Do NY puppy lemon laws apply to shelters?

Question

I was just wondering this. I never knew this even existed. My new pup I had for just 4 days so I brought her back to to the North Shore Animal League, in Long Island, NY to be treated for Pneumonia. She is getting better, slowly, but surely. I am assuming I have no financial responsibility, but could I be wrong? There are puppy lemon laws, but do they apply to shelters as well? I really fell in love with her, but I don't have thousands to shell out on Dr bills bc of an illness she contrasted at the facility.

Answer 1

Lemon laws don't apply to shelters, but if she was sick before or right after the adoption your shelter will probably help you out. It's best to give them a call first (be polite and DON'T use the term "lemon law" bc it implies you think of them as a pet store--something most shelters don't want to be affiliated with). They may ask you to take her to their vet or to forward your vet's paperwork to them. If they give you trouble carefully look over your adoption agreement and ask to talk to someone in charge.

They may have also given you pet insurance. A few of our local shelters (in MD) give it to new owners for a month after the adoption (and don't always remember to mention it). If your animal shelter was affiliated with Petfinder, it's very likely you have it, but you will probably have to fill out some paperwork to get reimbursed for vet fees.

We ran into a similar issue when our cat ended up having an upper respiratory infection. No huge biggie (even by vet bill standards--she just needed antibiotics) but it helped to have the pet insurance. Even basic stuff adds up.

In the future you may want to set aside some cash for vet emergencies. Puppies and kittens (even ones who are really healthy) tend to get sick more often than adult pets (sort of like how toddlers always get sick). Also, accidents DO happen even to the best of owners. Nothing sucks more than having to choose between your pet's life and your next month's rent.

Answer 2

Check your adoption agreeement. Many shelters have that in the paper work. You MAY have an obligation. The lemon laws DO NOT apply to shelters, since you are not BUYING the dog, you are ADOPTING it. Shelter can frequently have no idea that an animal is ill when it is adopted. They do not get the dogs from great places and they frequently have issues. They usually give you the option of giving the animal back.
Why don't you talk to them and find out the deal?????? Seems easier than dwelling on it.

Answer 3

Not sure about NY, but in CO, I ran into a problem with this and got a full refund. Some idiot sold us a dog that had major eye and hearing problems. Typically if it's something that can't be healed, you can do the lemon law. If it's something that gets better, it doesn't always work.

Answer 4

Petfinders offers all of our pets listed 30 days of insurance because of incidences such as this. The right thing for them to do is to fix the puppy. We do it all the time. We try to keep them till we know they are okay but they still often end up getting sick. Babies immune systems are not as strong as adults and often times they are wrung through a ringer before we even get them. People drag them around to show how cute their baby is and all. Not thinking its a baby.

Answer 5

It quite relies upon on how long yo had the puppy in the past it have been given Parvo. in case you had the puppy a million or 2 days it relatively is on them. in case you have had the puppy a week or longer it relatively is on you. Do you have any style of contract with the kennel?

Answer 6

read your adoption contract.. I used to work in a shelter and we gave a 14 day health guarantee.. so any health problems within that 14 days WE PAID all medical costs