Ethical Intake

Intake Process

• Must have the owner’s permission or provided by the proper authorities.

• Earn credibility and trust with shelters and the community by upholding any agreed upon commitments, rules, and our own code of ethics.

• Make every attempt to take on all bonded animal family members, leaving no one behind.

• Rescue member or trusted volunteer and foster will make every attempt to meet the animal prior to commitment, to ensure a proper fit under the rescue.

• Medical, temperament, past & current behavior & situation will be taken into consideration when determining intake.

• Veterinary assessment and care plan will be conducted within a reasonable time upon intake.

Stray Intake & Notification

• Upon intake of a stray animal, contact appropriate local shelters or authorities with the goal of reuniting the animal with its owner.

• Search for owner for a minimum of 30 days prior to being available for adoption.

Adequate Care

METTA Values

• Treat all animals with compassion, kindness, love and respect.

• Display these values and gain the respect of the animals and the observing community.

Veterinary care

• All animals must receive adequate veterinary care including health screening, vaccinations, microchip, spay/neuter, and any additional medical care necessary.

• Careful consideration of veterinary recommendations, fosters wishes, and all options weighed prior to making any decision regarding major medical.

• Costs will not be the sole determining factor for any medical needs.

• Monthly heartworm preventative provided for all animals in METTA's care.

Humane Euthanasia

• Euthanasia will only be considered after all reasonable options have been explored first.

• Every effort will be made to ensure the very best final days for all animals during this time.

• The utmost care and concern will be given towards the atmosphere to ensure a peaceful passing.

Necessities

• Provide any necessities needed for each animal, including food, crate, leash, collar, etc.

Fosters

• Ensure the best possible temporary care for each animal by screening fosters through application process and home check.

• Provide a rescue representative that is available at all times in the event of an emergency.

• At no time should a foster be made to feel stuck with an animal or pressured to adopt.

Behavior/Training

• A positive, force free approach to training will be used.

• Training education and/or evaluation will be provided in the event of behavioral issues.

Networking

• Make every effort to promote and encourage adoptions. This includes social media networking, adoption. events, printed material, and additional advertising means.

Capacity

• Maintain appropriate levels of care for all animals.

• Don’t take on more than volunteers and fosters can handle without being overwhelmed.

• Recruit additional volunteers/fosters and ask for help when capacity is stretched.

Adoption Process

Rescue-for-life

• Adopted animals should be welcome to return at any time.

Educate and screen adopters

• Educate adopters about the breed, appropriate children’s behavior around dogs, introductions to new pets, food aggression, and any additional training/behavior modification techniques needed for the specific animal.

• Screen adopters carefully to ensure a the best possible family for each animal. Screening to include an application, home check, reference/vet check, meet & greet with all family members including other pets, and final contract.

• A reasonable adoption donation will be collected.

Full disclosure

• Health, temperament, and behavior history must be disclosed.

Spay/Neuter

• All animals, where applicable, must be spayed or neutered, prior to finalized adoption.

• If they are not altered prior to adoption, due to age or medical reason, policies and practices must be in place to ensure sterilization within a reasonable time.

Post adoption follow-up

• Follow up with the animal’s progress after adoption. Continue the education process with the adopters.

General

Guiding Principles

• Demonstrate compassion, kindness, and respect for all living creatures.

• Judge our effectiveness and progress by the extent to which animals lives are saved and improved as well as by the positive experiences the families we interact with have.

Leadership

• Lead by example, follow the METTA values by providing exceptional care to the animals in our care, educating the public, and making positive change within our community.

Transparency & Honesty

• Proper records and separate bank accounts for rescue activities will be kept.

• Remain open and honest to the public regarding finances and the animals under our care.

Professionalism

• Represent the rescue in a professional manor by maintaining a respectful demeanor and attitude at all times.

• Respond to inquiries promptly and offer helpful information when available.

• Do not pass judgment on shelters, other rescues, or pet owners, and offer help when in a place to do so.

Personal Gain

• Members of the rescue will not abuse the rescue system by benefiting from any personal gain, including for their own pets.

Authenticity

• Do what we say we do!