Press Release

Connecticut Stops Animal Cruelty in its Tracks

Governor Rell Signs Pet “Lemon Law” Protecting Pet Store Pets and Consumers

July 15, 2009

ASPCA Media Contact

NEW YORK— Governor M. Jodi Rell has signed into law SB 499—a bill spearheaded by the ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) and Connecticut Votes for Animals that increases consumer protection from pet stores that sell animals in Connecticut.

SB 499 improves the current Connecticut "puppy lemon law" by increasing reimbursements to pet store consumers who inadvertently purchase sick animals and often assume associated veterinary costs, as well as increasing the time frame in which an illness may be discovered by a consumer for the purpose of receiving reimbursement. The legislation also for the first time protects consumers who purchase animals with congenital defects.

"This bill ensures accountability from both the pet store and the breeder selling the animal," said Laura Maloney Senior Vice President of Anti-Cruelty at the ASPCA. "Pet stores are often the recipients of puppy mill dogs--dogs that are mass-produced for profit without concern for their health or welfare."

In keeping with the updated lemon law provisions, pet shops must provide consumers with the identity of the dog breeders and dealers they use. Pet stores are also responsible for guaranteeing that their out-of-state suppliers are licensed by the USDA and the appropriate state agency.

In light of Connecticut's significant feline overpopulation problem, pet stores that sell cats must have them spayed or neutered in order to be exempt from the new legislation.

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