Buyer-Related Questions

1. What remedies does a buyer have if their puppy is later found to have a disease or defect?

The answer to this question varies by state. There are currently 22 states that have laws that provide legal recourse to people who purchase pets that are later found to have a disease or defect. Generally, the state law for the state in which a purchase takes place will apply (so for example, if your breeding program is based in California, California lemon laws would apply). The amount of time that a purchaser has to make a claim ranges anywhere from 7 to 21 days for illness and disease and 10 days to 2 years for congenital or hereditary conditions. Common remedies include replacement of the animal, a refund of the purchase price, and/or reimbursement of veterinary expenses, generally up to the purchase price of the animal. You might also choose to include additional remedies for your buyers directly in your contract with your puppy buyers if their puppy is later found to have a disease or defect. You can watch our legal webinars on Lemon Laws and Advanced Lemon Laws for more information.

Disclaimer: This resource is provided for general information purposes only, and shall not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. Any advice we provide does not create an attorney-client relationship. We are not acting as your lawyer and are not barred to practice in your state. We would recommend connecting with a lawyer in your state if you are able. Legal advice is dependent upon the specific circumstances of each situation and the law may vary from state to state. Some information in this resource center may not be correct for your state or for your specific circumstances. This resource was prepared only in accordance with U.S. law and does not reflect the laws of any other country. Good Dog expressly disclaims all liability in respect of actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents in this resource center.