Code of Ethics for “The SCCGB”

The Code of Ethics for the SCCGB is provided as a guideline to set the minimum standard of distinction on owning, breeding and selling Savannah Cats.  It is in place to protect the interest of the SCCGB, The Savannah Cat Breed and all SCCGB members abiding by these guidelines.

All individuals applying for any status of membership to the SCCGB must sign and agree to follow the guidelines set out below.  Any SCCGB Member that deliberately refuses to follow these guide lines defined herewith as the SCCGB “Code of Ethics” will, without fail be removed.  These guidelines are subject to change from time to time by the SCCGB Board of Directors, contribution from members and as outlined by TICA By-Laws.

Members Responsibilities

All SCCGB Members must:

1. Read and take full participation in with The International Cat Association (TICA) Standards for breeding Savannah cats.

2. Abide by the SCCGB By-Laws, Code of Ethics and the rules of The International Cat Association (TICA).

3. Ensure that anyone acting on behalf of you as a Member of the SCCGB must comply with these Code of Ethics, The By-Laws of the SCCGB and the rules of TICA.

4. Accept the majority vote of the SCCGB and its Board Members as a SCCGB decision and objective aimed at benefiting the Savannah breed of cat. All such decisions and objectives will be made in a pre-arranged and accountable manner.

5. Endeavor to retain the irreplaceable distinctiveness of the Savannah Cat breed namely its intelligence, activities, playfulness, health, and type.

6. Put the interests of their cats above personal gain and profit.

7. Keep their cats safe at all times by providing it with a suitable environment, a suitable diet, the ability to exhibit normal behavior patterns, the need it has to be housed with, or apart from, other animals and the protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

8. Continuously socialise all cats in their care, and any cats revealing qualities of an obvious and continual temperamental problem such as intense shyness or aggressiveness will not be bred or exhibited in public.

9. Protect the interest of their breed by implementing the highest standards of sportsmanship and conduct them selves to positively reflect good morale on themselves, their cats, the SCCGB, cat ownership and the cat hobby, regardless of location or circumstance.

10. Keep accurate records of all cats and litters as required by The International Cat Association.

11. Take full responsibility in educating everyone about the Savannah breed of Cat and what is involved in responsible cat ownership. 

12. Directly represent the Savannah breed of Cat, its characteristics, health concerns, and suitability for any given individual or family.  Ensure all new Savannah Cat owners or interested persons are reasonably educated on the Savannah breed of Cat.

13. Never promote false or misleading advertising or misrepresentation of their cats, nor shall they malign their competitor by making false statements on cats, breeding practices or any person.

14. Never, knowingly, place or sell a Savannah, for any purpose, with unethical persons who do not and or are not prepared to provide proper and humane care for any cat in their care, nor any person who has violated any of the principals set forth in the SCCGB Code of Ethics.

15. Never to sell or give any Savannah to any pet shop, commercial breeder (kitten mill), wholesale dealer, auction, research facility, humane society, animal shelter, nor as a prize in any contest or raffle.

16. Make every effort to be of assistance if you become aware of the mistreatment, abuse, or need for relocation of any Hybrid Cat by notifying the breeder of the cat involved and the SCCGB Hybrid Cat Rescue.

Showing Your Cats & Cat Handlers must:

1. Never allow surgery to be performed on any cat, especially the Savannah Cat so as to alter its cosmetic features (as detailed in TICA rules) to serve the purposes of exhibition.
   
   
2. Only show or exhibit Savannah Cats which are in good health, good physical condition, and fully socialised.  Any cat displaying an obvious and continual temperamental problem (extreme shyness or aggressiveness) will not be shown or exhibited.

3. Adequately prepare all cats before, during, and after all shows.

4. Show, and encourage the showing, of high quality Savannah to Savannah Cats only.

5. Help any trainee exhibitor with honesty, kindness, and constructive comments, when called upon to do so.

Breeders Responsibilities

Health – As a Cat Breeder, I must:

1. Maintain the highest possible standards of health, cleanliness and care in my cattery. This includes, but is not limited to proper veterinary care, adequate size of enclosure; provide plenty of opportunity for exercise and play. Cattery owners should only keep as many cats as they can care for adequately.

2. Urge all buyers to have a kitten or adult cat sold by me, examined by a licensed veterinarian within 72 hours of receipt. The buyer will pay for the examination.

3. Deliver or ship only kitten or adult cats of sound health and temperament.  Where the buyer or his authorised representative did not personally see and choose the cat and or kitten, a reasonable period of time of 7 days is granted to the buyer to advise the breeder of the final decision, including the return of the cat, if that is decided.

Breeding – As a Cat Breeder I must:

1. Inform and encourage queen owners to only breed kitten litters if they have adequate facilities, time and resources to adequately accommodate the litter.  Queen owners must be sure they can find suitable homes for their kitten litters.

2. Refuse stud service to any queens considered to be in poor health, physically or mentally unsound, or lacking the necessary breed characteristics as set forth in the TICA Savannah Breed standards. Before conducting a stud service an agreement detailing all specifications will have been agreed to and signed by both parties.

3. Stud service contracts will spell out all specifications to the stud service agreement and must be signed by all parties involved in the stud service agreement. In addition, each party must be given a copy of the signed agreement before any service is rendered.

4. Breed my own queens only when I have a definite goal for improvement of the breed in mind and not permit of the queens to produce two uninterrupted litters unless the queen is in excellent health, or breeding the queen is recommended by a veterinarian.

I fully understand that I am responsible for keeping and/or finding suitable homes for the kittens bred by me.

 Sales – As a Cat Breeder I must:

1. Provide a contract or written agreement in any sale or purchase involving a cat signed by both parties.

2. Refuse to sell to and or recommend breeders who do not obey the rules of the SCCGB, its Code of Ethics.  I will refuse all sales to cat wholesalers and retailers, or directly or indirectly allow cats to be given as a prize or donation in a competition of any kind.

3. Provide buyers of my Savannah Cats with a minimum of four-generation pedigree, complete health records, accurate breeding and registration records.  We will withhold registration records in the case of a cat who the parties have agreed in writing will not be bred, until it has been spayed or neutered.  These records will be released on evidence provided by the buyer’s veterinary confirmation.

Recommendations from the SCCGB:

 The SCCGB strongly recommends that no kitten should be permitted to go to a new home before 13 weeks of age. The breeder should ensure that kittens are litter trained, fully vaccinated and certified in good general health by a Vet.  We encourage all Memberships to:

1. Provide a copy of the TICA Savannah Cat Standard with all kittens or adult cats supplied by me.
   
   
2. Never portray a Savannah Cat as wild, mini Servals, or leopards, or insinuate they are wild cats.  Savannah Cats are domestic Cats.
   
   
3. Invite all new potential owners of cats supplied by me to join in us as Protectors of the Breed by becoming a member of the SCCGB.

4. Assure potential kitten buyers that if at any time the kitten has to re-home the breeder must be notified and given the opportunity to assist the buyer in each re-homing exercise.