CHEROKEE FLATS

OFFICIAL SALES & OPERATIONAL POLICIES

Responsible Breeding • Ethical Animal Husbandry • Animal Welfare • Education

 

Welcome to Cherokee Flats!

Cherokee Flats is a privately owned, family-operated breeding farm dedicated to raising healthy, high-quality rabbits, cavies (guinea pigs), and fancy rats.

The health, safety, and well-being of our animals, our family, and our customers are our highest priorities.

To maintain our standards of responsible breeding, ethical animal placement, farm biosecurity, and professional business practices, all purchases, appointments, and transactions are governed by the following policies.

By submitting a Prospective Buyer Application, making a payment, or proceeding with a purchase, you acknowledge that you have read and understand these policies.

 

 

SECTION 1: BUYER ELIGIBILITY & HOUSEHOLD AGE REQUIREMENTS

Mandatory Age Policy — Pet Purchases Only

CHEROKEE FLATS DOES NOT SELL PET ANIMALS TO HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF SIX (6). NO EXCEPTIONS.

This policy applies to rabbits, cavies (guinea pigs), and fancy rats purchased for companionship or designated as PET ONLY.

This age restriction does not automatically apply to animals purchased for legitimate breeding or show purposes. However, all breeding and show purchases remain subject to our application process, buyer qualifications, housing requirements, and final approval.

Why We Have This Policy

While rabbits, cavies, and fancy rats can make wonderful companions, they are living animals with specific handling requirements and natural defensive behaviors.

  1. Child Safety: Small animals may bite, scratch, or kick when frightened, stressed, or handled improperly. These reactions can cause serious injuries, particularly to young children.

  2. Animal Safety: Young children may unintentionally squeeze, drop, restrain, or otherwise injure an animal.

  3. Developmental Readiness: Children under six are still developing the coordination, impulse control, and understanding necessary to consistently interact safely with small animals.

  4. Responsible Placement: As ethical breeders, we have a responsibility to consider the safety and well-being of both our animals and the households purchasing them.

Our household age policy is intended to protect children and animals. It is not a judgment of anyone's parenting abilities or intentions.

Mandatory Disclosure of Children in the Household

All prospective buyers purchasing an animal designated as PET ONLY must accurately disclose the ages of ALL children under 18 years of age residing in the household.

This includes children residing in the home full-time or part-time, including shared-custody arrangements.

FAILURE TO DISCLOSE ALL CHILDREN AND THEIR ACCURATE AGES, OR INTENTIONALLY PROVIDING FALSE OR MISLEADING HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION, IS A SERIOUS VIOLATION OF CHEROKEE FLATS' SALES & OPERATIONAL POLICIES.

Violations may result in:

  1. Immediate Application Denial: Pending applications may be denied without further consideration.

  2. Cancellation of Sale: If undisclosed children or inaccurate household information are discovered before the animal leaves Cherokee Flats, the sale may be canceled immediately.

  3. Forfeiture of Payments: Payments are subject to our non-refundable payment policy and applicable law.

  4. Required Return of Animal: If the violation is discovered after placement, Cherokee Flats may require the animal's return under the signed Sales Agreement and applicable law.

  5. Permanent Purchase Restrictions: Buyers who intentionally misrepresent household information may be placed on Cherokee Flats' permanent Do Not Sell list.

Additional Buyer Requirements

  1. Adult Purchaser Required: All purchases must be completed by an individual at least 18 years old.

  2. Adult Ownership Does Not Exempt Pet Purchases: A pet animal cannot be purchased for a household with children under six simply by stating that the animal belongs exclusively to an adult.

  3. Pet Application Denial: Applications identifying children under six residing in the household will be denied.

  4. Breeding & Show Purchases: Legitimate breeding and show buyers are not automatically disqualified by the household age restriction. However, Cherokee Flats reserves the right to evaluate experience, intended use, housing arrangements, and the ability to provide responsible animal care.

  5. Misrepresentation of Purchase Purpose: Applicants who intentionally misrepresent a pet purchase as a breeding or show purchase to circumvent this policy may be denied and permanently disqualified from future purchases.

Families who do not currently meet our pet placement requirements are welcome to seek educational guidance and may submit a new application when their household becomes eligible.

 

 

SECTION 2: SPECIES & PURCHASING POLICIES

Shipping & Transportation

WE DO NOT SHIP LIVE ANIMALS. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Approved Ground Transportation: Cherokee Flats may coordinate with approved ground transporters for rabbits and cavies. All arrangements, transportation fees, and related responsibilities belong to the buyer and must be approved in advance.

Fancy Rats: All fancy rats must be picked up in person at Cherokee Flats. Ground transportation is not permitted.

