Morris County Pet Store Fined $13,800 For 71 Violations

ROCKAWAY, N.J. – A former Morris County pet store had dozens and dozens of violations that mislead or may have duped its customers, and now will pay thousands in fines.

Pet Pourri, Inc. which was housed in the Rockaway Townsquare Mall received 71 violations and was fined $13,800 for its wrongdoing, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs announced. The store, along with 16 others in the state, were cited for violating the pet purchase protection act. If the store does not pay the amount presented by the state, it will pay a higher amount of $34,500.

According to the state:

Violations cited include a 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.

All of the pet shops that received Notices of Violations from the Division 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.

To see the full list of pet stores cited, go here.