The Fundraising Standards Board has not upheld a complaint against Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in relation to doorstep fundraising.

The complaint related to agency APPCO making a fundraising approach to a household displaying a ‘No Cold Calling’ sign. The FRSB ruled that the approach did not breach the ‘respectful’ principle in the fundraising Code of Fundraising Practice.

Battersea suspended visits to the complainant’s house immediately upon request.

Announcing its decision, the FRSB said the legal position on No Cold Calling signs is “complex and ambiguous”. This is the second FRSB ruling in relation to No Cold Calling signage in recent months, and the board made a series of recommendations on the issue.

Research should be carried out to determine the public’s views on whether No Cold Calling signage applies to charities, FRSB said, the outcomes of which would inform any alterations to the Code.

The FRSB recommended the charity sector consider the feasibility of introducing a preference service for doorstep fundraising, similar to the Mailing Preference Service and the Telephone Preference Service. It also suggested No Cold Calling signage should be more conspicuous.

FRSB chair Colin Lloyd said the Battersea case highlights an area of fundraising where there is a lack of consistency, and some uncertainty about how charities and suppliers should act.

“Some charities will allow fundraisers to visit residences that display no cold calling signage, while others won’t, concerned that their visit might contravene donors’ wishes or damage the brand and reputation of the charity,” Lloyd said. “Greater clarity about how charities might handle this situation would be highly beneficial and we look forward to the outcome of the IoF’s Working Group on Doorstep Fundraising and any recommendations the group may have.”

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