NOTIFICATION OF CONSUMER RIGHTS

The sale of dogs and cats is subject to the regulations of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. In the event that your animal becomes sick or dies and a licensed veterinarian certifies your animal to be unfit for purchase due to a noncongenital condition within 14 days following delivery of your animal or within 180 days (six months) following delivery of your animal in the case of a congenital or hereditary cause or condition, you may:

1.       Return your animal and receive a refund of the purchase price including sales tax; OR

2.       Keep your animal and attempt to cure it; OR

3.       Return your animal and receive an animal (of equivalent value) of your choice.

In the event that you choose to keep the animal, veterinary fees, including future fees, limited to twice the purchase price of the animal, including sales tax, which were related to the condition rendering the animal unfit for sale, must be paid by the pet dealer. If you choose to return the animal, veterinary fees incurred prior to receipt of the veterinary certification, limited to twice the purchase price of the animal, including sales tax, which were related to the condition rendering the animal unfit for sale, must be paid by the pet dealer or the owner or operator of a pet shop.

In the event of your animal’s death within this 14-day period, except when death occurs by accident or as a result of injuries sustained after delivery, you may choose to receive either a full refund of the purchase price, plus sales tax, or an animal of equivalent value. In addition, veterinary fees, limited to twice the purchase price, including sales tax, must be paid by the pet dealer or the owner or operator of a pet shop.

     In order to exercise these rights, you must present to the pet dealer a written veterinary certification that the animal is unfit for purchase and an itemized bill of all veterinary fees incurred prior to your receipt of the certification. If you have received this Notification of Consumer Rights from the pet dealer, you must present the written veterinary certification and the veterinarian’s bill to the pet dealer no later than five days after you have received the certification of unfitness. If you have not been given the Notification of Consumer Rights by the pet dealer, the five-day deadline does not apply. In the event that the pet dealer or the owner or operator of a pet shop wishes to contest the certification or the bill, he may request a hearing at the Division of Consumer Affairs by notifying the Director and the consumer in writing within five days. The pet dealer may require your dog or cat to be examined by a licensed veterinarian of the dealer’s choice at a mutually convenient time and place. If the pet dealer or owner or operator of the pet shop does not contest the matter, he must make the refund, replacement of animal or reimbursement not later than 10 days after receiving the veterinary certification.