Chihuahua Rescue & Transport
Code of Ethics

As a member of Chihuahua Rescue & Transport (CRT), I pledge to satisfy the following conditions:

GENERAL ITEMS:

  1. To maintain my rescue as a non-profit endeavor, whether my group is an organization recognized by the state and/or federal government, or the work of one or more private individuals.  

  2. To conduct my rescue on a voluntary basis, receiving no compensation for rescue work nor expecting compensation for my efforts from CRT.
  3. To restrict my CRT representation to no more than three recognized breeds, due to the time and knowledge required to uphold the best interests of each breed.  
  4. To educate potential adopters about issues regarding the Chihuahua breed and the CRT organization..  These issues include, but are not limited to, temperament, health, training and proper care of the breed as well as the operation and expectations of CRT.
  5. Work to ensure that all volunteers in my rescue are educated in their area of service, whether fostering, adoption screening, temperament evaluation, transportation, or educational outreach.
  6. To recommend specific purebred breeders to adopters desiring such information (when possible), but to refrain from promoting any specific breeder, for profit breeding business or operation as a means for adoption of any breeder's unsold animals.

FOSTERED ANIMAL CARE:

  1. To house rescue animals in my care under sanitary conditions, which meet or exceed all minimum standards as defined by local health and sanitation authorities, as well as what is deemed appropriate in the good judgment of a humane and caring person.
  2. To provide appropriate routine veterinary care for all foster animals, to include but not be limited to, vaccines, alter, hw test, fecal test, hw preventative, microchip and dental care.
  3. To make adequate provision to ensure that rescue animals are free of parasite infestations.
  4. To provide appropriate food, clean water and shelter for all animals in my care.
  5. To temperament test each animal and exercise good judgment to assure the animal's suitability for placement.   I will not knowingly place a vicious or otherwise temperamentally unsound animal in an adoptive home.  
  6. To ensure that any animal deemed vicious and/or completely  temperamentally unsound and un-adoptable be humanely euthanized by a veterinarian or certified euthanasia technician and be disposed of in a respectful manner.  This act must be approved by a complete consensus of the CRT Board of Directors.

ADOPTION PROCEDURES    

  1. To thoroughly interview potential adopters utilizing all of the following methods:  written application, home visit, and vet reference check.  The goal is to place all rescue animals in homes that are breed-appropriate and specifically appropriate to each individual animal.
  2. To require sterilization for all rescue animals prior to placement.
  3. To review the current veterinary records of all other pets in the prospective adopter's home prior to placement of the rescued animal.
  4. To obtain landlord approval for prospective adopters who rent or lease their residence.
  5. To require that adopters be at least 21 years of age.
  6. To utilize a written adoption contract which fully discloses all health and temperament information about each rescue animal.
  7. To provide follow-up advice and assistance to adopters.
  8. To maintain records pertaining to the rescued animal which include receipts for medical care and adoption donations received.
  9. To take back any rescue animal placed by my group at the request of an adopter.  Refund of donation is at the discretion of the rescue group.
  10. To maintain a waiting list of interested adopters when requests to adopt exceed available animals.
  11. In order to prevent the unlawful use, I will not release the original registration papers of any rescue animal to the adopter, even if the animal is sterilized.

INTER-ORGANIZATIONAL/INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS

  1. To abide by all written contracts entered into with a releasing agency or person.
  2. To return phone calls to agencies and/or private owners with pets to place promptly.  If I am unable to return calls promptly, I will make alternative provisions to have calls handled by another rescue representative, or if none is available, to leave information on my phone answering system as to when I will be available to take calls.
  3. To pay agreed-upon fees to releasing agencies for rescue animals, and agreed-upon expenses to private individuals who assist with acquisition, transportation, or temporary care of rescue animals.  Appropriate receipts may be submitted to CRT for reimbursement.
  4. To conduct myself in a courteous manner in my rescue work such that my behavior brings credit to the image of CRT and animal rescue in general.

____________________________________________________
Member's Printed Name

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Members Signature                                                                                      Date

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Street Address, City, State, Zip

____________________    _____________________    _________________________________
Home Phone                        Work Phone                            E-Mail Address

___________________
Fax number

Upon receipt of a written grievance regarding a CRT "Code of Ethics" violation against a CRT volunteer, CRT agrees to notify said rescuer and provide a forum for response to said grievance.  Violation of the CRT "Code of Ethics for Fostering Groups" is grounds for hearing and/or action by CRT.

Chihuahua                                 
Breed(s) represented

Chihuahua Rescue & Transport
Name of Rescue Organization