Animal Availability & Pricing

First-Come, First-Served: Available animals are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to our application, reservation, and payment requirements.

Pricing: Prices may change as animals mature and their quality, development, and characteristics become more apparent.

Right to Refuse Sale: Cherokee Flats reserves the right to refuse or discontinue a sale when permitted by applicable law, including when our placement requirements are not met.

Gift Purchases

Cherokee Flats does not sell animals intended as surprise gifts or holiday presents.

This includes Easter, Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, and other holidays or special occasions.

Animals are living beings requiring daily care, financial commitment, and long-term responsibility. They should never be treated as disposable or seasonal gifts.

Animal Sex Identification

Despite our best efforts, determining the sex of young rabbits can be difficult.

Cherokee Flats does not guarantee the sex of rabbits sold before 10 weeks of age.

Breeding & Show Animals

Cherokee Flats does not guarantee that an animal will win, place, or earn awards at any exhibition, produce offspring, or achieve a particular breeding or show outcome.

 

 

SECTION 3: PET-ONLY ANIMAL POLICIES

Pet-Only Definition

Animals designated as PET ONLY are sold strictly for companionship.

Pet-only animals:

  1. May not be used for breeding.

  2. May not be entered in competitive shows.

  3. Do not include pedigree documentation.

Mandatory Household Age Requirement

PET-ONLY ANIMALS WILL NOT BE SOLD TO HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN UNDER SIX (6) YEARS OF AGE, REGARDLESS OF WHICH ADULT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ANIMAL. NO EXCEPTIONS.

This requirement applies to all pet-only rabbits, cavies, and fancy rats sold by Cherokee Flats.

All pet-only buyers must disclose the ages of every child under 18 residing in the household, including children residing there part-time.

Failure to provide complete and accurate household information may result in immediate application denial, cancellation of the sale, forfeiture of payments where legally permitted, or a required return of the animal under the signed Sales Agreement and applicable law.

Single-Rabbit Limit for Pet Homes

Cherokee Flats sells only one rabbit to a pet-only household.

We do not sell multiple rabbits to pet-only homes, and exceptions will not be granted.

Required Documentation

All pet-only purchases require the following documents to be completed, signed, and returned before the animal leaves Cherokee Flats:

  1. Prospective Animal Buyers Application
  2. Purchase Agreement.
  3. Risk Acknowledgment.

Failure to complete and return the required documentation before the scheduled pickup appointment may result in cancellation of the appointment and forfeiture of payments as specified in the signed agreement and permitted by applicable law.

Buyer Acknowledgment & Compliance

By purchasing a pet-only animal from Cherokee Flats, the buyer confirms that:

  1. All household information provided is complete and accurate.

  2. No children under six years of age reside in the household.

  3. The animal is being purchased for companionship only.

  4. The buyer understands and agrees to Cherokee Flats' pet placement requirements.

  5. The buyer understands that intentional misrepresentation may result in cancellation of the sale, forfeiture of payments where legally permitted, a required return of the animal where legally enforceable, and permanent disqualification from future purchases.

 

 

SECTION 4: PAYMENT, APPOINTMENTS, CANCELLATIONS & FEES

Payment in Full Required

ALL ANIMALS MUST BE PAID IN FULL BEFORE A PICKUP APPOINTMENT WILL BE SCHEDULED OR CONFIRMED.

This applies to pet, breeding, and show animals.

No animal will leave Cherokee Flats until all required payments and documentation have been completed.

Non-Refundable Payment Policy

ALL MONEY PAID TO CHEROKEE FLATS IS NON-REFUNDABLE. ALL SALES AND PAYMENTS ARE FINAL, SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW.

This policy applies to:

  1. Reservation fees and deposits.

  2. Waitlist fees, if applicable.

  3. Partial payments and payment installments.

  4. Full animal purchase payments.

  5. Appointment-related fees.

  6. Any other payments associated with an animal purchase or reservation.

NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED FOR BUYER-REQUESTED CANCELLATIONS, CHANGES OF MIND, FAILURE TO MEET PURCHASE REQUIREMENTS, VIOLATIONS OF OUR SALES POLICIES, OR INTENTIONAL MISREPRESENTATION, EXCEPT WHERE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

Sale Cancellation & Payment Forfeiture

If Cherokee Flats cancels a sale due to a buyer's violation of our policies, including failure to disclose children in the household, providing false information, or misrepresenting the intended purpose of an animal purchase:

  1. The sale may be canceled immediately.

  2. All payments already made to Cherokee Flats will be retained to the extent permitted by applicable law and the signed Sales Agreement.

  3. No animal will be released until all applicable requirements have been satisfied.

  4. The buyer may be permanently disqualified from future purchases.

If a violation is discovered after the animal has been placed, Cherokee Flats may seek its return under the signed Sales Agreement and applicable law. Any payment forfeiture or refund obligations will be determined under those terms.

