Policies & Standards
Johnson City, Tennessee · Last updated September 2026
1. Application & Placement Policy
We prioritize structural compatibility and developmental readiness over transaction speed. Our intentional five-step placement process filters for committed companion households and supports a well-prepared transition for each puppy.
1.1 Structural Intake Application
Every placement begins with our comprehensive intake questionnaire. This step captures the household environment, daily lifestyle, other animals, children, work and travel patterns, prior dog experience, puppy preferences, and care plan so we can evaluate compatibility with a toy-breed companion.
1.2 Core Review & Consultation
After an application is received, we review the information for fit and readiness. Qualified applicants may be contacted for a direct conversation about household expectations, care routines, veterinary planning, transportation, puppy size, and any breed-specific considerations that should be addressed before a match is approved.
1.3 Compatibility Matching
We do not place puppies on an automatic first-click, first-served basis. Puppy allocation considers developmental observations, health stability, temperament, care needs, household structure, and the preferences stated in the approved application. An approved application does not guarantee a particular puppy.
1.4 Secure Reservation Placement
Once a specific puppy and approved household are matched, the reservation is documented in writing. Our standard reservation deposit generally ranges from $250 to $500. The exact amount is stated in the puppy-specific reservation agreement and is credited toward the purchase price. The deposit is credited toward the final purchase price and, after the reservation is confirmed and the puppy is removed from public availability, is generally non-refundable if the buyer elects not to complete the purchase. If East Tennessee Chihuahuas cancels the placement or determines that the puppy cannot be transferred because of a health, developmental, or welfare concern, the written agreement governs the refund or transfer of reservation funds.
1.5 Developmental Placement Integration
Eight weeks is our minimum placement age, not an automatic release date. A puppy leaves only when we believe the puppy is developmentally ready for the planned transition. Size, appetite, weight stability, energy, health, travel demands, and individual care needs may require additional time. At transfer, the family receives the puppy-specific vaccination, deworming, and available veterinary and care records that apply to that puppy, together with the signed placement documents.
2. Health & Care Standards
Our care program is built around age-appropriate preventive care, close observation, safe housing, appropriate nutrition, sanitation, social development, and veterinary involvement when a puppy or adult dog requires medical evaluation or treatment.
2.1 Puppy-Specific Records
Families receive the records that apply to their puppy, including documented vaccination and deworming information and available veterinary records. We do not represent testing, diagnoses, certifications, or veterinary procedures as completed unless they are actually documented for that dog.
2.2 Post-Placement Veterinary Examination
The buyer is expected to establish care with a licensed veterinarian and complete the examination required by the written Health Guarantee, currently within 72 hours after go-home. This provides an independent post-placement medical baseline and gives the family an immediate veterinary relationship.
2.3 Small-Puppy Readiness
Very small puppies may require more frequent meals, closer temperature management, overnight observation, restricted exposure, and additional time before transfer. Small size never overrides readiness. When an individual puppy needs extra time or a more intensive care plan, those needs are discussed before placement.
3. Financial Transparency
The puppy's price, reservation deposit, remaining balance, due dates, transportation charges, and any separately approved payment-plan terms are documented before transfer. A reservation deposit applies toward the purchase price. Any payment arrangement outside the standard sale terms must be approved and stated in writing.
4. Registration & Breeding Rights
Companion placement is the default unless puppy-specific written documents expressly grant breeding rights. Registry eligibility, registration type, and any restrictions are stated in the final sale documents. Breeding authorization is never implied by possession of a puppy or registration papers.
5. Lifetime Responsibility
If a family can no longer keep a dog we placed, East Tennessee Chihuahuas must be contacted before the dog is sold, surrendered, gifted, transferred, or independently rehomed. The dog's safety and continuity of care come first.
6. Contract & Policy Directory
7. Controlling Documents
Website policy pages are advance-review copies of our general standards. The signed puppy-specific Bill of Sale, Deposit Agreement, Health Guarantee, approved addenda, and any written special conditions control the individual placement if a term differs from a general website summary.