Signed by Governor Pat Quinn

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires pet stores to reimburse pet owners for the sale of an unhealthy cat or dog.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a pet owner to seek the following forms of relief from a pet store which sold him or her an unhealthy dog or cat (Sec. 5):
• The return of the animal to the pet store for a full refund;
• The exchange of the animal for an animal of comparable value; or
• The reimbursement for “reasonable” veterinary costs for the treatment of the animal, not to exceed the purchase price if the animal is alive, or twice the purchase price if the animal is deceased.

• Specifies that in order to seek relief from a pet store for the sale of an unhealthy dog or cat, the pet owner is required to do 1 of the following actions (Sec. 5):
• Within 21 days of the sale, provide a letter from a veterinarian stating that the animal suffers or died from an illness or severe parasitism that existed on or before the date of delivery to the customer; or
• Within 1 year of the sale, provide a letter from a veterinarian stating the animal possesses a congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects the health of the animal or has died from such a condition

• Authorizes pet stores to offer substituting warranties that pet owners may choose instead of any of the remedies provided by this bill (Sec. 5).

• Requires a pet shop to immediately notify the Department of Agriculture if there is an outbreak of a life-threatening or contagious disease and notify any customer who purchased a dog or cat within the 2 weeks prior to the outbreak if the department issues a quarantine (Sec. 5).

• Exempts adoptions or any organization that facilitates adoptions from the provisions of this bill (Sec. 5).

• Authorizes a pet store that a pet owner claims sold an unhealthy dog or cat to request an examination of the animal or a review of the animal’s medical records by a second veterinarian (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires pet stores to reimburse pet owners for the sale of an unhealthy dog or cat.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a pet owner to seek the following forms of relief from a pet store which sold him or her an unhealthy dog or cat (Sec. 5):
• The return of the animal to the pet store for a full refund;
• The exchange of the animal for an animal of comparable value; or
• The reimbursement for “reasonable” veterinary costs for the treatment of the animal, not to exceed 2 times the purchase price.

• Specifies that in order to seek relief from a pet store for the sale of an unhealthy dog or cat, the pet owner is required to do 1 of the following actions (Sec. 5):
• Within 21 days of the sale, provide a letter from a veterinarian stating that the animal suffers or died from an illness that existed on or before the date of delivery to the customer; or
• Within 1 year of the sale, provide a letter from a veterinarian stating the animal possesses a congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects the health of the animal or has died from such a condition.

• Requires a pet shop to immediately notify the Department of Agriculture if there is an outbreak of a life-threatening or contagious disease and notify any customer who purchased a dog or cat within the 2 weeks prior to the outbreak if the department issues a quarantine (Sec. 5).

• Exempts adoptions or any organization that facilitates adoptions from the provisions of this bill (Sec. 5).

• Authorizes a pet store that a pet owner claims sold an unhealthy dog or cat to request an examination of the animal or a review of the animal’s medical records by a second veterinarian (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text