When it comes to bringing a new furry family member into your home, there's a lot more to consider than simply choosing a breed and picking a name. Responsible breeders, like Stokeshire Designer Doodles, often require deposits as part of the process. But just how much is a deposit, and why do breeders ask for them?

The Deposit: A Commitment to Your Furry Friend

In your quest to find the perfect puppy, a deposit typically means you'll be asked to pay a sum ranging from $200 to $500 to secure a spot for a puppy from an upcoming litter. However, it's important to note that this is a general estimate, as the exact amount can vary from breeder to breeder. At Stokeshire, we require a $500 deposit + tax.

This deposit signifies your commitment and demonstrates that you're serious about welcoming a puppy from the breeder into your life. Stokeshire Designer Doodles, like other responsible breeders, use deposits to ensure their puppies find loving forever homes.

The Timing of Deposits

Depending on the specific breed and breeder, deposits may be accepted months before a breeding takes place. It's crucial for potential puppy owners to grasp the reasons behind deposit requirements and to familiarize themselves with the deposit policies of their chosen breeder and breeding program. At Stokeshire, we like to have deposits on our waitlists before the breeding has occurred to help ensure that we are only breeding puppies that already have buyers. This is a huge part of our mission as responsible breeders. Many breed puppies with the hopes of finding homes for their puppies in a few short months.

Why Are Deposits Often Non-Refundable?

Responsible breeding is a labor-intensive, time-consuming, and financially demanding undertaking. Breeders invest significant effort and resources into preparing and caring for their puppies. Let's dive into why non-refundable deposits are a standard practice:

Safeguarding Investments:
Breeders shoulder considerable expenses even before their puppies are born. These include health checks for the breeding dogs, stud services, supplies, prenatal care, and veterinary expenses. Deposits help protect these investments.

Screening Potential Owners:
Non-refundable deposits serve as a screening tool for breeders. Buyers who are willing to commit financially demonstrate their dedication to the breeder and the puppy.

Avoiding Last-Minute Changes:
A puppy buyer's sudden change of heart after a litter's birth can be challenging for breeders. Deposits ensure that breeders won't have to scramble to find new homes for puppies while also caring for the remaining litter.

Managing Unexpected expenses:
Unexpected events, like a buyer backing out at the last minute, can lead to financial and logistical challenges for breeders. Non-refundable deposits help offset these unforeseen expenses.

Navigating Non-Refundable Deposits: A Breeder's Perspective

As a breeder, few things are as disheartening as potential buyers backing out at the last minute after their position on a litter page has been secured for months. This not only prevents other interested parties from putting down a deposit but also creates a ripple effect of additional work, marketing costs, and potentially hastened sales to ensure puppies find homes before turning 8 weeks old and entering boot camp at yet another added expense.

Our aim is simple: we want people's yes to be yes and their no to be no. To achieve this, we offer refunds up until the point of conception; after that, deposits become transferable. The journey of welcoming a new furry companion into your life should be one of joy and excitement, yet too often it becomes needlessly complicated and stressful.

In this blog post, we aim to shed light on why non-refundable deposits are an integral part of the pet buying experience and how they benefit everyone involved, from the breeder to the eventual owner of a beloved pet.

Understanding the Deposit Dilemma

Consider this scenario: after weeks or months of searching, a buyer finally finds the perfect puppy or kitten from a reputable breeder. They make the emotional decision to welcome a new pet into their home and place a deposit to secure the arrangement. However, for various reasons, they later back out, expecting a full refund. But what many fail to realize are the financial and emotional burdens this common occurrence places on breeders.

The Purpose Behind the Payment

Deposits serve as more than just a placeholder on a waiting list; they provide breeders with essential financial assurances. They signal a buyer's seriousness and commitment to prioritizing a pet's well-being. Breeders invest significant time and money into their animals, from pre-breeding health checks to ongoing care and maintenance. Deposits help offset these costs and discourage casual inquiries that might otherwise tie up resources.

Understanding the Industry Dynamics

The pet industry presents unique challenges compared to traditional retail. It's not merely about selling a product but ensuring the well-being of a living creature. Each animal comes with its own set of responsibilities and commitments, which breeders carefully plan for. When a buyer backs out, it disrupts these plans and can incur immediate costs or delays in sales.

