The time has come!
Puppy pick up is Just Around The Corner!!
Puppy contracts and invoices will be sent out via DocuSign for electronic signatures soon. Once you have received it please take some time and review the contract. Please let me know if you have any questions prior to signing the contracts. Please sign the puppy contract as soon as you are comfortable with the contract. We would love to have all contracts signed ahead of time so that there is less to do on puppy go home day.
As soon as we know which puppy you are taking, we will sign our portion of the contract and enter the microchip number to the contract as well. Once both of us have signed the contract with the correct microchip information, DocuSign will email both of us a fully executed contract in a PDF format. It’s super easy!
Puppy pick up is at:
22308 NW 31st Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642
Puppy Pickup:
We are back to doing post COVID group Gotcha Day's. Orientation will usually take 60-90-minute with all families present at one time. We’ve created a PDF file for everyone to review. I am asking that you make sure you have the time to go through this documentation before you pick up the puppy. I am also asking that you PLEASE take the time to read this documentation thoroughly before you email me with any questions. When you start to read through this information please take notes. If you have any questions, I want to answer them for you. The puppy orientation PDF will cover everything that we normally cover at the puppy orientation in our home – minus any questions that come up from families. I’ve tried to include as much as I can think of. And as new questions come up, I go back and add them to this document for future families.
We ask that while you are here if you pick up a puppy please be CAREFUL!! We had a visitor last summer that was standing on concrete holding a puppy and the puppy wiggled and caught them by surprise and landed on his head and got a trip to the ER. Children need to be sitting on the ground if they want to hold the puppies. It’s just too dangerous. Puppies wiggle way too much. I’m happy to work with your children to teach them the proper way to hold a puppy so that they are more confident and aware of the potential dangers involved with having a puppy leap out of their arms.
Puppy Allocation:
We created this questionnaire in order to gain a little insight into what your home life is like. Please be as detailed as you can and give us as much information as you feel we need to help connect you with your future puppy.
We had the privilege of having all of our Australian Labradoodle litters evaluated by Pat Hastings, a world renowned AKC judge prior to her passing a few years ago. She assessed both our Golden Retriever and Australian Labradoodle litters, and the knowledge she shared about structure was invaluable. It was truly a gift to learn from her.
Her guidance played a significant role in establishing Moonlit Acres’ reputation for sound structure. Since her passing, we have carried that legacy forward by teaching structure classes to other breeders. We are honored to share what Pat taught us, with the goal of continually improving our lines—and the breed as a whole—with each thoughtful breeding.
When we choose to retain a puppy or offer one to another breeder, our focus is always on selecting the best overall candidate—prioritizing structure, temperament, and, when the stars align, the cutest one in the litter. By consistently keeping the strongest puppies and pairing them thoughtfully, we continue to improve the quality and structure of future litters.
We begin evaluating each litter a few days before their 8-week birthday. Once we determine which puppies we are holding back as breeding prospects, we move forward with puppy allocation. Some litters surprise us with every puppy being of exceptional breeding quality. Other times, none are suitable for breeding—and often, it falls somewhere in between. It’s important to understand that a puppy not selected for breeding can still make an incredible service dog, therapy companion, or beloved family pet.
A few days before puppies go home, we will take updated photos and personally reach out to each family. Puppy allocation will take place in the order deposits were received. While your input absolutely matters, placement will not be based on appearance alone. Our goal is to match each puppy with the home where they will thrive—not just where they “look” like the right fit.
And just to gently say it—please don’t reach out stating that you only one this one puppy, “the red one with one white paw, a heart on its back, a white-tipped tail, and one blue eye.” (Not that one exists… but you get the idea.)
We never want a family to feel like they are getting a “leftover” puppy—because that simply doesn’t exist here. Every puppy is deeply loved, thoughtfully raised, and full of potential. And truthfully, the puppies have a say too. On rare occasions, a puppy has made it clear a particular match wasn’t right. While that can feel surprising, we honor it. A successful placement is always a two-way connection.
If allocation is completed prior to pick-up, we ask that you take a few minutes to register your puppy’s microchip before arriving. Microchips are only effective if they are registered, and unfortunately, we’ve had many go unregistered over the years.
Your puppy will not leave our home without their microchip being registered. This is a policy we take seriously, as it directly impacts your puppy’s safety. You’ll receive your puppy’s microchip number in your contract, along with instructions for registration. We strongly encourage you to complete this step ahead of time, but if needed, we will provide a computer at pickup. The microchips need to be registered through AKC Reunite. They maintain our contact information as a backup, but the goal is always to have your information connected so your puppy can be returned to you as quickly as possible if ever lost.
We will also provide you with a 30-day free trial of pet insurance through Trupanion. To activate this coverage, you must register within 24 hours of bringing your puppy home. We recommend completing this before leaving, so it doesn’t get overlooked in the excitement. While optional, we strongly encourage keeping insurance for at least the first year. Puppies are curious, a little reckless, and tend to find trouble in creative ways. Between routine vet visits, vaccinations, and unexpected situations, having coverage can make a significant difference.
Puppy pick-up day is something we truly look forward to. It’s the best part of what we do—getting to connect with the families who will love these puppies for a lifetime. You will receive specific pick-up details via group email for your litter. If you are traveling, please let us know your timing so we can coordinate appropriately. For those coming from Oregon, we also offer an option to meet at Jantzen Beach after completing paperwork here. So, if you are coming from Oregon please remind us prior to puppy pickup.
We’ve also created an online shop with essentials to help you prepare. If you would like to send us a Snuggle Puppy or another toy that has your families scent on it we will give the toys to the puppies to play with. The Snuggle Puppy toys usually go in the kennels. And each puppy will go in a different kennel for their daily naps. So, the Snuggle Puppies will get everyone's scent on it. Any toys you purchase can be scented by mom before your puppy goes home, which helps ease the transition.
On that note, we highly recommend a Snuggle Puppy for the first few nights. We begin kennel training early, but the transition home can still be a big adjustment. These comfort items—especially when scented—can make a noticeable difference.
We are truly excited to meet you. These pick-up days are full, a little busy, and a lot of fun.
This page is designed to give you everything you need to feel prepared—so yes… grab a cup of coffee. Or honestly, a whole pot.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
See you soon!
Dana & Marce
Moonlit Acres