Pat's Pups Pet Shop In Waretown Failed To Comply With State Laws

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has cited Pat’s Pups pet shop in Waretown for failing to comply with laws designed to protect consumers from purchasing unhealthy pets.

The state found 45 violations of the Pet Purchase Protection Act at the business located at 542 Route 9. The owners face a civil penalty of $5,625 with full compliance, or a maximum penalty of $20,500, according to the Division of Consumer Affairs.

Pat’s Pups was just one of a number of pet shops around the state cited for violations such as failure to label dogs’ and cats’ cages with each animal’s breeding history, medical background, and other information required under amendments made to the Pet Purchase Protection Act, effective earlier this year.

“Providing consumers with information about the breeder and the animal’s veterinary history allows consumers to make educated choices in purchasing a pet for their family,” said Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman. “Pet shops that don’t provide this vital information are breaking the law and denying consumers the ability to fully research this important decision.”

All of the pet shops that received violation notices were cited for failing to include the required information on cage labels for each animal, including where and when it was bred; the name and address of anyone who brokered the sale between breeder and pet store; the date and name of vet who performed the animal’s initial medical exam; and the age, sex, and identifying marks or tags on the animal.

Several pet shops were also cited for failing to properly display reports of any federal inspections conducted on breeders and brokers in the past two years. Additional violations involved the failure to properly display the required “Know Your Rights” signs informing customers of their rights when purchasing an animal from a pet shop.

“Information required by the Pet Purchase Protection Act is crucial to consumers who want to know that the pets they bring into their homes were bred under healthy conditions that comply with the required standards of care,” said Steve Lee, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “The Division is committed to ensuring that these facts are readily available to consumers, as the law requires.”

Pet shops that received violation notices can either comply with the Pet Purchase Protection Act and pay a reduced civil penalty or face higher penalties if they fail to address the violations or contest the violations, Lee said.

“However, if pet shops do not agree to accept the negotiated penalties and fully comply with the Pet Purchase Protection Act, we stand ready to bring them to court and seek the maximum penalties as set by law,“ Lee said.

The family-owned and operated store has 35 years experience in “the pet trade,” according to the store’s website. “We take pride in our store being an extremely clean and bright environment. Our pups are happy, healthy and socialized, which is very important to any puppies well being.”

The store is not accredited with the state Better Business Bureau, according to the organization’s website.