Dog Bill of Sale Form

Why Use a Dog Bill of Sale?

Dog owners or breeders have numerous reasons why they want to sell the pet. Maybe you don’t want to take care of the dog or you are expecting other puppies as a breeder. For this reason, you need to have a dog bill of sale form in case you want to sell a dog.

A well-prepared bill of sale records this information about the transaction:

• The names and addresses of the seller and the buyer, so both parties are clearly identified.
• A description of the dog, including its breed, sex, color, and date of birth.
• The sale price and the way the buyer pays.
• The date of the sale and the signatures of both parties, which confirm the legal transfer of ownership.

Buyers and sellers need to sign a dog contract before completing the sale transaction. It secures the interests of both parties by ensuring that the deal is transparent. Due to numerous cash transactions that customers prefer to use, it might be challenging to confirm the sale’s details without proper documentation.

The agreement reveals the evidence of payment from the customer, any pending amount, and the terms of paying it within the stipulated timeframe. The purchaser has to sign and accept liability for paying the amount within an agreed timeline.

For the dog buyer, it acts as a cushion of proof of the legal transfer of ownership. In case anything happens to the dog after signing the bill of sale and paying, the new owner will be liable.

The contract protects the rights of both parties while ensuring that you do not engage in illegal transactions. If you want to purchase a dog, ensure that you request the seller to produce a dog bill of sale.

Dog Bill of Sale Form Details

Why Is a Dog Bill of Sale Important?

The dog or puppy bill of sale is a binding agreement with details of the terms of the sale of the puppy. It is a contract that provides evidence of the sale and indicates the new dog owner.

Below are some of the reasons why it is important to use a dog bill during a sale:

• It prevents any misunderstanding after the deal is complete.
• The form acts as evidence of ownership.
• It provides accurate information about the dog.
• It guards the seller against illegal business deals.
• It records the agreed price, so a later disagreement about the amount can be settled from the paper.
• It describes the dog, so the buyer and the seller refer to the same dog.
• It gives the new owner a dated document to show a veterinarian or an insurer.
• It lets either side keep a copy for future reference.

A dog changes hands in a few minutes, but questions about the sale can come up months later. A dated bill of sale with the price, the description of the dog, and the names of both parties answers most of those questions at once. Keep a copy with the dog's other papers, such as vaccination records and any registration certificate.

What Do State Rules Say About Selling a Dog?

The points below come from FormsPal's verified state data, which covers 24 states. They show what the rules of those states have in common when a dog is sold, so you know what to ask about before getting any legal document signed.

• In 8 of the 24 states FormsPal's verified state data covers, a puppy must reach a minimum age before it can be sold, from 7 to 8 weeks, depending on the state.
• In 9 of the 24 states covered, a health certificate is required for the sale.
• In 3 of the 24 states covered, the rule sets the period for that certificate in days, from 14 to 30 days, depending on the state.
• In 19 of the 24 states covered, the seller must give the buyer a written disclosure about the pet.
• In 19 of the 24 states covered, the seller must give the buyer a written notice of the buyer's rights.

Read the rule of your own state before you sell or buy a dog, because the rules differ depending on the state. The counts above describe the states in FormsPal's data and nothing beyond them.

What If a Dog Gets Sick After the Sale?

A new pet can turn out to be ill, and the buyer then wants to know how much time there is to act. In 22 of the 24 states FormsPal's verified state data covers, a rule gives the buyer a set period to act when the pet is ill. Two of the 24 states covered have no statute on remedies if the animal is ill or has a congenital defect.

• The period for an ill pet runs from 7 to 21 days in 19 of those states, and from 7 to 14 business days in 2 of them, depending on the state. Use a deadline calculator to count the days.
• In 17 of the 24 states covered, a separate period applies to a congenital defect. It runs from 1 to 2 years in 9 of those states, 6 months in 2 of them, and from 10 to 180 days in 4 of them, depending on the state.
• In 20 of the 24 states covered, the remedy for an ill pet can be a refund or a replacement.
• In 5 of the 24 states covered, a cap limits how much the buyer can be reimbursed.
• In 4 of the 24 states covered, a contract term by which the buyer gives up these rights is void. Two of the 24 states covered have no statute on whether such a waiver is void.

Can I Get a Dog Bill of Sale Online?

Since drafting a dog bill of sale form may be quite challenging with all the legalese, you can access a bill of sale template online. They are convenient and readily available as long as you have a computer, laptop, or smartphone plus a stable internet connection.

Access our site and get a downloadable bill of sale forms accepted by the state. Fill in the name, address, breed, color, cost, and other relevant details on the order form. It is available in editable formats such as Word, PDF, and ODT. Whether you are a breeder or dog owner, you can customize the bill of sale to suit your sale needs. They are high-quality forms with the legal language already in place, so there’s no need to stress about the complicated jargon.

Have this information ready before you fill in the bill of sale, because the document asks for each item:

• The date of the sale and the full price.
• The names and addresses of the seller and the buyer.
• A description of the dog, including its breed, sex, color, and health.
• The way the buyer will pay.
• Any additional terms the parties agree on, such as a deposit or a guarantee.

Create a free high quality Puppy Bill of Sale online now!

