Guideline A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence

Animal behavior consultants strive to benefit those with whom they work and take care to do no harm. Towards that end, animal behavior consultants will rely primarily on reward-based methodologies over punishment for behavior modification. In their professional actions, animal behavior consultants seek to safeguard the welfare and rights of those with whom they interact professionally and other affected persons, and the welfare of human and animal subjects of research. Specifically, animal behavior consultants work to prevent the abuse and neglect of animals (see Addendum). When conflicts occur among animal behavior consultants' obligations or concerns, they attempt to resolve these conflicts in a responsible fashion that avoids or minimizes harm. Because animal behavior consultants' scientific and professional judgments and actions may affect the lives of others, they are alert to and guard against personal, financial, social, organizational, or political factors that might lead to misuse of their influence. Animal behavior consultants strive to be aware of the possible effect of their own physical and mental health on their ability to help those with whom they work.

Guideline B: Ethics in the Selection of Training Tools and Methodologies

Animal behavior consultants work to minimize the use of aversive stimuli and maximize the effective use of reinforcers when teaching performance skills or skills that can be utilized to modify problematic scenarios. IAABC recognizes that any training tool can be misused and the higher responsibility of members is to continuously investigate and learn to utilize tools, techniques and methodologies in ways that are designed to protect the well- being of animals as well as effectively control, modify or eliminate undesirable behavior.

Guideline C: Fidelity and Responsibility

Animal behavior consultants establish relationships of trust with those with whom they work. They are aware of their professional and scientific responsibilities to society and to the specific communities in which they work. Animal behavior consultants are encouraged to provide some services in each calendar year for free or on a sliding scale in order to promote good will with the public. Animal behavior consultants uphold professional standards of conduct, clarify their professional roles and obligations, accept appropriate responsibility for their behavior, and seek to manage conflicts of interest that could lead to exploitation or harm. Animal behavior consultants consult with, refer to, or cooperate with other professionals and institutions to the extent needed to serve the best interests of those with whom they work. They are concerned about the ethical compliance of their colleagues' scientific and professional conduct. Animal behavior consultants strive to contribute a portion of their professional time for little or no compensation or personal advantage.

Guideline D: Integrity

Animal behavior consultants seek to promote accuracy, honesty, and truthfulness in the science, teaching, and practice of animal behavior consulting. In these activities animal behavior consultants do not steal, cheat, or engage in fraud, subterfuge, or intentional misrepresentation of fact. Animal behavior consultants strive to keep their promises and to avoid unwise or unclear commitments. In situations in which deception may be ethically justifiable to maximize benefits and minimize harm, animal behavior consultants have a serious obligation to consider the need for, the possible consequences of, and their responsibility to correct any resulting mistrust or other harmful effects that arise from the use of such techniques.

Guideline E: Justice

Animal behavior consultants recognize that fairness and justice entitle all persons to access to and benefit from the contributions of animal behavior consulting and to equal quality in the processes, procedures, and services being conducted by animal behavior consultants. Animal behavior consultants exercise reasonable judgment and take precautions to ensure that their potential biases, the boundaries of their competence, and the limitations of their expertise do not lead to or condone unjust practices.

Guideline F: Respect for Animals' and Persons' Rights and Dignity

Animal behavior consultants respect the dignity and worth of all animals and people, and the rights of individuals and families to privacy, confidentiality, and self-determination. Animal behavior consultants are aware that special safeguards may be necessary to protect the rights and welfare of animals. Animal behavior consultants are aware of and respect cultural, individual, and role differences and try to eliminate the effect on their work, and they do not knowingly participate in or condone activities of others based upon prejudices.

Addendum: Animal Behavior Consultants Work to Protect Animals from and Prevent Abuse.

The following definition is offered as a guide. Animal abuse consists of any act of commission or omission that endangers or impairs a animals' physical or emotional health and development. Animal abuse includes any damage done to a animal which cannot be reasonably explained and which may be represented by an injury or series of injuries appearing to be non-accidental in nature.

Major forms of animal abuse:

• Physical abuse: Any non-accidental injury to a animal. This includes injuries caused by hitting, kicking, slapping, shaking, burning, pinching, tail or ear pulling, biting, choking, throwing, shoving, shocking, and whipping.

• Neglect: Failure to provide for an animal's physical needs. This includes lack of supervision, inappropriate housing or shelter, inadequate provision of food, abandonment, denial of medical care, and inadequate hygiene.

• Emotional abuse: Any attitude or behavior which interferes with a animal's behavioral health or social development. This includes yelling and screaming. It also includes the failure to provide the affection and support necessary for the development of a animal’s emotional, social, physical and intellectual well-being. This includes lack of appropriate physical affection, lack of praise, and lack of positive reinforcement.