Cherokee Flats-Initiated Sale Cancellations & Payment Transfers

Although rare, unforeseen circumstances may occasionally prevent Cherokee Flats from completing the sale of a particular animal.

These circumstances may include:

  1. Death of the Animal: The animal passes away before transfer to the buyer.

  2. Illness or Health Concerns: The animal develops an illness, injury, or other health condition that makes it unsuitable for sale.

  3. Other Farm-Related Circumstances: An unforeseen issue arising on Cherokee Flats' end prevents fulfillment of the original purchase agreement.

In these situations, Cherokee Flats will notify the buyer as soon as reasonably possible.

If Cherokee Flats cancels a sale due to the death, illness, injury, or another issue arising on our end, eligible payments previously made toward that animal will be transferred as a credit toward another available animal, subject to applicable law.

Payment Transfer Conditions

  1. Payment Credit: The amount paid toward the original animal will be credited toward another animal.

  2. Animal Selection: The buyer may select another available animal, subject to Cherokee Flats' approval and purchasing requirements.

  3. Price Differences: If the replacement animal costs more, the buyer must pay the difference. If it costs less, any remaining credit will be retained for a future eligible purchase, subject to applicable law.

  4. Future Availability: If no suitable animal is immediately available, the credit may be applied toward a future animal purchase.

  5. Buyer Eligibility: All replacement purchases remain subject to Cherokee Flats' existing sales policies.

Exclusions — Buyer Cancellations & Policy Violations

THIS PAYMENT TRANSFER POLICY DOES NOT APPLY TO CANCELLATIONS CAUSED BY THE BUYER OR VIOLATIONS OF CHEROKEE FLATS' SALES & OPERATIONAL POLICIES.

Examples include:

  1. A buyer changing their mind.

  2. Failure to disclose children residing in the household or providing inaccurate ages.

  3. Attempting to purchase a pet-only animal for a household with children under six.

  4. Providing false or misleading application information.

  5. Misrepresenting the intended purpose of an animal purchase.

  6. Failure to complete required documentation.

  7. Other buyer-initiated cancellations or policy violations.

In these circumstances, payments will not be transferred to another animal, credited toward future purchases, or refunded, except where required by applicable law.

Appointment Scheduling

  1. Pickup appointments are offered on designated days and times only.

  2. Appointments are scheduled in 30-minute increments.

  3. Appointment requests are not guaranteed.

  4. An appointment is confirmed only after the buyer receives an official confirmation email from Cherokee Flats.

  5. Incomplete appointment requests may be denied.

Late Arrival Fee — $40.00

Buyers arriving more than 10 minutes after their scheduled appointment time will be assessed a $40.00 late arrival fee.

This fee applies even when the buyer has communicated that they will be late.

The fee must be paid in full before the purchased animal may leave the property.

Rescheduling or Cancellation Fee — $50.00

Buyers who request cancellation or rescheduling less than 24 hours before their confirmed appointment will be assessed a $50.00 fee.

An invoice will be issued upon notification, with payment due immediately.

No-Show Fee — $150.00

A buyer who fails to attend a confirmed appointment without prior communication will be assessed a $150.00 no-show fee.

Payment is due within 24 hours of invoice receipt.

Failure to comply may result in disqualification from future purchases and placement on our internal Do Not Sell list.

All fees and payment obligations are subject to the applicable purchase agreement and governing law.

 

 

SECTION 5: FARM ACCESS, PRIVATE PROPERTY & BIOSECURITY

Cherokee Flats is a private family residence and working breeding farm.

Our property is not a public petting zoo, retail storefront, or walk-in animal facility.

Closed-Farm Biosecurity Policy

CHEROKEE FLATS OPERATES AS A CLOSED FARM.

To protect our animals from infectious diseases, parasites, environmental contamination, and unnecessary stress:

  1. We do not offer casual farm tours.

  2. We do not permit visits to browse or handle available animals.

  3. Visits are limited to confirmed pickup appointments or other visits expressly authorized by Cherokee Flats.

  4. Customers may access only designated areas of the property.

Unannounced Visits

NO UNANNOUNCED VISITS ARE PERMITTED.

Individuals arriving without a confirmed appointment will be asked to leave.

Restroom Facilities

Customer restroom facilities are not available.

Visitors should use public facilities in nearby LeRoy or Farmer City, Illinois, before arriving.

Outside Animals & Service Animals

To protect farm biosecurity:

  1. Customers may not bring personal pets or other outside animals onto the property, including animals left inside parked vehicles.

  2. Emotional Support Animals are not permitted under the general pet policy.

  3. Trained service animals will be accommodated as required by applicable law. Please notify Cherokee Flats in advance when possible so appropriate biosecurity arrangements can be discussed.

