Owner didn't pick up their puppy?

[ilovemydogs]

Hi I am hoping someone could help me with a question of what to do. We had a litter of puppies. They are now ready to go to their new homes and most have. We have one left and her new owner is coming on the 21st.
When people came to choose their puppy we had them leave a deposit of $100. We told the new owner that the deposit was to hold their puppy till it was time for the puppy to go home.We also said that they would get their deposit back it anything happen to the puppy. (If it should die or the vet said that it would have major life long health problems.)But if they change their minds and they didn't want the puppy anymore they would lose their deposit. When they come to pick up their puppy they would pay the remaining balance.

Now here's my question.
A couple put a deposit on a puppy. We have been text back and forth. I've been giving them update and sending photos of the puppy. They were supposed to come pick up the puppy last weekend. And they never came. I called the phone number and it has been disconnected. I have not herd from them and i received no more texts. How long do I keep this puppy till I fine it a new home? And do I give them back their deposit if they ever contact me?

[N Smith]

How old are the puppies now?

Did you write them a receipt for the deposit outlining that is was non-refundable?

If they were supposed to pick up the puppy last weekend and they did not show, I would make every attempt to contact them and give them a deadline as to when you will hold the puppy until.

Did you get an email address? Do your txts go through?

If so, please let them know to contact you within 10 days if they are still interested in this puppy and that if they would no longer like to purchase the puppy you will find it a new home.

As far as the deposit is concerned, it is for the effort of now having to find a new home for this puppy to go to.

[ilovemydogs]

We did not write up anything. It was just verbal. (not very smart of me) I tried calling about seven times. It says that the number is temporary out of serveries or may not be receiving incoming phone calls. Sometimes the message is-The number you called is no longer in service. It bounce between those two message. They only gave me the one phone number and no e-mail. The number I text is the same number so I don't think it been received. But I will text again and give them a deadline. I am trying my hardest to contact them. But only having the one number and it not working is hard. And the puppy is 9 weeks.

[Narny]

IMPO I would only wait another week or so. After that if you still cant get a hold of them I would find a new home for the pup unless you want another dog.

IF the "new owners" show up and cause a problem I would return their money if for nothing else than to save you the head ache of it. People can get a little angry and you dont want to deal with that.

Its 100$ no big deal, that could be their thinking. Plus if they canceled their phone maybe they have fallen on hard times? Or maybe the just decided to bail on the dog.

The breeder we are going with asks for any where between $300 and $500 for a deposit. I think its harder to walk away from that kind of money plus is makes them REALLY think about the decision to get the pup to start with.

HTH and Good luck.

[JakodaCD OA]

I would do as narny suggests, IF your willing to hold the puppy one more week.

If not, sell him if you can, and if the 'depositers' call/show up, say hey you were supposed to pick him up on xxx day, I've calling / texting, and nothing, so I assumed something happened I sold him, here's your 100 back.

[ilovemydogs]

Thank you for your reply. I don't mine keeping the puppy another week. And I don't mine giving the deposit back. I just want to be fair and do the best thing for everyone involved.

[JakodaCD OA]

I think keeping him/her another week is really fair , and if they end up contacting you after you've found a home for the puppy, depending on their reasons for forgoing the pick up date will help you determine the refund issue. Your being more than fair and good for you

OK lets see a pic of this puppy please)))

[GsdLoverr729]

Originally Posted by JakodaCD OA

I think keeping him/her another week is really fair , and if they end up contacting you after you've found a home for the puppy, depending on their reasons for forgoing the pick up date will help you determine the refund issue. Your being more than fair and good for you

OK lets see a pic of this puppy please)))

I vote with Jakoda

[shaner]

I know anytime I've been waiting to get a new puppy, nothing short of my own death would have stopped me from getting that puppy on time, or at the very least, contacting the breeder to let them know there was a problem and let them know when I would be picking up the puppy.

As far as I'm concerned, once I pick out a puppy, that puppy is mine and I'm responsible for it. Even if there were a death in the family, I would contact the breeder and have them hold the puppy for me or I would make other arrangements. Getting a new puppy is one of the more joyous occasions of my life.

Maybe that's just me though.

[PaddyD]

Originally Posted by shaner

I know anytime I've been waiting to get a new puppy, nothing short of my own death would have stopped me from getting that puppy on time, or at the very least, contacting the breeder to let them know there was a problem and let them know when I would be picking up the puppy.

As far as I'm concerned, once I pick out a puppy, that puppy is mine and I'm responsible for it. Even if there were a death in the family, I would contact the breeder and have them hold the puppy for me or I would make other arrangements. Getting a new puppy is one of the more joyous occasions of my life.

Maybe that's just me though.

That's me too.