Thank you for your interest in our Labradors.  As dedicated, licensed breeders, we at Rayneriver Kennels strive to produce English-type Labrador Retrievers of the highest quality for show, obedience, field and devoted family companions.  We promise to do our very best to provide you with a beautiful, healthy, happy puppy that is not only sound in mind and body, but exemplifies true breed type and correct temperament --- in accordance to the breed standard.  The Lord is at the centre of everything we do here at Rayneriver.  We are thankful for these gifts our awesome God has given us to serve Him and meet the needs of others. And, because we feel a need to give something back and share God's blessing in our lives with the less fortunate in our community, from each one of our puppy sales we will make a donation to Saloam Mission ~ a Winnipeg-based, Christian humanitarian agency which offers programs and services at no cost to those people experiencing poverty and homelessness.

We’re so glad you found us!  Now that you have, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with some of our policies, as outlined below.  All of our puppy clients are interviewed well in advance of the time they receive their puppy.  The process by which you may acquire a Rayneriver Labrador is as follows:

First, contact us to let us know you are interested in a puppy. 

• We welcome your inquiries, and are happy to provide you with general information about the Labrador Retriever breed if required and answer any questions you may have.  This all starts with an e-mail or phone call.  If you are interested in purchasing a puppy from us, in your e-mail please include background information on yourself, your lifestyle, location (yes, we can arrange shipping), and previous pet experiences.  Be sure to also list the family activities you expect the dog to take part in.  This type of information would assist us in choosing a puppy that will suit your needs.  Note that we occasionally have older pups and adults to place.

Now that we have initially “met”, we can e-mail our Puppy Inquiry Package, which contains further information regarding a current or upcoming unborn litter.

• Included in this package is an informational letter, pictures of the parents, pedigree and a draft copy of our Purchase Agreement.  We will also attach our Deposit Agreement, which outlines details of your deposit.  If we do not have any puppies available at the time, we can place you on our waiting list, or we can direct you to several of our reputable breeder friends who may have what you are looking for.

Once you have looked over the above litter information, please fill out our Puppy Questionnaire.

• The true joy in my being a dog breeder has been to place puppies in the wonderful homes they now live in, see the happiness they bring to their new families and make lasting friendships with many of the owners.  With that being said, we need to know a little more about you and where the dog will be living, etc.  As mentioned, we certainly welcome your questions as well!  If you wish to start the process, you have the option of filling out our prospective puppy/dog owner questionnaire.  There are no right/wrong answers....it is simply a tool used to assist me in getting to know you and to help all of us come to a mutual agreement on the type of puppy that will be best for you.  I also use it to assess what additional information you may require in order for you and your puppy to get off to a good start.  If you prefer to talk over the telephone, that's okay, too!  We’ll need to know your phone number, along with the best time of day for us to call you.  This is the first step toward having a puppy held for you.

You will then be notified by telephone if you are accepted as a prospective owner of a Rayneriver Labrador.

• We take our role as breeders seriously and are responsible for the puppies we produce.  The well-being of the puppies is of the utmost importance.  They deserve the best homes we can find --- homes where they will be loved and cared for and respected.  After we have had an opportunity to review your completed questionnaire and measured how well you meet our criteria of being responsible, caring and considerate owners, we will attempt to conduct a brief telephone interview at a time that is convenient for you.

After you have been given the go-ahead to reserve your puppy, at this point we require a deposit.

• No puppy/dog will be considered reserved until a deposit is received.  Your deposit is non-refundable.  Please review our Deposit Agreement carefully.  You can then complete, sign and mail this contract along with deposit to us (cheques can be made payable to me, Lesley Bailey).  The order in which you will be allowed to pick is determined by the order in which your name appears on our waiting list.  Show puppies and those going to breeders’ homes take precedent over pet puppies.  And if we are retaining a puppy or two from the litter for our breeding program, we reserve the right to make a final decision when the pups are 6 or 7 weeks old.  We attempt to evaluate each puppy’s temperament through aptitude tests performed at age 49 days --- right before they go to their new homes.  The results of such testing, combined with our daily observations and interactions with the puppies, enable us to identify the right puppy for the right new family.  Each puppy, like people, is an individual and has a personality of its own.

If, at any time during the steps listed above (or afterward) you would like to come out for a visit to meet our dogs, we can certainly arrange a meeting in person.

