Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[arkreptiles]

Can we ask that you take a few minutes to read through the working document below.


In light of recent uncertainty amongst reptile keepers and a healthy, animated debate on RFUK a few of us have taken a positive out of this and believe there is merit in producing a code of ethics that breeders/buyers could agree to.

This is a working document, so it can be edited, added to and developed further. We would therefore welcome candid and sensible suggestions and comments


Reptilia Amphibian and Invert Breeders Association (UK)
(Working Title)

Introduction

Please consider this as a ‘working document’. It has been produced in order to invite opinion from breeders and keepers to:

1. the idea of adopting a voluntary best practice guide
2. what such a guide should cover

From initial discussions/correspondence with breeders from both the UK and the US and more general opinion expressed through a number of public forum there is a perceived desire/need to have in place an ethical code to reassure the hobby of the health and well being of animals being produced and sold.

There are also concerns that new cultivars that are not properly tested before being released into the hobby, could and do, in a number of instances, have genetic issues that can affect behaviour, fertility and a number of other symptoms that may be deleterious.

In an ideal world a full system of registration of litters/clutches etc would be in place and available to breeders as would a register of available animals to the public. Such systems are in place for other Taxa for example through the Kennel Club.

However, in the example of the Kennel Club it has been in existence since 1873 – clearly they have had plenty of time to refine their system! Furthermore there are a number of practical implementation issues that need proper consideration before this can be put in place in a proper, detailed and consensual manner.

Through the discussions mentioned above a suggestion has been put forward as a first step in working towards the creation of a ‘Kennel Club equivalent’ that would provide the initial comfort to the hobby and the public concerning the quality of animals being sold, their care and propagation.

The current thinking is that such a ‘first step’ would manifest itself in the form of a voluntary association. This association would not require fees to be paid for membership – the only requirement of membership being a written commitment to follow the best practice/ethics code of the association. No formal constitution is being proposed but that it should be administered in the first instance by the membership.

It is further thought that such a ‘code’ should be basic in the sense of being clear, easily understood and not ‘steeped’ in bureaucracy.

In the first instance, it is felt that the Association should adopt the following:

1. Founding Principles
2. General Code of Ethics

This would allow a test period (suggestions as to length of period are welcome!) to determine how many breeders ‘sign-up’ to these principles and ultimately inform the association of the need/desire to expand its mandate.

Suggestions for a ‘second stage’ have included the following:

1. Accredited Breeders
2. Offspring Registration
3. Sales Register

This could potentially be a very interesting and exciting time for all of those in the hobby. We have the opportunity to ‘authenticate’ what we do, promote a wider understanding of what many perceive to be ‘creepy crawlies’ and to educate the wider community and help conservation.

This can be an extremely positive move that allows hobbyists to determine how such animals could be kept before arguably being legislated against by bureaucrats with no first hand experience or detailed knowledge.

It is felt that in promoting such an association we are under an obligation to advertise the fact as widely as possible. To this end the IHS, FBH, other related forum’s and the Pro-Keepers Lobby will be canvassed for their opinions.

Outlined below are the proposed Founding Principles and Best Practice Guide referred to above.

Founding Principles

1. to promote responsible reptilia, amphibian and invert ownership
2. to enhance our understanding and relationship with our pets
3. to create a voluntary medium for keepers and breeders of all reptilia, amphibians and inverts to exchange information
4. to provide a best practice guide for the captive husbandry and breeding of these species
5. to provide a means for prospective and existing owners of these species to identify breeders who adopt the best practice guide
6. to provide objective information on species and cultivar specific issues including any empirical or scientific research that is being undertaken and to publish any findings

Code of Conduct

(All of the points below are basic principles – it is only intended that breeders undertake to have such practices in place. It is down to each breeder’s discretion how such practices are undertaken – this does not seek to tell anyone HOW to do it)

Husbandry

1. Owners will keep all species covered under the Founding Principles in conditions appropriate to the species in terms of housing, environment, dietary and hygiene needs

2. Owners will use appropriate quarantine procedures when dealing with new animals or sick animals (either medically diagnosed or suspected sick animals prior to diagnosis)

3. Owners agree not to breed from a female in any way which is detrimental to the female or cultivar.

Sale of Animals

1. Owners agree only to sell animals where there is a reasonable expectation of a happy and healthy life

2. Owners will offer help to re-home an animal if the initial circumstances change.

3. Owners will supply Care Sheets for each species of animal sold to include, as a minimum, housing, heating and dietary requirements and give guidance concerning responsible ownership when placing animals in a new home.

4. Owners will provide any paperwork required by statute to the new owner. The owner will agree, in writing, to forward any relevant documents at the earliest opportunity, if not immediately available.

5. For captive bred animals, owners will provide details confirming that the animal being sold is produced from legally obtained parents and provide its parents’ details

6. Non captive bred animals should be stated as such and identified as being either wild caught or long term captive with details of where purchased and of any other history that the owner is aware

7. Owners will not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of an animal nor falsely advertise or mislead any person regarding the quality of an animal

8. This code advocates providing as much other information as the owner considers necessary pertaining to the history of any animal being sold, for example (but not restricted to), its date of birth, feeding, shedding and weight records or ancestry

9. This code advocates that all owners adopt a returns policy and make such a policy available to buyers

Thank you for taking the time to read this post