A puppy lemon law is a law that provides for compensation when someone incurs veterinary expenses shortly after purchasing a pet. The term is misleading, as in most states purchasers of both cats and dogs of all ages are covered. States with these laws include California, Arizona, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Purpose
Puppy lemon laws protect people who purchase pets from pet stores and breeders when they can prove that the animal was already sick or injured when it was purchased. They also apply to congenital defects and conditions in many cases.
Jurisdiction
These laws are enacted at the state level, and are thus only relevant in the state where the animal is purchased. The details of the laws vary from state to state.
Enforcement
The attorney general's office in each state enforces the lemon laws. The process is actually easier and cheaper for the consumer to navigate than the traditional court process.
Compensation
Options for the purchaser may include returning the animal for a full refund plus vet costs, or he may opt to keep the animal with reimbursement for vet costs. Exchanging the pet (plus getting vet costs reimbursed) may be an option, though the original pet's fate may be at risk after an exchange or return.
Terms
Typically, the consumer must have the pet examined by a vet within a certain amount of time after purchase, and he should provide a veterinarian's report to the seller within a certain time frame. These periods can range from about two weeks to about two months, depending on the situation and the state.
Notification
In many states, sellers are also required to post a notice letting potential buyers know about their rights under state law. Even with this requirement, many consumers are unaware of these rights.
Tags: lemon laws, within certain