The BreederCode of Ethics

This is the pledge every breeder must acknowledge during signup to receive their "Verified" status.

I. Statutory Compliance & Registration Status

Mandatory Registration:

I certify that I am a current, registered member of a recognized kennel union or breed council, and all breeding stock is officially registered.

Legal Adherence:

I comply with the Animals Protection Act No. 71 of 1962 and the Animal Improvement Act.

Affix Usage:

I will only advertise under my official registered Kennel Name (Affix).

II. Breeding & Health Standards

Purpose:

Breeding is conducted solely for the purpose of improving the breed in temperament, health, and conformation.

Hereditary Screening:

I commit to performing all breed-specific health screenings (e.g., Hip/Elbow, DNA) and making certificates available to buyers.

Genetic Diversity:

I will avoid breeding closely related dogs (father-daughter, mother-son, or full siblings) except where genuinely justified by a qualified breeding program, in the interest of preserving genetic diversity.

Frequency:

I will not breed from a bitch before she is 12 months of age, and I will not whelp more than two litters from the same dam within any eighteen (18) month period, ensuring adequate recovery time between litters in consultation with a veterinarian to protect the dam's long-term health and wellbeing.

Retirement:

I will retire a dam from breeding no later than 8 years of age or after her sixth litter, whichever comes first, in the interest of her long-term health and wellbeing.

III. Puppy Welfare

The 8-Week Rule:

No puppy shall be rehomed before the age of eight (8) weeks to ensure proper socialization.

No Maiming:

I will not perform or allow cosmetic alterations, including tail docking or ear cropping, per SA law.

Medical Records:

All puppies will leave with an official SA Veterinary Vaccination Record signed by a registered vet.

Microchipping:

All puppies will be microchipped prior to sale, with the buyer's details registered on the chip at the point of handover.

Honest Marketing:

I will not use misleading or exaggerated marketing terms (such as 'teacup', 'micro', 'rare colour', or unproven health claims) to describe puppies, and will represent breed standard, size, and health accurately.

IV. Lifetime Responsibility

The Safety Net:

If a buyer is unable to care for a dog at any stage, I agree to assist in rehoming or take the dog back.

V. Compliance & Enforcement

Consequences of Breach:

I understand that any verified violation of this Code of Ethics may result in the suspension or permanent removal of my Verified Breeder status and delisting from the Paws2People platform, at Paws2People's discretion.

By signing up as a breeder on Paws2People, you acknowledge and agree to uphold this Code of Ethics.