The Zoological Society of London

Analysis

The Zoological Society of London is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in April 1963, 63 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, animals and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under animals. It says it sponsors or undertakes research and other charitable activities.

In the financial year ending April 2025, The Zoological Society of London reported income of £92.7m and spending of £90.9m, spending 98% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from April 2021 to April 2025, income grew from £58.8m to £92.7m (+58%), an average of +12% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to April 2022, when income rose by 35%. Over the whole period it spent 96% of the income it received.

Among 2,161 England and Wales charities whose main cause is animals and that reported income, The Zoological Society of London sits at the 100th 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 The North of England Zoological Society (£70.5m), Cats Protection (£105.6m) and Battersea Dogs' and Cats' Home (£68.4m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 69%, trading 22% and donations and legacies 7.6%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £443k. Charitable activities took 77% of spending and raising funds 3.0%. Grants to other organisations totalled £2.7m. Reserves of £14.6m would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 957 people.