Stokeshire Designer Doodles Deposit, Refund & Reservation Policy


Reservation Fee Policy

Reservation Fee Amount & Purpose

A $500 + applicable sales tax reservation fee secures your place on the waitlist for a Stokeshire litter. This one-time fee is applied toward the final purchase price of your puppy.

Refund Eligibility

  • 90% Refundable if you cancel before breeding occurs.

  • Breeding is defined as a confirmed live cover or artificial insemination, documented by our veterinary or breeder records.

  • Sales tax is non-refundable as it is remitted to the State of Wisconsin in compliance with state law.

Non-Refundable After Breeding

Once a breeding occurs, the reservation fee becomes non-refundable, regardless of personal circumstances, including:

  • Change of mind

  • Financial hardship

  • Schedule conflict or travel issues

  • Desired gender, coat, or color unavailable

  • Unresponsiveness to communication

Transferability

Reservation fees are transferable to a future litter for up to 24 months from the original payment date. All transfer requests must be made in writing before selection day and are subject to availability.

Final Payment Deadline

The remaining balance for your puppy must be paid at least 72 hours prior to your scheduled go-home date. Failure to pay on time may result in forfeiture of your reservation and deposit.

Pick of the Litter Option (POL)

Non-Refundable Commitment

Buyers selecting the "Pick of the Litter" upgrade acknowledge that this fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, even if:

  • They later choose not to proceed

  • Their preferences are not met

  • The female has a smaller-than-expected litter

Breeder Disclaimer

  • The POL fee does not guarantee a puppy or specific qualities

  • Breeder reserves the right to limit breeding if fewer than 3 families are committed

If POL Preferences Cannot Be Met

If a puppy matching stated preferences is not available during the buyer's pick, Stokeshire may allow:

  • Transfer of the POL to the next qualifying litter

  • Or issue a refund at Breeder's discretion

A portion of every reservation fee is dedicated to our Red Fern Scholarship Fund, which sponsors therapy-grade puppies for children and families experiencing hardship.

Communication & Deposit Forfeiture Policy

Client Responsibility

By submitting a deposit, clients agree to:

  • Maintain updated and responsive contact via email and/or text

  • Monitor selection day timelines via our website and official communication channels

Selection Day Participation

All deposit holders are expected to:

  • Sign up for a selection appointment by the posted deadline

  • Notify us promptly of any scheduling conflicts Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of your place in the current litter selection.

Forfeiture Due to Non-Response

If we do not hear from you within 7 days of a critical selection update:

  • Your deposit will be considered forfeited for that litter

  • You may request reassignment to a future litter within 30 days of forfeiture

Mailing List Subscription

Clients must subscribe to our mailing list and ensure Stokeshire emails do not get marked as spam. By placing a deposit, you consent to electronic communication.

Quick Adoption Policy

On-Site Adoption

Clients interested in adopting a puppy during a visit must:

  • Place a refundable deposit to reserve the puppy

  • Complete full payment before the puppy leaves our premises

Payment Options

Payment can be completed through our mobile-friendly online form while on-site.

Refund Conditions

If the client decides not to adopt the puppy after placing the deposit during their visit, the deposit will be fully refunded.

Doodle School Refund Policy

No Refunds for Training

All Doodle School payments are non-refundable, regardless of cancellation reason.

  • Training is performed by third-party independent contractors.

Clients are encouraged to:

  • Monitor their dog’s progress

  • Communicate concerns during the program

Returns & Rehoming Policy

Our Commitment

Stokeshire Designer Doodles will always accept a dog back into our care, regardless of age or circumstance. We ask that no dog be surrendered to a shelter or rehomed independently.

Return Notification Requirements

To return a dog:

  • Contact us immediately at hello@wisconsindesignerdoodles.com or (715) 570-5718

  • Arrange safe transport to our facility (at your expense)

  • Provide vet records and a brief history of the dog

Rehoming Process

Once returned, the dog will:

  • Be evaluated by a vet or behaviorist

  • Be placed with a qualified family, foster, or guardian home

  • Never be resold for profit

Refunds & Rehoming Credits

We do not offer refunds for returned dogs. In rare cases:

  • If returned within 30 days in healthy condition:

    • Partial credit may be issued, less:

      • $300 admin/evaluation fee

      • $50/day boarding

      • $150/day Doodle School (if enrolled)

  • Credit is non-cash and valid for 12 months

Genetic-Based Returns

If a licensed vet confirms a congenital or life-limiting genetic issue (per our health guarantee):

  • We may offer a replacement puppy or a refund up to the original purchase price

  • Two independent vet reports are required

  • Stokeshire retains the right to confirm or reject claims with additional diagnostics

Legal Rehoming Disclaimers

  • This policy applies only to the original buyer

  • Unauthorized rehoming may result in legal action or reclaim of the dog

Digital Product Sales Policy

All sales of downloadable items (e.g., Stokeshire Presets) are final.

