Cowboy and Cruiser are brothers, from the same litter. Bump was from the same breeder, but 2 different sets of parents.
If Bump had been returned, it would have been my choice, my money back, or another kitten, or a kitten from a future litter.
When I kept Bump, it then became the breeders choice, my money back, or another kitten, or a kitten from a future litter.
She offered me, what I wanted to do. I asked for a future kitten, a very specific kitten. It took 2 yrs before he showed up. She called me one day, and said he is here, he is the only one in the litter like that, other people want him, but I promised him to you, come get him when he is 8 weeks old. That was Cowboy.
When I picked him up, she said pick out another kitten too, that was Cruiser.
When I got ready to leave, she handed me some money, towards Bump's vet bills, she didn't have to do that, she didn't have to give me 2 kittens. She really only owed me one kitten, because thats the choice I made.
When I had to put Bump down, she said, when you are ready, you can have another kitten.
I requested a very very specific kitten, she doesn't think he will ever show up, I know he will. Took 2 yrs before Cowboy showed up, but he showed up, and he was the only one in the litter like that.
She was beyond compassionate and supportive and helpful. She really only owed me one kitten, she gave me two and is giving me another one.
I call her every year, on Bump's birthday, on the kittens birthday, told her I had to put Smokey down. She asked if I wanted a kitten now, or wait for "him", I said I wanted to wait for him, he "will" show up.
The kittens had their "birthday dinner" when mommy got home from worky at midnight, baby foodies mixed with their dry and water.
depends on what the contract says, and each contract is different, people have to read and understand it, for a "what if" situation, and/or negotiate ahead of time, with the breeder.