Puppy Sales Contract

(This is a sample contract. I frequently update my contract. All clients will have the opportunity to read through the official contract before committing to a puppy. If you would like to see my most recent contract please reach out to me and I would be happy to share the most recent version.)

Breeder/Seller’s full name:

Phone number:

Email:

Buyer/Buyer’s full name(s):

Phone:

Email:

Puppy/puppies name while under breeder care:

Final Purchase Price after Discounts:

Discounts & Details:

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Terms and Conditions of Contract Agreement

1. If the breeder/seller determines that the puppy has been abused or the new owner breaks ANY of the terms in this contract, the breeder/seller has the right to take possession of the dog without a refund, take legal action, and charge the monetary fines described below. The buyer will also be responsible for all travel expenses if the dog is returned to the breeder/seller.
2. The buyer agrees to not leave the puppy/dog outside alone. The purchased dog is to be raised indoors as a member of the family full-time. Also, the buyer agrees that the purchased dog will never be left in a garage, chained outside or inside, or raised in a kennel. If the buyer breaks this agreement, the breeder/seller has the right to take back legal ownership of the puppy/dog. There will be no refund and a $5000 penalty will be charged plus travel expenses.  
3. The buyer agrees to never use the puppy/dog for research, testing, or vivisection. If used for research/vivisection/testing purposes, the breeder/seller has the right to take back ownership of the puppy/dog. There will be no refund and a $5000 penalty will be charged plus any travel expenses. 
4. The breeder/seller doesn’t refund/guarantee temperament, adult size, adult weight, confirmation, or coloring/markings on the puppy/dog. The buyer is purchasing the puppy as is. Any discounts and reasons for the discounts have been mentioned in the discounts and details section. The buyer is purchasing the puppy fully aware of the faults mentioned in the details section.
5. The buyer agrees to never sell/give away/rehome/transfer/release ownership of the purchased puppy/dog to anyone without the breeder’s written consent. The buyer understands puppy/dog must reside in the home with the individual who was approved on the application full-time. The breeder/seller must be notified if the buyer no longer wants the puppy/dog. The breeder/seller will gladly take back the dog or assist the buyer in finding a suitable home. Buyer understands that he/she will no longer have any claims to the animal if returned to the breeder/seller. Buyer shall release all rights and furnish breeder/seller with medical records. 
6. Buyer agrees to not act as an agent in the purchase of puppy/dog. Buyer agrees that the dog and his/her offspring may not under any circumstances be given to or sold by or through any commercial broker, wholesale establishment, chain store, catalog sales, dog dealer, or pet store. The breeder/seller has the right to take back ownership of the puppy/dog if the buyer tries to sell/give away/rehome or transfer ownership of the dog/puppy in any of the ways listed in this contract without written permission/consent from the breeder/seller.  There will also be no refund, the puppy/dog will be returned to the breeder/seller, legal action will be taken and a $5000 penalty will be charged plus any travel expenses. 
7. The buyer understands that the puppy/dog will never be intentionally placed in a dog shelter. If the dog is intentionally placed in the shelter there will be a $5000 penalty plus travel expenses. Contact me instead, I’ll gladly take back the dog. 
8. Buyer will never euthanize puppy/dog without a licensed veterinarian’s recommendation. There will be no refund and the puppy/dog will be returned to the breeder/seller a $5000 penalty will be charged plus travel expenses. Please contact me if you cannot care for the dog. I’d be happy to find a new home for the dog.
9. Buyer agrees to notify breeder/seller if there is a change in address/phone number to keep the lines of communication open. Buyer agrees to remain in contact with breeder/seller in regards to puppy/dog. Buyer agrees to provide breeder/seller with a photo/video and a short update upon breeder’s request. I wholeheartedly just want to know how the puppy is doing. If the buyer posts photos of the dog on Social media and I have access to the account there is no need to send me additional updates. Many of my clients have even made their dogs their own Instagram or Facebook page!
10. Buyer agrees to show breeder their driver’s license to make sure it matches the information provided on the application. 
11. Buyer understands that by signing this contract, the buyer is giving the breeder and/or SpaySecure the right to contact any veterinarian that has cared for the puppy/dog via phone or email if there is ever a question about any of the contract policies being upheld. SpaySecure will have you sign a waiver that allows them to contact your veterinarian.
12. The buyer gives the breeder the right to show any veterinarian who has cared for the purchased puppy/dog a copy of this signed contract if proof of permission is needed to discuss the well-being or contract policies pertaining to the purchased puppy/dog.
13. The buyer understands that the puppy is being sold as a companion animal. The puppy is being sold WITHOUT breeding rights. The purchased puppy must be spayed/neutered by 6 months of age. If a client needs a short extension and has a good reason, I usually approve it. Also, if a licensed veterinarian recommends an extension for a medical reason and provides documentation, I will approve the extension. (The breeder has the right and does sometimes spay/neuter a puppy or puppies before go-home day under certain circumstances.) The breeder/Seller shall retain all breeding rights pertaining to the puppy until the spay/neuter is confirmed. After sterilization breeding rights will no longer be a concern.
14. Buyer agrees not to criticize, defame, slander, or badmouth breeder on any public platform including social media or legal action will take place. If the buyer has any issues or concerns with the breeder or purchased puppy, the buyer will privately work out the issue in an appropriate manner. 
15. The buyer understands that the reservation fee is $500 and non-refundable.

