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CODE OF ETHICS FOR PIT BULL RESCUE
Printable Hand Out in PDF Form:CODE
OF ETHICS
I. Introduction and Mission Statement
Introduction: This Code of Ethics was
compiled by a committee of seasoned rescuers
and members of the Pit Bull Owners Alliance.
It serves to provide guidelines for Pit Bull
Rescuers. The term “Pit Bull” as used
throughout this document refers to dogs
believed to be purebred American Pit Bull
Terriers (or American Staffordshire
Terriers). Foster homes employed by signers
of this Code of Ethics shall also be bound
by the guidelines set forth herein.
Mission Statement: The Ethical Pit Bull
Rescuer holds restoration of the pit bull
breed as paramount to their mission and
activities. He/she holds public perception
of the pit bull in the forefront of each
decision and endeavor, and strives to place
only the best representatives of the breed
into homes that are fully capable of
providing adequate care and training.
Additionally, the responsible Pit Bull
Rescuer understands that such activities
require extensive knowledge of pit bull
history, temperament, and behavior, and
therefore educates themselves to the fullest
extent before presenting themselves as a
qualified, ethical Rescuer.
II. Guidelines For The Pit Bull Rescuer
SECTION 1: Selection of Rescue Dogs For
Potential Placement.
SECTION 2: Care & Handling of Rescue Dogs.
SECTION 3: Placement of Rescue Dogs.
SECTION 4: General Professional Conduct.
SECTION 1: Selection of Rescue Dogs For
Potential Placement.
1. Only accepts and places breed ambassadors
that meet the Standard for Pit Bull
Temperament. (See ITEM 1 - below)
2. Conducts preliminary temperament
evaluations before accepting new dogs.
Continues to test dogs in a variety of
settings after they are brought into rescue.
Holds dogs for at least a month before
placing them up for adoption.
3. Will choose among many available dogs for
the one(s) that best fit the skills of the
Rescuer and within the scope of available
resources.
4. When a Pit Bull Rescuer is selecting dogs
that are clearly pit bull mixes, he/she will
opt for those dogs that are predominantly
pit bull and display classically sound pit
bull temperaments. (See ITEM 2 - below).
5. Will carefully select and place puppies
based on the guidelines set forth in ITEM 3
of this document.
6. When presented with a dog that is not
potentially a good candidate for future
adoption, Rescuer will either encourage
humane euthanasia of the dog, or, if
reasonable, will take legal possession of
the dog in order to facilitate humane
euthanasia.
7. When taking custody of dogs already in
the legal possession of an owner or
organization, the Pit Bull Rescuer will
require the submission of a signed surrender
form which clearly states transfer of
ownership to the Rescuer.
SECTION 2: Care & Handling of Rescue Dogs.
1. Will provide adequate vet care,
nutrition, housing and daily exercise, as
well as basic training for each dog.
2. Willing to humanely euthanize any unsound
or unadoptable pit bull in his/her
possession if the dog presents highly
undesirable behavior and/or is incurably ill
beyond reasonable veterinary care.
3. Spays and neuters all dogs (including
puppies), administers rabies vaccine and
microchip prior to placement.
4. Does not breed rescued dogs.
5. Socializes pit bulls with other dogs
based on individual temperament. Socializes
pit bulls with many people in many
situations and environments. Teaches
acceptable leash manners around other dogs
and trains them to behave as ambassadors
before placement.
6. Uses proper containment to prevent dogs
from running at large, including: sufficient
fencing, crate, dog run and/or kennel at
home, and proper use of leash and collar
outside of the home. Insists that adopters
use the same methods.
7. Acknowledges, understands, and accepts
pit bull dog aggression as a breed trait and
will follow standard protocol which includes
separating the unsupervised pit bull from
other dogs to prevent fights and ensure
successful interaction between dogs in their
possession. Requires the same from adopters.
8. Acknowledges, understands and accepts
that aggression towards animals other than
dogs is also a trait in the pit bull breed
and will carefully manage dogs in their
possession to prevent injury to other
animals via standard protocol which includes
separating the unsupervised pit bull from
other animals. Requires the same from
adopters.
