STATE PUPPY LEMON LAWS

Currently, 17 states have enacted consumer protection laws for buyers of sick puppies. Many of these laws are weak and offer inadequate protection when the cost of treating or curing a sick animal far exceeds the purchase price, but buyers can find some remedy.

Sixteen are state laws (Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia) and one is by regulation (Massachusetts).

All seventeen states cover dogs, fourteen cover cats and dogs (California, Delaware, and Pennsylvania do not cover cats) and one (New Hampshire) includes ferrets. (Info courtesy of HSUS)

Because NJCAPSA receives a high volume of complaints and inquiries from residents in the tri-state area (NJ, PA and NY), we are providing the facts about “puppy lemon laws” in these states.

For more information on other state puppy lemon laws, please vist these links:

When a Dog is a Lemon

Consumer Affairs.com Overview of Laws 
 
Michigan State University College of Law 
 
Pet Shop Laws