Return Policy

The breeder understands that there are circumstances where a puppy/dog may need to be returned to the breeder. If the buyer returns the puppy to the breeder, the buyer understands that he/she no longer will have any rights to the above-mentioned puppy/dog after surrender takes place. The buyer understands that the breeder will care for the puppy until a suitable home is found.

The buyer understands that all medical records and microchip information must be returned to the breeder when the puppy is surrendered.

The buyer understands that the breeder doesn’t guarantee any sort of refund outside of the 3-day health or genetic guarantee. It is completely up to the breeder whether or not any funds will be returned to the buyer. The breeder will try to re-home the puppy but may not get back the original purchase price. Buyer may have to give the puppy to family or a friend if a suitable home isn’t found in a timely fashion. The goal is to find the puppy a loving family as soon as possible. This is in the best interest of the puppy!

The buyer understands that if the breeder decides to issue any sort of refund, the deposit and any other fees that were incurred while waiting to find a suitable home for the puppy will be deducted. This includes boarding fees, vet fees, advertising fees, medical care, transportation fees, etc. 

 

 ​TWO-YEAR GENETIC HEALTH GUARANTEE

The breeder/seller understands how heart breaking it would be to lose a family member. This is why I genetically test all breeding dogs in my program. None of the adults in my program are cleared to breed if they may pass on any of the genetic diseases tested through Embark to their offspring. I know that they are living creatures and there isn’t a genetic test for every disease, but I do my part to try to create healthy offspring. 

As a result, all puppies go home with a two-year genetic health guarantee as long as conditions mentioned in this contract are met by appropriate deadlines. If the puppy develops any of the over 200 genetic health conditions that the puppy’s parents were tested for through Embark Genetic Testing the buyer will receive a refund or a replacement puppy of equal value. The breeder will decide between the two options depending on the circumstances. (On a side note, Embark may come up with new genetic breakthroughs in the future. The genetic guarantee only covers the conditions that the sire and dam were able to be swabbed for at the time of testing.)

Furthermore, the genetic guarantee covers life-threatening genetic defects of major organs. The two-year genetic health guarantee doesn’t cover major organ damage caused by toxin exposure, infections, viruses, etc. Many things can cause organ damage in a young puppy. It wouldn’t be fair for me to refund or replace a puppy for example that ate gum containing xylitol and has permanent organ damage as a result.

My health guarantee only covers issues documented by a licensed veterinarian when seen right after go home or issues that are life threatening and congenital or genetic in nature. Symptoms and vet concerns must have occurred prior to the two year mark. Please contact me immediately with any serious health concerns and please include all medical records for the puppy. Also, make sure to add my name to the vet file so I can call and speak with the puppy’s care team about any life threatening issues. 

(More details about the two-year health guarantee are included in the official contract. All approved applicants are welcome to request a copy of the official contract for viewing at anytime. It is just a lot of information to include in this sample contract.)

SPAY/NEUTER CONTRACT

Permanent ownership of the puppy and genetic/health guarantee are based upon compliance with the agreements discussed in this contract as well as any agreements that I may have you sign through SpaySecure, (the company and legal team I often hire to enforce the spay/neuter agreement.) The puppy/dog is being sold solely as a companion animal. Puppies are being sold on a strict legally binding spay/neuter contract. 

Females and males are to be spayed or neutered by 6 months of age unless the breeder gives an extension as discussed above. The breeder/seller and/or SpaySecure must receive written documentation of spay/neuter from the licensed veterinarian who performed the procedure. Furthermore, please be advised that the breeder or SpaySecure will call the Veterinarian clinic to confirm that the documentation is valid.

On a side note, recent studies show that early spay/neuter isn’t associated with joint disorders or urinary tract infections in male or female Shih Tzus. Furthermore, female Shih Tzus that are spayed before they reach 6 months of age are actually at a slightly lower risk of getting cancer and Pyometria ( a life-threatening uterine infection.) A male Shih Tzu puppy’s cancer risk is the same regardless of age at neuter. 

