Reservation &
Refund Policy.

A reservation fee of $500 + applicable Wisconsin sales tax secures your place on the waitlist for a specific Stokeshire litter. This fee is applied in full toward the final purchase price of your puppy and constitutes confirmation of your intent to proceed with placement.

Sales tax is collected and remitted directly to the State of Wisconsin and is non-refundable under all circumstances.

If cancellation is requested prior to confirmed breeding, 90% of the reservation fee is refundable. The remaining 10% covers administrative and processing costs and is not returned.

Once breeding has occurred, the reservation fee becomes fully non-refundable regardless of individual circumstances. 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 change in circumstances after reservation
• Timeline changes: litter delays, heat cycle shifts, or scheduling conflicts
• Puppy preferences not met: gender, coat, color, size, or markings unavailable
• Medical issues, relocation, or personal events affecting ability to receive a puppy
• Non-response to emails, missed communications, or scheduling failures
• Miscarriage, loss of pregnancy, or no puppies produced from the breeding

Your payment constitutes acceptance of these conditions. The non-refundable clause protects the integrity of our breeding decisions and program allocation. We breed only when demand justifies it. Initiated breeding represents an irreversible commitment of time, care, and resources.

Reservation fees may be transferred one time to a future litter within 24 months of the original payment date, subject to the following conditions:

• Transfer request must be submitted in writing prior to Match Day
• Transfers are granted only if space is available on the desired litter
• Failure to request a transfer before Match Day results in forfeiture with no credit
• Only one transfer is permitted per reservation fee

A transfer made because Stokeshire cannot deliver a puppy does not count as your one transfer, and your 24-month window restarts from the date the change is posted, as set out in the Terms of Service.

The remaining balance is due no later than 72 hours before your scheduled go-home date. Failure to complete payment on time may result in loss of reserved placement, forfeiture of your deposit with no refund or credit, and release of the puppy to the next eligible family on the waitlist.

The Pick of the Litter Agreement accepted at purchase of a POL position is reproduced below. This Agreement is entered into by and between Stokeshire Designer Doodles ("Breeder") and the undersigned purchaser ("Buyer") and governs the terms and conditions related to the purchase of a Pick of the Litter (POL) option. The version accepted at the time of your purchase governs.

1. Nature of the POL Fee. The POL fee is a separate premium fee paid to secure an early or first choice from a litter. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances, including but not limited to if:

• Buyer chooses not to take a puppy for any reason
• Buyer changes preferences, timeline, or personal situation
• Buyer delays selection or declines available puppies

2. No Application Toward Purchase Price. The POL fee does not reduce or apply to the final purchase price of the puppy. A separate deposit is required to reserve a puppy. That deposit does apply toward the total purchase price. Buyer agrees to pay the remaining balance in full before pickup or delivery.

3. Breeder's Right to Retain Puppies. Breeder reserves the right to retain any puppy from any litter at any time, including for their breeding program or guardian home placements. This right supersedes any POL selection, and Buyer agrees to select from the remaining eligible puppies.

4. Buyer Acknowledgements. Buyer acknowledges and accepts the following:

• Litter Sizes & Timing: Litter sizes, gender, colors, and coat traits are outside the Breeder's control. Wait times may be longer than expected.
• Selection Order: POL provides Buyer with a priority selection spot in the stated order. Positions are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis and are non-negotiable.
• No Trait Guarantees: Breeder does not guarantee size, color, coat, temperament, hypoallergenic qualities, or any other specific traits once the puppy matures.

5. Circumstances Affecting Litters. If the planned litter does not occur as expected, due to failed pregnancy, skipped heat, or other reasons, Breeder will make reasonable efforts to breed the same female to the same or comparable male to produce a similar litter. If no suitable comparable option arises, a refund of the POL fee may be offered at the sole discretion of the Breeder.

6. Governing Law. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any disputes will be resolved within the appropriate jurisdiction in Wisconsin.

Stokeshire also reserves the right to limit or cancel breedings if fewer than three families are committed and to change the stud on listed litters. A change in stud or pairing does not constitute a cancellation.

All training, transport, boarding, and associated service fees are non-refundable once paid or scheduled. No refund, credit, or reimbursement will be issued for any of these services under any circumstances.

The only exception to the non-refundable nature of the puppy purchase itself is covered under the Health Guarantee, which applies exclusively to undisclosed, life-threatening congenital conditions or medically documented allergies as reviewed under that policy.

