BLUE CROSS
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.
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that Blue Cross ended the financial year with a net loss of £0.3m, driven by an operating loss and investment portfolio losses, though total income reached a record high. The charity holds unrestricted free reserves of £51.4m and liquid, unrestricted reserves of £25.9m, which the trustees consider sufficient to cover planned operating losses and strategic investments over the next few years.
What the accounts disclose
“At £29.2m (2023 £22.1m), legacy income was at a record high.”
“For every £1 invested in raising funds, we received £7.77 back in donations and legacies (2023 £6.50).”
“The charity has two subsidiary undertakings, Blue Cross Trading Company Limited and Blue Cross D&B Limited.” — page 37
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (23/03/2026)
- Received assets from another charity (28/08/2025)
- Received assets from another charity (18/07/2025)
- Received assets from another charity (14/05/2021)
Trustees
- Beth Brookchair
- Alison Forrestal
- Caroline Gosling
- Christopher Martin
- Clive Everest MA FCA
- JEREMY ROSS STEWART
- Kath Qualtrough
- Kerry Blackstock
- Nicholas Robert Park
- Nicola Jane Brooks-Coppard
- Stephen Paul Swift
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £50.6m | £50.7m |
| 31/12/2023 | £44.0m | £44.6m |
| 31/12/2022 | £45.9m | £41.2m |
| 31/12/2021 | £37.5m | £37.3m |
| 31/12/2020 | £36.0m | £35.9m |
Common questions
Is BLUE CROSS financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that Blue Cross ended the financial year with a net loss of £0.3m, driven by an operating loss and investment portfolio losses, though total income reached a record high. The charity holds unrestricted free reserves of £51.4m and liquid, unrestricted reserves of £25.9m, which the trustees consider sufficient to cover planned operating losses and strategic investments over the next few years. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by BDO LLP.
Who funds BLUE CROSS?
Funders whose own accounts filings name BLUE CROSS as a grant recipient include THE PETS AT HOME FOUNDATION, THE PENNIES FOUNDATION, SIR PETER O'SULLEVAN CHARITABLE TRUST, THE SERTH AND GATES CHARITY, THE CADOGAN CHARITY.
Known funders
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK government | 01/04/2024 | £7k | GCA AME RPA DELINKED PAYMENTS |
| UK government | 01/04/2023 | £9k | GCA PROG DEL RPA BPS DOMESTIC 16 OCT |
Charities like this
- TOGETHER FOR ANIMALS
- THE BRITISH BLUE CATTLE SOCIETY
- NEW START CAT RESCUE
- BROTHERHOOD OF THE CROSS AND STAR
- TWYCROSS ZOO-EAST MIDLAND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY LIMITED
- THE BEAGLE WELFARE SCHEME
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUE CROSS | £50.6m | — | — | unclear | 12.9% | no doubt |
| TOGETHER FOR ANIMALS | £236k | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE BRITISH BLUE CATTLE SOCIETY | £131k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| NEW START CAT RESCUE | £399k | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| BROTHERHOOD OF THE CROSS AND STAR | £543k | — | 0 | unclear | — | noted |
| TWYCROSS ZOO-EAST MIDLAND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY LIMITED | £15.4m | — | — | unclear | — | material uncertainty |