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!