Balancing the Breeder-Buyer Relationship

A healthy relationship between breeders and buyers is built on trust, transparency, and mutual understanding. Non-refundable deposits indicate a buyer's seriousness and commitment, providing assurance to breeders that their efforts and costs are valued.

Considering the Buyer's Perspective

While any additional financial commitment may seem daunting to buyers, understanding the broader implications of non-refundable deposits offers a different perspective. It encourages mindful, deliberate actions and ensures prospective owners are prepared for the responsibilities of pet ownership.

The Importance of Deposits for All Parties

In summary, non-refundable deposits benefit everyone involved in the puppy adoption process:

Selecting Great Forever Homes: Breeders can focus on finding the best homes for their puppies when they have the time and energy to devote to this crucial task.

Caring for Puppies: With deposits in place, breeders can fully concentrate on nurturing and raising their puppies and their dog moms.

Financial and Time Investment: Breeders can rest assured that their time and financial investments will be compensated promptly.

Avoiding Unforeseen Challenges: Non-refundable deposits reduce the risk of sudden changes that can disrupt a breeder's plans.

Questions to Ask About Deposits

Before committing to a deposit, it's essential to ask the right questions:

• Will the deposit be applied to the puppy's purchase price or is it an additional cost?

  • Yes!

• Is the deposit refundable, and if so, under what circumstances?

  • Currently, as of October 2023, our deposits are 90% refundable up until the date of conception, however, our PICK OF THE LITTER payments are non-refundable and are not transferable, nor do they go towards your puppy purchase. They are entirely optional for those who are willing to spend an additional $500.00 to get the selection for their choice before others.

• If the deposit is non-refundable, are there any exceptions or situations where it might be returned?

  • Ask to read a RETURN POLICY - https://www.wisconsindesignerdoodles.com/returns-policy

• Can the deposit be transferred to a future litter if a puppy is not available?

  • Yes, ours can! You can also place deposits on multiple lists with additional $500 deposits that are all credited towards your future puppy, with the exception of the PICK OF THE LITTER payment, which is additional.

• Is there a specific timeframe for receiving a puppy after making a deposit?

  • We don’t have a specific timeframe, but we expect that you will have a puppy of your choosing in about 16 months or

    
    
    

The Uncertainty of Puppy Availability

It's essential to understand that no breeder can guarantee the availability of a puppy from a specific litter. Various factors, including pregnancy success and puppy health, are unpredictable. Understanding the breeder's deposit policy is crucial to managing expectations.

To conclude, adopting a puppy is a significant commitment, and responsible breeders like Stokeshire Designer Doodles use non-refundable PICK OF THE LITTER payments as a tool to ensure the well-being of their puppies and match them with the best possible homes. By understanding and embracing our policies, both breeders and buyers can work together to create a successful, happy future for the puppies they adore.

Understanding PICK OF THE LITTER

Non-Refundable Deposits and "Pick of the Litter: Breeders use non-refundable deposits, such as "Pick of the Litter," to reserve a specific puppy for buyers. This payment confirms the buyer's commitment and helps breeders plan efficiently. It also discourages buyers from changing their minds after the breeder has invested resources and has dedicated to a breeding pair.

Understanding the Deposit Agreement: Buyers must fully comprehend the non-refundable and non-transferable nature of these deposits. If a preferred puppy isn't available, the options for a refund or transfer are at the breeder's discretion. Specific breeding outcomes can't be guaranteed.

Pick of the Litter Option: For an additional $500, buyers can purchase the "Pick of the Litter" option along with the deposit and puppy price. This choice offers the chance to prioritize preferences like coat color, eye color, gender, personality, and size or even options for therapy are strongly recommended.

Potential Risk: Not every litter may have a puppy that matches the buyer's criteria, and there's always a risk involved. If the desired puppy isn't found, the initial $500 payment for "Pick of the Litter" is forfeited in the buyer does not select a puppy. Repurchasing for a subsequent litter can increase the chances of finding the perfect puppy. While deposits are transferable, PICK OF THE LITTERS are not!

Visitation: If you would like to select your puppy in person, PICK OF THE LITTER is required.

Responsible breeders like Stokeshire Designer Doodles require non-refundable deposits after the point of conception and offer a "Pick of the Litter" option to secure a specific puppy which is also no. It is essential to understand that not every litter may have the perfect match. With these practices, breeders can ensure their puppies find loving homes, and buyers can pick the ideal companion. Through mutual respect, we can ensure a harmonious and mutually beneficial exchange for all involved.