Stokeshire publishes all key dates and updates, including heat cycles, breeding confirmation, birth, Match Day, pickup, and training milestones, on the relevant litter page in advance. It is the sole responsibility of each client to stay informed by regularly monitoring their litter page and this website.

While courtesy emails are sent for major milestones, Stokeshire cannot guarantee email delivery due to spam filters, provider blocks, or inbox settings. Failure to receive or open an email does not alter any financial obligations, selection deadlines, or waitlist status.

By placing a deposit, you explicitly agree not to initiate a chargeback or payment dispute through your financial institution in contradiction of these terms. Stokeshire maintains detailed timestamped records of deposit acknowledgment and policy acceptance.

In the event of a chargeback attempt, Stokeshire reserves the right to submit all documentation to the payment processor for legal rebuttal, pursue recovery of funds including fees and damages via small claims court or collections, and bar future participation in the Stokeshire program.

This policy is governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin. All disputes shall be resolved under the jurisdiction of Taylor County, WI.

A portion of every reservation fee supports the Red Fern Scholarship Fund, which exists to help place therapy-grade puppies with children and families experiencing hardship. Your participation in the Stokeshire program directly furthers this mission.

Stokeshire remains a resource for every dog it places. If you can no longer keep your dog, you must contact us first. This provision governs any return or transfer of a dog for reasons unrelated to a covered health condition, including changes in household, lifestyle, time, environment, behavior, or preference.

Notice and Right of First Refusal. Before rehoming, selling, transferring, gifting, or surrendering a Stokeshire dog to any third party, rescue, or shelter, the owner must notify Stokeshire in writing and provide the disclosures set out below. Transfer to any third party without first offering the dog to Stokeshire is a material breach of this Agreement.

Required Disclosure. With that notice, the owner must provide complete veterinary records; a complete written history of any bite, snap, or aggressive incident involving a person or animal, including dates and outcomes; any animal control report, bite report, quarantine order, or dangerous or vicious dog designation; and any behavioral evaluation performed by a licensed veterinarian, veterinary behaviorist, or professional trainer. Material omission or misstatement voids this provision, and the owner indemnifies Stokeshire for any claim arising from the omission or misstatement.

Stokeshire's Election. Within fourteen (14) calendar days of receiving complete disclosure, Stokeshire will elect, in its sole discretion, to accept the dog into its care, to assist the owner in placing the dog without taking ownership or custody, or to decline. Stokeshire's right of first refusal is an option and not an obligation to accept any dog.

Dogs Not Eligible for Physical Return. Stokeshire operates from a private family residence with children present and hosts scheduled client visits. Stokeshire will not accept physical custody of a dog that has bitten a person, is subject to a quarantine order or a dangerous or vicious dog designation, or has been assessed by a qualified professional as presenting a risk of injury. For any such dog, Stokeshire may at its discretion assist the owner with written disclosure documentation and with referral to qualified behavior professionals, rescue organizations, or sanctuaries. Any such assistance is extended as a courtesy, does not transfer ownership, custody, or control of the dog to Stokeshire, and does not make Stokeshire responsible for the dog or for its conduct.

Surrender of Ownership. Where Stokeshire elects to accept a dog, the owner voluntarily surrenders the dog and all rights of ownership. Title reverts to Stokeshire upon physical transfer of the dog.

No Refund or Credit. No portion of the purchase price, deposit, training, transport, or any other amount paid is refundable, transferable, or creditable upon a voluntary return.

Rehoming and Proceeds. Once title has reverted, Stokeshire may rehome, place, or retain the dog at its sole discretion and may retain all proceeds. The returning owner has no claim to any subsequent placement fee or proceeds.

Owner Responsibility. Until title transfers to Stokeshire or to an approved third party, the owner remains solely responsible for the dog, for its containment and control, and for compliance with all applicable law. The owner indemnifies and holds Stokeshire harmless from any claim arising from the dog's conduct.

Health Remedy Preserved. This provision does not limit your rights under the Health Guarantee. Within fourteen (14) calendar days of custody transfer, an undisclosed, life-threatening congenital condition diagnosed by a licensed veterinarian is governed by the Health Guarantee and the Purchase Agreement. Outside that window, or for any return not based on a covered health condition, this provision controls.