Refund and Return Policy

 

At FurriGuardian Pups, our commitment to every companion we place extends far beyond the initial pickup. However, we operate as a preservation program, not a commercial pet store. Consequently, our refund and return policy reflects the standards of a responsible breeding program rather than the return policies of a retail business.

This policy is incorporated into our Handler Guidelines and our Akita Puppy Health Guarantee .

Our Placement Philosophy

We screen every applicant carefully before placing a companion. Therefore, the concept of a “return” is not part of our program’s design. We match puppies to families based on temperament, lifestyle, and long-term alignment. When we do our job well, returns should not occur.

However, life circumstances can change. If you can no longer care for your American Akita, our contract requires that the dog comes back to us, not to a shelter or a rehoming site. We have honored that commitment multiple times over fifteen years. This is not a clause we added for legal purposes. It is a promise we keep.

Return Policy for Non-Health Reasons

We accept the return of a companion within the first 14 days for non-health-related reasons. However, this policy is not a “buyer’s remorse” guarantee. It exists to protect the dog’s welfare, not to facilitate casual returns.

To initiate a non-health return:

  1. Contact us immediately at our program email with your contract number and a detailed explanation.

  2. Arrange return transport through a USDA-certified animal transporter. You are responsible for all return transportation costs.

  3. The puppy must be in good health and examined by our veterinarian upon return.

Refund Terms: We do not offer cash refunds for non-health returns. Instead, we offer placement assistance for the returned companion and credit toward a future preservation placement. This credit is applied at our discretion and is not a cash value. We do not operate as a retail business, and our policies reflect that distinction.

Return Policy for Health-Related Reasons

If a licensed veterinarian diagnoses a covered congenital or hereditary condition within the coverage windows defined in our Akita Puppy Health Guarantee , we will honor the remediation terms documented in that guarantee.

The remediation process is as follows:

  1. Provide documentation: Submit the official OFA report or complete medical documentation signed by a licensed veterinarian.

  2. Provide sterilization proof: Provide legal documentation proving the animal has been safely and permanently sterilized.

  3. Review and resolution: Upon validation, we will provide a replacement companion from an upcoming litter.

FurriGuardian Pups reserves the right to choose the specific replacement puppy. We do not offer cash refunds. We offer replacement companions only. This is consistent with the practices of responsible preservation programs.

Veterinary Reimbursement

In limited cases involving documented viral disease contracted within the 72-hour coverage window defined in our Akita Puppy Health Guarantee , we may offer partial reimbursement for emergency veterinary expenses. This reimbursement is capped at the original placement fee and is offered at our discretion. It is not a guarantee of payment.

What This Policy Does Not Cover

  • Orthopedic conditions caused by environmental injury, trauma, or poor nutrition

  • Conditions that arise after the coverage window closes

  • Any dog that has been bred before OFA evaluation

  • Any dog that has been rehomed without our written consent

  • Any dog that has not received routine veterinary care as documented by records

 How to Initiate a Claim

Contact our program directly:

Email: contact@furriguardianpups.com
Phone: (816) 330-8371

We review all claims promptly. However, we do not guarantee any specific timeline for resolution.

H2: Continue Learning

Before committing to any breeder, we encourage you to independently verify health clearances through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)