Exotic Pet Seller Problems? Get Your Money Back for Reptile, Bird & Exotic Animal Disputes.

DEMAND FOR COMPENSATION - EXOTIC ANIMAL PURCHASE DISPUTE [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, CA ZIP] [Phone] [Email] [Date] VIA CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED [Seller Name / Business Name] [Seller Address] [City, State ZIP] Re: Demand for Refund - Exotic Animal Purchase Animal Type: [Species - e.g., Ball Python, African Grey Parrot, Bearded Dragon] Purchase Date: [Date of Purchase] Amount Paid: $[Purchase Price] Dear [Seller Name]: I am writing to demand a full refund and compensation for damages resulting from your sale of a [species/animal description] on [date]. FACTS: 1. On [Date], I purchased a [species name, morph if applicable] from you for $[Amount]. You represented the animal as [describe what seller promised - e.g., "a healthy, captive-bred female Panther Chameleon, Ambilobe locale"]. 2. [Describe the problem - choose applicable:] [ ] HEALTH ISSUES: Within [timeframe] of purchase, the animal exhibited signs of illness including [symptoms - e.g., lethargy, respiratory distress, parasites, not eating]. I took the animal to [Exotic Vet Name], a veterinarian specializing in exotic animals, who diagnosed [diagnosis - e.g., severe internal parasites, respiratory infection, metabolic bone disease]. The vet's opinion is that this condition existed at or before the time of sale. [ ] ILLEGAL SPECIES: I have since learned that [species name] is illegal to own in California under Fish & Game Code Section [section number]. You sold me an animal that is restricted in this state without any disclosure of its illegal status. [ ] MISREPRESENTATION: The animal you sold me is not what was advertised. You represented it as a [what was promised], but it is actually a [what you received]. This has been confirmed by [expert/DNA test/other evidence]. [ ] WILD-CAUGHT FRAUD: You represented this animal as captive-bred, but evidence indicates it is wild-caught, including [evidence - parasites typical of wild-caught, stress behaviors, lack of documentation, etc.]. LEGAL BASIS: [Select applicable claims:] Your conduct violates California law: - Civil Code Section 1689 (Rescission) - I am entitled to rescind this contract due to fraud/illegality - Civil Code Section 3300 (Contract Damages) - Your breach entitles me to all resulting damages - Fish & Game Code Sections 2116-2190 - Sale of restricted species voids the contract - Business & Professions Code Section 17200 - Unfair and fraudulent business practices - Federal Lacey Act (if applicable) - Illegal wildlife trafficking DAMAGES: Purchase Price: $[Amount] Veterinary Examination & Treatment: $[Amount] Enclosure/Habitat Setup: $[Amount] Food/Supplements Purchased: $[Amount] Shipping/Transportation: $[Amount] [Other documented expenses]: $[Amount] TOTAL DAMAGES: $[Total Amount] DEMAND: I hereby demand payment of $[Total Amount] within fifteen (15) days of the date of this letter. [If illegal animal - add:] Because you sold me an animal that is illegal to own in California, our contract is void and unenforceable. You cannot claim any right to keep my payment for an illegal transaction. If I do not receive satisfactory response within 15 days, I will pursue all available legal remedies, including: - Filing a complaint with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife - Reporting to the Better Business Bureau and consumer protection agencies - Filing suit in California Small Claims Court (up to $12,500) or Civil Court - Reporting potential Lacey Act violations to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (if applicable) Please contact me at [Phone/Email] to resolve this matter. Sincerely, _______________________________ [Your Signature] [Your Printed Name] Enclosures: - Purchase receipt/invoice dated [Date] - Seller's written representations (ads, texts, emails) - Exotic veterinarian records from [Vet Name] - Photographs of the animal - [CITES/import documentation if applicable] - Care instructions provided by seller cc: California Department of Fish & Wildlife (if illegal species) [Your attorney, if applicable]