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Frequently Asked Questions About AMCA Membership
Q: How can I participate in AMCA?
A: There are many ways to get involved, so pick the one that’s right for you and sign up today!
Regular Membership – If you are over 18 years old, and know two current AMCA members in different households who will act as your sponsors, this is a good option for you. Regular members receive the most benefits for the price of joining, including the right to vote, a subscription the the Newsletter, listing in the Membership Directory, discounts on working titles and ads, and representation in the Newsletter. Regular members agree to abide by the AMCA Constitution, Bylaws, and Code of Ethics. Click the link at the top of this page to fill out the Membership Application.
Associate Membership – If you are over 18 years old, love Alaskan Malamutes, but don’t know two members who can sponsor you, sign up as a Associate member! This non-voting membership option was added in 2012 specifically to help more great people get involved with AMCA. As an Associate member, you can enjoy many of the benefits of membership while getting to know members who can sponsor you into Regular Membership later; or you can choose to remain a non-voting Associate member indefinitely. Associate members agree to abide by the AMCA Constitution, Bylaws, and Code of Ethics. Click the link at the top of this page to fill out the Membership Application.
Junior Membership – If you are not yet 18 years old, but love Alaskan Malamutes and know two members who can sponsor you, sign up as a Junior member! Junior membership has an optional newsletter subscription and most of the benefits of Regular Membership. Junior members do not have the right to vote, but when they turn 18, their membership converts to Regular Membership. Junior members agree to abide by the AMCA Constitution, Bylaws, and Code of Ethics. Click the link at the top of this page to fill out the Membership Application.
Newsletter Subscriber – If you love malamutes and want to learn more about the AMCA, this option is just what you need to get started! Receiving the Newsletter will help you meet members and learn what the AMCA does for our breed, by bringing all sorts of great malamute information to you on a regular basis. You won’t want to miss an issue of our great Newsletter, which was a finalist for the Maxwell Medallion of Excellence in 2012, a prestigious journalism award presented by the Dog Writer’s Association of America! Know other malamute lovers who are not in AMCA? Give them a six-month subscription to the Newsletter – it makes a great gift! Click here to fill out the Newsletter Subscription Form.
Q: What are the AMCA Constitution, Bylaws and Code of Ethics? Why do I have to agree to abide by them to join the AMCA?
A: As a Parent Club, AMCA accepts the responsibility of being the guardian of the breed Standard and of the breed itself, not just in the US but around the world. Our goal is that membership in the AMCA provides malamute lovers with:
- A sense of belonging to and being included in the preservation of the breed.
- A sense of responsibility for ethical ownership and breeding, for the future of the breed.
- Education about the breed, and about the club’s opportunities, values, and priorities.
We welcome members who believe in these goals and wish to do right by our breed.
Alaskan Malamute Club Of America—Code Of Ethics
PREAMBLE The Alaskan Malamute Club of America asserts that its membership has the obligation to preserve the Alaskan Malamute breed without exploiting it. It further asserts that its membership has an obligation to the club to uphold the high ideals set forth for all dog club organizations by the American Kennel Club. It is urged that dogs and bitches only be bred when it is conscientiously felt that such breeding will result in improvement of the breed.
Club members should strive to breed healthy dogs with good temperaments and place them in suitable homes. Club members should make themselves aware of health problems that affect the breed so that they may make educated decisions when planning a breeding.
Breeding is a responsibility that does not end when puppies go to their new homes. Good sportsmanship is a requirement of the AKC and is expected of AMCA members. Club members should set a good example, and offer assistance and mentoring to prospective and new Malamute owners with regards to care, health issues, training and suitable activities, as well as being a good “dog neighbor”.
- Members shall abide by the rules of the American Kennel Club and uphold the Constitution and By-Laws of the Alaskan Malamute Club of America. At large members shall abide by the rules of their country’s kennel club.
- No member shall knowingly be involved in the sale/placement of puppies/dogs through retail or wholesale outlets, mail order businesses, dog dealers/agents/brokers, or act as a finder for such operations. No member shall knowingly be involved in the sale/placement of puppies to any entity whose reason for purchase is resale. Puppies/dogs shall not be placed through auctions or raffles.
- No member shall knowingly be involved in the breeding or selling of wolf hybrids.
- No member shall sell/place any puppy/dog without furnishing registration papers unless both parties have signed an agreement stating when/if and under what circumstances papers will be furnished. If registration papers are not provided at the time of sale, information to identify the puppy/dog, (such as birth date, litter or individual registration number, pedigree, microchip number or tattoo) shall be furnished at that time. If the dog is not registerable the purchaser/adopter shall be so informed.
- It is recommended that any puppy sold as a pet/companion be registered using the AKC’s limited registration application. Dogs/puppies bred by members outside the U.S. should use a comparable foreign limited and/or non-breeding registration where available.
- Dogs used for breeding shall be cleared of hip dysplasia by OFA, Pen-Hip, comparable foreign registry, or a qualified veterinary radiologist. Dogs should be cleared of inherited eye diseases by CERF, a comparable foreign registry or a qualified veterinary ophthalmologist.
- It is strongly recommended that members take full advantage of all practical DNA tests when selecting dogs for breeding. No member shall knowingly breed two dogs to each other who are carriers for the same genetic disease. Dogs may be used if their ancestors have been cleared by DNA testing.
- When available, health screening and DNA testing should be used as a resource to manage, decrease, or eliminate genetic diseases in the breed. In planning a breeding health issues such as, but not limited to, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, allergies, heart disease, coat funk, and orthopedic disorders should be considered. Members are encouraged to store DNA with the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) or comparable facility as well as participate in health research of diseases in the Alaskan Malamute.
- Members shall disclose known genetic status of the puppy/dog being sold and that of its parents. Screening or test results shall be disclosed in a written sales contract signed by the seller and buyer. If any of the above (hips, eyes, CHD, PN) have not been done it shall be so stated. A breeder’s policy regarding replacements or refunds due to health issues shall be clearly stated in their sales contract.
- Breeders should understand and acknowledge that due to unforeseen circumstances they may need to facilitate in re-homing or rescuing dogs they have produced or sold. Purchasers should be made aware of this in their contract
- Members shall provide secure facilities for their dogs that provide adequate space and protection from adverse or extreme weather. Water and food shall be provided on a daily basis. Facilities shall be clean and dogs shall have regular access to exercise. Members shall provide appropriate health care for dogs in their custody.
- Health, registration, identification, breeding and sales records shall be kept current. It is recommended that dogs be permanently identified by tattoo or microchip and that breeders permanently identify puppies before they go to their new homes.
- Members’ dogs should be well socialized and have basic obedience training.
- Advertising and promotion of dogs shall be factual. Members will exercise care in evaluating perspective buyers and do their best to place dogs in suitable homes.