The Vision
Ethical Rescue Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting animal welfare and envisioning change, growth and improvement in the shelter and rescue system.
By making a standardized code of ethics that has room for human emotion and error as well as a focus on animal welfare, we believe that a balance between doing what is best for the overall cause and what is best for the individual can be found to save more lives while allocating resources in better ways.
Our Core Values
Partnership
By fostering a partnership with ethical breeders, our communities, the shelters we support, and our fellow ethical rescue organizations, we will create the changes in the world that we want to see.
Accountability
Holding ourselves and those around us in animal welfare accountable to a higher standard fosters transparency and trust within the rescue community, empowering individuals to make informed decisions when supporting reputable organizations aligned with ERA's values.
Trust
Animal welfare organizations must work to regain the trust of the communities that they are supposed to serve and support in the responsible placement of animals in homes.
Respect
Respect for one another and respect between rescues and shelters is vital if we are to make improvements. We must present a united front in the face of a severe animal welfare crisis, against unethical rescues which refuse to employ macro-level solutions.
Integrity
We must uphold the highest degree of integrity and strive to do what is right even when no one is watching. If we are truly acting as a voice for the voiceless, integrity to do right by them at all times is paramount to behaving ethically in animal welfare.
The Code of Ethics
This code of ethics was designed to highlight the widest areas that require change within the animal welfare space. By bringing the problems to light, we will all grow and improve to leave a better future before us as our collective legacy. Without focusing on change, we will continue to lose every battle we fight with only microsopic victories in this
Welfare Concepts
Animal Welfare Advocacy is not about the singular individual in front of us, but rather the welfare and care of all around us. We must understand the difference from Animal Rights Activism. Understanding and acting on a deep, scientific understanding of emotional health and wellbeing as well as physical well-being which will lead to accountability for every animal placed in a home
Humane Care and Treatment
Euthanasia is an unfortunate reality in rescue for a variety of reasons including emotional and behavioral, which must be considered as important as physical health. Providing this compassionate care is hard on us at times, but animal welfare is not easy and as such we need to lead by example to do right by these animals no matter how it makes us feel. Not every case can be a success story, but the care of every animal can be successful and ethical.
Ethical Placement
Equal opportunities for adoption and placement of animals in rescue care should be attainable, fair, and reasonable. Permanent foster situations have their time and place for hospice cases, but other reasons must be considered what is best for the overall goal of animal welfare. Honesty must become a forefront consideration when placing animals in homes as we should be focused on setting up the animal and the family for success and not a repeated reentry into the system and a drain on rescue resources.want to share. Be sure to include relevant skills you gained, accomplishments you achieved or milestones you reached during your education.
Funding Transperancy
Without our donor base we are nothing and we cannot exist. Accountability to those that help keep our proverbial doors open should not be taken lightly. Offering thorough explanation of needs with evidential documentation such as invoices and estimates should be done without prompting or request. The care of each individual should be accounted for prior to intake.
Ethical Public Presence
Rescues should maintain a professional public presence at all times both in person and on social media. When discussing cases there should be only factual statements presented, not embellished stories to garner donor generosity. Appropriate and supportive partnerships with shelters is a must as without shelters animal welfare would be unreachable on a larger scale. Following not only this, but also local laws even when it is not what we want to do sets an example for those around us. Being positive and uplifting to all animal professionals, including ethical breeders and veterinary medical professionals, is a must to maintain Ethical Public Presence.
Community Care and Support
Pet retention should be a priority whenever possible within an organization’s abilities. Offering some kind of pet retention program (wellness care, emergent care support, microchipping, etc.) will strengthen our bonds with the community we serve. We must abide by local laws and continue to educate our public on the changes and intricacies of those laws.