Adopted: March 2026 | Last Reviewed: March 2026
Animal-Angels Foundation (AAF) exists to keep pets with their families. Everything we do, from how we serve families to how we raise and spend money, must reflect the values we stand for. This Code of Ethics sets the standard for how every person associated with AAF conducts themselves, whether they are a board member, employee, volunteer, contractor, or partner representative.
This code applies to all board members, officers, employees, volunteers, contractors, interns, and anyone acting on behalf of AAF in any capacity.
Every decision should advance AAF's mission to prevent pet surrender and keep families together. If an opportunity, partnership, or funding source would require AAF to compromise its mission or values, we walk away. No amount of money is worth losing what we stand for.
We tell the truth. To donors, to partners, to families, to each other. We report our finances accurately. We describe our programs honestly. We do not exaggerate our impact or make promises we cannot keep. When we make mistakes, we own them and fix them.
We never shame, blame, or judge the families we serve. Most pet surrender starts with a crisis, not a character flaw. We lead with empathy and meet people where they are. Our language, our programs, and our interactions reflect the belief that families are often out of options, not out of love.
We treat every animal in our care with kindness and dignity. We follow humane care standards, use only positive reinforcement training methods in our programs, and prioritize the physical and emotional wellbeing of every animal. We never tolerate abuse, neglect, or inhumane treatment of any kind.
We treat every person we encounter with dignity, regardless of their role, background, income level, or circumstances. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We maintain a work environment free from harassment, intimidation, and retaliation.
We handle every dollar with care. Donor funds are used for their intended purpose. Restricted gifts are tracked and spent according to donor intent. We maintain accurate financial records and make them available to the public as required by law. No one at AAF may use organizational funds or assets for personal benefit.
We protect the privacy of the families we serve, the donors who support us, and the partners who work with us. Personal information about clients, donors, and partners is shared only with those who need it to perform their duties. We follow all applicable privacy laws and our own Privacy Policy.
We avoid situations where personal interests could influence, or appear to influence, our decisions on behalf of AAF. All board members, officers, employees, and key volunteers are bound by AAF's Conflict of Interest Policy and must disclose any potential conflicts promptly.
We raise money ethically. We do not use guilt, pressure, or manipulation to solicit donations. We respect donor intent and honor donor requests regarding privacy and communication preferences. No one at AAF receives a commission or percentage-based compensation for fundraising. We follow the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Code of Ethical Standards.
We use AAF's resources (money, equipment, supplies, time, information, and relationships) for organizational purposes only. Personal use of organizational resources is prohibited unless specifically authorized. We are mindful that every resource we use came from someone who trusted us with it.
Anyone who observes or suspects a violation of this Code of Ethics should report it to the Founder, a board member, or through AAF's designated reporting channel. Reports may be made anonymously. AAF prohibits retaliation against anyone who reports a concern in good faith. All reports will be reviewed promptly and handled with appropriate confidentiality.
Violations of this Code of Ethics may result in corrective action, up to and including removal from the board, termination of employment, termination of the volunteer relationship, or termination of any contractual arrangement. The severity of the response will be proportional to the nature and seriousness of the violation.