Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT

I, ________________________________ have applied for membership in the Western Abyssinian Cat Club and, if accepted, agree to abide by this Code of Ethics.

1. Concern for the Breed

I will respect the nature of the Abyssinian Cat and will provide a clean and pleasant environment for my cats. I will take special safeguards and precautions to sell or place cats and kittens only in homes where they will be loved, appreciated and well cared for. My motive for breeding cats will be, along with the enjoyment of having Abyssinian cats in my home, the desire to preserve and improve the fine qualities of this breed, and will not be based on financial gain.

2. Accurate Representation

I will be professional in all my dealings with prospective buyers. I will make every effort to assure the buyer's understanding of the Abyssinian, its merits, personality, and all terms of the sale. I will be honest, fair, and as accurate as possible in all appraisals. I will consider it my obligation to display utmost integrity in all descriptions of any cat. Therefore, I will give only my opinions, and not make such predictions as, "future grand", "will produce so many kittens", "guaranteed satisfaction", "perfect cat", "no faults", and so on. Each buyer will be given a copy of the CFA Abyssinian Standard and a health and immunization record.

3. Agreements and Certifications

I will not sell my kittens and cats without written agreements. I will not sell cats or kittens to pet shops or any organization for research. I will require a written neuter agreement for my cats and kittens sold as pets to be altered, and require a veterinarian's certification of alteration at the proper age before the sale is considered final and the registration papers are transferred and the pedigree provided to the new owners. I will sell Abyssinians for breeding and show with proper registration papers, accurate pedigrees, and health records transferred to the buyer after full payment is received. I will not breed Abyssinian queens to non-registered males, and will not allow my Abyssinian males to breed non-registered queens.

4. Integrity, Ethics, Professional Standards

I will not knowingly expose any cat or person to disease or unsanitary conditions. My cats and kittens shall be under the regular care of a licensed veterinarian, be appropriately immunized, be tested for feline leukemia at regular intervals, and shall be bred only for the purpose of improving the breed. I will abide by all of the CFA Show rules.