• Originally passed in 1966 to protect dogs being stolen and sold to research hospitals, the law was amended in 1970 to include dogs (and other regulated animals) being sold in the wholesale market.  The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for overseeing the Animal Welfare Act.  Pet stores are not regulated by USDA because they are a retail sales establishment.  The breeders and/or brokers that sell to the pet stores are regulated by USDA, since they are selling at a wholesale level.  A consumer generally has no legal rights under the AWA, although complaints can be filed with USDA if an unlicensed breeder or broker was the source of your puppy.  Note that USDA allows an exemption for breeders with three or fewer breeding female dogs.

State Lemon Laws

• The following states have "lemon laws" that pertain to the sale of puppies.  If you have purchased your puppy in one of these states, you may have recourse if your puppy is sick.

Other laws

• There are usually fair business laws that apply to pet shop sales, but unlike lemon laws that are often enforced by state officials, miscellaneous state and local laws are usually enforceable in a court of law.  These laws are too specific and extensive for PetShopPuppies to stay abreast of, so we recommend you contact your state attorney general's office, or local elected officials to see if you have any recourse.