The Scientific Exploration Society

Analysis

The Scientific Exploration Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Shaftesbury. It was registered in April 1974, 52 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, animals and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under animals. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 01145214). It says it provides human resources, provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.

In the financial year ending June 2025, The Scientific Exploration Society reported income of £185k and spending of £165k, spending 89% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2021 to June 2025, income grew from £47k to £185k (+295%), an average of +41% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2022, when income rose by 104%. 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, The Scientific Exploration Society sits at the 73rd percentile: it is larger than about 73% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 80th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Pauline Meredith Charitable Trust (£185k), Venture Farm Cat Rescue (£186k) and Pelorus Foundation (£183k).