The Howletts Wild Animal Trust

Analysis

The Howletts Wild Animal Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Hythe. It was registered in November 2003, 23 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training, animals and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under animals. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 04711904). It says it provides human resources, provides buildings/facilities/open space and provides services.

In the financial year ending December 2025, The Howletts Wild Animal Trust reported income of £30.8m and spending of £30.1m, spending 98% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £22.4m to £30.8m (+37%), an average of +8.3% a year. Over the whole period it spent 98% of the income it received.

Among 2,161 England and Wales charities whose main cause is animals and that reported income, The Howletts Wild Animal Trust sits at the 99th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Colchester Zoological Society (£27.4m), Birdlife International (£37.0m) and The Soil Association Limited (£24.9m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from trading 59% and charitable activities 39%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £15k. Charitable activities took 57% of spending and raising funds 43%. Reserves of £3.1m would cover about 1 months of spending at that rate. It employed 624 people.