AFFA Volunteer Application | In order to help educate the public and pet owners, the Alberta Force Free Alliance often has booths at the various pet expos around the province. As we are a volunteer run organization we often require assistance from our members and the public to make these events possible. Volunteers may be required to assist in set up of tables and booths, sell products, talk with the public on methodologies and why we choose force free. All members are expected to uphold our pledge, which can be found below the applicaion, on force free methodologies and we would expect that volunteers promote the same treatement of animals and people. |
The pledge
As an approved member of the Alberta Force Free Alliance, I pledge that I and my employees/volunteers are educated in or will upgrade our education through the AFFA in the latest science-based, force free methods for companion animals.
We will not intentionally harm or intimidate any animal in our care. This includes: alpha rolling, pinning, yelling, poking, scruffing, leash jerks, flooding, or the use and promotion of alpha based methodology. Aversive equipment such as, choke/prong/e-collars, electric fences, or ultrasonic bark deterrents are NOT acceptable equipment, as outlined by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. We will not promote trainers and other businesses who use and adhere to alpha-based and/or aversive methodologies.
We will treat all clients and staff with the same compassion, care, and understanding with which we treat animals.
FORCE FREE: 95% of the methods utilized with companion animals do not utilize positive punishment (anything that intentionally causes fear, harm or pain). The remaining 5% accounts for emergency situations where an animal or person could be hurt as a result, and an aversive technique may be the only way to prevent immediate harm, e.g.: a day care using a horn or fight board to break up a dog fight.
