There are few federal laws that regulate the sale of animals in pet stores, but stores must adhere to state and local laws. You can obtain a copy of local laws by doing an Internet search (these laws can be found at www.animal-law.org, while codes for particular cities are available at www.municode.com, and all should be available at your local library) to help guide you in identifying possible violations at a pet store in your area.
For help in knowing what to look for and where to report possible violations, please visit “Pet Shops: No Bargain for Animals.”