Blue Cross

Analysis

Blue Cross is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Burford. It was registered in February 1965, 61 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and animals, which this site groups under animals. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 00363197). It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and provides human resources.

In the financial year ending December 2025, Blue Cross reported income of £50.3m and spending of £51.5m, spending 102% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £37.5m to £50.3m (+34%), an average of +7.6% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income rose by 23%. Over the whole period it spent 99% of the income it received.

Among 2,161 England and Wales charities whose main cause is animals and that reported income, Blue Cross 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 Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (£46.8m), Virunga Foundation (£53.8m) and Fauna & Flora International (£44.8m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 75%, trading 14%, charitable activities 8.0% and investments 2.3%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £28.1m. Charitable activities took 70% of spending and raising funds 30%. Reserves of £52.1m would cover about 12 months of spending at that rate. It employed 918 people.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.