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New York Pet Lemon Law

New York's law covers both dogs and cats and its definition of a "pet dealer" is broad enough to include many hobby breeders, as well as pet stores and larger breeding operations. A dealer is defined as anyone who sells more than nine animals per year.

Purchasers have 14 days to document that the animal has a contagious or infectious disease. It also provides only 14 days to document a congenital or hereditary defect -- much less than the six months or one year provided by most other large states.

New York also provides no penalty for dealers who fail to deliver advertised registration papers (although consumers could sue the dealer in Small Claims Court anyway, charging breech of contract.

The law provides that when a purchaser documents that his pet was sick or defective, he may choose a replacement as well as reimbursement of the veterinary fees necessary to prove the animal was unfit. Or the buyer may demand a full refund plus the cost of veterinary fees, up to the purchase price of the animal.

If the buyer keeps the dog, he may demand reimbrusement of veterinary fees up to the purchase price of the dog.

Every pet dealer in New York must post a notice outlining the consumer rights provided by the pet lemon law.

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