TIBCS Code of Ethics

1. PURPOSE

In the breeding of Bengal cats, emphasis shall be placed on good health, stable temperament, and intelligence as well as appearance. Consistent with this policy, I agree to breed with discrimination and only upon strong evidence of the probability of finding suitable homes for the kittens.

2. RECORDS

I agree to keep accurate records of all matings and pedigrees and to register breeding stock and litters with at least one recognized cat association.

3. BREEDING

I shall use for breeding only healthy cats, free from disease or hereditary deformity, who exhibit no radical departures from the Bengal Standard. If I discover subsequent hereditary defects, I shall advise previous buyers of my cats that may be affected by them.

Recommendations:

Females should not be bred until at least one year old, unless there have been two heat cycles or medical indications.
Females shall not be bred unless they are in optimum breeding condition.
Stud service should only be offered to owners of pedigreed Bengal cats, preferably who are TIBCS members.
Written agreement should be reached before breeding on options to be taken should the female have further complications with resorbing kittens or failure to conceive.
Any breeder should refrain from further breeding if having difficulty placing kittens.

4. HEALTH

I agree to maintain a good standard of health and care including adequate room for exercise, regular grooming, clean quarters, and adequate food and water. Whenever possible, Bengals should be kept indoors. Where caging is unavoidable, the minimum size for individual cages shall be 4 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 4 feet high.

5. SALES

I shall refuse to sell to, to buy from, or to recommend breeders who sell to cat wholesalers or retailers, to donate a Bengal for raffle purposes, or to buy or sell in litter lots. Before selling a kitten as a breeder, I shall ascertain that the buyer is fully aware of all the ramifications of breeding, such as expenses, time involved in care, necessary facilities, and good placement of kittens, and responsibilities to buyers and other breeders. I shall encourage the breeder buyer to join TIBCS. I shall ascertain that all buyers know how to care for a cat or kitten properly, and make myself available to give advice. I will give buyers an honest appraisal of a kitten's potential as a pet, breeder, or show cat. All breeder and show kittens will be sold with a written guarantee stating the seller's responsibility should the kitten prove to be sterile or develop a genetic defect that prevents breeding or showing. The course of action to be taken is a matter for each breeder to specify in his guarantee. I shall provide a receipt for all deposits received which states what happens if the buyer changes his mind. A pedigree will be provided with pet kittens but registration forms will be withheld until the breeder receives a veterinarian's certification of altering. If a breeder does not want to provide registration or pedigree papers for a pet kitten, the buyer must be informed of that fact before purchase. All breeder and show kittens will have pedigrees and registration forms provided with them. Before a kitten is sold, it must receive immunizations appropriate to age. Kittens should be free of all external and internal parasites (worms, fleas, ear mites, fungus, etc.) Breeders should supply written instructions on care, feeding, and accommodations with each kitten sold.

6. ADVERTISING

Advertising, oral or written, shall be factual and not worded to encourage breeding as an easy money scheme.

7. SPORTSMANSHIP

I will not promote a divisive atmosphere in TIBCS. I will treat all members with respect and, when necessary, disagree with them without personal or derogatory attacks. I will discuss disagreements with TIBCS members or officers privately when at all possible and air concerns in a TIBCS forum only.
I shall conduct myself always in a manner that reflects credit upon the Bengal cat breed and me, especially when attending shows as an exhibitor or a spectator. I shall abide by the various cat association rules and customs. I shall be a good loser and a gracious winner, remembering that having happy, healthy cats is much more important than winning ribbons.

8. AGREEMENTS

All agreements/transactions will be in writing and signed by all parties (i.e., a contract). This includes stud service agreements, buyer's requirements, breeder's guarantees for kittens, leasing of cats, deposits for kittens, etc. TIBCS also recommends moneys be paid by check and that receipts be issued for all payments. If problems arise later, it is difficult to determine a fair course of action when agreements were verbal and cash changed hands without receipts.

9. SHIPMENT

Shipping can be a frightening experience for any animal; consequently TIBCS recommends that, if possible, the kitten be picked up by its new owners. If this is not possible, the only method of shipping that we recommend is air freight arranged directly with the airline, preferably counter-to-counter. This will specify exact routing and arrival time. Kittens will not be shipped until they are fully weaned, eating on their own, and able to withstand separation from litter mates.

10. RESCUE AND REHOMING

If I become aware or are notified that a cat of my breeding is found to be abandoned, neglected, mistreated, or in need of rescue, I will participate in its rescue, relocation, and/or re-homing to the best of my ability.

11. ENFORCEMENT AND AMENDMENT

Upon sufficient proof of violations of the Code of Ethics, action shall proceed according to Article VII of the TIBCS Bylaws. This Code of Ethics may be amended by using the procedure set forth for amendment of the TIBCS Bylaws.


I, THE UNDERSIGNED, HAVE READ AND AGREE TO UPHOLD THE CODE OF ETHICS AND THE BYLAWS OF THE INTERNATIONAL BENGAL CAT SOCIETY. I REALIZE THAT MY RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES AS A MEMBER OF TIBCS MAY BE REVOKED IF I DO NOT ABIDE BY MY WORD.