Our New CIO Status – Frequently Asked Questions
Since 1953, RSPCA Bristol & District Branch (Registered Charity No. 205858) and Bristol Dogs and Cats Home (Registered Charity No. 205858-1), have been operating as linked charities, and since 2018 we have used the working name Bristol Animal Rescue Centre. We understand that this has not been the clearest position to explain to our supporters and are therefore pleased to now be moving to a simpler charity legal structure of one active Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
Our official charity name is now RSPCA Bristol and District Branch CIO and our new charity number is 1216045. Bristol Animal Rescue Centre remains the working name of RSPCA Bristol and District Branch CIO.
What is a CIO?
A CIO (short for Charitable Incorporated Organisation) is a type of legal structure for charities. We have always been operating as a charity, but before this change, we were set up as two linked charities – RSPCA Bristol & District Branch (an unincorporated charity, Registered Charity No. 205858) and Bristol Dogs and Cats Home Trust (a private limited company, Registered Charity No. 205858-1).
Why did we make the change?
Whilst we are an independent and local charity, we are also a branch of the national RSPCA. The national RSPCA recommended that branches make the switch due to the higher levels of structural security given by becoming a CIO.
Becoming a CIO has simplified our organisational structure, merging Bristol Dogs and Cats Home with RSPCA Bristol and District Branch. This will enable less resource to be used administering our charity and provide better transparency for our supporters.
Does this affect your charitable activities?
No, our charity’s mission, vision and day to day activities remain unchanged. Our mission is to ensure animals in need within our community* receive the compassion, care and respect they deserve. We are committed to helping, healing and homing animals for as long as they need us.
*Our community is the Bristol & District Branch area, whilst working in close coordination with animal welfare partners nationally and in surrounding areas to ensure the best possible welfare for all animals.
There will be no change to the support we provide for animals as a result of this legal structure change.
What does this mean for my donations?
If you’ve made a donation to us, or used our services before, you can be confident that your personal information is just as safe as ever. Your data has simply been securely transferred to our new charitable organisation, with no changes to how it’s protected.
If you have recently made a donation, you can be assured that your donation will still be used to achieve our mission of ensuring animals in need within our community receive the compassion, care and respect they deserve.
If you donate by direct debit or standing order*, your donation will have been automatically transferred to our new bank account, so there is no need to do anything.
*A small number of standing orders which were being sent to an old bank account will need to be updated by the donor. These donors have been written to by email or post.
I’ve left you a gift in my will, do I need to update it?
Yes, you will need to update your will to ensure your gift reaches us according to your wishes. You will need to update with our new name and charity number: RSPCA Bristol and District Branch CIO, Charity No 1216045.
Updating your will ensures that your generosity continues to change the lives of local animals, exactly as you intended. If you wish to talk to our team about your gift before updating your will, please contact us at fundraising@bristolarc.org.uk or call 0117 980 3906.
Have your bank details changed?
Yes, our new bank details are:
Name on Account RSPCA Bristol and District CIO
Bank Name Barclays
Account Number 30199559
Sort Code 20-13-67
Are the trustees and staff the same?
Yes, our Board of Trustees and dedicated staff remain the same as before.
Is the charity still registered with the Charity Commission?
Yes, we are still registered with the Charity Commission under the new CIO. You can view our details here: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5272121
Do contact details remain unchanged?
Yes, you can still contact us at:
Bristol Animal Rescue Centre
48-50 Albert Road
Bristol
BS2 0XA
0117 977 6043
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to Contact Us.
