Expert: Lee Meyer - 1/14/2010

Question
Hi,

I recently got a new puppy Mia (staffy x kelpie) from a pet shop I bought her home and noticed straight away that she had diarrhea and blood in her urine she also started to limp I took her to the vet she has a bladder infection and bone joint problems and maybe even a small amount of mites is this something the pet store owner should have told me? Should they not of had her vaccinated and vet checked? I thought buying a puppy from a pet shop she should be at least healthy? I don’t know where to get any information on the rights of purchasing a healthy pet. I don’t want to be refunded I love Mia but maybe help in the financial areas. Do you have any information on purchasing sick pets or know where i can get some information?

Kind Regards

Elicia


Answer
Hi,

I'm not a legal expert.  That said you were sold a sick animal and weren't told about it.  Whether they even knew is another issue.  I would believe they would have store policies dealing with sick animals they sell.  Probably either return for a refund or another animal (if you were a betting person).  I doubt they will agree to dealing with medical bills, as that means you are going to keep the animal despite it being sick, you have made that decision on your own.

You'd have to contact an attorney in your state that deals with this kind of thing, or the better business bureau around your area.  I'd contact the BBB just to report the pet shop for selling sick animals in the first place to warn other people from making a mistake.

It also, keep in mind, may not be the pet shop's fault as it is the breeders they are being supplied from.  Maybe enough complaints will force them to use more reputable and responsible breeders.

My advice to you in the future, never get an animal from a pet store.  They do not have professional staff caring for the animals, they have teenagers and people who can't work anywhere else, taking care of them.  They take care of animals they know nothing about.  that's why they get sick there, or come in sick and nobody notices.  The place to get your animal from is from a humane society or a rescue group.  These people rehabilitate and socialize whatever animal they focus on, they get them healthy again if they come in sick, and these animals often are amazing and so happy to have someone adopt them and love them ,after others have discarded them.  You actually save two animals when you adopt from a rescue group or shelter - the one you adopt, and the new one that the group/shelter can then take in.