Virginia Code 3.2-6507.2: Commercial dog breeding; requirements
Commercial dog breeders shall:
Terms Used In Virginia Code 3.2-6507.2
- Animal: means any nonhuman vertebrate species except fish. See Virginia Code 3.2-6500
- care: means the responsible practice of good animal husbandry, handling, production, management, confinement, feeding, watering, protection, shelter, transportation, treatment, and, when necessary, euthanasia, appropriate for the age, species, condition, size and type of the animal and the provision of veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering or impairment of health. See Virginia Code 3.2-6500
- Euthanasia: means the humane destruction of an animal accomplished by a method that involves instantaneous unconsciousness and immediate death or by a method that involves anesthesia, produced by an agent that causes painless loss of consciousness, and death during such loss of consciousness. See Virginia Code 3.2-6500
- Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
- Ordinance: means any law, rule, regulation, or ordinance adopted by the governing body of any locality. See Virginia Code 3.2-6500
- Person: includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof. See Virginia Code 1-230
- State: when applied to a part of the United States, includes any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands. See Virginia Code 1-245
1. Maintain no more than 50 dogs over the age of one year at any time for breeding purposes. However, a higher number of dogs may be allowed if approved by local ordinance after a public hearing. Any such ordinance may include additional requirements for commercial breeding operations;
2. Breed female dogs only: (i) after annual certification by a licensed veterinarian that the dog is in suitable health for breeding; (ii) after the dog has reached the age of 18 months; and (iii) if the dog has not yet reached the age of 8 years;
3. Dispose of dogs only by gift, sale, transfer, barter, or euthanasia by a licensed veterinarian;
4. Dispose of deceased dogs in accordance with § 3.2-6554;
5. Dispose of dog waste in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations; and
6. Maintain accurate records for at least five years including:
a. The date on which a dog enters the operation;
b. The person from whom the animal was purchased or obtained, including the address and phone number of such person;
c. A description of the animal, including the species, color, breed, sex, and approximate age and weight;
d. Any tattoo, microchip number, or other identification number carried by or appearing on the animal;
e. Each date that puppies were born to such animal and the number of puppies;
f. All medical care and vaccinations provided to the animal, including certifications required by a licensed veterinarian under this chapter; and
g. The disposition of each animal and the date.
2008, c. 852, § 3.1-796.77:2.