Code of Ethics

This CODE OF ETHICS (Articles I through IV) is set forth as a guideline to educate, advance, and protect the interests of re-homing and rehabilitating pure bred Boxers. It is presented as a guideline for the American Boxer Rescue Association club members to follow when proceeding with the care and placement of an unwanted Boxer.

Members of the American Boxer Rescue Association will conduct themselves with honesty and openness, regardless of the location, circumstances or people involved.

American Boxer Rescue Association's goals are as follows:

1. To identify and take into immediate care, Boxers who have been lost, abandoned, surrendered or otherwise disowned.

2. To train, rehabilitate, or otherwise treat rescued Boxers to bring them into adoptable condition, as necessary or appropriate.

3. To find suitable adoptive homes for these dogs.

4. To provide all possible assistance to an adoptive home to ensure the permanent welfare of the adopted Boxer.

5. To educate the public regarding our purpose and scope of our activities.

6. To educate surrendering owners to prevent the dog from being turned in to rescue.

Article I - The Rescue Group

1. All ABRA affiliated rescue groups will work together and cooperate with others in a professional manner, with our common goal of helping the welfare of the Boxer breed.

2. Rescue groups should first endeavor to place the dog in their own local area. If it is necessary to place a dog outside the local area, the rescue group involved with the rescue will contact and coordinate with the local group in the intended placement area. The rescue groups will cooperate with each other in the placement of said dog.

3. Not everyone will have exactly the same interpretation of every situation. In recognition of differences that exist, it is essential that all ABRA recognized rescue groups represent a cohesive and united front. It is vital therefore, that all differences be settled internally. If necessary, differences must be arbitrated through an ABRA grievance procedure. Any spoken or implied criticism of other groups only serves to adversely affect all rescues.

Article II - The Surrender Process

1. All dogs entering an ABRA affiliated rescue group, as an owner surrender, should be accompanied by a surrender contract.

2. The surrender contract should include the dog's name, age, sex, physical condition and description, health and veterinary history, and reason the dog was surrendered. A brief summary of dog's habits is also needed.

3. Surrender contracts should be signed and dated by surrendering owner as well as the rescue representative.

4. All dogs entering an ABRA affiliated rescue group from local animal shelters should be accompanied by formal paperwork indicating that the dog has been "officially" surrendered to the rescue group.

Article III - The Dog

1. All dogs that are in an ABRA affiliated rescue group should not be made available for adoption until an appropriate veterinary exam as well as a temperament evaluation is completed.

2. An appropriate veterinary exam should include a basic physical and fecal check, with the dog receiving appropriate vaccines. When a veterinary record is available and current, no further veterinary care is necessary unless required by an unresolved medical problem. Any known medical problems should be treated before release.

3. It is the policy of ABRA that no rescue dog be allowed to breed. Thus, spaying or neutering of the adoptive dog will be an integral provision of every adoption contract. Preferably, spaying or neutering will be preformed prior to adoption. However, in cases where spaying or neutering prior to adoption is not feasible for age or good medical reasons, spaying or neutering will remain an outstanding provision of the adoption contract. The adoption contract then will require spaying or neutering to be done at a time consistent with good medical practice and a medical certificate from a licensed veterinarian to be provided to the rescue organization as proof of such accomplishment. The rescue organization should review the status of the adoptive dog at times consistent with the contract provisions, and should consider the contract to be unfulfilled and the dog returnable until proof of spaying or neutering is received. In those rare cases where spaying or neutering is permanently unfeasible for age or good medical reasons, the rescue organization will require a signed document from a licensed veterinarian clearly stating the reasons for such unfeasibility before the contract can be considered fulfilled. If such reasons are clear prior to adoption, the prospective adopters shall be so informed and counseled on measures to prevent breeding.

4. Temperament evaluation should include determining if the dog shows signs of aggression to people, as well as other dogs. If the dog shows any signs of aggression to people, it should be excluded from the adoption program. If deemed necessary, the dog should be humanely euthanized.

5. A dog's age, sex, or previously known habits, and behavioral and medical history should never be withheld from potential adoptive homes.

Article IV- The Adoption Process

1. Prospective adoptive homes should be evaluated and the prospective adopters should be screened on their desire and ultimate intent for each boxer. Their interest and ability to provide a safe, adequate and loving home should be determined.

2. The evaluation process should include a profile of prospective adopter, assessment of adopters' understanding of contract they will sign, as well as a general personal interview.

3. All adoptive homes should sign a formal adoption agreement with the rescue organization.

4. The points on the adoption contract should be discussed with the adoptive home to insure full understanding. A signed copy of the contract must be provided to each party involved.

5. The rescue group should guarantee the well being of the dog and graciously accept the dog back into the program if the dog is not working out as expected by the adopting home. The adopters agree not to sell, trade, transfer ownership, abandon, or dispose of this dog in any way, but to notify the rescue group and relinquish custody of this dog back to the rescue. This includes release to family members.

6. It is suggested that the contract release the rescue group from all liability or responsibility in connection with the dog after leaving the foster home.

7. Periodic follow-up checks with the new owners should be encouraged to ease adjustment problems the dog may incur. The rescue group should endeavor to help the new owner in every reasonable way. Fenced yards and crates should be recommended. All boxers adopted through ABRA must be living primarily in the domicile of the family, as a household pet and companion.

8. Records of each dog adopted should be kept with the rescue group. This may include rabies tag number, microchip, or tattoo identification in case dog is found at large.