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# Offering a count group to buyers

Use a **Count group** when buyers are choosing from an upcoming litter, hatch, or crop before every individual animal has its own profile. It lets you manage a number of expected places first, then connect each approved buyer to the right animal later.

## Open the group to buyers

1. Open the count group and select **Settings**.
2. Under **Public profile**, turn on **Visible to buyers**.
3. Choose the **Public step** that matches the group, such as **Planned**, **Expected**, or **Applications open**.
4. Resolve any readiness messages, then select **Save changes**. Use **Open** to check the buyer-facing page.

Keep the expected dates, description, and count accurate. A public page should distinguish animals already here from a planned litter or hatch.

## Review applications

Open the group's **Applications** tab, or find it through **Dashboard > Applications > Groups**. Read each buyer's answers and follow up about care or timing before choosing **Accept application**, **Move to waitlist**, or **Reject**.

Acceptance is not payment or ownership of an individual animal. Interest, priority, and specific-match reservations represent different stages of commitment; check the reservation status on the application instead of assuming every accepted buyer has paid.

![Accepted group application with its reservation and deposit status](https://cdn-test.creatures.com/f2e/a40/a8e/14b42.png)

## Move toward a reservation

Use **Reservations open** when accepted buyers should be able to place deposits. That step also needs a deposit amount and policy; follow the litter-deposit guide before inviting payment.

![Count group visibility with Reservations open selected](https://cdn-test.creatures.com/ba5/a17/57f/96164.png)

When individual animals are ready, match the reservation to the correct profile. Confirm the buyer, animal, deposit credit, remaining balance, and handoff plan before final payment. Do not reduce the group's actual headcount simply because a buyer reserves a place: a reservation and an animal leaving the group are different events.

A program waitlist is for interest in your whole breeding program before a group exists. Use that earlier step when you are not ready to offer a particular litter or hatch.

### Related information

- [Taking deposits on babies from a litter](https://help.creatures.com/en/article/taking-deposits-on-babies-from-a-litter-8k2tl5/)
- [Reviewing and approving buyer applications](https://help.creatures.com/en/article/reviewing-and-approving-buyer-applications-7cxop5/)
- [Opening your program to applications and running a waitlist](https://help.creatures.com/en/article/opening-your-program-to-applications-and-running-a-waitlist-xs6rr7/)