§ 3.1-796.80. Consumer remedies for receipt of diseased animal upon certification by veterinarian. If, at any time within ten days following receipt of an animal described as being registered or capable of being registered with any animal pedigree organization and subject to this chapter, a licensed veterinarian certifies such animal to be unfit for purchase due to illness, a congenital defect deleterious to the health of the animal or the presence of symptoms of a contagious or infectious disease, the pet dealer shall afford the consumer the right to :
1. The right to return the animal and receive a refund of the purchase price.
The refund or reimbursement required by this section shall be made by the pet dealer not later than ten business days following receipt of a signed veterinary certification as hereinafter provided.
In order to exercise these rights you must present a written veterinary certification that the animal is unfit to the pet dealer within three business days after receiving such certification. If the pet dealer has promised to register your animal or to provide the papers necessary therefor and fails to do so within 120 days following the date of contract, you are entitled to return the animal and receive a refund of the purchase price or to retain the animal and receive a refund of an amount not to exceed fifty percent of the purchase price
§ 3.1-796.82. Failure of pet dealer to effect registration after promise; violation of Consumer Protection Act;
A. It shall be a violation of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (§ 59.1-196 et seq.) for a pet dealer to state, promise, or represent that a dog or cat is registered or capable of being registered with any animal pedigree registry organization if the pet dealer shall then fail to either effect such registration or provide the consumer with the documents necessary therefor within 120 days following the date of sale of such animal.
B. The veterinary certification and statement required herein shall be presented to the pet dealer not later than three business days following receipt thereof by the consumer and shall contain the following information:
1. The name of the owner;
2. The date or dates of the examination;
3. The breed, color, sex, and age of the animal;
4. A description of the veterinarian's findings;
5. A statement that the veterinarian certifies the animal to be unfit for purchase; and
6. The name and address of the certifying veterinarian and the date of the certification.
C. A veterinary finding of intestinal parasites shall not be grounds for declaring the animal unfit for purchase unless the animal is clinically ill due to such condition. An animal may not be found unfit for purchase on account of an injury sustained or illness contracted subsequent to the consumer taking possession thereof.
All breeds of dogs have genetic and nongenetic health issues, none are excluded. Please educate yourself on the breed and the health problems associated with the breed.
The Yorkshire Terrier is, by definition, an "active, independent,
devoted, and hardy" small toy terrier. They are long-lived dogs,
with a life span averaging 13 - 14 years of age. .
