I thought it would be a good idea to start a post on this and one for breeders so we could share some ideas on putting together a common code of ethics.

I'm suggeting we keep it simple like:

Rescuers SHOULD (and why)
and
Rescuers SHOULD NOT (and why)

The second post is just an example to get things started...

Rescuers SHOULD NOT attempt to breed their rescued animals or allow them to breed. This means either keeping them separated or neutering them

Why? Gliders who are sick, inbred, and have questionable lineage are a high percentage of rescues. So it's not safe or ehtical to breed them.

Rescuers should not seperate gliders who have bonded unless there is an extreme circumstance like excessive fighting

Rescuers should not have hidden agendas as they say

Rescuers should keep all funds concerning gliders public for those who wish to donate. I.E. cost of food, vet expenses, cage expenses. I understand someone like Jamie not wanting to share her salary, so perhaps a percentage of her salary that goes to the gliders with no definate numbers on how much does go, but be able to prove, with reciepts how much goes to them.

I don't think rescues should breed any rescues that they take in. My opinion is that they have already been through enough and you do not know their back ground or all of their health issues. So I do not feel they should reproduce.

Code of ethics post have been posted on many of the forums. You'll find many agree with several of the recommendations- it's keeping up with who really does stick to the code of ethics. You'll get some who tell you one thing and do another or some who justify why breaking certain recommendations should are accepted.

It's not a question of Ethics - it's a question of Who is practicing the Code of Ethics!!

Here's my code of ethics:

1. Every rescue should have a vet who checks every glider before placement
2. Every glider place should have as much of their history as possible on where it came from why it is homeless and so, I know sometimes this is not possible but if it is then it should be provided to the new owners
3. NO BREEDING IN THE RESCUE
4. Maintain fundraisers so your adoption fee can be as low as possible
5. Have workshops to explain care and maintenance that new owners must attend regardless of their experiance level.
6. Bonded gliders must go together no exceptions
7. Maintain volunters in all states where they are legal, and a railroad of devoted people to get gliders to foster homes.
8. Forget asking for SSN most people will not give them out. I know I won't
9. Any colored glider must be fixed before leaving, females must be adopted by rescuers only to ensure their safety from mass breeders
10. Forget about profit, if you have more through donations and adoptions then an account should be opened ofr your rescue. Unless it is reimbursment for out of pocket exspenses. Must have recipts to show proof

This is what comes to mind when I think about it. I think it would be a good start.

I wasn't downing the start of this thread. Just commenting that you'll find posts just like this on other boards. I think it's great for each board to have them.

One thing to also note- Suggested Codes of Ethics are not just meant for Rescues & Breeders. I think everyone should uphold many of the suggested ethics.

I agree

As a rescuer, there is a set of standards I hold myself too.
I do not believe a rescuer should also breed it is a conflict..
I think every rescue should have a pic taken the day it comes in and a pic 10 days later.
A rescue should have a wellness exam within 5 days of arrival.
A rescue should NOT under any circumstances be put up for adoption under any color besides grey...especially females
All males need nuetered within 30 days of arrival
no suggie leaves intact
new owner must be educated on up to date
new owner must prove to me they have a emergency vet fund avail
a new owner is required to send me weekly updates
the new owner will take the glider in for a check up 5 days after receiving it and send me a copy of said vet visit
I do take rescuing to heart and these babies desreve to be treated with the utmost respect..
No glider or any other animal asked to be treated in ways unhumane and end up in rescue
oh and most of all
You must promise to Love em till all their fur falls off.....and then some

Now I know someone will say how can I say no breeding it causes a conflict...but ya know what? Thats my opinion and mine alone...we all have our own set of ethics we live by....
So if you have issues with that statement please sent me a pm

*rescuers should NOT breed
*rescuers should neuter all males to prevent others from breeding(or have a contract with the new owner to neuter them within a short amount of time)
*Rescuers should not seperate gliders who have bonded unless there is an extreme circumstance( thanks for jogging that to memory Ahsaehr )
*rescuers should be knowledgeable
*rescuers should educate the new owners.
*rescuers should have as much history put on paperwork as possible
*rescuers should keep up to the regulations


there are tons more but i want to get to the post about breeders too!

This isnt exactly Code Of Ethics material - but I thought it fitting to post here. Hopefully, it will give the Rescuers that work so hard a little boost.

