Rights after buying a small pet

BillyWilly_2

Hi there,

I bought my kids a hamster 3 weeks ago and have already been stung with 2 vets bills due to an ear infection and mites. The vet also informed us that the hamster was almost double the age it was sold to us.

I went in to see them at the pet shop and explained however I was basically told to get lost as it had nothing to do with them anymore once I walked out and also that the vet was categorically wrong about it's age.

My query is do I have any rights to complain or are they well within their rights to tell me where to go?

Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance.

vaio

I'd guess normal SoG/contract rules apply regarding description & quality.

Whether it's worth the time, hassle & cost of enforcing these rights over a rodent is a different matter

CKhalvashi

I had a rabbit die after 2 weeks with 2 vet bills amounting to £90, and the retailer (large garden centre) replaced her free of charge, and covered the bills. For this reason, I've had no problem going back today with my DD's to replace the replacement, who died on Friday after 5.5 years.

SOGA would come into this, but where, I really don't know the answer to, and whether there would be any exclusions for living animals (probably not worded as such) would be a third point.

It may be worth trying to compromise on an agreement such as above with the bills, without having to take it any further than this, however legally I don't know where you stand.

CK

ThumbRemote

I'm not entirely sure how you prove 'satisfactory quality' or some other parts of the SoGA for a hamster.

I guess one question would be whether the ear infection and mites were a problem when you bought the hamster, or something that has developed since buying it. If the vet says they were there from purchase, you probably have some comeback.

Regarding the age, how far out is it? 1 week vs 2 weeks isn't an issue, 1 year vs 2 years is.

wilykit

I bought a rat a few years ago from Pets at Home. When I got him home I realised he was sneezing and wheezing, I took him to Pets at Home who said he had a respiratory infection. They took him from me (temporarily), took him to the vets to be treated and then returned him to me when he was fit and well

If your hamster was sold to you unwell, and the vet can clarify then I would try getting in contact with them again

xx