• We would love to have you stop in for a chat and a tour of our "farm"!  Coffee is always on!  Our daughter loves introducing the dogs and showing all of the tricks they know.  There are no kennel dogs here at Rayneriver.  It’s just how we prefer things.  We usually only have three dogs here at any given time; the rest that we wish to incorporate into our breeding program go out on foster arrangements and live with other families.  Because we are a young, active family and our dogs are such a part of our lives, we enjoy taking them with us on family outings and trips to the lake, etc.  Of course they enjoy it also!  If you are interested in learning more about the Foster Program here at Rayneriver, ask about it.  References are available upon request.

Now that you have chosen your puppy, we can complete the sale by way of a written Purchase Agreement.

• Before a puppy leaves for his new home, Rayneriver Kennels has the owner sign a Purchase Agreement in the event that a problem or health concern should arise.  This written contract, which identifies the puppy, clearly outlines our responsibilities as breeders, as well as our expectations of the new owner.  Ensure that you have carefully read, understand and agree to the terms and conditions contained therein, and ask any questions BEFORE YOU SIGN.  We will set up a date and time that is convenient for both of us.  Before you take your puppy home, however, be prepared to spend an hour or two with us going over the contents of the Puppy Care Kit we have provided, as well as information on feeding, health care and vaccinations, training tips and housebreaking, plus any other information we deem necessary.  Don’t forget a crate, adjustable nylon collar and leash for the ride home!  For those clients whom require shipping, not to worry, we will send the documentation out to you at that time.

At this time, we can ship puppies anywhere in North America.

• Flights will be arranged in advance by Rayneriver Kennels.  Most domestic airline flights cost between $100 and $200 on average, depending upon destination and the combined weight of pet (10-20 pound puppy) and airline-approved kennel (7 pounds for a small kennel and 15 pounds for a medium size).  A small kennel costs between $40-$47 and should be sufficient for an 8 week-old puppy.  The puppies have to be a certain age before the airlines will accept them (8 weeks or older).  We also have to get a note from our vet stating that the pup is fit for travel.  The cost to obtain this health certificate, which is required by all airlines, is approximately $45.  All charges related to shipping are the responsibility of the buyer, and must be pre-paid at the time of booking.  Note that some carriers do not have cargo drop off in every city, so you may have to pick up your puppy at the nearest major airport.

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the following policies/procedures:

• Visitation of puppies will only be allowed (by appointment) after the puppies receive their first set of vaccinations at 6 weeks of age.  This is to help eliminate the risk of infecting puppies from any diseases that can be brought in from the outside.  We certainly permit earlier visits with the dam (and sire, if owned by us), but do ask that you wear freshly laundered clothes/clean shoes and do not visit any other kennels, pet stores or places where there could be unvaccinated dogs prior to coming to Rayneriver.  Puppies shall be handled at the discretion of the Breeder only and it is important that the mother and puppies are treated kindly and carefully.  Children are welcome, but their parents must maintain careful supervision.
• We sell all of our pet puppies on Canadian Kennel Club Non-Breeding Agreements.  This means that your dog shall not be used for breeding purposes --- either purposely or accidentally.  If so, none of the offspring will be eligible for registration with the CKC, nor may they be represented as purebred.  We do require that you have your companion animal spayed or neutered by one year of age.  This will stop many future problems and may give your pet a longer and healthier life.
• You will have a health guarantee extending 72 hours after purchase, during which time you are encouraged to have the puppy checked by a licensed veterinarian of your choice.  We will replace any puppy returned within 72 hours of the sale, providing a written certificate of non-health from a qualified veterinarian accompanies the puppy.  If a replacement pup is not available, the full amount of the purchase price will be refunded.
• It is a requirement that the terms of our Purchase Agreement and guarantee be adhered to in its entirety.
• If for some reason you cannot keep the dog, we will be notified before any action to sell or otherwise dispose of the dog is taken.  We hold the right of the first refusal to reclaim the dog or assist in relocating the dog to a suitable home.  This dog MAY NOT be sold, given or ownership transferred in any way by you or your estate/executors to a third party without the Breeder’s knowledge and expressed written consent.  AT NO TIME will this dog be surrendered to a shelter or humane society.

Once again, thank you for your interest in our puppies!  Blessings on you!

Warm regards,

Lesley & Kevin Bailey & Family
& All of the Labradors here at Rayneriver!