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GOVERANCE DOCUMENT

Code of Conduct

Version 1.0 - effective 19th April 2026

Sets out how ITBR members are expected to behave towards each other, buyers, animals and the organisation. By joining or renewing ITBR membership, members agree to be bound by this Code in its entirety.

PREAMBLE

 

About this document

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The Integrity Tested Breeders Registry (ITBR) is a private self-regulating breeding organisation committed to the highest standards of animal health, welfare, and ethical breeding practice across all species registered with the organisation. This Code of Conduct sets out the behavioural expectations for all ITBR members in their dealings with other members, the public, animals in their care, and the organisation itself.

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All members agree to be bound by this Code of Conduct upon application for membership, upon renewal of membership, and at any time a new form, service, or application is submitted to ITBR. This Code of Conduct is to be read in conjunction with the ITBR Code of Ethics, Code of Practice, Genetic Compatibility Guidelines, Registry Entry Requirements, and all other formally adopted ITBR governance documents, all of which together form the complete governance framework of the organisation.

 

ITBR operates four registry pathways to serve the full spectrum of responsible breeders in Australia, the Full Registry, Extension Registry, Heritage Certificate, and Developing Breed Program. The standards of conduct in this document apply equally to all members regardless of which registry type they participate in.

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SECTION 1

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SCOPE AND APPLICATION

 

1.1 Who This Code Applies To

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  • This Code of Conduct applies to:

  • All probationary, full, and honorary members of ITBR

  • All persons acting as agents or representatives of ITBR members

  • All committee members and employees of ITBR

  • All persons accessing ITBR services, databases, or systems

 

1.2 When This Code Applies

 

This Code applies to all conduct that occurs:

 

  • In connection with membership of ITBR

  • In the breeding, sale, transfer, or rehoming of any registered animal

  • In communications with other ITBR members, the public, buyers, or ITBR staff

  • In any public representation of ITBR membership or registry status

  • On social media, advertising platforms, or any other public forum where ITBR membership is referenced​

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1.3 The Four ITBR Registry Types

 

ITBR operates four distinct registry pathways. Members must only represent animals under the correct registry designation and must not misrepresent any animal's registry status:

 

Registry Types

 

Full Registry

 

  • Main or limited register 

  • Verified purebred

  • Full pedigree from recognised body or bred from 2 ITBR full registered parents

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Extension Registry

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  • Main or limited register

  • Purebred building heritage

  • DNA heritage verification, structure assessment by veterinarian; 5 generations of breeding to progress to Full Registry

 

Heritage Certificate

 

  • Limited register ONLY

  • 1st generation cross between pedigree animals

  • Both parents on Full or Extension Registry, Only supported for 1st generation crosses, both parents are tested for breed specific diseases

 

Developing Breed

 

  • Main (approved breeders) or limited

  • New breed development

  • Approved breeding plan and annual progression report and full DNA testing for diseases stated in their breeding proposal

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1.4 Relationship to State and Territory Law

 

This Code of Conduct operates in addition to, and does not replace, any obligation under applicable Commonwealth, state, or territory law. In all cases where this Code sets a higher standard than legislation, the higher standard applies. Where legislation requires a higher standard than this Code, the legislative requirement prevails. Members are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws in their jurisdiction

SECTION 2

 

CORE CONDUCT PRINCIPLES

 

2.1 Honesty and Integrity

 

  • Members shall at all times be honest, truthful, and transparent in all dealings with ITBR, other members, buyers, and the public.

  • Members shall not make false, misleading, or deceptive representations about any animal, their breeding program, health testing results, genetic results, or ITBR membership status.

  • Members shall not misrepresent their membership tier, breeder number, prefix, or any other ITBR credential.

  • Members shall not provide false or fabricated documentation to ITBR or to any buyer.

  • Members shall disclose all known health conditions, genetic results, and hereditary risks relevant to any animal being sold or transferred (if requested).

  • Members shall not misrepresent a Heritage Certificate as a pedigree — the Heritage Certificate is a document of health-verified heritage, not a pedigree, and must be described accurately in all advertising and communications.

  • Members shall not misrepresent a Developing Breed Certificate as a Full Registry pedigree until the ITBR committee has deemed so.

