States With Pet Lemon Laws
Free Lemon Law Tips by Doug Smith

There are currently seventeen states with Pet Lemon Laws. Stores all over the country have been opening up to sell pets. Often, pets raised under these circumstances are sick or may even have congenital diseases.

The risk for illness and disease increases for pets sold through puppy mills or stores. The Pet Lemon Laws were enacted to protect consumers against defective purchased pets.

Currently the pet lemon laws of most states apply only to dogs. There are a few states that protect cat purchasers as well. Most Pet Lemon Laws say that a sick or dead pet may be returned for a replacement pet or refund.



Often the pet owner may attempt to treat the pet's illness via veterinary medicine. Veterinary bills are reimbursable by the seller. Usually, the medical bills cannot exceed the purchase sale price plus tax of the pet.

Most Pet Lemon Laws give the consumer two weeks to return the pet to the store if the pet is sick or dead. Some states will allow up to one year to return the pet to the seller, along with a veterinary note, and claim either a full refund or exchange in the event of a congenital defect, or a serious or fatal disease. Worms or parasites are not considered as being a serious illness under most state laws.

When can you apply the Pet Lemon Laws? If a store does not offer a refund or replacement within a reasonable number of days upon receiving medical veterinary confirmation of the illness, you should file a claim against the seller. Usually, attorney fees are paid by the loser of the case.

Pet lemon laws do not cover any pet that has developed a serious illness or similar problem caused by the purchaser. Injuries or mistreatment occurring after the pet was sold are not covered under the law.



Additionally, if the consumer buys the pet knowing that the disease or illness was disclosed at purchase, pet lemon laws are not applicable.

The 17 states that have Pet Lemon Laws are Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont and Virginia.

If you are planning to purchase a pet in one of these states, research that state's laws to learn what is covered by the pet lemon laws.

This article is ©2006 by Doug Smith. Bought a lemon car? Browse many free and informative articles and tips on car lemon laws, including definition of a lemon car, lemon law attorneys, lemon law arbitration, state lemon laws and more. Visit http://LemonLaws.FindCarsForHire.com. This article may be freely reprinted as long as this copyright notice remains intact, the article is unchanged, and all hyperlinks remain active and clickable.