Our Refund & Returns Policy: Because Life Happens (Even With Puppies)

At MFS, we get it—sometimes things don’t work out. Here’s exactly what happens if you need to return your puppy, get a refund, or exercise your health guarantee. No hidden fine print, just honest policies.

The Hard Truth: Returning a Puppy Is Emotionally Brutal (But Sometimes Necessary)

Let’s be honest upfront: returning a puppy after you’ve bonded with them is heartbreaking. It’s not like returning a defective toaster. You’ve named them, taken 400 photos, introduced them to your family, and fallen in love. Learn who MFS is and why we breed Maltipoos with the understanding that sometimes—despite everyone’s best intentions—an adoption doesn’t work out.

According to ASPCA statistics, approximately 6% of adopted dogs are returned within the first year. Common reasons: allergies worse than expected, landlord issues, lifestyle changes, behavior problems, or unexpected health issues. What are the red flags to avoid when buying a puppy? includes breeders who refuse to take puppies back—we’re not one of them.

Our Core Philosophy on Returns:

We’d rather you return a puppy to us than surrender them to a shelter, sell them on Craigslist, or keep them in a situation that’s not working. Every puppy we place deserves a lifetime of love—if that’s not with you, we’ll find them another home. No judgment, just solutions.

The 7-Day Deposit Refund Window: Your “Change Your Mind” Safety Net

What are the steps to adopting a puppy from MFS? includes a $500 deposit to reserve your puppy. But we understand that sometimes after sleeping on it, you realize you’re not ready. That’s why we offer a 7-day cooling-off period:

✅ Full Refund Conditions (7 Days After Deposit):

You change your mind about getting a puppy
Financial situation changes unexpectedly
Family member develops allergies
Landlord says no pets (you should have checked first, but we get it)
Any other reason—we don’t interrogate, we just refund

⚠️ Exception to 7-Day Refund:

If your reserved puppy is already 8+ weeks old and ready to go home when you place the deposit, the 7-day window doesn’t apply. Why? Because at that point, we’re turning away other interested families to honor your reservation, and the puppy is aging out of optimal placement window. In this case, deposits are non-refundable if you change your mind. Exception: If puppy fails final vet exam, 100% refund regardless.

How to Request Deposit Refund

Email info@maltipoosforsale.com or call (402) 937-2233 within 7 days of submitting your deposit. Just say “I need to cancel my reservation.” We’ll process the refund within 3-5 business days to your original payment method. Ready to inquire about our Maltipoo adoption process but nervous about commitment? The 7-day window gives you peace of mind.

After You’ve Taken Your Puppy Home: The “It’s Not Working Out” Scenarios

This is where things get more complicated. Once you’ve taken possession of your puppy, our return policy depends on timing and circumstances. View our current list of healthy Maltipoo puppies comes with the understanding that adoptions are meant to be permanent—but life happens.

First 72 Hours: The Immediate Health Concern Window

Our contract requires you to take your puppy to a licensed veterinarian within 72 hours of delivery for a wellness exam. If your vet discovers a serious health issue we missed (extremely rare—happens less than 0.5% of the time), you have two options:

Option 1: Full Refund + Return

Return puppy to us within 72 hours, provide vet documentation of health issue, receive 100% refund of purchase price + delivery costs. We coordinate safe return transport at our expense. Shipping is reversed at no cost to you.

Option 2: Keep + Vet Reimbursement

Keep puppy, we reimburse veterinary treatment costs up to purchase price. Submit itemized vet bills. Works for treatable conditions where you want to keep the puppy despite health issue. Our health guarantee kicks in.

Days 4-30: The “Adjustment Period Gone Wrong” Window

Most puppies adjust to new homes within 1-2 weeks. But sometimes issues emerge: severe separation anxiety, unexpectedly aggressive behavior, or family member has worse allergies than anticipated. How do I train and socialize my Maltipoo? can solve many behavioral issues—but not all.

