Blue Cross
Also known as: The Blue Cross, The Blue Cross (incorporating Our Dumb Friends League)
THE BLUE CROSS'S PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE IS TO ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE KINDNESS TO, AND THE PROTECTION OF, ANIMALS AND TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC IN RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP. THE BLUE CROSS AIMS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY PET WILL ENJOY A HEALTHY LIFE IN A HAPPY HOME.
Activities & Mission
THE BLUE CROSS'S PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE IS TO ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE KINDNESS TO, AND THE PROTECTION OF, ANIMALS AND TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC IN RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP. THE BLUE CROSS AIMS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY PET WILL ENJOY A HEALTHY LIFE IN A HAPPY HOME.
Grants
Blue Cross makes grants as part of its work.
- Gives grants to
- organisations and individuals
- Total spending (2025)
- £51,496,000
- Only charities with income over £500,000 file a separate grants figure.
- Who it helps
- children and young people, elderly people, other charities or voluntary bodies, other defined groups and the general public
- What it supports
- education and training and animals
As recorded with the Charity Commission. To ask about applying, use the contact details and check the trustees and latest accounts below.
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Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.
Country
Region
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 18% of UK Housing charities with income over £10M (sample: 115). How is this calculated?
Higher than 18% of UK Housing charities with income over £10M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 17% of UK Housing charities with income over £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?
Latest Financial Breakdown
Income Sources
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £50,316,000 | £51,496,000 | £36,069,000 | £76,404,000 | £52,100,000 | 918 / 3258 |
| 2024 | £50,636,000 | £50,724,000 | £37,285,000 | £74,795,000 | £51,400,000 | 893 / 2797 |
| 2023 | £43,979,000 | £44,583,000 | £32,066,000 | £75,126,000 | £51,600,000 | 798 / 2466 |
| 2022 | £45,925,000 | £41,188,000 | £29,108,000 | £74,744,000 | £49,700,000 | 771 / 2280 |
| 2021 | £37,474,000 | £37,311,000 | £25,661,000 | £76,235,000 | £51,400,000 | 763 / 2500 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about Blue Cross
What does Blue Cross do?
THE BLUE CROSS'S PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE IS TO ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE KINDNESS TO, AND THE PROTECTION OF, ANIMALS AND TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC IN RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP. THE BLUE CROSS AIMS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY PET WILL ENJOY A HEALTHY LIFE IN A HAPPY HOME.
How much income did Blue Cross report in 2025?
Blue Cross reported total income of £50.32m and reported expenditure of £51.50m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is Blue Cross?
Blue Cross has a program ratio of 71.7%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 18% of UK Housing charities with income over £10M (sample of 115 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was Blue Cross registered as a charity?
Blue Cross was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 8 February 1965 as charity number 224392. It has been registered for 61 years.
Who runs Blue Cross?
Blue Cross is governed by a board of 11 trustees. The chair of trustees is Beth Brook. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does Blue Cross operate?
Blue Cross operates across 4 areas: Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England And Wales.
Is Blue Cross a registered charity?
Yes — Blue Cross is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 224392.
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Registry Information
Other notable Housing charities
Major UK charities in the same primary sector, drawn from the curated priority cohort.
Trustees
Sectors & Classifications
Also Known As
- The Blue Cross
- The Blue Cross (incorporating Our Dumb Friends League)
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 9 November 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated