{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/3.2-6503.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/3.2-6503.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/3.2-6503.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/3.2-6503.html"}],"law_id":66904,"edition_id":1,"section_id":66904,"structure_id":13261,"section_number":"3.2-6503","catch_line":"Care of companion animals by owner; penalty","history":"1984, c. 492, \u00a7 29-213.38; 1987, c. 488, \u00a7 3.1-796.68; 1991, c. 348; 1993, c. 174; 1996, c. 249; 1998, c. 817; 2002, c. 787; 2003, c. 1007; 2008, c. 860; 2010, c. 875; 2014, c. 148.","full_text":"A\n\nEach owner shall provide for each of his companion animals:1\n\nAdequate feed;2\n\nAdequate water;3\n\nAdequate shelter that is properly cleaned;4\n\nAdequate space in the primary enclosure for the particular type of animal depending upon its age, size, species, and weight;5\n\nAdequate exercise;6\n\nAdequate care, treatment, and transportation; and7\n\nVeterinary care when needed to prevent suffering or disease transmission.\n\t\t\t\tThe provisions of this section shall also apply to every public or private animal shelter, or other releasing agency, and every foster care provider, dealer, pet shop, exhibitor, kennel, groomer, and boarding establishment. This section shall not require that animals used as food for other animals be euthanized.B\n\nViolation of this section is a Class 4 misdemeanor. A second or subsequent violation of subdivision A 1, 2, 3, or 7 is a Class 2 misdemeanor and a second or subsequent violation of subdivision A 4, 5, or 6 is a Class 3 misdemeanor.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":242587,"text":"Each owner shall provide for each of his companion animals:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":242588,"text":"Adequate feed;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":242589,"text":"Adequate water;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":242590,"text":"Adequate shelter that is properly cleaned;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":242591,"text":"Adequate space in the primary enclosure for the particular type of animal depending upon its age, size, species, and weight;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":242592,"text":"Adequate exercise;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"A6"},"6":{"id":242593,"text":"Adequate care, treatment, and transportation; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"A6","prefix_anchor":"A6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"A7"},"7":{"id":242594,"text":"Veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering or disease transmission.\n\t\t\t\tThe provisions of this section shall also apply to every public or private animal shelter, or other releasing agency, and every foster care provider, dealer, pet shop, exhibitor, kennel, groomer, and boarding establishment. This section shall not require that animals used as food for other animals be euthanized.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"A7","prefix_anchor":"A7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A6","next_prefix":"B"},"8":{"id":242595,"text":"Violation of this section is a Class 4 misdemeanor. A second or subsequent violation of subdivision A 1, 2, 3, or 7 is a Class 2 misdemeanor and a second or subsequent violation of subdivision A 4, 5, or 6 is a Class 3 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A7"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13261,"edition_id":1,"name":"Animal Welfare","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13170,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:32","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:32","permalink":{"id":198605,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13261,"identifier":"2","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2","url":"\/3.2\/V\/65\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13170,"edition_id":1,"name":"Comprehensive Animal Care","identifier":"65","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13169,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","permalink":{"id":198459,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13170,"identifier":"65","token":"3.2\/V\/65","url":"\/3.2\/V\/65\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13169,"edition_id":1,"name":"Domestic Animals","identifier":"V","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12793,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","permalink":{"id":198133,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13169,"identifier":"V","token":"3.2\/V","url":"\/3.2\/V\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12793,"edition_id":1,"name":"Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food","identifier":"3.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":193939,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12793,"identifier":"3.2","token":"3.2","url":"\/3.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":66904,"structure_id":13261,"section_number":"3.2-6503","catch_line":"Care of companion animals by owner; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6503\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2\/3.2-6503","metadata":false},{"id":62202,"structure_id":13261,"section_number":"3.2-6503.1","catch_line":"Care of agricultural animals by owner; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6503.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2\/3.2-6503.1","metadata":false},{"id":57920,"structure_id":13261,"section_number":"3.2-6504","catch_line":"Abandonment of animal; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6504\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2\/3.2-6504","metadata":false},{"id":64111,"structure_id":13261,"section_number":"3.2-6504.1","catch_line":"Civil immunity; forcible entry of motor vehicle to remove unattended companion animal","url":"\/3.2-6504.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2\/3.2-6504.1","metadata":false},{"id":73731,"structure_id":13261,"section_number":"3.2-6505","catch_line":"Disposal of animals by means of decompression chamber and use of gas chamber for companion animals prohibited","url":"\/3.2-6505\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2\/3.2-6505","metadata":false},{"id":66794,"structure_id":13261,"section_number":"3.2-6506","catch_line":"Exceptions regarding veterinarians","url":"\/3.2-6506\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2\/3.2-6506","metadata":false},{"id":54260,"structure_id":13261,"section_number":"3.2-6507","catch_line":"Injured or sick animal; action by veterinarian","url":"\/3.2-6507\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2\/3.2-6507","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":62202,"structure_id":13261,"section_number":"3.2-6503.1","catch_line":"Care of agricultural animals by owner; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6503.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2\/3.2-6503.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/3.2-6503\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1984. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 492 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1984 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 10 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1987, chapter 488; in 1991, chapter 348; in 1993, chapter 174; in 1996, chapter 249<\/a>; in 1998, chapter 817<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 787<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 1007<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 860<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 875<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 148<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":62257,"section_number":"18.2-403.3","catch_line":"Offenses involving animals \u2014 Class 4 misdemeanors","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-403.3\/"},{"id":86401,"section_number":"3.2-6500","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6500\/"},{"id":66794,"section_number":"3.2-6506","catch_line":"Exceptions regarding veterinarians","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6506\/"},{"id":81910,"section_number":"3.2-6518","catch_line":"Boarding establishments and groomers; veterinary care requirements; consumer notification; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6518\/"},{"id":55903,"section_number":"3.2-6519","catch_line":"Written notice of consumer remedies required to be supplied by boarding establishments; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6519\/"},{"id":62173,"section_number":"3.2-6564","catch_line":"Complaint of suspected violation; investigation","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6564\/"},{"id":54939,"section_number":"3.2-6565","catch_line":"Impoundment; expenses; lien; disposition of animal","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6565\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":198607,"object_type":"law","relational_id":66904,"identifier":"3.2-6503","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2\/3.2-6503","url":"\/3.2-6503\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/3.2-6503\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2\/3.2-6503","dublin_core":{"Title":"Care of companion animals by owner; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 3.2-6503","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Each owner<\/span> shall provide for each of his companion animals<\/span>: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Adequate feed<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Adequate water<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Adequate shelter<\/span> that is properly cleaned<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Adequate space<\/span> in the primary enclosure<\/span> for the particular type of animal<\/span> depending upon its age, size, species, and weight; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Adequate exercise<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Adequate care<\/span>, treatment<\/span>, and transportation; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering or disease transmission.\n\t\t\t\tThe provisions of this section shall also apply to every public or private animal shelter<\/span>, or other releasing agency<\/span>, and every foster care provider<\/span>, dealer<\/span>, pet shop<\/span>, exhibitor<\/span>, kennel<\/span>, groomer<\/span>, and boarding establishment<\/span>. This section shall not require that animals used as food for other animals be euthanized. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Violation of this section is a Class 4 misdemeanor<\/span>. A second or subsequent violation of subdivision A 1, 2, 3, or 7 is a Class 2 misdemeanor<\/span> and a second or subsequent violation of subdivision A 4, 5, or 6 is a Class 3 misdemeanor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCARE OF COMPANION ANIMALS BY OWNER; PENALTY (\u00a7 3.2-6503)\n\nA. Each owner shall provide for each of his companion animals:\n\n 1. Adequate feed;\n\n 2. Adequate water;\n\n 3. Adequate shelter that is properly cleaned;\n\n 4. Adequate space in the primary enclosure for the particular type of animal\n depending upon its age, size, species, and weight;\n\n 5. Adequate exercise;\n\n 6. Adequate care, treatment, and transportation; and\n\n 7. Veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering or disease transmission.\n \t\t\t\tThe provisions of this section shall also apply to every public or private\n animal shelter, or other releasing agency, and every foster care provider,\n dealer, pet shop, exhibitor, kennel, groomer, and boarding establishment. This\n section shall not require that animals used as food for other animals be\n euthanized.\n\nB. Violation of this section is a Class 4 misdemeanor. A second or subsequent\nviolation of subdivision A 1, 2, 3, or 7 is a Class 2 misdemeanor and a second\nor subsequent violation of subdivision A 4, 5, or 6 is a Class 3 misdemeanor.\n\nHISTORY: 1984, c. 492, \u00a7 29-213.38; 1987, c. 488, \u00a7 3.1-796.68; 1991, c. 348;\n1993, c. 174; 1996, c. 249; 1998, c. 817; 2002, c. 787; 2003, c. 1007; 2008, c.\n860; 2010, c. 875; 2014, c. 148.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}