What to Expect When Purchasing a Puppy

A handy guide to help you navigate different breeder payment processes.

Every breeder runs their program a little differently — and that includes how they handle payments. Whether it's your first puppy or your fifth, understanding the common payment stages can help you feel confident and prepared throughout the process. All RightPaw breeders are verified, but there is some variation in how each breeder goes about things. Here's what to expect.

Waitlist and Holding Fees

Some breeders will ask for a waitlist or holding fee before puppies are born. This is increasingly common and helps the breeder gauge genuine interest and plan their litters accordingly. The fee amount, what it covers, and whether it's refundable will vary from breeder to breeder.

If your breeder asks for a priority waitlist fee, or holding fee, we recommend having a detailed conversation with them so you feel comfortable you understand why this is their preference and what will happen if circumstances change for either party — for example, if the litter doesn't go ahead or if your situation changes. It is best that refund terms are clearly specified for both parties preferably in writing.

Deposits

Once puppies are born and your breeder begins allocating pups to families, you'll typically be asked to pay a deposit. This usually happens when the puppies are a few weeks' old and confirms your commitment to a specific puppy. Deposits help breeders know their applicants are serious — sales that fall through at this stage can disadvantage the puppy and may be unfair to other families on the waiting list.

Deposits may be refundable or non-refundable depending on the breeder. Raising a litter is expensive, and some breeders use deposits to help cover immediate costs in the weeks before puppies go to their new homes.

Many breeders have extensive waiting lists and may not be able to accommodate refunds, requiring absolute commitment at this stage. Breeders with smaller waiting lists or complicated transport arrangements may require this commitment so there is no risk of a puppy ending up suddenly without a home. Either way, the amount and the refund terms should be clearly stated to you in writing before you're required to pay.

Good to know: Some breeders who breed for show or who temperament test their litters may wait until around 6 weeks before allocating puppies to homes. In these cases, the breeder needs time to assess each puppy before deciding on the best match. If you're connecting with a breeder when puppies are already six weeks or older, they may ask for a deposit and balance payment close together — or even full payment upfront. This is normal for these types of programs and reflects the breeder's commitment to matching the right puppy with the right home.

RightPaw recommends paying all deposits securely on RightPaw.

Final Balance

The final balance is commonly taken one to two weeks before pickup, or on the day of collection or transport.

Deposit and final balance queries are one of the most common sources of confusion between buyers and breeders, so we encourage you to read everything thoroughly and raise any questions early.

The final balance for the puppy should be stated to you in writing. Many breeders will issue contracts that include details of the final balance. Please read any contract carefully as these are not standardised by RightPaw and are unique to your breeder. Deposit and final balance queries are a common source of confusion between owners and breeders. RightPaw recommends everyone read these details thoroughly and discuss any concerns you may have with your breeder. Payments made on RightPaw include a clear summary of the 'puppy offer', and clearly outlines the deposit and sale price as well as refund terms. The cost listed on a breeder’s RightPaw profile is a guide price only, and you should confirm the price of your dog directly with your breeder. The final balance is commonly taken 1-2 weeks prior to the pup leaving, or on the day of pick-up/transport.

RightPaw recommends paying all final balance payments securely via RightPaw.

Why Pay through RightPaw?

We encourage all puppy buyers to pay securely through RightPaw. When you pay on the platform, you get:

• A clearly written Puppy Offer outlining the deposit, sale price, and refund terms

• Access to dedicated support and asssistance if anything doesn't go to plan

• Puppy preparation resources to help you give your new pup the best start, including our Puppy Prep Program video training series.

• Receive amazing discounts and savings on all your puppy-related purchases with pet brands like Pet Circle, Lyka, Pawezy, Classico, Best For Pet Wellness Plans and more.

Paying through RightPaw gives you and your breeder added peace of mind — and helps us continue verifying breeders and making it safer for Australians to find their puppy online.