DPCA Code of Ethics

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This Code of Ethics is established under the authority of the Board of Directors of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America. It is intended to set forth guiding principles and minimum standards of practice to which the DPCA would have Doberman Rescues adhere.

As a Doberman Rescuer, I pledge:

1. To perform Doberman Rescue as a non-profit endeavor. My rescue work will be voluntary, not performed to profit any organization or individual.
2. To assure that Rescue Dobermans are not bred by spaying or neutering all dogs before adopting them to new owners, unless there is a compelling medical reason not to spay/neuter before adoption. If I place a dog intact due to a compelling medical reason, I will thoroughly educate the adopter on the risks of accidental breeding and precautions that must be taken, require a written agreement by the adopter to prevent the accidental or intentional breeding of the dog, require the adopter to spay or neuter the dog as soon as the medical condition is resolved, and remain in close contact with the adopter to ensure the dog is not bred. If I breed Dobermans (in addition to handling Rescue Dobermans) I will do so in accordance with the DPCA Code of Ethics and I will not use my rescue activities as a bait-and-switch tactic to sell puppies I breed.
3. To rescue albino Dobermans the same as any other Doberman of an allowed color, and to ensure that every albino Doberman in my care, custody or control is spayed or neutered and under no circumstances allowed to be bred. I will provide any adopter of an albino Doberman with educational materials from the DPCA’s Albino Committee. I will educate the adopter concerning the health problems related to albinism. I will encourage the adopter to educate third parties that express an interest in owning an albino Doberman.
4. To house Rescue Dobermans in safe, humane, sanitary conditions, which meet or exceed all minimum standards as defined by local health, animal control and sanitation authorities, and to provide Rescue Dobermans with appropriate food, clean water, and shelter. I will pay attention to and care for the emotional needs of the Dobermans I receive into my Rescue Program. I will provide a secure, stable environment for the dogs and will interact one-on-one with them as much as possible, in order to properly assess their temperament and special needs for placement.
5. To provide necessary veterinary care and appropriate routine veterinarian care for Rescue Dobermans including, as appropriate, regular inoculations, heart worm testing, administration of heart worm preventative, treatment for intestinal parasites, and emergency care. To the best of my abilities and resources, I will provide appropriate medical care and training towards the goal of putting each dog in the best possible condition for a permanent adoption.
6. To not knowingly place a vicious or otherwise seriously temperamentally unsound dog in an adoptive home.
7. If a dog comes into my rescue’s care with AKC papers or a breeder’s microchip is discovered, I will make a reasonable attempt to contact the breeder to inquire about return of the dog, and/or assistance in placing the dog. In accordance with paragraph 2, the dog would be spayed or neutered before being returned to the breeder, and the breeder would be asked to contribute to that expense. If the dog turns out to be the breeder’s personal dog, every attempt will be made to return the dog to the breeder intact, provided, however, that this does not violate any county, state or local shelter license requirements, restrictions, laws or regulations.
8. That I will only euthanize Rescue Dobermans that are determined to be unadoptable due to serious health or temperament problems. Rescue Dobermans that are euthanized will be humanely euthanized by a veterinarian or certified euthanasia technician and properly disposed of. Rescue Dobermans that are deemed unadoptable due to serious health, temperament, or other problems may be placed with a humane and knowledgeable hospice care provider, when available.
9. To thoroughly evaluate potential adopters utilizing a combination of written applications, home visits, checking vet references, telephone interviews, face-to-face interviews, and personal reference checks, as appropriate, with the goal of placing all Rescue Dobermans in homes that are appropriate to the Doberman breed and specifically appropriate to each individual Rescue Doberman’s needs.
10. To utilize a written adoption contract for each Rescue Doberman.
11. To fully disclose all relevant information that is known at the time of placement or adoption regarding the health and temperament of each Rescue Doberman.
12. To provide each adopter with information on the Doberman Pinscher Breed, common diseases, crate training, housebreaking, basic obedience, and appropriate standard of care.
13. To provide follow up advice and assistance to adopters.
14. To require every adopter to return the adopted Doberman to me if he/she can no longer keep it. I will always accept the return of a dog that has been adopted from me.