A city pet shop was cited and fined $22,500 for failing to label cages of dogs and cats with their breeding history, medical background, and other information required by state law, according to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.

Paterson-based D & G’s Petite Pups was issued 90 violations for violating provisions of the Pet Purchase Protection Act.

The pet store located at 276 22nd Avenue received a notice of violation to comply with the necessary laws and pay the civil penalty. The shop may also contest the violations. If it loses it could face a fine of up to $45,000, according to authorities.

Authorities cited 17 pet shops throughout the state including the Paterson business. Nine others were given executive conference letters to develop and implement compliance plans.

The 17 pet shops were issued 698 violations and fined $138,525, according to authorities. Some of the shops were also cited because they failed to properly display reports of any federal inspections conducted on breeders and brokers in the past two years, according to the state. Other shops failed to properly display “Know Your Rights” signs informing customers of their rights when buying a pet, authorities said.

“Providing consumers with information about the breeder and the animal’s veterinary history allows consumers to make educated choices in purchasing a pet for their family,” Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said. “Pet shops that don’t provide this vital information are breaking the law and denying consumers the ability to fully research this important decision.”

The alternative action of executive conference letters were issued stores that multiple retail locations with multiple violations, had three or fewer animals for sale at inspection time, or whose inspections require detailed review have to appear at executive conferences to discuss inspection violations, compliance plan, and civil penalty.

“Information required by the Pet Purchase Protection Act is crucial to consumers who want to know that the pets they bring into their homes were bred under healthy conditions that comply with the required standards of care,” said Steve Lee, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “The Division is committed to ensuring that these facts are readily available to consumers, as the law requires.”