(1) The Council shall prepare and issue to all veterinary surgeons, as a guide to professional conduct, a code of ethics that stipulates the obligations of veterinary surgeons.

            (2) The obligations imposed on the profession shall apply to all veterinary surgeons registered under this Act engaged in clinical practice, Government service, industry, research, teaching, commercial appointments, appointments with registered charities or in any other form of veterinary activity.

24.     Required standards of practice

            A veterinary surgeon, whether in a private or a salaried capacity, who provides a direct veterinary service to the public, shall-

     (a)     make proper provision at all times for the relief of pain or suffering of such animals and for their further treatment, when necessary, either by himself or herself or through professional colleagues; and

     (b)     not, without good reason and without safe-guarding the welfare of the animal, abandon a case undertaken.

25.     Confidentially

            (1) A veterinary surgeon shall consider as confidential any information concerning an animal under his or her care obtained either from the owner of the animal, or from someone acting on the owner's behalf or derived from examination of the animal.

            (2) A veterinary surgeon shall not divulge the information referred to in subsection (1) to any third party, except-

     (a)     with the consent of the owner of the animal;

     (b)     where there is a legal obligation to do so;

     (c)     when required to do so in a court of law;

     (d)     in an exceptional case when animal welfare or the public interest is so endangered as to outweigh any obligation to the owner of the animal; or

     (e)     information on the disease that the animal under his or her care is suffering from, to the Director or his or her representative.

26.     Certification and attestation

            A veterinary surgeon shall only provide certification based on his or her professional judgement and knowledge and attest only to what, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, is true.

27.     Premises, supplies etc. to be properly maintained

            A veterinary surgeon in clinical practice shall maintain his or her premises, supplies, equipment, records and facilities in a proper condition and standard for the exercise of his or her profession.

28.     Canvassing or touting prohibited

            (1) A veterinary surgeon shall not canvass or tout for practice whether personally, through a third party or otherwise.

            (2) Nothing in subsection (1) shall be construed as a ban on advertising the availability of professional services-

     (a)     as a veterinary hospital, boarding kennel or other similar establishment:

              Provided that such establishment is of a standard and has the facilities to justify such a description;

     (b)     if the title chosen is of an appropriate and professional nature;

     (c)     if the advertisement does not give a misleading impression of the services provided; or

     (d)     if personal advertising is legal, decent and truthful with due regard to professional property, and all statements are accurate and capable of substantiation.