Refunds, and what happens if something goes wrong

Where your money is

Your payment goes through Stripe and is held in the breeder’s Stripe account, where it can’t be paid out to their bank until your puppy is home. It’s released 3 days after you confirm pickup, or 7 days after the breeder marks the puppy as gone home if you never confirm. Report a problem before then and the payment stays put while our team looks into it. getabreeder never holds your money.

Common situations

• The breeder cancels

  Every refund policy on getabreeder gives your deposit back if the breeder cancels the sale. Even on a non-refundable listing, the deposit is only kept if you change your mind or don’t pass the breeder’s screening.

• You change your mind

  It depends on the refund policy on that puppy’s listing. There are three, and you see which one applies before you pay:

  • Non-refundable, except if breeder cancels. The deposit secures the puppy and is non-refundable if the buyer changes their mind or fails a screening step. Refunded if the breeder cancels the sale or cannot deliver a healthy puppy as described.
  • Refundable within 48 hours. Refundable if requested within 48 hours of the deposit being paid. After that window, non-refundable except if the breeder cancels.
  • Refundable until pickup/delivery. Refundable any time before the puppy is picked up or delivered. Non-refundable once the transaction is marked delivered.

• You and the breeder agree to cancel

  You can agree to cancel and refund a sale at any time, from the purchase page. If you and the breeder agree to cancel, you're refunded what you paid for the puppy. The service fee isn't refundable. The breeder returns what they received and pays no fee on a cancelled sale.

• Something’s wrong with your puppy

  Report it from your purchase page before the payment is released, which is 3 days after you confirm pickup. Then:

  • The payment stays in the breeder’s Stripe account and can’t be released while we look into it.
  • We respond within 48 hours.
  • You and the breeder see the same evidence: messages, photos and vet records.
  • We decide in writing, with our reasons. If we decide in your favor, the refund includes the service fee.
  • Either of you can appeal within 7 days of the decision.

How long a refund takes

Refunds go back to the card or bank account you paid with. They can take several business days to show up, depending on your bank.

Your rights

None of this takes away rights the law gives you, including asking your card company about a charge, or rights under your state’s puppy purchase laws.