30-Day Return Policy (Non-Health Issues):

What We Require: Call us FIRST before making any decisions. We’ll troubleshoot via phone—many “unsolvable” problems have simple solutions.
If Return is Necessary: You return puppy to us (you pay return transport), we refund 50% of purchase price. We keep 50% to cover breeding costs, placement efforts, and veterinary care.
Timeline: Must be within 30 days of delivery. After 30 days, different policy applies (see below).
Condition: Puppy must be healthy, up-to-date on vaccines, and in same condition as when delivered (aside from normal growth).

After 30 Days: The Lifetime Re-Homing Guarantee

Life circumstances change. Job loss, divorce, serious illness, military deployment—we’ve seen it all. Find answers to common Maltipoo questions includes “What if I can’t keep my puppy years from now?” The answer: We’ll always take them back.

Lifetime Re-Homing Policy (After 30 Days):

We ALWAYS Take Them Back: No matter how old, no matter the reason. We never want our puppies in shelters or sold on Craigslist.
No Refund: After 30 days, there’s no financial refund. You surrender the dog to us, we find them a new home. You’ve had months/years with the dog—we don’t refund in this scenario.
Transport Costs: You’re responsible for getting the dog back to us (or we can arrange transport at your expense).
Re-Homing Process: We evaluate the dog, provide any needed veterinary care, and place them in a carefully screened new home. We don’t “flip” them quickly—we take our time finding the right match.

According to Humane Society research, responsible breeders who offer lifetime return policies significantly reduce shelter surrenders. We’re proud to be part of the solution.

Health Guarantee-Related Returns: When Genetics Betray Us

Despite comprehensive health testing, genetics isn’t an exact science. Very rarely (less than 1% of our placements), a puppy develops a covered genetic condition. What does the puppy health guarantee cover? explains which conditions qualify—but here’s how returns work in these situations:

Your Three Options Under Health Guarantee:

Option 1: Return for Full Refund

Return your puppy to us (we pay transport), receive 100% refund of purchase price. Makes sense if the condition requires expensive ongoing treatment you can’t afford, or if you’re emotionally unable to care for a special-needs dog. We’ll provide them with necessary care and find an appropriate home. No judgment—we understand not everyone can handle medical complexity.

Option 2: Keep + Get Replacement Puppy (Most Popular)

Keep your current puppy AND receive a replacement puppy at no additional cost from our next available litter. Works great if the condition is manageable and you’ve bonded with your puppy but want a healthy companion too. You choose the replacement puppy just like your first adoption. View available puppies for replacement options.

Option 3: Keep + Veterinary Reimbursement

Keep your puppy, we reimburse veterinary treatment costs up to original purchase price. Submit itemized bills for surgeries, medications, specialist visits. Works for treatable conditions like patella luxation surgery ($1,500-$3,000) or liver shunt repair ($3,000-$5,000). You don’t pay out of pocket for genetic conditions we should have prevented through testing.

See reviews from happy MFS puppy families—including the very few who’ve needed to use the health guarantee. They consistently praise our responsiveness and fairness.

What We DON’T Accept as Return Reasons (The Fine Print You Need to Know)

We’re reasonable, but we’re not a rental service. Some situations don’t qualify for refunds or returns:

❌ Non-Refundable Situations:

“Puppy is too energetic”: All puppies are energetic. Read the full profile of the Maltese Poodle mix to understand normal puppy behavior.
“Puppy grew bigger/smaller than expected”: We provide size estimates based on 20+ years experience, but genetics isn’t perfect. ±2 lbs variance is normal.
“Coat color changed”: Puppy coats lighten/darken as they mature. This is normal and not a defect.
“Puppy isn’t potty trained yet”: No 8-week-old puppy is fully potty trained. Training takes 4-6 months of consistency.
“Buyer’s remorse after 30 days”: You had 30 days to decide. After that, we’ll rehome but not refund.
“Puppy damaged my belongings”: Puppies chew things. That’s what puppies do. Not a return reason.
“Changed my mind about breed”: Should have researched before adopting. Breed comparison guides exist for a reason.

