Seeking Shalom Acres Questionnaire

Choosing the right puppy can be a difficult process, and personality needs to be taken into consideration.  As ethical breeders, we feel that we have a responsibility to help you bring home a puppy that is right for you.

This New Owner Questionnaire is designed to help us to understand you and your family's needs and wishes, so we can better assist you in selecting the right puppy for you.

Because our puppies are raised as a part of our family, we get to see them and know them well. We get to observe their personalities and temperaments as well as their interactions with each other and the members of our large family.

Additionally, we conduct personality testing on each puppy to help us further understand their individual personality and character.

As a result of this New Owner Questionnaire combined with our interactions, observations, and personality testing with our puppies, we are well equipped to help make sure that the puppy you select is a very good match for you and your family.

Time Frame To Receive Your Puppy

Because there are so many factors outside of our control (heat cycle timing, litter sizes, puppy genders, puppy personalities, etc.) obviously we cannot guarantee exactly when you will get your puppy.  However, we will strive to provide you with your perfect puppy as soon as possible.

Definition Of Terms

• “The breeder” = Seeking Shalom Acres Maltese Havanese Maltipoos & Havamalts and the family that runs the business.
• “My puppy” = the puppy I receive from the breeder, even when the puppy is no longer a puppy.

Purchasing A Specific Puppy

• I understand that it is my responsibility to contact the breeder with any questions I have prior to reserving a specific puppy for purchase.
• I understand that if I wish to purchase a specific puppy, that puppy will not be reserved for me until I have completed the New Owner Questionnaire AND submitted my security deposit.
• I understand that if I reserve a specific puppy, the breeder reserves the right to offer me a different puppy if the puppy I selected is not a good match for me. I understand that this very rarely happens, but for my sake and the sake of my puppy, I understand it is in our best interest to be properly matched.
• I understand that all deposits are non-refundable. 

Joining The Waiting List

• I understand that it is my responsibility to contact the breeder with any questions I have prior to joining the Waiting List.
• I understand that my position on the Waiting List will not be secured until I have completed the New Owner Questionnaire AND submitted my Security Deposit.
• I understand that the breeder cannot guarantee that a puppy with my preferences will be available within a specific time-frame.  I further understand that the more narrow or specific my breed and trait preferences are, the longer it will take to receive my puppy.
• I understand that once a litter is born and the breeder contacts me to let me know that they have a puppy for me that they expect will be a good match for me, I will be required to submit a $500 Litter Reservation Deposit to reserve a puppy from that litter.
• I understand that all deposits are non-refundable. 

Puppy’s Food & Supplements

• I understand that the breeder has prioritized providing a superior diet to my puppy in order to support his/her optimal growth, development, health, and well-being.
• I agree to keep my puppy on this same superior diet for the rest of my puppy's life. I understand that the breeder requires this as part of this agreement because the breeder wants to ensure their puppies continue to receive the same high quality food they are used to in order to support their health and well-being during their entire life.
• I understand that providing a superior diet is an investment in the long-term health and well-being of my puppy and will likely dramatically reduce my need for veterinary services.
• I certify that I have the financial means to budget at least $75-$100/month in order to provide this superior diet to my puppy for life.
• I give the breeder permission to use my name, address, phone number, and email address to create an account for me with the dog food and supplement company they use for their dogs and puppies.
• I understand that the breeder will create an EZ Ship order for me to ensure I order the correct food and supplements for my dog.
• I agree to activate the EZ Ship order and purchase the food and supplements for my dog prior to bringing my dog home. I understand that the first order will cost around $200 (give or take $30 or $40), and that the food from this order will last at least two months for most small puppies and the supplements will last 3-6 months for most small puppies.
• I understand that my puppy will not be released into my care until the required food and supplements have been ordered and shipped.
• I agree to keep an active EZ Ship order for my dog's food and supplements.
• I understand that I will be able to adjust, edit, postpone, and/or process early my future EZ Ship orders whenever I need to. I agree to reach out to the breeder for assistance when I need it so I can learn how to manage my EZ Ship orders in a way that works best for me.
• I understand that if I fail to provide this superior diet to my puppy, the breeder reserves the right to reposses my puppy if they deem it to be in the dog's best interest at that time.

Registration & Paperwork

• I understand that my puppy’s parents have certified ancestry through the Designer Breed Registry.
• I understand that my puppy is sold as a pet only and as such will come with limited registration paperwork from the Designer Breed Registry. I understand that I will have the option to register my puppy if I wish to do so.
• I understand that if I intend to breed my puppy, I am required to discuss this with the breeder ahead of time, receive written permission, and pay the breeder for breeding rights.
• I understand that my puppy will also come with a birth certificate and vet records.

