Ethics Complaints

The Savannah Cat Club believes it is important for all members to be responsible and ethical in dealing with one another and with the public.  However, there are times when complaints are filed based on perceived unethical dealings.  The Savannah Cat Club Board of Directors will impartially decide if our ethics code has been violated.

Below are some suggestions that may prevent the filing of an ethics complaint and perhaps bring the parties to an amicable resolution.

Most disputes between parties are not due to dishonesty or purposeful fraud, but more often are between good and honest people who have differing perspectives on the situation.

How do you keep yourself from future ethics complaints?

1. Have completed deposit contracts, a copy for the buyer and the seller, before the first payment is received.

2. Have completed and signed by both parties all sales, breeding, or other contracts prior to the actual transfer or shipping of any cats.

3. Provide accurate medical records for each cat when ownership is transferred.

4. Provide a five-generation pedigree for each breeder/show animal before it is transferred.

5. Withhold the registration papers on pets until a veterinarian's certificate of altering is provided by the new owner, or practice early spay/neuter.

6. Provide the registration papers to new owners within 30 days of receiving a veterinarian's certificate of neutering from the new owner.

7. Honor all guarantees made in the contract.

8. Prohibit sales to certain environments - someone you are uncomfortable with.

When and How to File an Ethics Complaint with the Savannah Cat Club

Before filing any complaint, it is strongly recommended that you do everything in your power to resolve the problem first.  By filing a formal ethics complaint with the Savannah Cat Club, you agree to abide by the findings and decisions of the Savannah Cat Club's Board of Directors.

If you don't have a contract, your case will be much more difficult to prove and it is less likely that the Savannah Cat Club Board of Directors will be able to arrive at a decision.

You will need substantial and valid forms of supportive documentation such as:

1. Copies of letters between yourself and the other party.

2. Veterinary statements and receipts, health certificates, shipping receipts.

3. Signed witness statements.

4. Owner registration slips.

5. Cancelled checks.

6. Anything that will help you prove your side of the story.

The Savannah Cat Club is an Objective Third Party

AGAIN:

1. Try to resolve issues between yourselves.  If all possibilities have been exhausted, THEN consider filing a complaint with the Savannah Cat Club.

2. Clearly state your problem (typewritten) as you see it, the solution you would like from the Savannah Cat Club Board of Directors, and what actions you have taken to resolve the issues.

3. Make five copies of ALL contracts, receipts, documents, and letters concerned.  Mail the original documentation in a CERTIFIED ENVELOPE (this is to make sure that your originals are not lost in the mail) to the Vice-President, and a copy of the entire set to the President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Advisor, and the other party.  Make sure you keep a copy for yourself.
   **Notify the Board of Directors if there is a reason you may not want a particular Board member involved in resolving the complaint.**

4. The Savannah Cat Club will notify you of the arrival of your documents, and at that time will also notify the other party of the charges against them and ask for their response. (They should also have received  notification and documentation from you, thus they should be well aware that everything has gone to the Savannah Cat Club Board of Directors).  All information will be kept confidential except among the persons involved.

5. The Savannah Cat Club Board of Directors will consider all documentation and determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence to make a decision.  Both parties will be notified of the decision and are expected to abide by it.

6. Should the Savannah Cat Club Board of Directors feel that there is not sufficient evidence, the complaint and response will be filed and labeled "insufficient evidence."  If other complaints are made, the case can be re-examined.

The Savannah Cat Club has no legal recourse.  If a party has violated the By-laws or Code of Ethics, it is in the power of the Savannah Cat Club Board of Directors to remove that party from membership with the Savannah Cat Club.  The Savannah Cat Club Board of Directors may vote to revoke the party's membership or suspend the party's membership.  At the discretion of the Board of Directors, complaints may be forwarded to the TICA Feline Welfare Committee.