ANIMAL RESCUER'S CREED


I'll never bring about world peace.
I won't single-handedly save the rain forest.
I'm not a brain surgeon and I'll never transplant an organ to save a life.
I don't have the ear of a powerful politician or world power.
I can't end world hunger.
I'm not a celebrity, and God knows I'm not glamorous!
I'm not looked up to by millions around the world.
Very few people even recognize my name.
I'll never win the Nobel prize or end global warming.
There are a lot of things that I'll never do or become.
But today I helped place an animal!

It was a small, scared, bundle of flesh and fur that was dumped at a
shelter, or on the streets by unfeeling people who didn't care what
happened to it, but yet who were responsible for it having existence in
the first place. I helped find it a loving home.
It now has contentment and an abundance of love.

No... I'm not a rocket scientist. But today, I made a difference!
And I'll do it tomorrow, too, if given a chance.

-Author Unknown-

very cool Rita thank you for adding this!

There are so many good points in this thread, I would like to comments if I may, I will make it short as Im about to go out.
Ladysiren I think workshops are a great Idea.

I think that alo being a rescuer they should also attend monthly workshops.

5. Have workshops to explain care and maintenance that new owners must attend regardless of their experiance level.

Colour breeds only going to rescuers- This could lead to the rescuer being overloaded, accused of hoarding, or accused of having alteria motives for the breeding of colours.

Great if you have a vet who willing to do this for no charge.
A rescue should have a wellness exam within 5 days of arrival.

NO BREEDING IN THE RESCUE
I do agree with this to a certain extent , but i am a wildlife carer and I also have pet sugar and squirrel gliders that I intend on letting breed.
I also have some ringtail who I rescued when they were only tiny, they are now my pets and the girls may be preg but I am having the boys neutured next week.

But my situation is different to those in the US here suggies have not been bred over and over.
so having said that I dont believe that a rescued suger glider should be bred with because I think there are too many firstly, and secondly you dont know what kind of life it may have had previously, you dont know wether it may carrie any genetic deformities etc.

All males should be neutured before being placed.

Maybe it would be something to work towards having a governing body that all rescuers come under,

rescues should not whorde, meaning when things get to tough, (little money,no room) they take in animals that cant be cared for properly.
rescues should try to set up some fund raisers to make there animals known, like at a fair,animal convention etc.

Rita you made me cry..
It just is so right....right to the bone...
Thats what being a rescuerr is all about!

Heres what I meant by no breeding in the rescue. Example, I breed my english mastiff but I have rescued other dogs and found them homes.
I have history on my mastiff for sixty years and get it longer if need be. But a rescue what you see is what you get. You don't know about potential genetic defects it may carry. But with your own personal animals I wouldn't apply that to a rescue they were never rescued or will they ever. Hope this clears some confusion

I still dont think it is right for a rescuer to brred period.
Just Cuz I have 1 dog and 3 cats that werent rescues, should not give the right as a rescue to go ahead and breed them...
I think a rescuer should NOT breed period

I'm not sure how you place a code of ethics on a rescuer. My understanding is that most people get into this because they felt sorry for some animals and then it ends up snow balling. With no financial help then it would be pretty hard to keep your head above water unless you charge for the gliders to go into a new home.

Unless you are running raffles or asking the greater community for financial help then I don't see that we can really ask any rescuer to abide by what we could put in place. However if we are asking the forum to support a group then i guess there would be some form of expectation that the rescue facility would follow some form of ethics that we could all agree with.

I personally don't see any reason that someone couldn't be supporting them selves by drawing a salary from any profits from the facility. I'm sure in many case this could be a full time job. In animal shelters here locally all animals that come in are neutered straight away. It makes sence that a rescue facility shouldn't be adding numbers to an already problem.

jett, you make a really good point about the so-called code of ethics and foisting it on rescuers. I think your characterization of why rescuers get into it is correct - that is they feel sorry for an animal or animals and they want to do something about it. I call it "God's work" but I don't want that to sound too sweet. Of course someone wwho opens their heart and home to less fortunate creatures should not be made to "run a gauntlet" because they are doing something so profound and important already. That said, the reason I made two posts on ethics was to help show the difference between rescuers and breeders. Also, someone who may want to be a rescuer, if the calling is strong may want some guidance and a code may help them to decide, etc.

