JK Homegrown Returns, Rehoming, and Breeder Take-Back Policy
Last updated: August 30, 2026
Purpose
Return and rehoming options differ by species because biosecurity risk, housing capacity, conservation value, health-testing requirements, and safe placement needs are not the same for every animal.
This policy explains which animals may be considered for voluntary surrender, which animals cannot return to the property, what assistance JK Homegrown may offer, and what must happen before any approved return.
Scope
Breeder take-back and voluntary-surrender options under this policy are limited to animals originally sold or placed by JK Homegrown unless a more specific written policy applies.
Animals obtained from another farm or breeder may be considered only through limited, case-by-case rescue assistance. JK Homegrown does not guarantee that it can accept, transport, house, or place an animal from another source.
Pomeranian geese produced by JK Homegrown and their descendants are governed by the separate Pomeranian Goose Stewardship and Return Policy.
Livestock guardian dogs are governed by the separate Livestock Guardian Placement Policy and the individual dog's written placement agreement.
Voluntary Surrender Is Not a Buyback
When JK Homegrown agrees to take back an animal, the return is a voluntary surrender rather than a buyback. Acceptance does not create a right to a refund, farm credit, replacement, or other compensation.
Ownership transfers to JK Homegrown when the voluntary surrender is completed. JK Homegrown then determines the animal's care, placement, breeding use, processing, or other appropriate disposition.
No return is guaranteed. Acceptance depends on available space, current farm conditions, biosecurity, testing results, transportation, the animal's condition, and JK Homegrown's ability to manage the animal safely.
Chickens, Quail, and Other Gamebirds
Chickens, quail, and other gamebirds cannot physically return to JK Homegrown after leaving the property because of biosecurity.
The buyer remains responsible for the animal's ongoing care and responsible disposition, including unwanted males.
JK Homegrown may provide rehoming suggestions or offer limited placement help case by case, but assistance and successful placement are never guaranteed. JK Homegrown may also teach the owner how to process unwanted birds humanely.
Ducks
Ducks from a conservation breed may be considered for voluntary surrender case by case if JK Homegrown has capacity and all return requirements are met.
Other ducks cannot physically return to the property and follow the same no-return rule as chickens, quail, and gamebirds. JK Homegrown may provide suggestions, limited case-by-case placement assistance, or humane-processing instruction.
Geese
Geese from a conservation breed may be considered for voluntary surrender if JK Homegrown has capacity and all return requirements are met. A return is not guaranteed and is not a buyback.
Pomeranian geese and their descendants follow the separate Pomeranian Goose Stewardship and Return Policy, which provides the more specific conservation pathway for those birds.
Geese that do not qualify for a conservation return cannot physically return unless JK Homegrown expressly agrees to accept the individual bird under a separate case-by-case rescue arrangement.
Sheep
JK Homegrown may accept the voluntary surrender of a sheep originally sold or placed by JK Homegrown if the farm has capacity and the sheep completes all required health testing.
The surrender is not a buyback and does not qualify for a refund or compensation.
Rabbits
JK Homegrown may accept the voluntary surrender of a rabbit originally sold or placed by JK Homegrown if the farm has capacity and the rabbit completes all required health testing.
The surrender is not a buyback and does not qualify for a refund or compensation.
Future Non-Poultry Livestock
Future non-poultry livestock originally sold or placed by JK Homegrown may be considered for voluntary surrender if the farm has capacity and the animal completes all required health testing.
The surrender is not a buyback and does not qualify for a refund or compensation.
Definition of Conservation Breed
For this policy, a conservation breed is a breed or species classified as Critical or Threatened on The Livestock Conservancy's current Conservation Priority List when return assistance is requested.
Breeds classified as Watch, Recovering, or Study do not receive the conservation-breed return exception unless another written JK Homegrown policy applies.
Requesting a Voluntary Surrender
The owner must contact JK Homegrown before transporting or attempting to return any animal.
JK Homegrown will review the animal's origin, species, breed, condition, available records, reason for surrender, current location, farm capacity, transportation needs, and applicable testing requirements before deciding whether a return can be considered.
An initial discussion does not constitute acceptance. A return is approved only when JK Homegrown expressly confirms acceptance and all required conditions have been completed.
Health Testing Before Return
Every animal considered for physical return must complete the health testing selected by JK Homegrown before entering the property.
The animal remains with the current owner while testing is completed. JK Homegrown chooses the required tests, collects the required samples, and ships the samples to the state laboratory for processing.
If the animal passes the required testing and the voluntary surrender is completed, JK Homegrown pays 50% of the approved testing fees and the current owner is responsible for the remaining 50%.
Passing the required tests does not override a later biosecurity or capacity concern. JK Homegrown may still decline or postpone the return if farm conditions change before transfer.
Failed Health Testing
If the animal fails the required health testing, the current owner is responsible for the full testing cost.
The animal cannot enter JK Homegrown's livestock areas. After prior arrangements are made, the animal may be transferred directly to JK Homegrown for humane processing.
JK Homegrown does not charge the owner for processing and retains the meat. Depending on the test result and whether consumption is safe and lawful, the animal may be processed for human food, dog food, or neither.
Transportation
The current owner is responsible for delivering an approved animal or paying the transportation costs unless JK Homegrown is able and agrees to facilitate transportation.
Transportation assistance is never guaranteed. All timing, meeting locations, carriers, and other arrangements must be approved before the animal is moved.
No animal may be brought to or left at JK Homegrown without prior express approval.
Rehoming and Placement Assistance
When JK Homegrown cannot accept an animal, the farm may offer suggestions or limited assistance locating another responsible placement.
JK Homegrown does not guarantee that a suitable home will be found, that a prospective placement will accept the animal, or that placement can be completed within a particular period.
The current owner remains responsible for the animal's housing, care, safety, expenses, and lawful disposition until an actual transfer is completed.
Unauthorized Drop-Off and Abandonment
Bringing or leaving livestock or poultry at JK Homegrown without prior express approval is considered abandonment. The property is monitored by security cameras, and an unauthorized drop-off may be documented and reported to the appropriate authorities.
An abandoned animal creates an immediate biosecurity risk. Abandoned livestock or poultry will be isolated and may be humanely slaughtered or euthanized as promptly as biosecurity needs and applicable law permit. No compensation will be provided.
JK Homegrown reserves the right to pursue the person responsible for the full reasonable cost of health testing the affected JK Homegrown flock or herd, along with containment, biosecurity, disposal, property damage, and other documented losses caused by the abandonment.
This immediate livestock-processing rule does not apply to an abandoned dog. Dogs are handled under the applicable livestock guardian placement policy, animal-control procedures, and law.
Relationship to Sales and Health-Claim Policies
A voluntary surrender or rehoming request is different from a timely health claim under the General Livestock Sales and Placement Policy.
Returning or rehoming an animal because the buyer no longer wants it, cannot keep it, or cannot use it for the intended purpose does not create a refund, replacement, or health-claim remedy.
When an individual written agreement or species-specific policy contains more specific terms, the more specific terms apply.