The Code of Ethics for the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) was developed to bring together and organize various SOCIETY documents, policies and expectations concerning the ethical conduct of BC SPCA members, volunteers and employees. The Code of Ethics is referred to in the BC SPCA Constitution and Bylaws in section 2.3 Duties of Members where it states: Every member must uphold the Constitution and comply with these Bylaws and the Code of Ethics and an undertaking to do so shall be included in every membership application. As a condition of employment every employee also agrees to abide by the Code of Ethics. The Code is based on the vision of the BC SPCA Charter and the values outlined in the Guiding Beliefs and Principles which were presented at the 2002 Annual General Meeting. The BC SPCA Ethics Committee, with the input of staff and volunteers, developed the Code of Ethics Practical Guidelines to guide its members, staff, and volunteers in their day-to-day work, interactions, and decision-making. The Implementation section was designed to provide a process to deal with ethical questions and breaches of the Code and to ensure that the Code continues to be a living document by providing for review and amendments. * The Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the BC SPCA is committed to uphold high standards of integrity and accountability, to act according to the core values and guiding principles of the BC SPCA and to promote these standards and principles.

The Practical Guidelines for the BC SPCA have been developed for BC SPCA members, staff and volunteers.

Whereas:

The world is inhabited by many species sharing a common ecosystem of air, earth, and water. We recognize and value our interconnectedness with all animals.

Therefore:

The BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the quality of life for the animals of the world we share.

We pledge our energies to inspire and mobilize society to create a world in which animals, who depend on humans for their well-being, experience, as a minimum, five essential freedoms:

1. freedom from hunger and thirst

2. freedom from pain, injury, and disease

3. freedom from distress

4. freedom from discomfort

5. freedom to express behaviours that promote well-being

These five freedoms are easily expressed as only two freedoms:

1. FREEDOM FROM DISTRESS AND DISCOMFORT: hunger, thirst, pain,

injury and disease

2. FREEDOM TO EXPRESS BEHAVIOURS THAT PROMOTE WELL-BEING

I much prefer a more extensive list of "rights"which are more specific and all encompassing rather than "freedoms", which are in fact given at the discretion of someone or an organization which holds power to provide or withdraw those "freedoms" on a discretionary basis. For example, this list from the following link below:

http://www.wtv-zone.com/nywoman/page68.html

I have the right to give and receive unconditional love.

I have the right to a life that is beyond mere survival.

I have the right to be trained so I do not become the prisoner of my own misbehavior.

I have the right to adequate food and medical care.

I have the right to socialize with people and dogs outside of my family.

I have the right to have my needs and wants respected.

I have the right to special time with my people.

I have the right to only be bred responsibly -- if at all.

I have the right to some time and space all my own.

I have the right to be foolish and silly, and to make my person laugh.

I have the right to earn my person's trust and to be trusted in return.

I have the right to be forgiven.

I have the right to die with dignity.