THe workshop idea is just thrilling and I reckon it would be good for all people who have gliders...

Being a wildlife carer I come under a wildlife group, unfortunately because there are many different groups there is often conflicts between the groups that is why I think all rescuers should come under one umbrella so to speak and ALL have to abide by the comittee/ or whatever it may be. They comittee would be responsible for all fundraising salaries etc, I think if each individual did there own things thats where conflicts happen. Also this helps with networking animals and making sure that one person does not become to overloaded.
A data base could be set up with each recuers has in etc and then those who dont have much could help lighten the load for someone else.
Also with having a parent rescue organisation they could have a phone line that people ring to surrender any gliders or that any rescued gliders are recorded thru these people would then place the glider where most appropriate.
Jett in most cases individual rescuers never make a profit unless they are doing the wrong thing and breeding from the rescues.

In Australia wildlife groups are often offered or seeks grants and donations to help run thier organisation, usually some of this money is used to give the individuals discounted formulas, free cages etc. As far as I am aware individual rescuer are not able to apply for these grants etc
So by having all the rescuers combined under one organisation could have many benifits, Most rescue organisations have rules and regulations that each individual must abide by.
Unfortunately there is virtually no assistance from the government.

I have also seen people who everyone thinks they are rescuers and are doing such a good deed, but in fact they are mentally imbalanced and HOARDS animals, and the animals are often not properly looked after because the person has so many of them.

Rach your last post was excellent.
Workshops should be in place for just updated information. I have been around dogs my whole life my father and grandfather were dog trainers but I still attend any seminar or workshop I can find to go to. Information always changes things are updated. Sometimes I knew everything they said and more, but sometimes I walk out with loads of new knowledge. I take a portfolio with me of important information with me and also take notes on top of recording the seminar in case I can't write fast enough. Sugar Glider workshops should be put into place. It would help current owners and future owners tremendously as they are a lot more complex than dogs. Let me make all aware I have been doing a little reasearch on rescues and even called a few. I would say 80% tell me or have it posted on their website how easy it is to care for gliders. This needs to stop. I spend more time preparing meals for them than I do for my own family. That is not easy care. Rescues need to be blaintingly honest. They need to educate the public, I am actually in process in writing to my newspaper to inform the public the truth about gliders because the mass breeder who sells them here lies. Then they end up homeless.

I really hope the rescue homes i try and help do not breed the rescues. I agree that they should not breed. I mean then they would be adding to the problem. And people that recue are my heros. I wish i could help alot more than i do.

It would really be nice that before anyone got a suggie that they had a BIG cage first. And lots of information on them.

Jett,
I agree on the fund raising..
I agree that some get in over their heads..
I have enough to care for that if another few were to pop up needing me I could take care of them until I found them a home..
I try not to take in more then I can handle..its not fair to the animals..

I have only ever received 2 donations..neither one monetary...I pay for all my own Vet care and all my own food or supplies, Ask totles she knows..
But that doesnt mean I need to go out and do a fundraiser to bring in money..
I also have placed gliders without an adoption fee.
AS a rescuer I have come to know that I will NEVER be repaid for my hard work...and ya know what? I dont care..
If I cared about money and recouping my loses I wouldnt be a true rescuer

I love you psychosissy

And i love Jamie and Mary to;)

quote:

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Originally posted by psychosissy

If I cared about money and recouping my loses I wouldnt be a true rescuer

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psychosissy, I think your comment helps to characterize the heart of what rescuers are all about. You are part of a very special breed of person.

Rach, your perspective on the hierarchy and organization of rescuers is very interesting. I hope others have comments on this idea. Thaks so much for participating in this post everyone. Please stay tuned in.

I am loving all of these posts. I can't think of much to add. I think most has been covered. Someone said something about grants. That is very rare her in the US because these animals are exotics. Now if I needed a grant to study the effects of cockroachs on a peice of bread, I could probably come up with it. LOL JK

Maybe we could submit the cockroach proposal and switch it to suggies? (just kidding of course).

Everyone is welcome to add to this post. I will probably compile the salient data in a more useful form. It'll probably take a while to get input from everyone who has something to say. Some have told me they need to think more on the subject to have something good to say...

Thanks to all!