Do I deserve to get my money back after buying kittens which got sick within a week of buying them????

Question

I bought two kittens from a friend who is also a breeder of Siamese cats. I ended up taking two because the living conditions of the cattery were horrible. The kittens ended up getting sick and I took them to the vet. You guessed it they have FELINE VIRAL RHINOTRACHEITIS. The kittens were not up todate on the needles as she suggested. Because they went too long from their first to their second needed they will require a third needle to boost their immunity. I paid $350 for these two purebred Siamese kittens. One is Blue Point and one is Seal Point. Because I bought the kittens with the understanding they were healthy and now my vet bills are going to be much higher than I originally thought should I ask for all or part of my money back. I cant' take them back because the kittens were living and sleeping in their litter box. My heart goes out to these two little girls. Any suggestions on what I should do or how I should approach this delicate issue.
Thanks.

Answer 1

When you say that you had an 'understanding,' did you mean there was nothing in writing? Do you have a receipt, an invoice or any kind of written contract?

I would talk to your friend and explain the situation, show her the vet bill and ask her to reimburse you. If she will not then she is obviously not your friend and not a good breeder of cats. You may just have to swallow the cost and be done with her.

I wouldn't return the kittens to her either. They shouldn't have to suffer for her neglect.

Answer 2

IF the kittens are saveable, keep them! The breeder didn't do their job, and I wouldn't return them, but what I'd suggest is contacting another breeder in your state (any breed, so long as they're the breeder), ask for their opinion on something and explain what happened. Then ask what, by law, you could expect from this other breeder, and ask what THEY as a breeder would recommend you do.

This way you have one of their peers giving you advice. You can ask several breeders via email or phone, to get several opinions, but don't tell them which breeder it is you're talking about. I wouldn't even mention what breed of kittens you got--just in case they're friends with this person. You want their honest opinion and need to keep it generic.

There may be a legal issue of a refund for you, but the other breeders would be the ones to know about all the state laws.

Other than that, possibly a phone call or email sent to the Cat Fancy registry about breeder protocal to find out what the registry says would be another way to go.

If the original breeder of the kittens didn't offer to give you copies of their vet records, she/he already was not up front with you about your two kittens. All documentation should have been given when you purchased them, and this includes pedigree, vet records, anything pertinent to the health and breed of the cats for sale.

Answer 3

a) -if the problem lies on the store(which i sure think it is!) who sold you the kittens=yes but maybe not a full payback guarantee though.
b) -if it has nothing to do with the shop who sold you the kittens they will likely not repay you (not sure)and you may keep the kittens or just give them back to the guy who sold you these kittens.I feel a bit sorry for the cats because they where not given a chance of God by being so ill and where siamese twins, did you go to a doctor with the cats already, maybe he can help you with your delicate question.
the best way of course is to bring the kittens back to the person who sold you these kittens,hope i could give you some help.you should go out and tell the police or something of these horrible conditions the cats live in.i think thats the only way to save the poor creatures.

Answer 4

Oh wow what a rip off! The cats most likely were not sick after you bought them. You bought sick cats. If you can ask your vet about incubation periods of the illness. Then you can take this to the next level. Protect yourself next time. Don't buy from nasty catteries. If you have other cats at home they are exposed now. Oh boy. I wish you the best.

Answer 5

Yes, ask for your money back. Especially if she said they were up to date on vaccinations and they weren't. Did you get a heath certificate? ALWAYS get a health certificate and written health guarantee before you pay for an animal. Honestly, if the breeder is bad, it might be best not to buy from them at all. I know it seems like you're saving them from bad conditions, but if the breeder profits off the ones you buy, they are only going to be encouraged to breed more in those same bad conditions.

Answer 6

The kittens probably had this virus when you purchased them. There are laws to protect you and the kittens. I believe each state varies. The web site below lists several states and the laws governing the purchase of pets from shops and breeders. Good luck to you and your babies!

Answer 7

I wouldn't bother trying to get the money back. Just feel grateful that you saved the kittens and did a good thing and forget about the money issue.

Answer 8

So, you paid money for cats living in horrible conditions and you don't seemed surprised they were ill?????

I say you paid for a lesson in buying cats from breeders.

You paid for ignorance in vaccine protocols for cats. Every cat at the age of 6 weeks should start their vaccines consisting of boosters every 2 weeks until 12-14 weeks of age.

Did they have FeLV or FIV? Were they ever tested? Not smart.

You bought them with the understanding they were healthy? Yet the living conditions were horrible....hmmm....

Answer 9

after you take care of the kittens I would report the person that you purchased them from they probably are still abusing animals of the ones they have left...

Answer 10

you can ask for your money back, and then threaten to sue (and then actually sue if you are so inclined)

most importantly, you ought to notify authorities of the conditions these cats were living in, the police can file charges for animal abuse.