Create and Print Online Now

How Do I Sell a Dog?

Selling a dog takes four steps, from the first ad to the signed document, and getting the paperwork right protects both sides. Follow the steps in order and, if the buyer plans to visit your home, keep your bill of sale printed and ready so the transfer of ownership is recorded at once.

Step 1: Advertise Your Dog

It is imperative to put up your dog ad early enough before the sale, especially if your other dogs are expecting puppies. It gives your dog a higher chance of finding the right home quickly. Ensure that you have all of the essential documents of the dog within reach that can certify all of the information. Include details such as date of vaccines, breed, and other relevant information.

Identify the method of advertising such as newspapers, flyers, or online resources. When it comes to pricing, ensure that you carry out due diligence to find a reasonable purchase price that will not scare potential buyers.

Step 2: Meet the Potential Buyer

When you get a prospective buyer, you need to meet up and ensure that your dog will have a good home. Do not hesitate to ask questions relating to previous ownership, the reason for purchasing a dog, the neighborhood, and maintenance standards.

Step 3: Fill Out the Dog Bill of Sale

You can download and print a free sale form for a dog on our site instead of writing one from scratch. Here are the details of the sale form that you have to fill in:

• Date of the dog sale.
• Full name of the buyer and physical address.
• Full name of the seller and physical address.
• Cost of the dog.
• Information about the dog, i.e., name, breed, sex, date of birth, color, health condition, and registration number.
• Mode of payment and deposits (if any).
• Guarantees (if any).
• Dates, signatures, and full names of the seller, customer, and witnesses.

Step 4: Get Confirmation by a Public Notary

After filling out the bill of sale, ensure that you approach a member of the public notary to acknowledge the agreement by stamping and issuing you with an acknowledgment certificate. It is the final step that seals the transaction. The seller will then issue a receipt to the new dog owner to show that payment is complete.

How to Write a Dog Bill of Sale?

Down below, you will see the guidelines developed by using the dog bill of sale template developed by our experts. Yet, if there’s a form supplied by your local authorities, it’s advised to choose it in the deal.

Step 1: Indicate the bill of sale creation date.

Step 2: Enter the details of each party (purchaser and seller):

• Name.
• Address: Street, City, State of residence, Area code.
• Contact information: Telephone number, Email address.
  

Step 3: Specify some details pertaining to the dog that is being sold:

• Name (if applicable)
• Breed (if known)
• Sex
• Date of birth
• Registration number
• Color
• Health condition
  

Step 4: Pick the way the purchaser will pay for the dog and for how much.

Type in the purchase date and state the entire amount that must be paid for the animal. As soon as that’s been concluded, you will need to mark the way of purchase:

1. One-time payment. Nothing difficult here: the buyer pays the full sum in one payment and has the dog transported to them within the same day.
2. In installment payments. Indicate the downpayment amount plus the exact date when it must be paid, along with the date by which the full amount must be handed to the dog owner.

And after that, indicate how the buyer is going to pay:

• Cash
• Cheque
• Cashier’s check
• Money order
  

Step 5: Review the miscellaneous provisions.

The “as-is” paragraph points out that the dog or puppy owner gives no warranties and is not liable for the health condition of the animal after the sale.

Step 6: Place your signature(s) in the corresponding fields.

The buyer’s signature is generally not needed. But, it is advised to get the form signed by each party. You can also have one or several witnesses attest the deal.

Step 7: Have a notary public attest the form

Although notarization is almost never mandatory, it functions as one more way to safeguard against legal problems. It would also be wise for both parties to keep a dog bill of sale in their records.

Frequently Asked Questions

These answers cover the questions people ask most often before they sell or buy a dog, from the information a bill of sale contains to the time limits that apply after the sale. The points about state rules come from FormsPal's verified state data.

What information goes in a bill of sale for a dog?

A bill of sale for a dog asks for the following information, and each item should be described clearly:

• The date of the sale and the names and addresses of both parties.
• The name, breed, sex, date of birth, color, and registration number of the dog.
• The price, the way the buyer pays, and the signatures of the parties and any witnesses.
• Any additional terms the parties agree on, such as a deposit or a guarantee.

How old must a puppy be before it can be sold?

In 8 of the 24 states FormsPal's verified state data covers, a puppy must reach a minimum age before it can be sold, from 7 to 8 weeks, depending on the state. Check the rule of your own state before you list a litter.

Can the buyer get a refund if the dog is sick?

In 20 of the 24 states covered, the remedy for an ill pet can be a refund or a replacement. The period to act runs from 7 to 21 days in 19 of those states, depending on the state.

Does the seller have to give the buyer anything in writing?

In 19 of the 24 states covered, the seller must give the buyer a written disclosure about the pet. In 19 of the 24 states covered, the seller must give the buyer a written notice of the buyer's rights.

Can I fill in the PDF online?

Yes. Visit the online PDF editor, open the downloaded file to fill it in and sign it, then print a copy of the bill of sale for each party.

General information, not legal or tax advice.

Mara Erlach

Writer & Attorney

Mara has been practicing estate planning and trust law in California since 2003, taking pride in helping clients of all backgrounds and asset profiles form a complete and customized estate plan. Her specialties are: estate planning, wills and trusts, trust and probate administration.