided by the Warrington Guardian to determine whether further action is required and whether we now need to contact one or both of these organisations."
.... A solicitor .. acting for directors ... said "The memo founding The Friends said it would be for the care and welfare of stray animals and the memo provided for a charitable trust if required.
"The directors are immediately checking the position with the Charity Commission and will co-operate fully if any matters need to be rectified".
"Its accepted that it had been run along those lines for in excess of four and a half years, and it's further accepted that the use of the term "charitable" should never have been made".
Full article available in the Warrington Guardian today.
I couldn't find it on line or would have posted a link!
What interests me is the way this money may be used to supplement high fees paid by the local authorities for the care of stray animals. Nothing is mentioned of their wholesale acceptance of hand over animals, the number of dogs taken into their care and the number of kennels they actually own. It is also my understanding that the same premises are used for the purposes of private boarding, and that on occassion stray dogs have been found in private boarding area.
I would strongly urge anyone who has donated money to this organisation under false beliefs to contact the organisation today and request a full explanation, if not a full refund.
www.thisischeshire.co.uk/cheshire/warrington/news/WARRINGTON_NEWS2.html
Staff at Leigh Animal Sanctuary told two reporters, who telephoned the front desk posing as donors, that it is a 'charitable trust'.
And an associated body called Friends of Leigh Animal Sanctuary Ltd, based at the same premises, says in its recent set of accounts, that it collects money for 'charitable purposes'.
The home ... said it thought it was acting lawfully and said the money was used correctly for the care of stray animals.
But a Charity Commission spokesman said: "Neither Leigh Animal Sanctuary nor Friends of Leigh Animal Sanctuary Limited are registered charities.
"The Charity Commission was in contact with Friends of Leigh Animal Sanctuary Limited in 2001 and 2002, but based on the information we received at that time, it appeared that this organisation was not exclusively charitable.
"We will now be considering the information provided by the Warrington Guardian to determine whether further action is required and whether we now need to contact one or both of these organisations."
.... A solicitor .. acting for directors ... said "The memo founding The Friends said it would be for the care and welfare of stray animals and the memo provided for a charitable trust if required.
"The directors are immediately checking the position with the Charity Commission and will co-operate fully if any matters need to be rectified".
"Its accepted that it had been run along those lines for in excess of four and a half years, and it's further accepted that the use of the term "charitable" should never have been made".
Full article available in the Warrington Guardian today.
I couldn't find it on line or would have posted a link!
What interests me is the way this money may be used to supplement high fees paid by the local authorities for the care of stray animals. Nothing is mentioned of their wholesale acceptance of hand over animals, the number of dogs taken into their care and the number of kennels they actually own. It is also my understanding that the same premises are used for the purposes of private boarding, and that on occassion stray dogs have been found in private boarding area.
I would strongly urge anyone who has donated money to this organisation under false beliefs to contact the organisation today and request a full explanation, if not a full refund.
www.thisischeshire.co.uk/cheshire/warrington/news/WARRINGTON_NEWS2.html