States with Puppy Lemon Laws

If you have recently purchased a puppy, you should know some states have laws to protect consumers when they purchase a pet. Buying a puppy can be stressful. A lot of time and money can be spent to find the perfect puppy. Do you buy an Australian Cattle Dog, a Teddy Bear puppy or some other breed and what about the their health? One of the best things to do is purchase from a reputable breeder that offers their own guarantee. In case you have purchased a sick puppy without a guarantee, you still have recourse in these states.

As of now, there are 20 states that have a “puppy lemon law.” Some of the states also cover cats. Each state has different time limits and conditions under which a purchaser may return a companion animal. However, every state allows a “defective pet” to be returned for a refund or exchange. Some states allow the owner to keep the pet and be reimbursed for veterinarian fees. Most of the laws give purchasers between 7 and 21 days to make a return of a sick puppy.

This table gives a link to each state’s law in detail where available.