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Pet Lemon Law

by Matt Van Hoven

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BY CATEGORY:
BY PET:

November 29, 2007

FLORIDA - As we enter the holiday season, the Department of Agriculture has upped the ante for pet store owners in Florida – imposing what have been termed as Lemon Laws for pets.

According to flanews.com, department investigators will be visiting pet stores in upcoming weeks to ensure animals being sold have the required veterinarian's certificates.

The forms are part of a new program to prevent consumers from buying animals that aren't up to date on shots.

This way, if an animals falls ill or dies within two weeks of ownership, the store is responsible for all medical bills and a full refund of the pet.

The holiday season is the high season for pet buying – since many will buy dogs and cat as gifts. But the HSUS warns that buying a pet as an unexpected gift for someone is inadvisable – since they are a large responsibility.

Tell us what you think under this story. Post your favorite pet videos at the zootooTV tab. Email us your story ideas at news@zootoo.com or call us at 877-777-4204.



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crime & law, lemon, law

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Jamie
Jamie (Sadiesmygirl)
6 months ago
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It is nice that this is being done, but once again, if pet stores only sold pet supplies we would not have this problem. Also if we did not have puppy mills, or backyard breeders we would not have this problem. People need to adopt not shop!!
 
rjlupinskat
rjlupinskat
6 months ago
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The theory behind this is good, but personally I just don't 'buy into' the whole pet store idea, anyway. There are too many in rescues, shelters, personal homes who need forever homes.

 
Ashlee S.
Ashlee S. (ashleerdh)
6 months ago
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Good idea, but better idea to adopt from the shelters
 
jill l.
jill l. (JillLong)
6 months ago
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I agree that this is a good law, but we shouldn't be buying from pet stores anyway. This only encourages breeding and puppy mills.
 
Lana S.
Lana S. (critterfriend)
6 months ago
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We should have lemon laws on pets! Then breeders and sellers will have to be more responsible and take better care of the animals!
 
Jamie p.
Jamie p. (Pertoso)
6 months ago
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this is a good law to have
 
ben a.
ben a. (RoBwHaT)
6 months ago
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its awful to not keep the animals heathy, im glad i know pet stores that give shots =]
 
Hughie
Hughie
6 months ago
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Great law. I hope other states adopt similar laws.
 
Adaira R.
Adaira R. (auntadaira)
6 months ago
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Thank you thank you for patroling this "pet stores"! It needs to be done.
 
WANSTREET
WANSTREET
6 months ago
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I guess that the stores are at least being held accountable. Best thing that could happen though is for pet stores to sell supplies not animals. Adopt from your local shelter or rescue group.
 
Brigit800
Brigit800
6 months ago
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It's more than the money, it's the emotional investment as well.
 
LoriHill123
LoriHill123
6 months ago
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Yes, and a long term one at that
 
suezie
suezie
6 months ago
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There is no reason for any pet from either stores, shelter, breeders to not be up on their shots and health checks.
 
LoriHill123
LoriHill123
6 months ago
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Money
 
Hughie
Hughie
7 months ago
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I think it's a good law. Stores that sell dogs should be responsible for this.
 
Sue R.
Sue R. (suerob)
6 months ago
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I agree. Proper breeding papers, breeder inspection papers, vaccination papers, all of it.
 
Doglover1111
Doglover1111
7 months ago
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That seems reasonable
 
Linda W.
Linda W. (equs2)
7 months ago
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Hope this also helps with the more long term problems of puppy mill pups and makes puppy mills less profitable.
 
Jessica H.
Jessica H. (jessicat87)
7 months ago
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animals being sold should have up to date shot and vaccines, the humane societies do it so why not the stores
 
TPorter
TPorter
6 months ago
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I agree - hold them to the same standards.
 
paula s.
paula s. (paula0092)
7 months ago
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stop the puppy mills this does nothing
 
Kristina R.
Kristina R. (babykristina32)
7 months ago
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WTG! Hopefully Texas is next.
 
theresa s.
theresa s. (mrsmack)
7 months ago
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good idea
 
Jamie
Jamie (Sadiesmygirl)
7 months ago
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Good idea, but pet should not be selling pets they should be selling pet supplies. STOP PUPPY MILLS !!!!
 
Mary P.
Mary P. (marysworld)
7 months ago
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I like the idea that they are trying to make sure that the pets have their shots and appear healthy. But I'd prefer they were out of the pet stores entirely.
 
Doggieluvs
Doggieluvs
6 months ago
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I agree. Stop promoting puppy mills.
 
Mary T.
Mary T. (matrice)
7 months ago
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sounds like a good law
 
Kristina R.
Kristina R. (babykristina32)
7 months ago
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It is a start, I guess. It will give more responsibilities to the pet stores and they will make sure that they are taking better care of their pets. But, I still think that selling pets should banned, other than shelter animals. Also-- they all need to be spayed and neutered before going home.
 