By signing this legally binding contract, the Buyer is giving the Breeder/seller and SpaySecure the authorization to call/email the vet clinic to confirm spay/neuter was completed on time and that the certificate is valid. The breeder will provide the veterinarian with a copy of this signed contract if the veterinarian requires proof of permission.

If the breeder/seller or SpaySecure cannot confirm the spay/neuter procedure was completed, legal action will take place and the puppy will be returned to the breeder/seller without a refund.  Buyer will be fined $10,000 in liquidated damages for failing to sterilize the puppy/dog on time. 

If the dog purchased from the breeder/seller produces a litter, the buyer will be fined $3000 per puppy and will still need to give up rights to the dog and all remaining offspring/progeny without compensation. Also, If the puppy/dog has an untimely death before spay/neuter can be completed, an authentic certificate of death endorsed by a licensed veterinarian will be required. 

Buyer also gives breeder and SpaySecure the legal right to call/email the vet clinic to confirm the death certificate is legitimate. Once again, the breeder will provide the veterinarian with a copy of this signed contract if the veterinarian requires proof of permission. If the breeder and/or SpaySecure cannot confirm the death, the breeder and/or SpaySecure has the right to take legal action which may lead to monetary fines for the buyer. 

If the puppy/dog goes missing before spay/neuter can be completed at 6 months the breeder has the right to charge a $10,000 fee and take legal action which may lead to more monetary fines for the buyer. The breeder is looking for RESPONSIBLE pet owners who will do everything in their power to protect their puppy/dog. There are other breeders out there with much more lenient contracts if you find my contract too harsh. 

• I the buyer give the breeder/seller and SpaySecure permission to contact the veterinarian who performed the spay/neuter procedure by phone or email to verify that the spay/neuter has been completed on time. 
• I the buyer understand that the breeder may provide the veterinarian who performed the procedure with a copy of this signed contract if proof of permission is required. If the breeder and SpaySecure cannot verify through the veterinarian that the procedure was completed on time and in accordance with the contract then the breeder has the right to take back the purchased puppy.
• I the buyer understand that I will lose all rights to the puppy and receive no refund if sterilization requirements aren’t met on time. Legal action may be taken and monetary fees will be charged.
• I the buyer understand that any violations of the terms of this spay/neuter agreement, the agreement signed through SpaySecure, or any of the other terms stated in this contract will come with the monetary and legal penalties described.  
• I the buyer also agree to pay $10,000 in damages if I don’t sterilize the purchased puppy/dog according to the contract timeline.
• I the buyer understand that I will need to return the purchased puppy to the breeder if I don’t complete the spay or neuter on time unless the breeder/seller authorizes an extension. 
• I the buyer agree to pay an additional $3000 per puppy if the purchased puppy/dog is involved in producing a litter of puppies intentionally or accidentally. 
• I the buyer understand that if the purchased puppy dies before the spay/neuter is complete, I must provide the breeder and/or SpaySecure with a death certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian.
• I the buyer understand that the breeder only gives spay/neuter extensions if a licensed veterinarian feels the puppy has an emergent medical issue that must be addressed before sterilization. 
• The buyer may ask the breeder for a short sterilization extension under certain circumstances as mentioned above. 
• I the buyer understand that the breeder may choose to have a puppy spayed/neutered before going home under certain circumstances.

The same rules and penalties apply to both male and female dogs that are involved in creating offspring. If the breeder/seller finds out the purchased puppy wasn’t spayed/neutered by 6 months, the breeder/seller has the right to take legal action, charge the fees mentioned in both this contract and the SpaySecure contract, and take back legal ownership of the puppy/dog and all remaining progeny without a refund. Furthermore, all warranties, health agreements, and guarantees will be voided.

Buyer and breeder/seller understand no other warranties or guarantees, expressed or implied, are made under this contract except as stated. Buyer and breeder/seller agree to all of the terms and conditions described in this contract and the SpaySecure contract regarding the puppy/dog being purchased. Buyer agrees not to sue the breeder/seller and to pay all court costs should any suit be brought against the breeder/seller regarding the purchased puppy/dog. 

Both buyer and breeder/seller signify acceptance of all statements and agreements mentioned in this contract by signing and dating below. If the buyer breaks the fundamentals of this contract, the breeder/seller has the right to take back ownership of the purchased puppy/dog without refund and charge fees mentioned in the contract. All of the agreements in this contract are legally binding. ​

This agreement, and all matters arising out of or relating to this agreement, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Arizona without regard to the conflicts of laws provisions thereof.

The breeder/seller and buyer have executed this contract agreement effective by signing and dating below.

Buyer/Buyer’s sign and date legally binding contract agreement:

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Breeder/Seller sign and date legally binding contract agreement:

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