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  1. Signatures
    515 out of 5,000
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    1. The MI State Senate (+ 1 other)
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      • The MI State Senate
      • Michigan State Senators
  2. Created By
    Pam Sordyl
    Clarkston, MI
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

A "Pet Lemon Law" has been introduced in Michigan to offer consumer protections for purchasers of dogs, cats and ferrets. Under S.B. 574, people who purchase sick or diseased animals from pet shops, breeders or dealers would have specific recourse against the sellers.

Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan applauds Sen. Steve Bieda (D-Warren) for leading S.B. 574, which would offer options for the purchaser, including returning the animal for a full refund and replacement or recovery of veterinary expenses. The bill includes specific time frames for reporting illnesses, maximum amounts a buyer can recover, and provisions for congenital defects in the purchased animals.

The full text of S.B. 574 can be found here: http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2011-SB-0574

Last year Liz Frates purchased 16 week old Yorkshire Terrier from a Michigan breeder for $1,200 cash. She was told the puppy was healthy. The full written pet guarantee against anything congenital or hereditary did not help Liz in court, after the yorkie was diagnosed with grade 2 luxating patellas in both legs - congenital defect requiring surgery close to $3,200. Liz had already spent $900 in veterinary costs addressing the puppy’s breathing and diarrhea problems.

In Michigan, consumers often rely on the Better Business Bureau to settle disputes with pet stores. Other times they end up in small claims court, which places a heavy burden on the purchaser to prove that the seller was aware of a pre-existing condition in the purchased animal.

Puppy Mill Awareness has been logging sick dog complaints and advocating for consumers by providing counseling and a checklist including agencies who may respond to complaints. That checklist can be found here: http://files.meetup.com/1258100/SickPuppyChecklistv8.doc

This bill will not only protect consumers, but will help shine a light on the puppy mill / pet store connection and make the industry less profitable to pump sick animals into the community.

By signing the petition, you can directly let your representatives know that you support this law.

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

Pass “Lemon Law” To Protect Michigan Pet Buyers

Greetings,

I just signed the following petition addressed to: Michigan State Senators.

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Pass “Lemon Law” To Protect Michigan Pet Buyers

A "Pet Lemon Law" has been introduced in Michigan to offer consumer protections for purchasers of dogs, cats and ferrets. Under S.B. 574, people who purchase sick or diseased animals from pet shops, breeders or dealers would have specific recourse against the sellers.

Please join Michigan Senators Steve Bieda, Tory Rocca, Rebekah Warren, Hoon-Yung Hopgood, Virgil Smith, Bert Johnson and Mike Kowall by sponsoring or co-sponsoring S.B. 574.

If passed, S.B. 574 would offer options for the purchaser, including returning the animal for a full refund and replacement or recovery of veterinary expenses. The bill includes specific time frames for reporting illnesses, maximum amounts a buyer can recover, and provisions for congenital defects in the purchased animals.

The full text of S.B. 574 can be found here: http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2011-SB-0574

Currently in Michigan, consumers often rely on the Better Business Bureau to settle disputes with pet sellers. Other times they end up in small claims court, which places a heavy burden on the purchaser to prove that the seller was aware of a pre-existing condition in the purchased animal.

Cases often go unreported to proper authorities leaving consumers caring for sick animals and covering enormous veterinary bills. Buyers may complain to the pet store or breeder, only to have their calls unreturned.

Some families experience problems long after the purchase is made and may not realize that the problems can be traced back to the breeding kennel. Inbreeding and over breeding are common in commercial kennels who supply animals to pet stores. Many dogs develop life-threatening tumors, cancer, and heart murmurs a few years after purchase, so these conditions may not be diagnosed during the wellness exam provided by some pet stores.

Please support this bill to both protect Michigan consumers and shine a spotlight on the puppy mill/pet store connection.

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Sincerely,

[Your name]

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