  • Products are emailed immediately after purchase

  • Downloads must be completed within 24 hours

  • No refunds or exchanges are offered for digital goods

Legal Enforcement & Breeder Protections

Binding Agreement

By submitting your deposit, you agree to all terms outlined herein. This constitutes a legally binding agreement.

Governing Law

All transactions and disputes shall be governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin. Jurisdiction resides in Taylor County, WI.

Chargeback Protection

You agree not to initiate a chargeback or payment dispute. If a chargeback is filed:

  • Stokeshire will submit all documentation for rebuttal

  • We reserve the right to pursue recovery in court or collections

  • You may be banned from future participation in our program

Policy Exceptions

Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis at the sole discretion of Stokeshire. Exceptions do not establish precedent.

Thank you for respecting our time, care, and process. These policies ensure ethical breeding, fairness for all clients, and the lifelong well-being of our puppies.

Communication & Stay-Informed Policy

At Stokeshire Designer Doodles, we prioritize transparency and fairness by publishing all important dates and updates on our website well in advance. This includes estimated and confirmed dates for heat cycles, breeding, birth, selection appointments, pickup, training graduations, and any other key milestones.

It is the sole responsibility of each client to stay informed by regularly checking their litter page and our website for these updates.

While we also send courtesy emails for major milestones, we cannot guarantee email delivery due to spam filters, email provider blocks, or user inbox settings. Failure to see or receive an email does not alter any of your financial obligations, selection deadlines, or waitlist status.

Key points of this policy:

  • All essential dates and updates are published transparently on our site for your review at any time.

  • You agree to actively monitor your litter page and our main website to remain informed throughout the process.

  • Missing or not opening an email will not delay or excuse your obligations to complete selection, payment, or pickup on schedule.

⚠ Non-Response:
If we do not hear from you within 7 days of your scheduled Puppy Pick Day appointment, your deposit will be forfeited and your waitlist position may be reassigned to the next family.

By submitting your deposit and proceeding with your reservation, you acknowledge and accept this responsibility to stay informed throughout your adoption process.

Legal Rationale & Reservation Policy Enforcement

At Stokeshire Designer Doodles, we value transparency and fairness. As licensed breeders in the State of Wisconsin, we operate in accordance with state regulations, ethical breeding standards, and consumer protection guidelines. To eliminate ambiguity and prevent misinterpretation of our Reservation Fee Policy, the following rationale and conditions apply:

1. Legal Definition of Breeding & Non-Refundability

For the purposes of this policy, "breeding" is defined as either artificial insemination (AI) or live cover confirmed by our veterinary or breeding records. Once this event has occurred, the reservation fee becomes nonrefundable, without exception. This is not based on estimated due dates, but on the factual occurrence of a breeding act.

The reason for this is clear: initiating a breeding—especially with a limited waitlist—commits us to significant, often irreversible, investments of time, care, and resources. Our ethical commitment is to breed only when demand justifies it; if a list drops below our minimum threshold (e.g., fewer than 3 committed families), we may choose to cancel the pairing to avoid surplus or unethical practices. The nonrefundable deposit ensures clients participate in that commitment.

2. Common Misconceptions That Do Not Qualify for Refunds

To eliminate potential disputes or attempts at circumvention, the following do not qualify as reasons for refund after breeding:

  • Change of mind, including interest in a different breed, breeder, or lifestyle change

  • Financial hardship or job loss after the reservation

  • Timeline changes (e.g., litter delays, heat cycle shifts)

  • Puppy preferences not met (e.g., desired gender, coat, color, or size unavailable)

  • Medical issues, relocation, or any personal events altering your ability to receive a puppy

  • Non-response to emails or scheduling requests

  • Confusion over policy visibility, provided that submission of payment was accompanied by agreement to this policy

We advise all clients to ensure they are in a stable position to bring home a puppy before placing a reservation. Our policy has been reviewed for clarity and fairness and is enforced uniformly to protect the integrity of our program.

3. Chargebacks and Disputes

By submitting your deposit, you explicitly agree not to initiate a chargeback or dispute through your financial institution in contradiction of these terms. We maintain detailed timestamped records of deposit acknowledgment and policy acceptance. In the event of a chargeback attempt, we reserve the right to:

  • Submit all documentation to the processor for legal rebuttal

  • Pursue recovery of funds, including fees and damages, via small claims court or collections

  • Bar future participation in the Stokeshire program

Our goal is not to escalate—but to maintain the fairness, professionalism, and integrity that our clients and dogs deserve.

4. Binding Agreement

By proceeding with your deposit, you enter into a legally enforceable agreement. This policy is governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin. Any disputes arising under this agreement shall be resolved in the jurisdiction of Taylor County, Wisconsin.

Updated 7.3.25