What to do if you bought a s
ick Puppy…
First, we are so sorry this has happened.
There are so many families just like yours that we have heard from over the years that have been through the same situation. This is exactly WHY we started Virginia PawsitiVAty Initiative and here is what you can do to make sure we can put an end to this happening in the future. Please take the time to accomplish the following steps below. It is SO important.
Keep all communications with the pet store in writing and do not sign anything waiving your right to speak up about the incident. The pet store is required by Virginia Lemon Law (Code 3.2-6514) to fix the problem without silencing you. Pet stores are FAMOUS for offering money for vet bills in return for signing off on a gag order. Please do NOT do this but go to the police.
1) Report incident to your local animal control officer and ask them to inspect the entire store
2) File a report with the Virginia State Vets Office
https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/carecomplaintform.pdf
3) Contact the Virginia Department of Consumer Affairs and file a complaint
https://www.oag.state.va.us/consumer-protection/files/OAG_Consumer_Complaint_Form_modified_51716.pdf
4) File a Better Business Bureau claim here- the pet store must respond in writing.
5) File a USDA complaint here
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalwelfare/complaint-form
6) Contact your local State Delegate and Senators office and report the incident.
https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/index.php/home
7) File a complaint with Humane Society of the United States with their tip line.
https://www.humanesociety.org/forms/puppy-buyer-complaint-form