INFO [at] NBRAN.ORG (INFO[at]NBRAN[dot]ORG)
All members of the National Brittany Rescue & Adoption Network agree to abide by the following guidelines and Code of Ethics:
SECTION ONE
*Every member, or group member must be able to provide the basic paperwork used in the daily operation of their rescue, including, but not limited to:
Owner Surrender form
Adoption Application
Adoption Contract
*The NBRAN has forms available to all members online available for use as written or that can be tailored for the use of each member rescue organization or individual member.
All members should be able to provide the following references: veterinarian, 2 adopters, and one foster home or rescue group associate. Exceptions may be made for an individual rescue volunteer, or to new volunteers recruited into rescue.
No member shall have been charged with violating the animal cruelty statutes of any local or state government, or have had their AKC privileges revoked.
Members will accept personal responsibility for performing contractual obligations entered into after execution of a contract with a releasing agency such as an animal control facility when a dog is released into their care.
SECTION TWO
The welfare of the rescue volunteer, their family members and companion animals will take precedence over any rescue animal, and every necessary safety precaution will be taken to insure their continued good health and welfare.
Each dog taken into a member rescue program shall receive necessary medical care within a reasonable time period. Necessary medical care is defined as, but not limited to a basic health exam or "new pet exam", current vaccinations, including rabies and DHLPP boosters. Other vaccinations deemed necessary for the area of residence will be required and given at the discretion of the foster caregiver. Treatment will be given during initial health exams for internal and external parasites; i.e. dogs will be de-wormed after a fecal exam if necessary, and/or dipped or receive the application of a topical treatment applied after visual exam or the results of a skin scraping deem it necessary. An occult heartworm check will be performed without fail. In the case of heartworm positive dogs, the member's veterinarian will be consulted regarding treatment. Treatment for heartworms will be left to the member's discretion, taking into account the dog's overall health and the member's financial ability to provide treatment. In either case, the dog should be placed on a heartworm preventative recommended by the member's veterinarian to prevent any new heartworms from forming. Heartworm negative dogs will be placed on heartworm preventative immediately.
If dog is not already sterilized before coming into rescue, it will be spayed or neutered within a "reasonable time", and without exception, prior to adoption. If a dog is ill or requires treatment for heartworms or other condition prior to surgery, he or she will be sterilized after their recuperation period. However, no dog brought into rescue will be bred or allowed to breed for any reason prior to being sterilized.
Dogs coming into rescue from 'good Samaritans' will be treated as a lost dog. Members will make an earnest attempt for a reasonable period of time to locate the dog's owner prior to sterilization and re-homing, acting in accordance with their local statutes.
In the event of serious illness or injury, any dog brought into rescue will be given prompt emergency veterinary care. Individual foster homes have the option to treat expensive illnesses, catastrophic injuries or provide humane euthanasia. Monies may be requested from the general fund to assist with medical expenses, but it is understood that requests for funding may not always be granted.
Members will bear in mind at all times their responsibility to future adopters. If a dog is suffering from an ongoing or terminal illness that prevents responsible placement, the foster caregiver may make the decision to euthanize a dog in their care. Members understand and agree that not every dog can be rehabilitated, or will be deemed adoptable due to health or temperament reasons. As members, we further concur that in cases of incurable cancer or injuries so severe or pain so intense that the dog cannot enjoy a good quality of life, euthanasia may be the most humane service we can provide.
Prior to placement in a new home all dogs shall be subject to no less than a one week period of temperament assessment and evaluation. No member will place a dog that they feel is physically unsafe to humans in temperament or behavior. This includes dogs with diagnosed psychosis or that are known to be habitual fear biters. This does not necessarily include dogs who are home and family protective, and each dog will be assessed on a case by case basis, and professional evaluation sought if necessary at the discretion of the foster caregiver. Under no circumstances will a dog be brought into rescue or placed in an adoptive home that has a known history of biting. All dogs brought into rescue should exhibit the normal range of bite inhibition.
Members will not place dogs in homes that are believed to be unsuitable or incompatible to that particular rescue dog. For example, dogs that are known to be cat haters or cat killers will not be placed in homes with cats. Dogs that are known to be nervous or display nervous tendencies around children will not be placed in homes with children. These are examples and all dogs will be assessed on an individual basis and adopted into the best matched home for them, and keeping their welfare at heart, each dog will only be placed in the safest possible environment for them. An earnest attempt will be made by all members to "match" each dog to their new home, environment and adoptive family according to their history and needs.
No dog coming into rescue will be abused in any way, subjected to cruel treatment, neglected physically or emotionally or subjected to any experiments of any kind or nature. No dog coming into rescue will be attack or guard trained. No dog coming into rescue will be used in any manner of dog fighting, including being used as bait for larger dogs.
All dogs coming into rescue will be placed as family members and companion dogs. Under no circumstances will any guarantees, either verbal or written be given to an adopter regarding a dog's hunting abilities or other specific characteristics.
All members will use an adoption application that requires veterinary and personal references. Members will also perform or arrange a home visit with the applicants by an experienced rescue volunteer prior to adoption.
No member will place a dog without the execution of an adoption contract stating care requirements for the dog, instructions for the dog's safe transport and a mandatory return to rescue clause if the adopter cannot keep the dog for any reason. Adoption contracts will be kept on file.
No member will place a dog or cause a dog to be adopted as an outside or kennel dog. All dogs coming into NBRAN will be adopted as indoor companions, or at the very least allowed to sleep indoors and spend reasonable time indoors interacting with the family and enjoying normal activities.
No member will give, sell or cause transfer ownership of any dog to a laboratory, breeding operation, or corporation of any type.
In the event that a dog comes into rescue with an AKC registration or registration application, the foster caregiver may or may not allow papers to go with the dog at their discretion.
Members will assist new adopters with an interest in AKC sponsored events obtain an ILP certificate for rescue dogs allowing their participation in said events.
Without fail, all members will give full disclosure of any known health or medical problems of their foster dogs to adopters and will furnish them with any available medical history belonging to their dog.
Members will maintain full rescue records on each dog including veterinary and final disposition (adoption, transfer, euthanasia).
Members should be willing to furnish an annual report to the network providing the following information:
Click to view the currently availabe dogs. The number of dogs available for adoption varies from month to month.
NBRAN is comprised solely of unsalaried volunteers. If you're interested in making a difference by volunteering your time or talents, we'd love to hear from you, find out for here!
Brittany Buddies are dogs who are in immediate need of support due to disease or other extreme circumstances. Click to read more about these dogs and to find out how you can help.