9. Will not allow pregnant females to go
full-term when late term spay resources are
available.
10. Will manage, care for, and place puppies
based on the guidelines set forth in Item 3
of this document.
SECTION 3: Placement of Rescue Dogs.
1. Screens potential adopters through an
application process, interview, home check
and reference check. Provides extensive pit
bull breed education to the potential home
and only places with qualified, stable,
competent homes that are able manage a pit
bull in a manner consistent with the
guidelines set forth in this document.
2. Understands that adult dogs make better
adoption prospects over puppies. Educates
adopters to the fact that a dog's true
temperament and dog aggression potential is
not known until maturity (approximately 3
years of age). Does not place dogs under 12
months of age for full adoption. Does not
place dogs that have been in the possession
of Rescuer for less than one month.
3. Does not place dogs in pairs or groups.
4. Uses legally binding contracts that
ensure safe and secure homes for dogs that
are adopted. This document shall also
provide legal grounds for repossession of
dogs that are not being cared for in a
manner consistent with the guidelines set
forth in this document. The Pit Bull Rescuer
will follow up on placement and continue to
keep in touch with adoptive homes for an
indefinite period of time in order to
monitor the dog's progress. Reclaims adopted
dogs from situations or circumstances that
prove to be neglectful, or unsafe for the
pit bull, other dogs/animals or humans, or
from homes that can no longer care for them.
Reclaims dogs that begin to present with
abnormal human aggression.
5. Remains a resource to the adoptive home
for the life of the dog. Will work with
adoptive home to help remedy any problems
and/or issues that arise due to adoption of
a pit bull in order to ensure successful
life long adoption, if this is reasonable
and realistic. Otherwise refer to Section
Three: No. 4 above.
6. When using foster homes, the Pit Bull
Rescuer will require the submission of a
signed foster contract which allows the
Rescuer to maintain full control and
possession of the dogs.
SECTION 4: General Professional Conduct.
1. Works closely with local animal control
and shelter staff to establish good rescue
relationships and will offer breed knowledge
and support to shelters and other rescue
groups where possible.
2. Presents themselves professionally and
responsibly.
3. Acts as a community resource for breed
education and information, and provides
materials and public outreach where
possible.
4. Will not buy dogs to 'rescue' them, as
this only serves the breeder.
5. Will label pit bulls and pit bull mixes
(see Item 2) as accurately as is possible
and will not misrepresent a dog's breed/mix
in order to boost adoption interest.
6. Will not label dogs as 'bait' or
'fighting' animals without substantial
evidence and/or witnesses (the mere presence
of fight wounds does not indicate that a dog
was used as 'bait' nor as a 'fighting dog').
III. Additional Information
ITEM 1:
THE STANDARD FOR PIT BULL TEMPERAMENT:
The ‘Temperament Correct’ pit bull: seeks
out human interaction; is responsive,
biddable and eager to please; may be
genetically predisposed to aggression
towards other dogs or animals; is
appropriately submissive; is well balanced
and optimistic; enjoys handling; presents
good eye contact; is able to be calm in the
presence of other dogs on leash or - if
initially leash reactive - can learn how to
tolerate their presence; is willing to
connect with handler during high arousal;
can be handled safely even in times of high
arousal; accepts a reasonable amount of
confinement; drops arousal levels quickly
when removed from a stressful situation; is
social with people of all types; is
responsive and good natured; is never
aggressive towards humans.
ITEM 2: Pit Bull Mixes:
A. When dealing with Pit Bull mixes, the Pit
Bull Rescuer should adhere to the same
standard and code of ethics they do when
dealing with purebred pit bulls. Pit Bull
mixes should exhibit the same temperament as
purebreds or be considered unsuitable rescue
and adoption candidates.
B. The Pit Bull Rescuer should clearly label
Pit Bull mixes as mixes and attempt to
identify exactly what breeds the dog is
mixed with when labeling.
