POLICY ON

ANIMAL ACQUISITION/DISPOSITION

8.21.09

 

 The Ohio Reptile Service observes high ethical standards of zoological acquisition, disposition, propagation, industry and public relations, and business ethics. This policy establishes the organization’s general standards for the acquisition and disposition of live animals. Inquiries regarding this policy may be addressed to the Director.

 

1)   Any animal transferred or maintained is for purposes which comply with the Mission of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA).

2)   No animal will be acquired which adequate facilities, expertise and funding will not support.

3)   Animal acquisition and husbandry are performed in compliance with local, state, federal and international laws.

4)   No animal will be sold, gifted, traded, or loaned to any entity which is unable to demonstrate a standard of ethics and sufficient expertise and facilities for the proper care of the animal.

5)   No animal will be transferred in any manner, to or from, without written agreement. Such agreement may be drafted by either party to the transfer. A loan agreement may include a specific agreement with regard to loaner monitoring the animal loaned.

6)   No animal, nor its progeny, if bred by or under the authority of Ohio Reptile Service, will be used for the purpose of, nor transferred in any manner to any entity which would use the animal or its progeny for the purpose of:

      a)   Bio-medical or product testing.

      b)   Commercial pet trade, including auctions, farms or ranches.

      c)   Hunting of any kind.

      d)   Animal body part trade (hide, meat, etc.)

7)   Accredited institutions are given preference in the transfer of an animal.

8)   Endangered or threatened species are given preference in the transfer of an animal, especially in cooperation with the AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP).

9)   Animals are maintained in such a manner that does not unduly interfere with native ecosystems or the public peace.

10) A promise of “sanctuary” for an animal, defined as a state of complete non-exhibition which may also include limited interaction with its keeper(s), is not necessarily offered to any entity of an animal’s origin and such promise may be considered on a case by case basis; such agreement must be expressed by both parties in writing at the time of transfer.

11) No promise to return an animal to the entity of origin is made or implied unless expressly agreed to in writing at the time of transfer.

12) No animal will be accepted on behalf of another entity as a future recipient unless agreed to in writing by all parties involved.

13) Records of all husbandry activities, acquisitions, births, deaths, and transfers of any kind are maintained as standard practice.

14) The services of qualified veterinarians are engaged when necessary upon receiving an animal (and anytime thereafter), and, at a minimum, standard quarantine measures are observed as regular practice.

15) An animal may be transferred either temporarily or permanently for humane scientific research for the purpose of the directly benefiting the specimen or species; the entity receiving the specimen for research must be registered with the USDA per the U.S. Animal Welfare Act.

16) The Director is the person ultimately responsible for compliance with this institution’s policies.

 

 

 

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