The Charity Commission has launched a statutory inquiry into an animal rescue charity amid ‘serious financial concerns which have come to light’ during an ongoing police investigation.

The regulator will look at the financial management of Stoke-on-Trent based Animal Lifeline after concerns emerged during Staffordshire Police’s probe.

Also being looked at will be whether there has been an “loss, misapplication or misappropriation of the charity’s funds” and whether there has been any unauthorised private benefit to the trustees and connected parties.

The charity’s management of potential conflicts of interest will also be looked at by the regulator.

Animal Lifeline rescues and rehomes dogs and has been a registered charity since 1994.

According to its latest financial records its spending has outstripped its income for three of the last five years.

For the year ending December 2024, it spent £436,450 and earned £298,020.

Animal Lifeline has been contacted for comment.

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