Alcohol & Illegal Substances

Alcohol consumption and the possession or use of illegal drugs are prohibited on Cherokee Flats property.

Violations may result in termination of the appointment, removal from the property, and contact with law enforcement when appropriate.

 

 

SECTION 6: ANIMAL SURRENDER & REHOMING

Cherokee Flats Is Not an Animal Rescue or Surrender Facility

Cherokee Flats is a privately owned breeding farm, not an animal shelter, rescue organization, or public surrender facility.

We do not accept general requests to surrender unwanted animals.

This includes animals acquired elsewhere or purchased impulsively for holidays, children, or special occasions.

Rehoming Responsibilities

Animal ownership is a long-term commitment.

Buyers are expected to carefully evaluate their ability to provide suitable housing, nutrition, veterinary care, and daily attention before purchasing.

If circumstances change, owners remain responsible for arranging appropriate and humane care or rehoming.

Any return provisions specifically included in a signed Cherokee Flats Sales Agreement will be handled according to that agreement.

 

 

SECTION 7: EDUCATION & RESPONSIBLE OWNERSHIP

Cherokee Flats believes education is an essential part of ethical animal breeding and placement.

We encourage all prospective buyers to thoroughly research the species they intend to purchase before submitting an application.

A Note About Online Information

PLEASE DO NOT RELY EXCLUSIVELY ON INFORMATION FOUND ONLINE OR ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

While the internet can be a useful educational resource, not all information shared by websites, social media influencers, rescue organizations, or other individuals is accurate or appropriate.

Some recommendations, even when shared with good intentions, may be misleading or potentially harmful to an animal's health and well-being.

We encourage prospective owners to consult knowledgeable, reputable, ethical breeders with practical husbandry experience and veterinarians experienced with the species.

Our Commitment to Education

Even when a household does not currently qualify to purchase an animal, Cherokee Flats welcomes appropriate questions about responsible animal ownership.

We are happy to help prospective owners better understand:

  1. Appropriate housing and enclosure requirements.

  2. Safe handling and animal behavior.

  3. Nutrition and feeding practices.

  4. Temperature regulation and ventilation.

  5. Cleaning, sanitation, and daily husbandry.

  6. Preparing a safe, suitable home environment.

OUR GOAL IS NOT SIMPLY TO SELL ANIMALS. IT IS TO HELP ENSURE THAT EVERY ANIMAL WE RAISE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE A HEALTHY, SAFE, AND WELL-CARED-FOR LIFE.

 

 

SECTION 8: POLICY UPDATES & GENERAL DISCLAIMER

Policy Modifications

Cherokee Flats reserves the right to revise, update, or modify its operational and sales policies as necessary.

Updated policies will be published as soon as reasonably possible.

Changes affecting existing signed agreements will be handled in accordance with those agreements and applicable law.

Farm Operations & Communication

Cherokee Flats is a privately owned, family-operated working farm and residence.

Our schedules may be affected by animal care responsibilities, family obligations, emergencies, weather, or other unforeseen circumstances.

We appreciate your patience and understanding.

When contacting Cherokee Flats by email, telephone, or text message, please provide a detailed message.

Our standard response time is within two business days, excluding family emergencies or unexpected closures.

 

 

SECTION 9: FINAL POLICY ACKNOWLEDGMENT

By submitting an application, making a payment, or proceeding with an animal purchase, prospective buyers acknowledge that they have reviewed and understand the Cherokee Flats Sales & Operational Policies.

Buyers further acknowledge that:

  1. All application information must be truthful, accurate, and complete.

  2. Pet-only animals will not be sold to households with children under six years of age.

  3. All children under 18 residing in the household must be disclosed for pet-only purchases.

  4. All payments are intended to be final and non-refundable, subject to applicable law.

  5. Policy violations may result in application denial, cancellation of the sale, forfeiture of payments where legally permitted, or a required return of the animal under an enforceable agreement.

  6. Cancellations arising from qualifying issues on Cherokee Flats' end may result in payment credits toward another animal, subject to applicable law.

  7. Compliance with all applicable purchase requirements is mandatory.

PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT AN APPLICATION OR SEND PAYMENT UNLESS YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREED TO ALL CHEROKEE FLATS SALES & OPERATIONAL POLICIES.

 

 

CHEROKEE FLATS

Responsible Breeding • Ethical Animal Husbandry • Animal Welfare • Education

Website:
https://www.cherokeeflats.com

Purchase Procedures:
https://www.cherokeeflats.com/purchase-procedure

Prospective Buyer Application:
https://www.cherokeeflats.com/available-animals/cherokee-flats-prospective-buyer-application

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