Dartmoor Zoological Society
Analysis
Dartmoor Zoological Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Plymouth. It was registered in September 2014, 12 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, animals and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under animals. Legally it is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending December 2025, Dartmoor Zoological Society reported income of £2.4m and spending of £2.3m, spending 96% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income fell from £2.5m to £2.4m (-2.7%), an average of -0.7% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income dropped by 28%. 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, Dartmoor Zoological Society sits at the 96th percentile: it is larger than about 96% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 97th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include M J Camp Charitable Foundation (£2.4m), Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter (£2.4m) and Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (£2.3m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 53%, trading 36% and donations and legacies 11%. Charitable activities took 63% of spending and raising funds 2.3%. Grants to other organisations totalled £8,275. Reserves of £231k would cover about 1 months of spending at that rate. It employed 60 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 11%
- Charitable activities 53%
- Trading 36%
- Investments 0.2%
In the charity's own words
The Charity aims to promote the conservation, care and breeding of wildlife and endangered species, encouraging and developing the public interest in and awareness of the importance of ensuring the survival of species and diversity of life. It aims to raise awareness for animal conservation, welfare and education projects and to support conservation in the wild and across the world.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| M J Camp Charitable Foundation | Hampshire | £2.4m |
| Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter | Newcastle Upon Tyne | £2.4m |
| Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust | Bournemouth | £2.3m |
| RSPCA Devon Branch | Exeter | £2.4m |