Ethics & Policies

The following policies outline how we make decisions, safeguard welfare, and handle communication. We do not engage in public disputes; our standards are documented and applied consistently.

1) Ethical Breeding & Welfare Principles

We breed for long-term health, functional structure, and native temperament—never for short-term trends or marketing outcomes. Our program is guided by preservation principles and documented evaluation standards.

Health is multi-dimensional: physical soundness, stable temperament, and long-term resilience.
Breeding decisions prioritize maturity, consistency over time, and documented outcomes—not early “snapshot” traits.
Welfare is non-negotiable: daily care standards, monitoring, and timely veterinary escalation when indicated.
We maintain clear ownership/placement boundaries to protect dogs and families (see Contact Policy & Privacy Notice).

2) Show & Travel Welfare Standards

We participate in events as a platform for evaluation, training, and public education—not as the driver of breeding decisions. Welfare standards apply before, during, and after travel.

Non-negotiables: rest, hydration, temperature safety, hygiene, and the ability to access and monitor each dog at all times.
Travel routines are planned to reduce stress and prevent cumulative fatigue.
Any signs of illness (vomiting/diarrhea/refusal to eat/lethargy) trigger a stop–monitor–escalate approach.
We prioritize stable baseline care over event participation.

3) Retirement / Placement Policy

Retirement is part of our lifecycle planning. When a dog is placed, the priority is a safe, stable, pet-only home and a transition plan that supports long-term well-being.

Retired dogs are placed selectively; we match lifestyle, experience, and household structure to the individual dog.
Placement may involve a transition period; the dog’s welfare and adjustment take priority over speed.
Pet-only expectation applies to retired placements; details are confirmed in the placement agreement.
Once a retired dog is placed, ongoing representation or public use of the dog/kennel name must follow our Contact Policy.

4) Contact Policy

To protect families, dogs, and accurate records, we use a single official communication channel for formal inquiries.

Official inquiries: Email (preferred) or website form.
We do not address third-party rumors, screenshots, or indirect messages as “evidence” via social media.
Media/legal inquiries must be submitted in writing; we do not comment in public threads.
Response times vary by season; urgent welfare matters should be clearly labeled in the subject line.

5) Privacy & Harassment Notice

We do not publicly discuss private individuals, client matters, or third-party disputes. We reserve the right to document and address harassment through appropriate channels.

We do not confirm or respond to rumors, insinuations, or hostile campaigns.
Misrepresentation is not permitted: no one may present themselves as speaking for our kennel without written authorization.
Harassment, threats, or repeated unwanted contact may be recorded and handled through appropriate mechanisms.
Client and applicant information is handled for placement communication only and is not shared publicly.

cumulus shiba

Canada’s only kennel exclusively dedicated to the NIPPO-standard Shiba Inu