Introduction

This Code of Ethics was adapted from the HHP Canine Code of Ethics originally created in 2007 for the rescue community in Canada by the Founding Committee (see below).  Since that time, it has been reviewed and commented on by over 40 rescue groups in Canada and subsequently modified based upon the groups that commented on it.  Helping Homeless Pets has adopted this Feline Code of Ethics as our official Code and all of our member rescues have agreed to adhere to this Code.  Should you have any comments or feedback concerning this Code, please contact us at: ethics@helpinghomelesspets.com, we welcome your comments.

This Code of Ethics is protected by Copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or part without express written permission of the Committee.

 Section 1 – Definitions

Words importing the singular number only shall include the plural and vice versa and words importing a specific gender shall include the other gender.  The word “person” shall include adopter, adopters, affiliates, corporate, corporations, companies, members, partnerships, representatives, rescues, rescuers, syndicates, trusts and any number of aggregate of persons; and

The headings or clauses used in this Code of Ethics are inserted for reference purposes only.  They are not to be considered or taken into account in construing the terms and provisions thereof, nor to be deemed in any way to clarify, modify or explain the effect of any such terms or provisions.

In this Code of Ethics:

“Adopter” – means any person or persons who legally takes ownership of a cat by signing an adoption contract with a non-profit organization that may include an adoption fee.  All references to the term “adopter” are interchangeable with “potential adopter” and include the singular or plural forms in the context of this document.

“Animal” – means any member of the animal kingdom, other than a human.

“Founding Committee” – means the committee of people that created this Code of Ethics.

“Grievance” – means an individual or group believes a violation of this Code of Ethics has occurred and a formal complaint has been registered.

“Cat” – means a male or female cat over the age of 6 months.

“Kitten” – means a male or female cat under the age of 6 months.

"Member" - means a Rescue or Rescuer who has undertaken to abide by this Code of Ethics.

“Must” – means this condition is a requirement of the Code of Ethics.

“Owner” – means any person or organization that has legal custody and responsibility of an animal.  This would include a person who has paid and entered into a contract and/or paid an adoption fee to take custody of an animal to a rescue or shelter.  This owner cannot be a minor.

 “Region” - means a geographic area and will represent different areas to different rescues.  It may be a province, part of a province, a town or group of towns.

“Rescue” - means a non-profit organization.  It may be registered or recognized by one of the Provinces or territories of Canada, the Federal Government, or it may be the work of one or more individuals.  It is realized and accepted that there are many different rescues at different stages of development and maturity.  All references to the term “Rescue” may be interchangeable with the term “Rescuer” and include the singular or plural forms in the context of this document.

“Rescuer” – means an individual person.  This person may be a member or volunteer for a rescue group.  All references of the term “Rescuer” may be interchangeable with the term “Rescue” and is to include the singular or plural forms in the context of this document.

“Screen or Screening” – means the process of determining if a potential adopter would qualify to adopt a cat or a specific cat from a rescue.  Foster homes may also be screened to ensure they would be a suitable temporary home for a cat.

“Should” – means this condition of the Code of Ethics is recommended, but is at the discretion of the Rescue.

“Violation” – means a mandatory condition or clause contained in this COE has been breached by a member.

Section 3 – General

3.1 To conduct rescue efforts as a not-for-profit endeavour, whether the Rescue is an organization or non-profit corporation recognized by the Province, the federal government or is the work of one or more private individuals.

(a) When conducting Rescue activities based upon the efforts of a volunteer workforce, members will receive no personal compensation for any rescue related work or endeavours.  Rescues may, at their discretion, reimburse volunteers for out of pocket expenses.

(b) Where a Rescue Organization is incorporated as a non-profit corporation and hires employees to oversee their operations

(i)    those employees will receive only their agreed wages and health benefits as allowed by Provincial  or Federal regulation;
(ii)   rescues may, at their discretion, reimburse employees for out of pocket expenses;
(iii)  employees will not receive additional personal benefits or bonuses linked to their association or employment with the non-profit rescue organization from any source.

3.2 Member groups must provide contact information to HHP, including the name(s) of the primary operator(s) of the Rescue Group, with a current mailing address, phone number and an e-mail address, if applicable.   This information will not be made available publicly.

3.5 Each Rescue should ensure all volunteers within the Rescue are educated about and aware of the standards of the Rescue, this Code of Ethics and internal procedures for fostering, temperament evaluation, transport, etc to the best of their knowledge.  Each Rescue should ensure that their members are informed of and understand the importance of confidentiality.

3.6 Each Rescue will have a Mission Statement and will provide a copy of this Mission Statement as part of the application process to join HHP.  The Mission Statement will contain information about the cats that the Rescue focuses on.  Rescues may specialize in a certain breed(s), a certain group of cats or colony of cats, a certain age group, a specific region(s) or any combination of these.  A region may be a municipality, a province, a state, a country or countries or any part thereof.  Rescues that specialize in kittens, by intent, will not be not sanctioned by this Code of Ethics.

3.7 No Rescue shall use the breeding of kittens as a means to fund rescue activities.  No cats will be bred intentionally after being received into rescue.  If such breeding were to occur, termination of the pregnancy should be considered and the female spayed forthwith, if this procedure can safely be performed by a veterinarian.

