Every pet dealer shall deliver to the purchaser of each dog and cat at the time of sale a written statement in a standardized form prescribed by the Department of Consumer Affairs containing the following information:
(a) For cats:
(1) The breeder’s and broker’s name and address, if known, or if not known, the source of the cat. If the person from whom the cat was obtained is a dealer licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture, the person’s name, address, and federal dealer identification number.
(2) The date of the cat’s birth, unless unknown because of the source of the cat and the date the dealer received the cat.
(3) A record of the immunizations and worming treatments administered, if any, to the cat as of the time of sale, including the dates of administration and the type of vaccine or worming treatment.
(4) A record of any known disease or sickness that the cat is afflicted with at the time of sale. In addition, this information shall also be orally disclosed to the purchaser.
(b) For dogs:
(1) The breeder’s name and address, if known, or if not known, the source of the dog. If the person from whom the dog was obtained is a dealer licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture, the person’s name, address, and federal dealer identification number.
(2) The date of the dog’s birth, and the date the dealer received the dog. If the dog is not advertised or sold as purebred, registered, or registerable, the date of birth may be approximated if not known by the seller.
(3) The breed, sex, color, and identifying marks at the time of sale, if any. If the dog is from a United States Department of Agriculture licensed source, the individual identifying tag, tattoo, or collar number for that animal. If the breed is unknown or mixed, the record shall so indicate.
(4) If the dog is being sold as being capable of registration, the names and registration numbers of the sire and dam, and the litter number, if known.
(5) A record of inoculations and worming treatments administered, if any, to the dog as of the time of sale, including dates of administration and the type of vaccine or worming treatment.
(6) A record of any veterinarian treatment or medication received by the dog while in the possession of the pet dealer and either of the following:
(A) A statement, signed by the pet dealer at the time of sale, containing all of the following:
(i) The dog has no known disease or illness.
(ii) The dog has no known congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects the health of the dog at the time of the sale or that is likely to adversely affect the health of the dog in the future.
(B) A record of any known disease, illness, and any congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects the health of the dog at the time of sale, or is likely to adversely affect the health of the dog in the future, along with a statement signed by a veterinarian licensed in the State of California that authorizes the sale of the dog, recommends necessary treatment, if any, and verifies that the disease, illness, or condition does not require hospitalization or nonelective surgical procedures, nor is it likely to require hospitalization or nonelective surgical procedures in the future. A veterinarian statement is, not required for intestinal or external parasites unless their presence makes the dog clinically ill or is likely to make the dog clinically ill. The statement shall be valid for seven days following examination of the dog by the veterinarian.
(c) For the purpose of this article, “nonelective surgical procedure” means a surgical procedure that is necessary to preserve or restore the health of the dog, to prevent the dog from experiencing pain or discomfort, or to correct a condition that would interfere with the dog’s ability to walk, run, jump, or otherwise function in a normal manner.
(d) For the purposes of this article, “clinically ill” means an illness that is apparent to a veterinarian based on observation, examination, or testing of the dog, or upon a review of the medical records relating to the dog.
(e) A disclosure made pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be signed by both the pet dealer certifying the accuracy of the statement, and the purchaser of the dog acknowledging receipt of the statement. In addition, all medical information required to be disclosed pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be made orally to the purchaser.
(f) For purposes of this article, a disease, illness, or congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects the health of a dog at the time of sale or is likely to adversely affect the health of the dog in the future shall be one that is apparent at the time of sale or that should have been known by the pet dealer from the history of veterinary treatment disclosed pursuant to this section.
(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 1996.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018