 

2.2 Respect and Professionalism

 

  • Members shall treat all other members, ITBR staff, veterinarians, buyers, and members of the public with courtesy and respect.

  • Members shall not engage in harassment, bullying, intimidation, or discrimination of any kind.

  • Members shall not make defamatory, malicious, or disparaging remarks about other members, their animals, or their breeding programs.

  • Members shall not engage in conduct likely to bring ITBR into disrepute.

  • Members shall conduct all business dealings in a professional manner consistent with the standards expected of a responsible breeder.

 

2.3 Transparency and Accountability

 

  • Members shall make themselves reasonably contactable and responsive to buyers, ITBR, and other members.

  • Members shall maintain accurate and up-to-date information in their ITBR member profile at all times.

  • Members shall respond to formal complaints or investigations conducted by ITBR within the timeframes specified.

  • Members shall accept responsibility for the animals they breed and the consequences of their breeding decisions.

  • Members shall not attempt to evade accountability by closing accounts, changing contact details, or otherwise becoming unreachable during a formal complaint or investigation.

 

2.4 Use of ITBR Membership and Credentials

 

  • Members shall only use the ITBR logo, member number, prefix, and credentials in connection with animals legitimately registered with ITBR under the correct registry designation.

  • Members shall not allow any other person to use their ITBR membership number, prefix, or credentials under any circumstances.

  • Members shall not represent animals as ITBR registered if they are not, or as a higher registry type than they hold.

  • Members shall not continue to use ITBR credentials after membership has lapsed, been suspended, or been cancelled.

  • Members shall include their current ITBR member number in all advertisements for the sale of animals, in accordance with ITBR advertising requirements.

 

2.5 Advertising and Marketing

 

  • Members shall ensure all advertising is accurate, truthful, and not misleading in any respect.

  • Members shall not use manipulative, high-pressure, or deceptive sales tactics with buyers.

  • Members shall not advertise animals at prices, ages, or availability that are materially inaccurate.

  • Members shall not advertise animals as health tested unless all applicable compulsory health tests for that breed and registry type have been completed and documented.

  • Members shall not describe a Heritage Certificate animal as 'registered' without clearly stating the Heritage Certificate designation and that the animal is not registered on a pedigree register.

  • Members shall comply with all applicable state and territory laws regarding advertising of animals for sale, including requirements to display Breeder Identification Numbers (BIN) or equivalent.

SECTION 3

 

CONDUCT TOWARD ANIMALS

 

3.1 Primary Obligation

 

The health and welfare of animals in a member's care is the primary obligation of ITBR membership and shall at all times take precedence over commercial, competitive, or personal interests. This obligation applies equally to animals registered under all four ITBR registry types.

 

3.2 Prohibited Conduct

 

The following conduct is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate suspension pending investigation:

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  • Any act of cruelty, abuse, neglect, or deliberate harm to any animal

  • Abandonment of any animal in the member's care

  • Disposing of any animal to a pound, shelter, or rescue without exhausting all reasonable rehoming options

  • Breeding from animals known to be seriously ill, injured, in pain, or in significant distress

  • Knowingly breeding from animals with serious hereditary conditions without full disclosure to the stud owner and/or buyer

  • Selling animals in poor health, injured, or in a state of neglect

  • Falsifying health testing results, genetic test results, microchip records, or pedigree documentation

  • Producing offspring from a Heritage Certificate animal (HC animals are sold on limited registration and may not be bred from)

  • Producing offspring from a Developing Breed limited registration animal without ITBR approval and without being an approved participant in the Developing Breed Program

​SECTION 4

 

CONDUCT TOWARD BUYERS

 

  • Members shall provide buyers with all required documentation in the timeframes specified in the ITBR Code of Practice.

  • Members shall be honest about all known health issues, genetic results, temperament considerations, and breed-specific requirements before a sale is completed.

  • Members shall not sell animals to buyers who are clearly unsuitable or unable to meet the needs of the species or breed.

  • Members shall offer a cooling-off period of at least seven (7) days following the sale of any animal during which the buyer may return the animal for a full refund.

  • Members shall provide lifetime rehoming assistance for any animal they have bred, accepting the return of any animal bred by them at any point in its life.

