Dogs and Cats Can Be Lemons,Too

How much is that puppy in the window? It could be a lot more than the price the store clerk quotes. Unfortunately, the odds of getting a sick animal from a pet store are extremely high, but this information is not enough to stop the caring person who has fallen in love from making the purchase. In fact, some people believe they are rescuing the dog or cat.

Several states, California included, decided to protect the buyer rather than trying to police the sellers. This approach is similar to the laws that give car buyers protection and allows them to get a refund or a new car if the one they purchased turns out to be a lemon.

California Law is said to be the hardest on sellers of unhealthy dogs and cats. It does not apply to hobby breeders or nonprofit animal shelters. It applies to anyone who sells more than 50 dogs or cats per year. It allows 15 days to determine if there is contagious or infectious disease and one full year to discover hereditary defects. If there is a failure to produce the advertised registration papers within 120 days, you can return the animals for a full refund.

Here is some of the fine print of the Lemon Law for dogs and cats:

• Failure to Provide Registration Papers within 120 Days: Most people could not return the pup who has become a family member, so if you want to keep the pet without the papers, you are eligible to receive a refund of 75% of the purchase price.

• Replacement: You can get a replacement dog and also be reimbursed for the veterinary expenses you incurred to have the dog’s illness treated up to the purchase price of the dog.

• Refund: You can get a refund for the purchase price of the dog and be reimbursed for the veterinary expenses to have the dog’s illness certified up to the purchase price of the dog.

• Veterinary Expenses to Treat Pet: You can get reimbursement for the veterinary expenses you incurred to have the animal’s illness treated up to 150% of the purchase price.

Whether you buy a dog with a serious defect from a breeder, or a puppy or kitten with a devastating illness from a pet shop, the end result is painful. Reliable breeders will give a refund or another dog. Pet stores are notorious for having cute puppies and kittens to draw in unsuspecting, soft-hearted buyers and then turning their backs after the animal is purchased.

I recommend visiting local shelters. The dogs and cats are altered, and in many shelters they are vaccinated, microchipped and vet checked. You may fall in love as you walk through the adoption center and look into the “take me home” eyes of the companion animals you find there.

 
Founded in 1965, Pets In Need receives no federal, state or local government support.

Published in the San Mateo County Times, August 17, 2002