Reserving from a breeder: applications and deposits

Some breeders sell from a count group (for example a planned litter or a crop of young animals) and let buyers reserve a spot ahead of time rather than buying a specific animal that is already listed. Reserving combines an application with, in many cases, a refundable deposit. (Breeders set these up from the seller side; see Offer a count group to buyers: applications and reservations.)

Reservation tiers

A breeder can offer reservations at different levels of commitment, so you can express anything from light interest to a firm claim on a specific animal:

• Interest: the lightest tier. You register your interest and apply, so the breeder knows you would like one when they are available. It signals you are in the running without locking either side in.
• Priority: a stronger commitment that puts you ahead in line. You apply and typically place a deposit, and the breeder works through priority reservations in order. This is for buyers who want to be near the front when picks are made.
• Specific: the firmest tier, a reservation for a particular animal. You apply, place a deposit, and once accepted you are matched to that specific animal. This is for when you know exactly which one you want.

The breeder decides which tiers they offer and what each one requires.

The deposit

A deposit is money you put down to hold your reservation. On Creatures, that deposit is handled safely, not paid straight to the breeder:

• Where it sits: your deposit is held securely by Creatures, not released to the breeder when you pay it. It stays held while your reservation is active.
• Refundability: whether a deposit is refundable, and under what conditions, is set by the breeder's policy for that count group. Read the listing's terms before you place a deposit so you know what applies. There is no single platform-wide rule; it is the breeder's stated policy that governs.
• What happens to it at the sale: when your reservation turns into an actual purchase, the deposit is applied to your final balance, so you only pay the remainder of the price (plus the buyer fee). The deposit is not an extra cost on top; it is a down payment that counts toward the total.
• If the reservation is cancelled: depending on the breeder's policy and the stage, a held deposit can be refunded to you. Because it was held rather than handed over, a refund is straightforward when the policy allows it.

How to reserve

You reserve by submitting the breeder's application for the count group, choosing the tier offered, and placing any required deposit. The breeder reviews and accepts reservations, and from there you are kept updated as animals become available. For how the application itself works, see Buyer applications: what they are and how to apply.

Related information

• Buyer applications: what they are and how to apply
• How buying works: payments, held funds, and protection
• Buying at a fixed price

Updated on: 23/06/2026