  • Members shall not sell animals to commercial pet retailers, pet shops, or wholesalers.

  • Members shall not sell animals to research facilities or institutions that would subject them to unnecessary suffering.

  • For Heritage Certificate animals: members must clearly disclose to buyers at the time of sale that the animal is sold on limited registration and may not be used for breeding.

  • For Developing Breed animals sold on limited registration: members must clearly disclose to buyers that the animal is sold on limited registration and that further bree

SECTION 5

 

CONDUCT WITHIN ITBR

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  • Members shall cooperate fully with any investigation conducted by ITBR.

  • Members shall not attempt to influence or interfere with complaint or investigation proceedings.

  • Members shall report genuine concerns about the conduct of other members through the formal ITBR complaints process.

  • Members shall not make vexatious or malicious complaints against other members.

  • Members shall participate constructively in the annual suggestions forums and other consultation processes.

  • Members shall keep their membership fees current and notify ITBR of any changes to contact details.

  • Members who pay on a quarterly basis must ensure their membership is current and active at the time any pedigree or registry document is processed. ITBR will not process any pedigree, litter registration, or certificate where the member's quarterly payment has lapsed.

  • On the first business day of each month, ITBR will update the public breeder directory on the ITBR website to reflect current registered members and their breeds. Members consent to the publication of their name, suburb, state, phone number, email address, website, and social media handles in the ITBR public breeder directory as a condition of members

SECTION 6

 

MEMBERSHIP PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS

 

6.1 Annual Membership

 

Members who pay annually must ensure their membership fee is paid by the anniversary of their joining date. Membership lapses if fees are not paid by their due date.

 

6.2 Membership Payment Option

 

Members may elect to pay their membership fee quarterly, annually or multiple years. The following conditions apply to quarterly payers:

 

  • ITBR will issue a reminder 14 days before each instalment is due.

  • ITBR will contact breeders day after membership cancellation to ensure payments haven’t been accidently sent to the wrong provider.

  • If payment is not made on the date of it being due the membership will be cancelled and pedigrees will stop being produced for the breeder (even if submitted) and ITBR rights removed.

  • Any pedigree or certificate application submitted while a membership instalment is outstanding will be held and not processed until payment is received. If payment is not received within 14 days of submission, the application will be rejected and refund not issued.

  • Quarterly payers who allow their membership to lapse and wish to re-join with the same prefix must pay the re-joining fee plus their membership fee as mentioned in the current ITBR Fee Schedule.

SECTION 7

 

BREACHES, FINES, AND CONSEQUENCES

 

7.1 Classification of Breaches

 

Breaches of this Code of Conduct are classified as Minor, Moderate, or Serious. Refer to the ITBR Complaints and Disciplinary Proceedings Manual for the full investigation process. In addition to formal proceedings, financial penalties (fines) are imposed for all confirmed breaches as follows:

 

Fines are levied in addition to, not instead of, formal disciplinary proceedings and membership consequences. Failure to pay a fine within the specified timeframe will result in immediate suspension of the member's account until the fine is paid in full. ITBR reserves the right to pursue outstanding fines through appropriate legal channels.

 

7.2 Consequences of Breach (in addition to fines)

 

  • Formal written warning

  • Mandatory education or remediation requirement

  • Suspension of membership pending investigation

  • Cancellation of membership and removal from the ITBR registry

  • Permanent ban from reapplying for membership

  • Publication of cancellation on the ITBR website (where relevant to public safety)

SECTION 8

 

ENTRY ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENT

 

All new ITBR membership applicants must successfully complete the ITBR Member Entry Assessment before their membership application is finalised. The assessment tests knowledge of the Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics, Code of Practice, Genetic Compatibility Guidelines, Registry Entry Requirements, and all associated governance documents. A pass mark of 100% is required. The assessment is delivered through the ITBR website and must be completed as part of the membership application process. Membership will not be activated until the assessment is passed and photos of their animals living environment have been received.

SECTION 9

 

MEMBER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

 

By applying for or renewing membership with ITBR, and by submitting any form or application to ITBR, the member acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Code of Conduct in its entirety, including any amendments made from time to time.

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