C. Rescuing pit bulls mixed with guarding
breeds is strongly discouraged. Extra
caution and care should be taken when
selecting and placing those dogs that are
mixed with guard dog breeds including but
not limited to Neapolitan Mastiffs, Dogue de
Bourdeaux, Fila Brasileiro, Presa Canario,
Cane Corso, Rottweilers, German Shepherds
and others. Since the temperament of the pit
bull is very different than the temperament
of breeds in the guardian category, such
mixes can create unique handling and
placement challenges, and should be
considered candidates for experienced homes
only.
ITEM 3: Puppies
A. Strong preference for puppies that have
both littermates and a temperament correct
dam (See ITEM 1)
B. Will not rescue the puppies of a dam of
incorrect temperament.
C. Considers puppies under 6-8 weeks of age
to be high-risk and will not rescue unless
moved directly into a setting that includes
at least one healthy, vaccinated and
well-adjusted adult role model dog able to
provide appropriate dog-pup socialization.
Due to the possibility of
cross-contamination of fatal puppy disease
it is recommended that puppies from various
litters not be mixed until the health of all
puppies is confirmed and adequate incubation
periods met.
ITEM 3, Sub Section One: Care of Puppies.
A. The Pit Bull Rescuer will be well-versed
and fully supported and be able to provide
comprehensive socialization and evaluation.
B. If a litter arrives without a dam,
efforts will be made to socialize puppies
remedially through the age of 16 weeks to as
many healthy and appropriate adult dogs as
possible. This is of particular importance
with litters under 8 weeks of age.
C. In the case of single puppy, the Pit Bull
Rescuer will attempt to locate healthy,
same-aged pups for pup-on-pup interaction
after the new puppy's 10-day health
quarantine has expired.
D. The Pit Bull Rescuer will maintain
puppies in-home throughout the socialization
period (16-20 weeks). This practice allows
the Rescuer to maximize socialization, and
provides opportunities to observe problem
behavior as it may develop.
E. Socialization with humans should be
considered a prime concern for puppies.
F. Despite best efforts to nurture pups
properly, Pit Bull Rescuers must be aware of
the influence of nature (genetics) and be
willing to humanely euthanize those pups
that demonstrate incorrect Pit Bull
temperament.
ITEM 3, Sub Section Two: Placement of HIgh
Risk Puppies.
A. Adoptions shall not be finalized until
the puppy is 12 months old and temperament
evaluation period is complete.
ITEM 4: Qualities to Look For in Adopter
Candidates.
1. Has already done good breed research.
Asks good questions. Shows willingness to
learn more.
2. Is realistic about breed challenges:
Dog-on-dog aggression, high energy level,
strong willed personalities, pulls on leash,
strong and pushy, need to keep socialized to
dogs, attracts negative attentions from some
public.
3. Shows a stable, mature, open-minded
personality.
4. Happy to be interviewed and receive a
home inspection.
5. Physically capable of handling a strong
dog and demonstrates a calm, confident way
with the dog.
6. Wants an indoor pet as a companion
animal/family member only.
7. Has had some dog experience, including
basic obedience training.
8. Has a reasonably active lifestyle and is
prepared to satisfy dog's daily exercise
needs.
9. Owns a home or has a secure rental that
will allow a pit bull (check those leases!)
10. Homes must provide safe containment:
tall, secure fences if yard is present and
working latches on gates.
11. The entire household is involved in the
decision and is able to help manage the dog
(roommates, children, seniors too)
12. Other pets in the home are a good match.
No same sex pit bull placements and home
understands that pit bull must be separated
from other pets when not supervised.
This document is endorsed by:
Mary Harwelik (www.realpitbull.com), New
Jersey
Donna Reynolds Director BAD RAP Bay Area
Doglovers Responsible About Pit bulls (www.badrap.org),
CA
Holly Bukes, President PBRC - Pit Bull
Rescue Central (www.pbrc.net),
Caped Dog Services, CA
PitSmart, APBT Education/Rescue Resource
American Pit Bull Terrier Rescue and
Referral (www.apbtrr.tripod.com), NC
Amy Hendrikson, Annabelle's Second Chance
Pit Bull Rescue (www.ascpbr.com
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