Eileen
Eileen (Elineen)
7 months ago
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Glad they are doing something, but don't really like pets being labeled as lemons. Pets are not material possessions.
 
Cam J.
Cam J. (jocajo)
7 months ago
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I say my hat is off, its about time someone is doing something about pet stores selling pets that fall ill and don't want to reimburse people their money. Way to make sure that they are taking care of the animals and getting them the treatment they deserve.
 
penny m.
penny m. (pennydq)
7 months ago
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Hit them in the pocketbook-the only way to stop their bad practices.
 
Shirley B.
Shirley B. (smapplebee)
7 months ago
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Pet stores should have strict regulations. There are no reasons for dogs not being up to date on their shots. Lemon laws for pets is a great idea.
 
collyn f.
collyn f. (animallover0627)
7 months ago
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adopting from a humane society is a better idea. this type of stress just isn't worth it when you can take ten min instead of two hours on paperwork at a shelter for a more deserving stray or kitty!!
 
melissa7271
melissa7271
7 months ago
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I agree adoption from a shelter is the best and do not buy one for someone as a surprise.
 
Janet V.
Janet V. (janeyv)
7 months ago
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A good idea. I also agree adoption is better.
 
Fran S.
Fran S. (Franny)
7 months ago
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Get the dog from a shelter. Avoid pet shops at all costs!
 
Brenda
Brenda (BrendaM)
7 months ago
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When oh when will people stop selling and buying aniamls? Adopt! Wow - a puppy does and you get refunded your purcahse price - how comforting for the dead little puppy....
 
Sharon L.
Sharon L. (SharonLinch)
7 months ago
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Good way to protect prospective pet owners.
 
JAG
JAG
8 months ago
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good idea, hold them accountable.
 
Connie G.
Connie G. (cgleason)
8 months ago
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We have never gotten a pet from a pet store. Go to your local shelter.
 
Kimberly G.
Kimberly G. (gttw)
8 months ago
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We must patrol these pet shops
 
Cassie3
Cassie3
8 months ago
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If people realized that pet stores keep puppy mills going, they would not buy a pet there. This law makes it a bit more difficult for the pet store...and I like that.
 
Tami T.
Tami T. (Tatesq)
8 months ago
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Don't buy from pet stores, period!!
 
Kristi L.
Kristi L. (Pumpkin2006)
8 months ago
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Sounds like a good idea. I hope it keeps sellers from being irresponsible. I agree the law could use a new name.
 
Sharon L.
Sharon L. (SharonLinch)
7 months ago
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I agree with you.
 
Jenn
Jenn (Jenn7703)
8 months ago
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That's a great idea. But I wish pet stores couldn't sell animals.
 
Susan H.
Susan H. (doglover1974)
8 months ago
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That's good. There should be a lemon law everywhere. It is not right that people get pets and within a couple of weeks they die because of the irrisponsibility of the purchase place. No matter whom it is.
 
Mary
Mary (maryfurman1)
8 months ago
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Good idea. Except animals are not lemons. It's not their fault if the store selling them is irresponsible. And people shouldn't buy animals from a pet store anyway. I think we should outlaw pet stores.
 
Jeanne H.
Jeanne H. (JHind)
8 months ago
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Saying that buying a pet as a surprise is inadvisable is an understatement. Pet stores shouldn't be allowed to sell live animals. This encourages puppy mills and irresponsible breeding.
I'm not sure I like this being called a "Lemon Law" as if the buyer may be suckered into buying a a "lemon" of a pet. The poor animal being sold iisn't a lemon!
 
Louise P.
Louise P. (lmpickford)
8 months ago
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I agree with the HSUS that during the holidays, many people buy animals as gifts. I think that buying an animal as a pet needs research and visiting the pet to see if you two click. It is not something to buy on a whim.
 
Betty B.
Betty B. (bblakley07)
8 months ago
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This is stupid! What needs to happen is to have laws throughout the country to stop pet shops from selling animals period! The dogs are puppy mill dogs and so the hurtr goes way beyond a law to protect people from a "lemon" dog! Dumb...don't we have to go to the root cause of an issue?
 
charmedone92
charmedone92
8 months ago
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I think that this is a good idea because it will give more responsibilities to the pet stores and they will make sure that they are taking really good care of their pets.
 
Felicia
Felicia (felicia606)
8 months ago
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This is a great idea. The pet store should be responsible.
 
Lindsey
Lindsey (mamasky)
8 months ago
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I wish they just didn't sell pets. That would solve so many problems.
 
Amber M.
Amber M. (hottchyk1983)
8 months ago
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This is a really good law. It is too bad they cant just close the doors on pet shops all together
 
Roxann
Roxann (FoxyRoxyRaceBabe)
8 months ago
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Exactly what I was thinking! Pet stores should be used for selling pet products not animals!
 
Michael
Michael (Panther1)
8 months ago
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agreed
 
PAULA R.
PAULA R. (happykrinkles24)
8 months ago
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Good story! I think the law is a good one. Beware Puppy Mills!

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