3.8 Rescues, to the best of their knowledge, will provide full disclosure in the cat’s biography that is available for screened potential adopters.  The bio should include known health issues, temperament issues, age (if known) and region the cat came from.  Rescue will also provide full disclosure as to the source of the cat, e.g. owner surrender, shelter, kitten mill, stray, etc.  The confidentiality of the surrenderer will be protected and information may be withheld to protect the identity of the surrenderer, the adopter and for the safety of all concerned, including the cat.

Section 4 – Surrender Process

4.1 No Rescue shall act as a sole repository or adoption facilitator for any breeder’s unsold animals.

4.2 Rescue may receive animals from a variety of sources.  Under no circumstances should an animal be deemed as bought or purchased, nor should a rescue pay a fee for a surrendered animal.  Nominal fees paid to a licensed animal rescue or shelter to release ownership of an animal, or fees solely for services rendered (e.g. immunization or spay/neuter), are not considered buying or purchasing an animal under this Code of Ethics.

4.3 Rescue may establish a policy on surrender fees and may collect this fee at their discretion.  Persons or facilities surrendering an animal should be encouraged to make a donation to the rescue.  It should be disclosed to the persons or facility surrendering an animal, that this donation is to help offset the cost of veterinary services, caring for and re-homing the animal.

4.4 Rescue will provide a legal Surrender Contract and will require the person who is considered the legal owner of the cat to sign and date the contract.  The contract will also be signed and dated by an authorized representative of the rescue.

4.5 The Surrender Contract will specifically state that the legal ownership of the cat is being transferred to the rescue.  Upon signing the contract, the person or facility surrendering the cat has no further legal or other claim to the cat.

Section 5 – Fostering and Care of Animals

5.1 Rescue shall require foster applicants to complete a Foster Application, which shall include a declaration that neither the foster applicant nor any member of his household has ever been convicted of an offence involving animal cruelty.

5.2 Rescue must carefully screen its own foster homes, including personal and vet references, and a possible home inspection.

5.3 Rescue shall provide a Foster Agreement which clearly sets out the group's expectations for the way in which the foster cat will be looked after.  It will also detail the resources which will be supplied by the Rescue and those which the foster carer is expected to provide.  This agreement must be signed by both the foster care provider and a representative of the Rescue.

5.4 Rescue shall ensure that all animals in their care are provided with proper nutrition, water, medical care, personal attention and exercise.

Section 6 – Feral Cats/Kittens - Trap, Neuter, Return, Maintain (TNRM)

6.1 Although rescues are not required to actually implement a TNRM program for every feral cat, they are required to support the concept of TNRM.  Any group found to be speaking publicly against TNRM, or to be feeding feral cats without carrying out TNRM or seeking help from another group to do so, will be in violation of this Code of Ethics.

6.2 Whenever possible, Rescue shall humanely trap feral cats and kittens, assess them for suitability to socialize and for adoption.  When space exists, cats and kittens deemed suitable for socialization shall be altered and vaccinated, and placed in a foster home.

6.3 Those cats or kittens deemed unsuitable for adoption due to feral temperament shall be assessed by a veterinarian for health issues requiring essential treatment, then altered, vaccinated, ear tipped and returned to their colony or original place of rescue, where they continue to be fed and sheltered, in as short a period of time as possible after recovery. 

6.4 Should a group/person not find TNRM possible on their own, there are steps to follow to make sure the colony is being tracked and cared for.  This includes information on FeralStat (temporary birth control) and TNRM training, as well as the possibility of help and trap loans from other rescues.

6.5 A basic “TNRM Guidelines” sheet will be available to all cat rescues and members of the public, and information will also be available on the HHP web site.

Section 7 – Adoption Process

7.1 All adult cats (over 6 months of age) must be spayed/neutered prior to adoption, unless a Veterinarian deems the cat cannot safely undergo the operation, in which case that cat is exempt from this clause.  For kittens under 6 months and cats which a veterinarian has deemed may be safely spayed/neutered at a later date, the Rescue would include in the adoption fee an amount towards the cost of future spay/neuter, and complete the adoption.  The adoption contract would specify the amount of the deposit and the date by which the cat must be altered, and the Rescue must follow up with the adopter to make sure that it is done in a timely fashion.  

The adopter is responsible for the full spay/neuter fee, and would receive reimbursement of the deposit amount once he/she presents the veterinary bill for the operation to the Rescue.   

As an alternative to the foregoing, groups may consider early age spay/neuter, which can safely be carried out on healthy kittens once they reach 2.2lbs (1kg) in weight.

7.2 Rescue must carefully screen prospective adoptive homes to help ensure that the adoption will be successful.  Criteria that are used in making this determination are personal interviews, and/or personal and veterinary reference checks.  Potential adopters must agree to a possible home check as part of the approval process, which may be conducted by the rescue at their discretion, or by an authorized representative.

7.3 Rescue should only approve an adoption application from a home with an existing unaltered cat if there is a medical reason why the operation may not be done.  Cats and kittens which are not yet spayed/neutered may not be placed in a home with unaltered cats under any circumstances.

7.4 Rescue will provide an official Adoption Contract and will require the person who will be the legal owner of the cat to sign and date the contract.   The contract will also be signed and dated by an authorized representative of the Rescue, and a copy retained by the Rescue.  The Adoption Contract must include a clause that requires the adopter to notify the Rescue if for any reason they cannot continue to keep their adopted animal.  Whenever possible, the Rescue should accept the return of the animal if no other course of action can be agreed upon by both parties. 

7.5 At the time the adoption is completed, written information about specific medical procedures, tests, known health issues, known temperament issues and medications that the cat has received must be provided to the adopter.