According to AVMA responsible ownership guidelines, adopters should be prepared for the realities of puppy ownership before committing. We provide extensive pre-adoption education for this exact reason.

The Return Process: If You’ve Decided It’s Necessary, Here’s How It Works

Returns are emotionally difficult for everyone involved—you, us, and especially the puppy. But if it’s truly necessary, we make the process as smooth as possible. What are the steps to adopting a puppy from MFS? reverses for returns:

6-Step Return Process

Step 1: Call Us First (Required)

Before making any decisions, call (402) 937-2233 or text. Many issues have simple solutions we can walk you through. Don’t surprise us with “I’m dropping the dog off tomorrow”—we need to prepare. Contact us before taking action.

Step 2: Document the Reason

For health-related returns: Provide vet records. For behavioral returns: Describe specific issues and what you’ve tried. For life circumstance changes: Explain situation. This helps us determine which policy applies and helps the dog in their next placement.

Step 3: Coordinate Transport

Within 72 hours: We arrange/pay. Within 30 days: You pay return transport. After 30 days: You pay transport. Same delivery options available in reverse (Flight Nanny, Ground Transport, Personal Drop-Off).

Step 4: Health Check Upon Return

When puppy returns to us, our vet examines them to ensure they’re healthy and well-cared-for. If there’s evidence of neglect/abuse, we reserve the right to deny refund and potentially pursue legal action (hasn’t happened, but it’s in the contract).

Step 5: Refund Processing (If Applicable)

Refunds are processed within 7-10 business days to original payment method. Full refunds (72-hour window, health issues) process faster. Partial refunds (30-day window) may take up to 14 days. How does MFS use my contact information? includes financial records for refund processing.

Step 6: Finding New Home (Our Responsibility)

Once puppy returns to us, we become responsible for finding them an appropriate new home. We don’t rush this—we take time to screen potential adopters carefully. You’re welcome to provide input on what type of home would be best based on your experience with the dog.

How to Avoid Needing to Return Your Puppy (Prevention is Better Than Cure)

Most returns are preventable with proper preparation and realistic expectations. How do I know if a Maltipoo is the right dog for my lifestyle? is the most important question to answer BEFORE adopting.

Pre-Adoption Checklist to Minimize Return Risk:

Verify Pet Policies: Check with landlord, HOA, apartment complex BEFORE reserving a puppy
Test for Allergies: Spend time with Maltipoos in person if possible (visit us, meet friend’s Maltipoo, etc.)
Budget Realistically: First year costs $2,000-$3,000 beyond purchase price (vet, supplies, grooming, training)
Plan for Time Commitment: Puppies need 4-6 hours daily attention for first 3 months minimum
Research the Breed: Read comprehensive breed guides, watch YouTube videos, join Facebook groups
Consider Lifestyle Fit: Travel frequently? Work 12-hour days? Have toddlers? Make sure breed matches your reality
Prepare Your Home: Our owner’s guidebook includes puppy-proofing checklists

Not Sure If Maltipoo Is Right? Compare Breeds Before Committing

Returns happen less often when people choose the right breed from the start:

Our Final Thoughts on Returns

We’ve placed 2,000+ puppies over 20+ years. Our return rate is under 2%—dramatically lower than industry average of 6-8%. Why? Because we match families carefully, provide comprehensive education, and offer lifetime support. See reviews from happy MFS puppy families who’ve never needed our return policy (but love having it).

That said, we’re glad this policy exists. It protects you, protects our puppies, and ensures every dog finds their forever home—even if it takes two tries. View all available Maltipoo puppies nationwide with confidence knowing you have options if life throws curveballs.

Questions About Our Return Policy?

We’re happy to explain every detail before you adopt. Call us to discuss any concerns—we’d rather address them now than deal with returns later.

Call: (402) 937-2233 View Available Puppies