Puppy lemon laws in New Jersey are designed to protect consumers from fraud.
Purchasing a puppy or dog from a pet store, a kennel, or from a breeder can be risky, particularly if the seller fails to disclose known health problems that the animal has. Because of this, many states, including New Jersey, have enacted puppy "lemon" laws, designed to protect consumers from becoming victims of unscrupulous pet sellers and practices.
Sellers Affected
Puppy lemon laws in New Jersey fall under the Pet Purchase Protection Act, regulate the sales of both dogs and cats, and apply to all pet dealers, including pet stores, kennels, breeders and hobby breeders. Humane Societies and animal shelters are the only exceptions. These laws are also designed to protect the rights of the pet dealer, by making it the responsibility of the buyer to prove that a pet is defective, diseased or ill, within a specific period of time in order to receive a replacement pet or monetary compensation.
Health Conditions And Refund Eligibility
Once a buyer purchases an animal from a pet dealer in New Jersey, the buyer has 14 days from the date of purchase to prove that the animal was diseased or ill at the time of purchase in order to receive a replacement pet or a refund. Buyers have six months from the date of purchase to demonstrate the animal suffers from a congenital or a hereditary disease.
Reimbursement Of Veterinary Costs
If the buyer demonstrates that an animal he has purchased is defective or diseased within the allowed period of time, the seller is responsible for providing a replacement pet or a full refund of the purchase price and full reimbursement of veterinary costs. Additionally, if the buyer decides to keep the pet, the seller is required to reimburse the buyer for veterinary costs equal to the price of the dog.
Registration Papers
If an animal is advertised as registered, pet dealers in New Jersey are required to submit registration papers to the buyer within 120 days. Otherwise, the buyer is entitled to a full refund of the purchase price or a 75 percent refund if the buyer decides to keep the pet, according to Consumer Affairs.com.
Considerations
When purchasing a pet from a pet dealer, it is important to do your research first. Find out where the dealer receives the majority of his animals, and ask questions about the conditions in which the animals are kept prior to sale. Doing these things before you purchase an animal from a seller will help you to avoid obtaining a pet that is diseased or sick.
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