Rescue Ethics Enid Richey

Rescue Ethics What are Ethics? The study of values and customs of a person or group. It covers the analysis and employment of concepts such as right and wrong, and responsibility A guiding philosophy A code of behavior The moral fitness of a decision, course of action, etc. Professionally, Ethics are designed to protect the population with which we work.

Rescue Ethics How do Ethics apply to GRCGLA Rescue? What is the population with which we work? “Best Interest of the Dog” Boundaries Overdisclosure Underdisclosure The “Human Factor”

Rescue Ethics How do the volunteers decide when Ethics need to be considered? What is motivating your decision? Check with another volunteer

Rescue Ethics Ethical situations we are likely to encounter See handout

Rescue Ethics Scenario 1 An older golden retriever is relinquished to rescue due to changes within the family. The owner is devastated to have to give up her dog that she has had since a puppy. She asks if she can stay in contact with you as it just kills her to not know how her dog is doing. During the dog’s medical evaluation by one of our rescue vets, it is discovered that the dog has serious health problems. Former owner calls to check to see how her dog is doing. Do you tell her about the health issue?

Rescue Ethics Scenario 2 Adopter meeting is set up. Good adopter application, good home check report. They arrive and love the dog and ask lots of questions. Some questions are a bit off, given their application and home check report. They hesitate in doing the adoption and want a few days to consider before deciding. They are offered the option of fostering which they like. They want to know if they can return the dog in a week if they decide she/he isn’t the dog for them, or do they have to keep the dog as a foster. They decide to think about it for 24 hours. They keep saying how much they love the dog. Would you adopt a dog to them?

Rescue Ethics Scenario 3 “Goldie” has been a very popular dog on the site, and has attracted a good many admirers. We have the field narrowed down to three well-suited candidates, one of which, the Jones family, gave us a home visit donation of $200. The Jones’ know they’re in the running for Goldie, and have brought up the fact that their home visit donation was quite a bit more than we requested, and have hinted that “there’s more where that came from” if Goldie finds her way to their house. Do we adopt Goldie to the Jones family?

Rescue Ethics Scenario 4 Dog Intake form is filled out through the GRCGLA Rescue website. You agree to evaluate the dog and take into rescue if the meeting goes well. The person arrives with the dog at the designated meeting place. Your evaluation goes well and you have the owner fill out all the necessary forms. When the owner gives you the dog’s records, you notice the owner’s name on all the records is not the same as the Intake Form nor is it the same as the person turning the dog over to you. What do you do?

Rescue Ethics Scenario 5 You agree to do a home check. Application is fabulous and the home check goes well. During the end of the home check, you are alone with one of the children who tells you that he is so happy that his mom said this dog could sleep with him. He tells you that their last dog lived outside and in the garage. This information is different from the application and home check responses. You really like this family and think they would make a great home for one of our dogs. What do you do?

Rescue Ethics Scenario 6 You bring a dog to a family that has been selected by the dog’s rep as a great placement. The family consists of 2 parents and 2 children ages 9 and 11. When you arrive, our dog and the resident dog are a bit snarky with each other. The dad tells you that his dog is like that in the beginning, but he is not worried as he is confident they will work it out. You decide to stay a while to observe the dogs a bit more. A small fight occurs over a rawhide chew. No one is hurt. The mom brings out another rawhide in hopes that if each dog has one, they won’t fight. Would you leave our dog there?

Rescue Ethics Scenario 7 You evaluate a purebred Golden at a shelter. The staff says the dog is unpredictable. When you take the dog out, you find him to be calm, well mannered and relaxed with you. Upon evaluation the dog nips you when you touch his tail. No skin is broken. It is more of a warning to you. He also give you ‘a look’ when you go near his ears. Otherwise, you find this dog to be fun loving, playful and affectionate. He looks at you with those pleading eyes that melt your heart. Would you overlook the ‘warning’ signs and pull the dog?

Rescue Ethics Ethical forum online Would the volunteers like to be able to run questions through an online forum?