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Code of Ethics
for Fostering & Rescue Volunteers
As a member of the Ferret Rescue Society of Ottawa
and Area, I pledge to fully comply with and satisfy the following terms
and conditions:
GENERAL TERMS
1. To agree that the work of the FRSO be conducted
as a non-profit endeavour, whether on behalf of an organization recognized
by the province, the federal government or the work of one or more private
individuals.
2. To agree that any work I do with the FRSO is on a voluntary basis,
and I will receive no personal compensation for said work.
3. To educate potential adopters about the unique challenges regarding
the ferret as a pet (i.e. temperament, health, training, care, etc.).
4. To ensure that each and every volunteer is educated and aware of
the standards of the FRSO and our methods of providing fostering, adoption
screening, temperament evaluation, transportation, fundraising and educational
outreach.
5. To agree that I will not in any way use my rescue volunteering to
promote my personal website, business, opinion, or other personal endeavours,
nor will I utilize rescue discounts for my own personal use.
6. To inoculate all animals in my home against infectious diseases by having inoculations administered by my veterinarian on a regular basis according to standard accepted practice.
7. To educate the public about the importance of recognizing common
diseases in the domestic ferret both by way of setting an example by
having my own pet’s remain in good health and by education.
8. To agree to abide by the rules and regulations as outlined in the
By-laws of the FRSO.
FOSTERED ANIMAL CARE
1. To house rescued ferrets in my care under sanitary
conditions which exceed all minimum standards as defined by local health
and sanitation authorities. The ferret(s) will not be allowed to roam
without supervision, nor will the ferret(s) be physically restrained
to any inanimate objects (trees, cable run, parking meters, etc.).
2. To provide, upon prior Board approval, appropriate routine and emergency
veterinary care for fostered rescue ferrets including regular inoculations
and administration of any type of medication if applicable.
3. To ensure that rescued animals are free of parasitic infestations.
4. To provide appropriate and sufficient food, clean water, and shelter
for all animals in my care to ensure their health, comfort and well-being.
5. To ensure all fostered ferrets in my care are fed appropriate, board
approved, food and are provided with appropriate, board approved, litter.
An up-to-date list of approved food and litter can be obtained from
any Board member at any time.
6. To assess each animal's temperament and health and exercise sound
judgment to assure its suitability for placement. The FRSO will not
knowingly place an aggressive or otherwise temperamentally unsound animal
in a foster home, without full disclosure and acceptance by prospective
caregivers.
7. To agree that rescued ferrets deemed unadoptable for reasons of health
or temperament will remain in the care of one of the highly experienced
members.
8. To contact the FRSO on a monthly basis, via telephone or email, and
provide an update on the foster ferret’s health, temperament and
general well being.
9. To contact a member of the FRSO Board immediately if the ferret is
lost, stolen, injured, ill or deceased and to ensure the recommendations
of the Board are carried out.
ADOPTION PROCEDURES
1. To provide the approved FRSO Adoption Application set out as Appendix D to the FRSO by-laws and once completed, thoroughly interview potential adopters utilizing the FRSO methods (i.e. phone interview, home visit, and face to face interview) with the goal of appropriate placement of each individual animal. The FRSO reserves the right to require that the primary adopter is suitably mature and that all members of the home agree to the adoption.
2. Paragraph Removed.
3. To utilize a written Adoption Contract, as set out in Appendix E
to the FRSO by-laws, which fully discloses all available health and
temperament information about each rescue animal.
4. To provide follow-up advice and assistance to adopters and to assist
them in finding the appropriate information needed for the proper care
of the ferret(s).
5. To reclaim any rescue animal placed by the FRSO at the request of
an adopter. Refund of adoption fee is no longer viable after the seven
(7) day acclimatization period.
6. To maintain a waiting list of interested adopters when requests to
adopt exceed available animals.
7. To ensure that, in order to prevent their unlawful usage, the FRSO
does not release the original documentation of any rescue animal to
the adopter.
INTER-ORGANIZATIONAL AND INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS
1. To conduct myself in a courteous manner in my volunteer
work such that my behaviour brings credit to the image of the FRSO and
animal rescues in general.
2. To keep all information received through the FRSO pertaining to potential
adopters, volunteers and/or persons surrendering animals confidential.
No personal names or information regarding ferrets surrendered may be
used in a public forum.
3. To agree that the release of any personal information pertaining
to any member of the FRSO, to any third party or parties, without the
member's express written consent, is prohibited.
4. To exercise good-will in all my interactions with the FRSO, the Board
and other members of the Society.
I _____________________________ undertake to foster
the following ferret(s) who are known and identified
as ____________________________________________.
I understand that FRSO will be responsible for all
vet care necessary while the ferret is in my care only if prior authorization
has been given by the FRSO. In case of a medical emergency, the ferret
must be given necessary treatment and the FRSO must be notified immediately.
I agree that the ferret(s) I am fostering will not be removed from my
care or disposed of in any way without prior approval of the FRSO. While
the opinion of the fosterer will be given due and serious consideration,
one of the Board Members will determine the final placement of the ferret(s)
in a permanent home.
I release from indemnity and hold the FRSO, its Board
and members harmless from any damages, injury, loss or liability, howsoever
caused by foster ferrets in my care, whether to property, ferrets or
other animals or humans in my household.
Violation of the FRSO Code of Ethics for Foster & Rescue Volunteers
is grounds for revocation of membership and / or further action by the
FRSO.
DATED at ________________________ this _____ day of ________________
____________________________________________
Signature
____________________________________________
Name (please print)
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