CALIFORNIA LAW GOVERNING THE SALE OF DOGS

The sale of dogs is subject to consumer protection regulations. In the event that a California licensed veterinarin states in writing that your dog is unfit for purchase because it became ill due to an illness or disease that exsisted within 15 days following delivery to you, or within one year in the case of congenital or hereditary condition, you may choose any of the following:

(1) Return your dog and receive a refund of the purchase price, plus sales tax, and receive reasonable veterinarian fees up to the cost of the dog plus sales tax.

(2) Return your dog and receive a dog of your choice of equivalent value, providing a replacement dog is available, and receive reimbursement for reasonable veterinarian fees up to the cost of the dog plus sales tax.

(3) Keep the dog and receive reinbursement for reasonable veterinarian fees up to 150 percent of the original purchase price of the dog plus sales tax on the original purchase price of the dog. In the event the dog dies, you may receive a refund for the purchase price of the dog, plus sales tax, or a replacement dog of your choice, of equivalent value, and reimbursement for reasonable veterinary fees for the diagnosis and treatment of the dog, if a veterinarian, licensed in this state, state in writing that the dog died due to an illness that exsisted within 15 days after the purchaser obtained physical possesion of the dog after the sale by a pet dealer, or states that the dog died due to a congenital or hereditary condidtion that was diagnosed by the veteriarian within one year after the purchaser obtained physical possesion of the dog after the sale by a pet dealer. These fees may not exceed the purchase price of the dog, plus sales tax.

The balance of the statement has to do with how to make a claim, resolution of differences, failure of a dealer to provide dog registration papers etc.

What is important for a dog buyer that buys a dog in a state, that does not have CA type law. Insist on a written contract, that covers the above mention provisions. If a breeder won't give them to you don't buy a dog from them.