[CA] How do I sue a breeder who took money and didn't deliver kittens?
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You can potentially sue the breeder for breach of contract and fraud, especially if you have:
- Proof of payment (bank transfer, Zelle, Venmo, etc.)
- Messages showing agreement on price/terms
- The shipping contract she refused to honor
- Her refusal to deliver after taking the $3,300
Here’s what you can do:
- Send a formal demand letter — state what happened, the amount, and demand refund or delivery; give a deadline (e.g., 10 days) before legal action.
- Report the fraud — IC3, FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov), and your state Attorney General.
- Sue in Small Claims Court — you typically don’t need a lawyer; state small-claims limits vary (e.g., $10,000 in CA). File in your local jurisdiction or the breeder’s, depending on facts.
- Preserve all evidence — screenshots, messages, payment proof, shipping docs; back them up.
In California you can generally file in the county where the defendant lives or does business, or where the dispute arose. Since the breeder lives in Bakersfield (Kern County), you can file there. If part of the transaction occurred in Sacramento (e.g., you made payment or entered the agreement there), you may also be able to file in Sacramento County.
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Can I sue an online breeder who took $3,300 from me for two kittens and refuses to deliver them?
I’m sorry to hear that. Have you tried reaching out to the breeder to resolve this?
Yes — I’ve been talking with her for over a month.
Did you sign any contract or agreement with the breeder?
No. She refused to send a receipt of payment, but I have her agreeing to the price and terms in Messenger. I also have the shipping contract that she refused to honor.
Is there anything else the lawyer should know?
Yes.
Hello — I’m KhariP. I’m sorry you have this issue. Hopefully, we can get it resolved quickly.
Thank you.
You can potentially sue the breeder for breach of contract and fraud, especially if you have:
- Proof of payment (bank transfer, Zelle, Venmo, etc.)
- Messages showing agreement on price/terms
- The shipping contract she refused to honor
- Her refusal to deliver after taking the $3,300
Here’s what you can do:
- Send a formal demand letter — state what happened, the amount, and demand refund or delivery; give a deadline (e.g., 10 days) before legal action.
- Report the fraud — IC3, FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov), and your state Attorney General.
- Sue in Small Claims Court — you typically don’t need a lawyer; state small-claims limits vary (e.g., $10,000 in CA). File in your local jurisdiction or the breeder’s, depending on facts.
- Preserve all evidence — screenshots, messages, payment proof, shipping docs; back them up.
In California you can generally file in the county where the defendant lives or does business, or where the dispute arose. Since the breeder lives in Bakersfield (Kern County), you can file there. If part of the transaction occurred in Sacramento (e.g., you made payment or entered the agreement there), you may also be able to file in Sacramento County.
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