Refund Policy
Refund & Reservation Policy
I understand that bringing a new kitten into your home is both an exciting and significant decision. At Ben’s Oriental Shorthair Cats, We want to ensure that every adoption is a positive experience for both the kitten and their new family. This refund policy has been carefully crafted to be fair to everyone involved while prioritizing the welfare of our kittens.
Reservation Deposits: When you decide to reserve a kitten from Our cattery, We require a non-refundable deposit. This deposit is typically $400-$500 and serves to hold your chosen kitten, removing them from availability to other families. The deposit goes toward your kitten’s final purchase price.
The reason deposits are non-refundable is straightforward—once a kitten is reserved, We turn away other interested families who may have been ready to adopt. During the weeks or months between reservation and pickup, We’re investing time, resources, and care into preparing your specific kitten for their new home. We’re also communicating regularly with you, sending updates and photos, and keeping the kitten unavailable to other potential adopters.
When Deposits Are Refundable: There are specific circumstances where I will refund your deposit in full:
- If we determine the kitten has a serious health issue that makes them unsuitable for adoption
- If the kitten doesn’t develop according to expected breed standards and we decide to keep them
- If we’re unable to fulfill my commitment for reasons within our control
- If circumstances in our cattery prevent us from providing you with a kitten within a reasonable timeframe
In these situations, you’ll receive a complete refund because the inability to complete the adoption stems from our end, not yours.
Transferring Your Deposit: Life happens, and I recognize that sometimes circumstances change. If you’ve reserved a kitten but can no longer move forward with that specific adoption, I offer flexibility where possible:
You may transfer your deposit to a future litter if you notify us before your kitten reaches 10 weeks of age. This allows us adequate time to find another suitable home for your originally reserved kitten. However, this transfer option is only available once. Your deposit can be held for up to one year from the original reservation date for a future kitten.
If you choose a kitten from a later litter that has a higher purchase price, you’ll pay the difference. If the new kitten has a lower price, the deposit remains as originally paid, as it represents the opportunity cost of the original reservation.
Final Payment & Full Refunds: The balance of your kitten’s purchase price is due before pickup or shipping. Once full payment is received and your kitten has left my care, all sales are final. This is standard practice in responsible breeding because at this point, the kitten has been in your care and I cannot verify their health status or care conditions after they leave our home.
However, We do offer a limited exception: If your veterinarian identifies a serious health issue during the required 72-hour health examination (as outlined in our health guarantee), we can discuss options including a potential refund, depending on the specific circumstances and veterinary findings. This requires documentation from a licensed veterinarian and must be reported within the 72-hour window.
Cancellations at Different Stages:
Before Birth: If you’ve placed a deposit on an unborn kitten from an upcoming litter and decide to cancel before the litter is born, I may refund 50% of your deposit at my discretion, particularly if I have a waiting list of other families.
After Birth But Before 8 Weeks: If you cancel after your kitten is born but before they reach 8 weeks of age, your deposit is non-refundable, but it can be transferred to a future litter as described above.
After 8 Weeks: Once your kitten reaches 8 weeks and you’ve confirmed your selection, cancellations result in forfeiture of the deposit with no transfer options. At this stage, the kitten has been specifically prepared for you, and finding a new home on short notice can be challenging.
Special Circumstances: I’m a reasonable person and understand that genuine emergencies happen. If you experience a serious life event such as a death in the family, major medical emergency, or other significant hardship, please communicate with us as soon as possible. While we cannot guarantee a refund in these situations, we will always listen and work with you to find the most compassionate solution possible.
For example, we might be able to hold your kitten for a few additional weeks if you need more time, or work out a payment plan for the final balance. Open communication is key—I’d much rather work through challenges together than have either party feel stuck in a difficult situation.
What Happens to Kittens When Adoptions Fall Through: When someone cancels a reservation, our priority is always the kitten’s wellbeing. We maintain a waiting list of approved families, which often means we can quickly find an excellent home for a kitten who becomes available. In some cases, we may keep the kitten longer to ensure they go to the right home rather than rushing a placement.
Kittens are never left in limbo. They continue receiving the same high-quality care, socialization, and attention while we find their perfect family. Sometimes these “returned” reservations turn out to be blessings, as they become available for families who had been waiting.
Return Policy for Adopted Cats: If at any point during your cat’s life you can no longer care for them, I require that you contact us first. We will always take back any cat we’ve bred, regardless of age or reason. This is not a refund situation—you will not receive money back for the cat—but it ensures that no Oriental Shorthair from our cattery ever ends up in a shelter or uncertain situation.
This lifetime return policy is part of our commitment to every kitten we bring into the world. While it doesn’t involve refunds, it’s an important part of how we ensure the long-term welfare of our cats.
Important Philosophy: We want you to understand that my breeding program is not primarily a business focused on profit—it’s a labor of love that happens to involve financial transactions. The fees we charge cover genetic health testing, veterinary care, premium nutrition, proper socialization, and the significant time investment each litter requires. Most small hobby breeders like myself barely break even when all expenses are calculated.
Our refund policies exist to protect the welfare of our kittens while being as fair as possible to adopting families. We never want someone to feel trapped, but we also need to ensure that reservations are made with serious commitment and that we can plan appropriately for each kitten’s future.
Questions or Concerns: If anything in this policy is unclear, or if you have specific circumstances you’d like to discuss before placing a deposit, please reach out. I’m always happy to talk through scenarios and ensure we’re on the same page. The best adoptions happen when everyone understands expectations from the beginning and feels confident moving forward.
Transparency and communication are the foundations of trust, and I want every family who adopts from Ben’s Oriental Shorthair Cats to feel completely comfortable with their decision.