Below is our Members Code of Ethics which is binding on all Members of our Association and sets the standard for Member conduct.
HM1 ACKNOWLEDGMENT:
Each member, upon signing an application for membership or renewal of membership of the Canine Association of Western Australia and being duly appointed to the general membership of the CAWA shall, in addition to agreeing to be bound by the Constitution, Rules and Regulations of the Association, be also bound by the CAWA's Code of Ethics relating to responsible dog ownership including the keeping, welfare, breeding, selling and disposing of dogs by members to the effect of the terms and conditions set out hereunder:-
HM2 CODE: (effective 1 March 2008)
2.1 A member shall not knowingly or recklessly misrepresent the ANKC or the member’s Member Body.
2.2 A member shall not engage in any behaviour that is contrary to the standards accepted by the community.
2.3 A member shall at all times and in all forums (including at DogsWest approved events, in dealings in wider forums including chat lists on the internet and in all other communications) conduct themselves in a manner respectful of the reputation of the ANKC and DogsWest members, judges, staff and officials. 08/11
2.4 An exhibitor is not to contact a judge after the announcement of that judge’s appointment by any means that may be interpreted as promoting that exhibitor or exhibitor’s exhibits. This includes social networking sites, email, and all electronic forms of communication as well as traditional forms of communication. Should a judge receive such an approach, they are required to make a report to the appropriate member body and disciplinary action may be taken against the exhibitor. 08/11
2.5 Members shall constantly strive to improve their knowledge of their chosen breed or breeds, and their knowledge of the requirements for the care, welfare and betterment of dogs.
2.6 Members shall ensure that all dogs under their control are properly controlled, housed, fed, watered, exercised and receive veterinary care as required. A member shall not knowingly allow any dogs under their care to roam at large. When the dog is away from home a member shall ensure that it is kept on a leash and/or effective control at all times.
2.7 A member who leaves a dog owned by them in the care of another person shall remain ultimately responsible for that dog.
2.8 A member shall take all appropriate lawful measures to assist a dog in distress.
2.9 A member shall positively enhance the reputation of dog breeders and owners by ensuring that dogs owned by the member are not a danger or nuisance to the community.
2.10 A member shall not participate in nor support any activity in that involves cruelty or damage to animals, excluding legal hunting activities.
2.11 A member shall not dispose of dogs owned or bred by the member to a pound or animal refuge.
Breeding
2.11 A member shall breed primarily for the purpose of improving the quality and / or working ability of the breed in accordance with the breed standard, and not specifically for the pet or commercial market. A member retains the right of free trade, to advertise directly and sell dogs not kept for line maintenance purposes by that member.
2.12 A member shall not breed with a bitch unless the bitch has reached adequate maturity for that breed as determined by the member’s Member Body. Except in extenuating circumstances or with the approval of Governing Council prior to the mating, a member shall not breed from any bitch causing it to be mated before it is twelve months of age.
A breach of this regulation shall be penalised in accordance with Regulation 2.15. 08/11
2.13 A member shall not breed a bitch causing it to whelp either;
· more than twice in eighteen months or
· more than twice in three successive heat seasons
without the prior approval of the member’s Member Body.
A breach of this regulation shall be penalised in accordance with Regulation 2.15. 04/08, 05/09 08/11
2.14 A member shall not breed a bitch causing it to whelp more than six times without prior veterinary certification of fitness for further breeding, and without prior approval of the member’s Member Body. Breeders that wish to breed a seventh (7th) litter must attach to the litter registration form, written veterinary certification of fitness for further breeding, dated prior to the date of the mating. Under no circumstances will the registration of an eighth litter be permitted. It is the responsibility of the current owner to verify the number of litters a bitch may have had prior to their ownership of said bitch.
A breach of this regulation shall be penalised in accordance with Regulation 2.15.
Subject to the payment of all financial penalties imposed in accordance with Regulation 2.15, the 7th litter in question is to be registered, subject to receipt by the office of the applicable payments and a copy of the veterinary certificate which clearly identifies the registered dam as being sterilized. 4/01, 6/02, 3/04, 09/05, 06/06 08/11
2.15 Breaches of Regulations 2.12, 2.13 and 2.14 are considered to be a serious breach of the Code of Ethics. For that reason, offences in relation to each of the separate regulations will be considered cumulatively in applying penalties to the Registered Breeder/Member.
