Ethical Guidelines for Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge

(Adopted at Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s national meeting 2019).

1. Introduction

Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge (DN) shall conduct its activities in such a way that the organization’s reputation is maintained and built. Public authorities, media, elected representatives or members shall at any time be able to be given insight into our activities. To succeed with our purpose, work and conduct must be based on a conscious attitude to ethics and morality, which provides credibility, trust and respect.

The purpose of these guidelines is to create safe frameworks for the voluntary effort in DN, build up a good and safe volunteer environment in the organization, and build further on DN’s good work and reputation.

These guidelines apply to all elected representatives, employees and regular volunteers in DN, including temporary employees and others who represent the organization in various contexts. The guidelines apply to all levels of the organization.

The guidelines are an expression of DN’s fundamental view on responsible and ethical conduct. They are not exhaustive, and do not cover all ethical issues that may arise. Good judgment is required to determine whether a particular action or decision is ethically defensible. In cases of doubt, the central board or secretariat should be contacted for guidance.

2 Personal Conduct

As a volunteer and employee, one shall contribute to the organization having a good working environment, both in terms of animal welfare and interpersonal relations. The environment shall be characterized by voluntariness, democracy, loyalty, respect and equality. Our organization shall promote diversity, openness and tolerance.

Equality and Discrimination

Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge recognizes and values that all people are unique and valuable and shall be respected for their individual abilities, without differential treatment or discrimination. DN accepts no form of harassment or discrimination based on gender, religion, race, national or ethnic origin, cultural background, social affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, age or political opinion. DN has zero tolerance for bullying.

Sexual Harassment

Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge has zero tolerance for sexual harassment and abuse. Everyone in DN shall treat others with respect and refrain from all forms of communication, action or treatment that may be perceived as sexually offensive.

Intoxicants

One shall be careful in one’s handling and serving of alcohol, and not be visibly influenced by alcohol or other intoxicants at work or during the exercise of positions of trust in DN. Consideration shall be taken for elected representatives, members and employees who for various reasons do not drink alcohol.

Confidentiality

All regular volunteers and employees in Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge shall sign a confidentiality agreement. One is obligated to treat sensitive information with care and loyalty, also in situations where you are not subject to a duty of confidentiality. All confidential and sensitive information shall be treated with the utmost caution. Regular volunteers and employees have a duty to prevent confidential information that is given through work for Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge from becoming known to unauthorized persons. The duty of confidentiality also applies after the work has ended. Breach of the duty of confidentiality may result in compensation and criminal liability.

Management of Assets

Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s financial resources are mainly based on donations, inheritance and support from members and public authorities. Everyone in DN has a special responsibility to ensure that DN’s resources are used in a responsible manner and in accordance with all laws, rules and decisions. DN and the local branches’ finances shall be transparent and follow Norwegian law.

Travel, Events etc.

Everyone in Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge shall always act in accordance with applicable rules and guidelines on business trips and participation in meetings and conferences organized by DN or on behalf of DN, and in such a way that DN’s reputation is maintained and strengthened.

Environment

As a representative of Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge, you are aware of the consequences your behavior and decisions may have for the environment. Environmental assessments and environmental costs are included in all decisions.

3 Integrity and Conflict of Interest

Impartiality

Elected representatives and employees in Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge shall not seek to obtain advantages, for themselves or their close associates, that are inappropriate or may otherwise be thought to harm DN’s interests. Close associates means close family (spouse, cohabitant, children, parents) or close friends, as well as companies one owns, has significant influence over or otherwise controls.

One cannot take part in or seek to influence a decision under circumstances that may cause an actual or perceived conflict of interest. Such circumstances may be a personal interest in the matter – financial or otherwise – directly or through persons or companies/organizations with close connections.

Should a potential conflict of interest arise, one shall on one’s own initiative consider informing superiors about disqualification or conflict of interest. Conflicts of interest are not always obvious, so in cases of doubt, the immediate superior or other superior should be consulted.

Gifts, Benefits and Bribes

Elected representatives and employees in Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge shall not offer, promise or give anything of economic value or other improper advantage to another party to get that person to perform or refrain from performing something in connection with their duties. In the performance of work or positions of trust for DN, one shall also not ask for, accept or receive any form of improper advantage that may influence one’s own decisions.
Gifts or other favors shall occur in accordance with good and accepted business and organizational practice. The purpose of any gifts, representation or other expenses must under no circumstances be to influence the recipient to perform their duty in an unlawful manner, or influence/be perceived to influence integrity or independence.

Personal Responsibility

The leader of the Central Board, leaders in Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s branches, and the leader of the secretariat shall contribute to building an organization that safeguards Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s purpose and principles. It is a leadership responsibility at all levels to review Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge’s ethical guidelines and statutes with current and new regular volunteers and employees, and ensure that the rules are followed in daily operations.

Regular volunteers and employees in Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge have a personal responsibility to follow the ethical platform and statutes. Violations of these may for volunteers and employees result in consequences for the board position or for the employment relationship.

Social Media and Internet

Social media and the internet are important for spreading and obtaining information and creating dialogue.
Elected representatives in Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge are encouraged to show caution when using social media and the internet. One shall be careful about what one shares, and source-critical about where this comes from. Views and statements that may be perceived as coming from DN must be in accordance with DN’s purpose, statutes and ethical platform. Everyone is encouraged to show the same caution, consideration and judgment on social media as it is natural to do in other contexts.

Privacy

All employees and elected representatives in Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge must at all times be aware of the most important points in applicable privacy legislation, and follow this.
Elected representatives and employees are encouraged to show great caution in handling and storing personal data, and to contact the secretariat immediately after it is discovered that personal data has gone astray or in case of questions about processing of personal data.
When discussing individuals, elected representatives and employees are asked to show caution in which forums this is done, and whether this information may go astray.

4 Whistleblowing

Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge wishes to have an open organizational culture where there is acceptance for raising concerns and raising criticism where needed. Whistleblowing is important both for Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge and for society because criticizable conditions can be corrected and contribute to further developing the organization.

Everyone who becomes aware of what they believe are criticizable conditions, or conditions that conflict with DN’s ethical guidelines, statutes or clearly communicated internal guidelines, are encouraged to report this in writing. Everyone has a duty to report criminal conditions and conditions where life and health are at risk. All reports shall go to the board leader in the branch, or to the leader/local branch manager at the secretariat.

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Skriv gjerne litt om deg selv og din situasjon og hva henvendelsen gjelder, så vil vi svare deg så fort vi kan.

Viktig informasjon til dyreeiere

Vi på Lisaklinikken ønsker å hjelpe så mange som mulig, og alle dyr som kommer til oss blir møtt med omsorg og profesjonell behandling.

Samtidig er vi nødt til å informere om at vi dessverre ikke har kapasitet til å gi fast oppfølging av kronisk syke dyr. Klinikken drives av Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge og alle midler til drift må samles inn. Vi har begrensede ressurser, og vi må derfor prioritere akutte behov.

Det betyr at vi tilbyr innledende utredning og god engangsbehandling av syke dyr som trenger øyeblikkelig hjelp, men videre oppfølging må skje hos en fast veterinær.

Vi vet at dette kan være vanskelig, men vi håper på forståelse for at vi må bruke ressursene våre slik at flest mulig dyr kan få hjelp.

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