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The Association of Companion Animal Behavior Counselors (Association), recognizing that individuals engaged in the practice of applied animal
behavior assume
certain responsibilities toward animals and clients, hereby sets forth the standards and ethical principles to which members of the Association
will continue to adhere in the conduct of their business and practices. In pursuit of these principles, members commit themselves to ethical and
professional standards and agree to observe the following Code of Standards and Ethical Conduct (The Code) in their professional activities. They
further acknowledge the jurisdiction of their professional colleagues in the ACABC judiciary committees to adjudicate on issues connected with The
Code.
Members shall:
- treat all animals with respect for their life and well being by utilizing
behavior modification principles and methodology that does not inflict pain or injury to the animal and utilizes non-aversive techniques whenever
possible.
- practice their profession following recognized scientific principles with
the realization that the lives, health and well-being of the companion animals
they treat may depend upon their professional judgment.
- promote and support working relationships with veterinary professionals
to address medical, nutritional, and hormonal/neurochemical components
of behavior especially when pharmacological intervention is indicated
and may be recommended as part of a behavior modification plan
- not distort, alter or hide facts in rendering professional opinions or
recommendations.
- not knowingly make statements that misrepresent or omit facts.
- keep confidential personal and business information obtained during the
exercise of animal behavior counseling activities, except when required by law
or overriding health and safety considerations
- counsel affected parties factually regarding potential health risks and
precautions necessary to avoid harm to them or others where, in the opinion of
the member, the animal may be dangerous.
- perform services only in the areas of their competence.
- not misrepresent their professional education, experience or credentials.
- not knowingly permit their employees, their employers or others to
misrepresent their professional background, expertise or services, which are
misrepresentations of fact.
- not use statements in advertising their expertise or services containing
a material misrepresentation of fact or omitting a material fact necessary to
keep statements from being misleading.
- not permit the use of their name or firm name by any person or firm which
they have reason to believe is engaging in fraudulent or dishonest applied
animal behavior or welfare practices.
- avoid conduct or practice which is likely to discredit the profession or
deceive the public.
- act responsibly to uphold the integrity of the profession.
- encourage the practice of neutering companion animals not intended for
professional breeding in order to reduce the overpopulation of unwanted
companion animals in nations, states and geographic regions where companion animal overpopulation has a negative effect on society and the welfare
of companion animals.
- respect all clients received in the course of their work.
- identify themselves as "Member, Association of Companion Animal
Behavior Counselors" and not use letters after their names, such as
“ACBC” or "CBC" unless they have been authorized
to do so in writing by the ACABC Board of Professional Certification.
- submit themselves to peer review in the event a charge is filed against
them by a client or governmental authority.
- in each agreement with a client, fully disclose in writing, their goals and
objectives, the responsibilities of the counselor and the responsibilities of
client, the length of the agreement, the amount of sessions to be provided, and
the cost of these sessions.
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