Buyer applications: what they are and how to apply

Some sellers want to know a little about a buyer before they sell. On those listings, the seller requires a buyer application: a short form you complete, which the seller reviews and approves before you can buy or bid.

Why a seller requires an application

Selling an animal is not always purely about price. A responsible breeder may want to know where their animal is going, what your setup is, or whether you have relevant experience.

• What it is: a per-listing gate the seller turns on. It is not an account-wide step and not something every listing has; it applies only to listings where the seller chose to require it.
• What it means for you: on a listing that requires approval, the Buy or Bid control is locked until your application is approved. The listing makes this clear, so you know upfront that approval is the first step.

Filling out the form

When a listing requires an application, you open its form and answer the seller's questions. Sellers build their own forms (see Requiring buyer applications and building a form for the seller's side), so the exact questions vary, but the field types are consistent:

• Short text questions: open-ended answers (for example "Tell us about your experience" or "Where will the animal live?"). Some are marked required and must be answered to submit.
• Multiple choice (pick one): choose a single option from a list the seller defined.
• Checkboxes (pick any that apply): select one or more options from a list.

Answer honestly and completely. The application is the seller's first impression of you, and thorough, genuine answers are what get applications approved. Submit when you are done.

After you apply

Once you submit, the seller reviews your application.

• If approved: the buy or bid controls unlock on that listing, and you can purchase or bid as normal. For a reservation on a count group, approval moves your reservation forward (see Reserving from a breeder).
• If not approved: the seller may decline, and you are notified. Approval is at the seller's discretion.

A few practical notes: you apply per listing, so applying to one seller does not approve you with another; and an approved application is what clears the way to checkout, where the normal protection applies (your payment is held by Creatures until you confirm delivery). There is also a step-by-step "How to Fill Out a Buyer Application" article in this category.

Related information

• Buying at a fixed price
• Reserving from a breeder: applications and deposits
• Before you bid or buy: verification and payment

Updated on: 23/06/2026