Puppy Healthcare

• I understand that Seeking Shalom Acres Maltese Havanese Maltipoos & Havamalts is a holistic breeding program and that my puppy will be reared holistically, with superior nutrition and reduced toxic exposure, allowing for optimal growth and development.
• I understand that I will receive education and training in how to care for my puppy in a holistic way.
• I agree to read the education materials provided, so that I am able to make educated informed decisions about my puppy’s care and so that I am prepared to be an advocate for my puppy’s long-term health.
• I understand that it is my responsibility to contact the breeder when I have questions or don’t understand information provided in the education materials.
• I understand that all education and training materials that I will receive are the intellectual property of the breeder and/or Dr. Meg Howe and as such are not permitted to be shared with anyone else.
• I understand that any advice received from the breeder – whether in person or on the phone, written in text or email, provided on social media, etc - is not intended as medical advice and is not intended to replace veterinary care by a licensed veterinarian.
• I understand that the breeder highly recommends that I seek out a good holistic veterinarian who is trained in – and specializes in – the specific needs of small dogs like those in their program. I understand that this is critically important because small dogs are regularly overdosed and harmed by regular veterinarians who do not specialize in appropriate care for small breeds.
• I agree to care for my puppy using a holistic approach that lines up with the breeder's approach, as laid out in the education materials provided by the breeder.  I understand that this requirement is in the puppy's best interest, designed to support my puppy's optimal growth, development, and long-term health.

Health Guarantee

• I understand that my puppy will be cleared by a holistic vet and will have received deworming and oral immunizations before being released into my care. I further understand that the breeder cannot guarantee against parasites or infectious diseases.
• I understand that my puppy is guaranteed to be free from any visible signs of illness when released into my care.
• I understand that my puppy will come with a 2-Year Health Guarantee against serious, life-threatening genetic illnesses, with the option to extend this health guarantee, so long as my puppy is cared for holistically, following the breeder's education and advice.
• I understand that I will be given the opportunity to review the full health guarantee and sign it when I receive my puppy.
• I understand that I will be emailed a digital copy of the signed health guarantee for my records after I receive my puppy.

My Responsibilities

• I understand that the breeder goes above and beyond to provide the absolute best in puppy care, early socialization, superior nutrient-dense food & supplements, holistic healthcare, support for optimal growth & development, decreased exposure to toxins, and a whole lot of love to every puppy in their program.
• Likewise, I agree to continue providing well-rounded, superior care to my puppy for the duration of my puppy’s life.

Travel Arrangements

• I understand that all travel expenses incurred for me to receive my puppy are my responsibility.
• I understand that the breeder will provide a free meet-up or delivery service within 45 minutes of their farm.
• I understand that the breeder will provide meet-up services or delivery further out than 45 minutes for a fee.
• I understand that the breeder does not ship puppies via cargo, but can provide in-cabin nanny delivery for a fee.

Return Policy & Refunds

• I understand that I may return my puppy for a full refund within 3 days of receiving my puppy, unless my puppy has been injured or damaged while in my care and/or my puppy has received care from a vet who does not specialize in the needs of small dogs. If my puppy has received any treatment that was not dosed by weight, I understand that I can still return my puppy if I wish to, but I will not receive a refund.
• I understand that if I do return my puppy for a refund, I am responsible for all transportation costs incurred while returning my puppy.
• I understand that beyond the 3-day window, I will not be eligible for a refund.

Rehoming Policy

• I understand that my puppy should - under no circumstances – be surrendered to a shelter.
• I understand that if I am unable to keep my puppy, I should reach out to the breeder before attempting to rehome my puppy. I understand that my breeder has the right to be informed and given the first choice to take the puppy back.
• I understand that if I am unable to keep my puppy, and the breeder does not choose to take the puppy back, the breeder will provide assistance in rehoming my puppy to an appropriate home.
• I understand that if I am unsuccessful in rehoming my puppy, I should contact the breeder and return my puppy to them.
• I understand that if I return my puppy to the breeder, I will receive no refund for my puppy or compensation for related expenses.

Spay/Neuter & Breeding Policy

• I agree to not spay or neuter my puppy until he/she is at least one year old.  I understand this is because there is a lot of research linking early spay and neuter with many health problems, including joint problems and cancer.  I understand that if I spay or neuter my puppy before one year old, it will void my health guarantee.
• I understand that the breeder recommends that I find a vet that will perform hormone-sparing spay or neuter surgery because this type of spay and neuter dramatically lowers the long-term health risks associated with spay and neuter surgery.
• I understand that although the breeder does not currently require me to ever spay or neuter my puppy, I am not permitted to breed my puppy without written approval from the breeder and paying for breeding rights.
• I understand that if I breed my puppy without the breeder’s written permission and without paying for breeding rights, the breeder has the right to repossess my puppy and possibly his or her litter at their discretion.

GoodDog Payments

I understand that if I completed my application through GoodDog, I am required to make my payments through GoodDog, per their policies. I understand that this includes my security deposit and my final payment(s) for the remaining balance due when I receive my puppy.

Liability Waiver

I agree that I will not hold the breeder liable for any illness, injury, or behavior issues that arise after the puppy has been transferred to my care, except for what is covered by the 2-Year Health Guarantee.

Lifetime Support

I understand that the breeder provides support for the lifetime of my puppy. I understand that this includes educational materials as well more specific direct support when needed.