The following penalties will apply to breaches of Regulations 2.12, 2.13 and 2.14 and be recorded against the Registered Breeder/Member and not the dog in question:
1st Offence - $500
2nd Offence - $1000
3rd Offence – Referral of the matter to the Protests and Disputes Tribunal for determination of penalty.
The following additional penalties will apply to all applications for registration of puppies from a litter that is welped where that breeding constituties a breach of Regulation 2.12, 2.13 or 2.14:
1st Offence - $100 per puppy to be registered on the Main Register
2nd Offence - $200 per puppy to be registered on the Main Register
3rd Offence - Referral of the matter to the Protests and Disoputes Tribunal for determination of penalty.
Any puppies not registered on the Main Register are to be registered on the Limited Register with the endorsement ‘Not to be upgraded to Main register’. 08/11
2.16 A member shall not permit any of that member’s pure bred dogs to be mated to a dog of a different breed, to a cross bred dog, to an unregistered dog of the same breed, or to a dog not on the Main Register without the prior approval of the member’s Member Body.
2.17 A member shall take responsible action to reduce the incidence of hereditary diseases in accordance with the ANKC Code of Practice for Hereditary Diseases.
2.18 A member shall not, within Australia, sell or otherwise transfer from that member’s care any puppy under eight [8] weeks of age without the approval of the member’s Member Body.
2.19 A member shall not export a puppy under the age of eleven [11] weeks, or such greater age permitted under the livestock import requirements of the country to which the puppy is being exported.
2.20 A member shall not knowingly sell a dog to any person residing in an overseas country known to be involved in the utilisation of dogs for the meat trade without first satisfying the member’s Member Body that the purchaser is a member of an ANKC recognised canine controlling body in the overseas country. The member and purchaser must further acknowledge in writing to the member’s Member Body that the intention of the sale is for the improvement of the quality of that breed in the overseas country, and not for any other purpose.
2.21 A member shall ensure that persons acquiring dogs from that member understand the requirements for the care, welfare and responsible ownership of the dog, and that they have the time and facilities, e.g. adequate fences, sufficient room and proper shelter, to fulfil their responsibilities.
2.22 A breeder shall be expected to maintain reasonable contact with the purchasers of dogs from that breeder and to offer continued advice and reasonable assistance.
2.23 A member shall register all puppies bred (excluding those breeds listed in ANKC Regulation Part 6, Section 6.2 whose specific colours precludes them from being registered on any Register) by that member that are living at the date of registration. Such registration must include all puppies from the litter on the one litter registration application form and must be applied for within eighteen [18] months of the date of whelping. (6/08)
2.24 A member shall provide to all recipients of dogs sold or otherwise disposed of by that member, written details of:
2.24.1 The breed characteristics;
2.24.2 Vaccination record and / or requirements;
2.24.3 Responsible dog ownership information; and
2.24.4 All documentation required by the member’s Member Body, including a written receipt clearly stating whether the dog was sold with or without a Certificate of Registration (Main or Limited) and any other conditions. For the purposes of this Code "with or without papers" shall mean the Certificate of Registration. 04/08
2.25 A member shall not incorrectly describe nor knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of a breed.
2.26 A member shall ensure that all dogs sold or disposed of by that member are in the best possible state of health. Where a dog with a health issue or disability is disposed of the member must obtain from the recipient written and signed acknowledgement of the condition of the dog.
2.27 A member shall not:
2.27.1 Sell or dispose of a dog to a commercial pet wholesaler or retail pet shop unless they are accredited by the Pet Industry Association of Australia Limited (PIAA). Nor shall a member's dog/s be advertised, displayed or sold on commission by a commercial dog wholesaler or retail pet dealer.
2.27.2 Allow a dog owned by that member to be given as a prize or donation or to be auctioned.
General
2.28 A member who provides or makes available a dog for use in a film, advertisement, promotion, or any media or public display must ensure that:
2.28.1 The dog is portrayed in a manner consistent with its breed characteristics and temperament as described in the Standard for that breed; and
2.28.2 The dog is presented in a manner that is unlikely to create a negative reaction to dogs generally or that breed in particular and that if there is any likelihood of a negative impression, this is at the same time corrected through the development of a story line that presents the dog or breed in a balanced manner.
2.29 A member shall not indulge in false or misleading advertising relating to the conformation, characteristics or performance of that member’s dog.
2.30 A member shall not misrepresent nor malign the conformation, characteristics or performance of another member’s dog.
2.31 A member shall oppose all activities which involve cruelty to dogs or in which dogs inflict damage on other dogs or other animals excluding the hunting of vermin.
