Our governance

Dogs Trust complies with the Charities Governance Code for Community, Voluntary and Charitable organisations in Ireland. We confirm that a review of our organisation’s compliance with the principles in the Code was conducted and was based on an assessment of our organisational practice against the recommended actions for each principle

• Principle 1: Leading our organisation
• Principle 2: Exercising control over our organisation
• Principle 3: Being transparent and accountable
• Principle 4: Working effectively
• Principle 5: Behaving with integrity

We confirm that our organisation is committed to the standards outlined in these principals. We commit to reviewing our organisational practice against the recommended actions for each principle every 3 years.

Please visit the Charities Governance Code website for more details.

Dogs Trust is fully committed to openness, transparency and the "triple lock" of best practise for charities in Ireland, covering the highest standards of good governance in fundraising and financial reporting.

Disclosure statement

Dogs Trust Ireland is open about whether those seeking donations on their behalf are volunteers, employees of the organisation or are third party agents.

If or when a member of the public enquires about the employment standing of a fundraiser they must receive an honest and open answer. The standing in this case relates to whether or not a fundraiser is a volunteer, a paid employee of the charitable organisation or a third party agent working on behalf of the charity.

The recommended form of words are:

Dogs Trust Ireland Volunteer
"I volunteer for Dogs Trust"

Dogs Trust Ireland Employee
"I work for Dogs Trust"

Third Party Agent
"I work for ABC company and we have been engaged by Dogs Trust  to raise funds for them"

Public compliance statement

• Dogs Trust is committed to complying with the Guidelines for Charitable Organisations on fundraising from the public and has formally discussed and adopted the guidelines at a meeting of the Board of Directors.
• Dogs Trust confirms its commitment to the principles set out in the Guidelines for Charitable Organisations on fundraising from the public. A statement to that effect is included in the annual report.
• Dogs Trust has a Donor Charter which is consistent with the Guidelines for Charitable Organisations on Fundraising from the Public
• Dogs Trust regularly monitors compliance with the Guidelines for Charitable Organisations on Fundraising from the Public.
• Dogs Trust considers the Guidelines for Charitable Organisations on Fundraising from the public when planning all fundraising activities.
• Dogs Trust insists that the Guiding Principles for Fundraising are upheld when we engage with third party agencies. Third party Direct Recruitment agencies must also have signed up to and abide the Charities Governance Code.
• Dogs Trust provides honest, open and transparent disclosure when fundraising from the public.
• The Executive Director of Dogs Trust is responsible for compliance with the Guidelines for Charitable Organisations on fundraising from the public.
• Dogs Trust ensures that fundraising staff are provided with information and training on the
• Guidelines for Charitable Organisations on fundraising from the public.
• Dogs Trust has a feedback and complaints procedure consistent with the Guidelines for Charitable Organisations on fundraising from the public. Feedback is recorded for review by relevant staff including the CEO and the Board of Directors. Feedback is responded to promptly and appropriately.
• Dogs Trust prepares financial reports consistent with the requirements of the Charities Act 2009 which include a statement concerning the extent to which control of the organisation is independent of its funding sources.
• Dogs Trust ensures that all donations are tracked and recorded in line with data protection requirements.
• Dogs Trust is accessible to the public through a number of readily available contact options.
• Dogs Trust is registered with the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA), Registered Charity Number 20057978.