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In most states, the owner has one to two weeks to return the animal, with a certificate from a veterinarian stating that the dog has a serious disease or congenital defect that was present when the dog was sold. If the dog suffers from a congenital disorder, the owner may have up to a year to return it to the pet store.
To make sure consumers know of their rights under these laws, several states require pet stores to give buyers a written notice explaining them. In some states, the form must contain a certificate for a veterinarian to complete if the animal turns out to have a serious illness or congenital defect.
The Puppy Mill-Pet Shop Connection
Many pet store animals are sick because they come from Midwestern puppy mills -- breeding operations where crowding and neglect are the rule. Many dogs bred in puppy mills suffer from malnutrition, disease, or genetic defects. As their name implies, puppy mills churn out puppies like factories turn out auto parts, and their purpose is the same: to make money.
Why do pet stores buy animals from such places? There's a simple answer: Most reputable dog breeders refuse to sell dogs to pet shops. In fact, the code of ethics of some breeders' groups forbids it.
If you have your heart set on a purebred dog but don't want to buy from a pet store, try these alternatives:
Reputable breeders. You'll probably pay less because there's no middleman -- and you'll be able to see the conditions under which your pet was raised.
Shelters. If you don't mind that your pet doesn't have papers, check local animal shelters, both public and private. They have lots of purebreds.
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