You have the same rights when purchasing a pet as with most purchases under the Australian Consumer Law. These rights extend beyond the point of sale.
Your pet should:
- be free of any significant health issues and live a healthy lifespan relevant to the breed
- match the description advertised by the seller
- do everything you would normally expect from the animal’s breed
- be of acceptable quality.
If a pet does not match the description as provided by the seller, you are entitled to a remedy. This may include a full or partial refund or the offer of an alternative pet.
You can ask for a refund or replacement when a pet is not the type of pet that was asked for if you:
- relied on the supplier or seller’s knowledge, expertise or advice
- informed the supplier or seller of what they wanted, or the supplier or seller said the pet was of the breed that they wanted.
Watch the video below to learn about your rights when buying a pet
Unknown problems
Pets must not have any hidden medical or behavioural problems.
A supplier or seller cannot argue that you inspected the pet before purchase and should have picked up problems at the time, such as medical or behavioural problems.
The type of remedy available will depend on whether the problem is major or minor.
Change-of-mind and additional promises/guarantees
You are not entitled to a remedy if you change your mind about a pet after the purchase or if the problem is due to something beyond the seller’s control. However, a seller or supplier must uphold any additional warranty or promises about quality, condition, performance or characteristics of the pet.
Buying from a private seller
A consumer-to-consumer transaction occurs when a consumer buys a pet from a private individual seller who is not running a business. You can read more about your rights when buying from a private seller.
Where to next
This page has been produced and published by the Consumer Building and Occupational Services Division of the Department of Justice. Although every care has been taken in production, no responsibility is accepted for the accuracy, completeness, or relevance to the user's purpose of the information. Those using it for whatever purpose are advised to verify it with the relevant government department, local government body or other source and to obtain any appropriate professional advice. The Crown, its officers, employees and agents do not accept liability however arising, including liability for negligence, for any loss resulting from the use of or reliance upon the information and/or reliance on its availability at any time.