Dogs Trust Legacy

Also known as: Dogs Trust, Ncdl, The National Canine Defence League

Dogs Trust operates a network of rehoming centres across the UK; each provides dog accomodation, puppy houses, isolation blocks and treatment rooms.Dogs Trust provides financial assistance to allow owners in genuine need to have their dogs neutered through participating veterinary practices.Dogs Trust provides dog training and educational material on responsible dog ownership.

Email Charity

Activities & Mission

Areas of Operation

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

Bosnia And Herzegovina Ireland Northern Ireland Scotland

Region

England And Wales

Financial Information

Latest Income

£67,323,001

Latest Expenditure

£271,790,001

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 69.3%

% of income going directly to charitable activities

Overall Efficiency 17.2%

% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Administrative Ratio 8.4%

Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £59,493,001

Charitable Activities £1,428,060

Other Trading £4,774,937

Investments £1,228,002

Other Income £399,001

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £46,662,000

Raising Funds £22,329,000

Governance £390,001

Grants to Institutions £6,535,017

Other Expenditure £202,799,001

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2024.

One or more years show a significant change in income (over ±100%) compared with the prior year. This usually reflects a merger, transfer of activities, restated accounts, or a one-off legacy — not necessarily a real change in operating scale. See the methodology for context.

The Commission record shows these related events on the register:

Asset transfer in in 2024 — Sutton-in-Ashfield (e) Townswomen's Guild (organisation 3977874)
Asset transfer in in 2024 — West Mercia Animal Refuge (organisation 5155334)
Asset transfer in in 2023 — Michael Maughan Charitable Trust (organisation 1020917)
Asset transfer in in 2023 — The Edward Sharples Charitable Trust (organisation 1003963)

Financial Year	Income	Expenditure	Charitable Spending	Net Assets	Reserves	Staff
2024	£67,323,001	£271,790,001	£46,662,000	£267,999	£267,999	1815 / 1500
2023	£136,045,330	£138,648,959	£100,136,503	£209,134,154	£81,431,125	1896 / 1000
2022	£124,598,892	£117,522,361	£83,375,674	£209,853,960	£84,100,000	1612 / 1000
2021	£119,472,406	£102,502,371	£74,027,398	£213,182,872	£67,146,000	1381 / 3400
2020	£11,474,980	£97,410,672	£73,469,246	£187,830,287	£39,086,000	1465 / 2520

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Dogs Trust Legacy

What does Dogs Trust Legacy do?

How much income did Dogs Trust Legacy report in 2024?

Dogs Trust Legacy reported total income of £67.32m and reported expenditure of £271.79m for the financial year ending 2024, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

When was Dogs Trust Legacy registered as a charity?

Dogs Trust Legacy was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 7 June 1963 as charity number 227523. It has been registered for 63 years.

Who runs Dogs Trust Legacy?

Dogs Trust Legacy is governed by a board of 1 trustee. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Dogs Trust Legacy operate?

Dogs Trust Legacy operates across 5 areas, including Bosnia And Herzegovina, Ireland, Northern Ireland and 2 others. The full list is shown on its profile.

Is Dogs Trust Legacy a registered charity?

Yes — Dogs Trust Legacy is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 227523.