Schnauzerfest

Charity Number: 1185975

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

Annual Giving: £165,000 (approx)
Success Rate: Not publicly available
Decision Time: Rapid for urgent cases (days to weeks)
Grant Range: £51 - £7,000+
Geographic Focus: UK and Ireland

Contact Details

Website: www.schnauzerfest.org

Email: info@schnauzerfest.org (General enquiries)

Grant Applications: admin@schnauzerfest.org

Phone: 07799 865575

Registered Charity Number: 1185975

Overview

SCHNAUZERFEST was founded in 2014 by writer Janetta Harvey following her adoption of Susie-Belle, a miniature schnauzer rescued from a puppy farm. What began as social media-based fundraising walks raised almost £8,000 in its first year and grew into a registered charity in October 2019. Operating as a CIO - Foundation with four trustees and 12 volunteers, the charity raised over £207,000 in its first six years before gaining registered charity status. For the financial year ending March 2024, Schnauzerfest had income of £170,287 and expenditure of £167,903. The charity has paid veterinary bills for 59 rescue organisations across Britain and Ireland. Beyond grant-making, Schnauzerfest is deeply committed to educating the public about puppy farming and low welfare dog breeding practices. All proceeds from founder Janetta Harvey's books about Susie-Belle are donated to the charity. The organisation operates entirely through volunteer effort with no paid staff or trustee remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Schnauzerfest operates a single grant program focused on veterinary bills:

Veterinary Bill Grants: £51 - £7,000+ (rolling basis, email application)
Applications accepted via email to admin@schnauzerfest.org
Covers veterinary treatment costs for dogs in rescue care
Grant amounts vary based on individual dog needs
Examples include: £51 for veterinary consultations, £2,000+ per eye for cataract surgery, £5,000 for cataract surgery (Luna), £7,000 for back surgery (Cilla)
Payments made monthly, with thousands of pounds distributed each month

Priority Areas

Who They Fund:

Registered UK rescue organisations (majority of grants)
Irish animal welfare organisations
Individual dog owners facing financial hardship for veterinary care
Rescues caring for dogs seized from illegal breeding facilities (where legal restrictions prevent public fundraising)

Priority Cases:

Schnauzers (primarily, but not exclusively)
Dogs rescued from the breeding industry, irrespective of breed
Dogs requiring urgent medical intervention
Multiple-dog rescues from puppy farms or breeding facilities

Types of Veterinary Care Funded:

Cataract surgeries and vision restoration
Dental procedures (including full extractions)
Neutering and spaying
Orthopedic surgeries
Emergency medical interventions
Treatment for infections and chronic conditions
Heart defect treatments
General medical care for neglected dogs

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, Schnauzerfest appears focused exclusively on veterinary care for rescue dogs. They do not fund:

General operational costs for rescue organisations
Capital projects or building work
Non-veterinary expenses
Causes unrelated to dog rescue and welfare

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Janetta Harvey (Founder)

Adopted Susie-Belle, a miniature schnauzer who spent 8 years in a puppy farm. Author of “Saving Susie-Belle,” with all book royalties donated to the charity. Began fundraising and supporting rescue work in 2011.

Kate Mitchell (Treasurer)

Has been with Schnauzerfest from the start, managing the charity's finances.

Anne Barlow

Joined Schnauzerfest in 2017 after becoming aware of puppy farm conditions through the charity's work. Read Janetta Harvey's book about Susie-Belle.

Annabel Wilson

Grew up with dogs, including miniature and standard schnauzers. Has two standard schnauzers, one of whom is adopted.

Camilla Kinton

Lifelong dog lover who adopted Isla, a dog rescued from a puppy farm. Motivated by a TV program about puppy farming.

Patron

Cat Henstridge (Cat The Vet)

Veterinary surgeon who writes for various publications, appears on CBeebies' “The Pets Factor,” and campaigns against puppy farming. Passionate about animal welfare and responsible pet ownership.

Leadership Quote:

“For every dog helped, every penny is worth it.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Schnauzerfest operates a simple, accessible application process:

Email Application: Contact admin@schnauzerfest.org to request financial assistance
Provide Details: Include information about the dog(s) requiring veterinary care, the rescue organisation (if applicable), and estimated costs
No Formal Forms: There is no complex application form or portal system

The charity accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Decision Timeline

Urgent Cases: The Board of Trustees can make rapid decisions when needed. For example, when trustees saw news about Ravens Rescue facing financial difficulties, a grant was “quickly agreed” by the Board of Trustees within days.

Standard Timeline: While specific timelines are not published, the charity processes applications regularly and distributes grants monthly.

Notification: Grant decisions appear to be communicated directly by email.

Success Rates

Success rates are not published. However, the charity has supported 59 rescue organisations across Britain and Ireland and helps numerous individual dogs each year, suggesting they are responsive to genuine need.

Reapplication Policy

No formal reapplication restrictions are published. Many rescue organisations appear to receive multiple grants over time for different dogs in their care.

Application Success Factors

Based on the grants awarded and the charity's documented priorities, successful applications typically demonstrate:

1. Clear Veterinary Need

Specific examples of funded cases include dogs requiring urgent medical intervention (Mario's dental work after years of neglect), vision restoration (Chase's cataract surgery despite being born blind), and complex surgeries (Cilla's £7,000 back surgery).

2. Connection to Puppy Farming/Breeding Industry

The charity prioritises dogs rescued from breeding facilities. Multiple grants have supported rescues taking in dogs from illegal puppy farms, such as Hope Rescue's assistance with 47 dogs from an illegal facility.

3. Registered Rescue Status

While individuals can apply, the majority of grants go to registered UK rescues. Having legitimate rescue organisation status strengthens applications.

4. Geographic Location

Focus is on Britain and Ireland. The charity has worked with organisations across both countries.

5. Financial Barriers

Cases where legal restrictions prevent public fundraising (dogs seized from illegal facilities) or where rescue organisations face genuine financial hardship are prioritised.

Recent Examples of Funded Projects:

Hope Rescue: Veterinary treatment for 47 dogs from illegal puppy farm
Dogs Friends Rescue: Treatment for 5 schnauzers leaving the breeding industry (2024)
Miniature Schnauzer Rescue Ireland: Medication for elderly dogs Freya and Bree
Ravens Rescue: Emergency support when facing financial difficulties
Hereford and Worcester Animal Rescue: Full dental treatment for 12-year-old Mario after years of neglect

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Keep it simple: Email applications work best. Explain the veterinary need clearly with estimated costs
Highlight breeding industry connections: Dogs rescued from puppy farms or commercial breeding facilities are priority cases regardless of breed
Be specific about veterinary needs: Successful applications detail exactly what treatment is required and why
Don't be deterred by grant size: The charity funds everything from £51 consultations to £7,000 surgeries based on genuine need
Build awareness of your rescue's work: The trustees respond to rescues they become aware of through news, social media, and sector connections
Urgent cases get rapid response: When trustees identify critical need, decisions can be made within days
Multiple applications welcomed: Rescue organisations can receive grants for different dogs over time - there's no “one grant per organisation” limit
Geographic focus matters: Ensure your organisation operates in Britain or Ireland