{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/3.2-6511.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/3.2-6511.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/3.2-6511.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/3.2-6511.html"}],"law_id":69013,"edition_id":1,"section_id":69013,"structure_id":13341,"section_number":"3.2-6511","catch_line":"Failure of dealer or pet shop to provide adequate care; penalty; report","history":"1984, c. 492, \u00a7 29-213.41; 1987, c. 488, \u00a7 3.1-796.71; 1993, c. 174; 2008, c. 860; 2022, c. 273.","full_text":"A\n\nAny dealer or pet shop that fails to adequately house, feed, water, exercise or care for animals in his or its possession or custody as provided for under this chapter is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. Such animals shall be subject to seizure and impoundment, and upon conviction of such person the animals may be sold, euthanized, or disposed of as provided by § 3.2-6546 for licensed, tagged, or tattooed animals. Such failure is also grounds for revocation of a permit or certificate of registration after public hearing. Any funds that result from such sale shall be used first to pay the costs of the local jurisdiction for the impoundment and disposition of the animals, and any funds remaining shall be paid to the owner, if known. If the owner is not found, the remaining funds shall be paid into the Literary Fund.B\n\nEach pet shop shall retain records indicating any time a dog or cat in its possession or custody dies or is euthanized. Such records shall be (i) maintained for a period of at least two years and (ii) provided to animal control officers and the Inspector.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":249788,"text":"Any dealer or pet shop that fails to adequately house, feed, water, exercise or care for animals in his or its possession or custody as provided for under this chapter is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. Such animals shall be subject to seizure and impoundment, and upon conviction of such person the animals may be sold, euthanized, or disposed of as provided by § 3.2-6546 for licensed, tagged, or tattooed animals. Such failure is also grounds for revocation of a permit or certificate of registration after public hearing. Any funds that result from such sale shall be used first to pay the costs of the local jurisdiction for the impoundment and disposition of the animals, and any funds remaining shall be paid to the owner, if known. If the owner is not found, the remaining funds shall be paid into the Literary Fund.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":249789,"text":"Each pet shop shall retain records indicating any time a dog or cat in its possession or custody dies or is euthanized. Such records shall be (i) maintained for a period of at least two years and (ii) provided to animal control officers and the Inspector.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13341,"edition_id":1,"name":"Transportation and Sale of Animals","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13170,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:40","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:40","permalink":{"id":198661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13341,"identifier":"3","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3","url":"\/3.2\/V\/65\/3\/","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":54865,"structure_id":13341,"section_number":"3.2-6508","catch_line":"Transporting animals; requirements; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6508\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6508","metadata":false},{"id":73161,"structure_id":13341,"section_number":"3.2-6508.1","catch_line":"Sale of dogs or cats prohibited in certain places","url":"\/3.2-6508.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6508.1","metadata":false},{"id":55461,"structure_id":13341,"section_number":"3.2-6509","catch_line":"Misrepresentation of animal's condition; penalties","url":"\/3.2-6509\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6509","metadata":false},{"id":71599,"structure_id":13341,"section_number":"3.2-6509.1","catch_line":"Disclosure of animal bite history; penalties","url":"\/3.2-6509.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6509.1","metadata":false},{"id":86958,"structure_id":13341,"section_number":"3.2-6510","catch_line":"Sale of unweaned or certain immature animals prohibited, vaccinations required for dogs and cats; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6510\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6510","metadata":false},{"id":69013,"structure_id":13341,"section_number":"3.2-6511","catch_line":"Failure of dealer or pet shop to provide adequate care; penalty; report","url":"\/3.2-6511\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6511","metadata":false},{"id":84119,"structure_id":13341,"section_number":"3.2-6511.1","catch_line":"Pet shops; procurement of dogs; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6511.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6511.1","metadata":false},{"id":72939,"structure_id":13341,"section_number":"3.2-6511.2","catch_line":"Dealers; importation and sale of dogs and cats; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6511.2\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6511.2","metadata":false},{"id":72085,"structure_id":13341,"section_number":"3.2-6512","catch_line":"Sale without pet dealer's animal history certificate violation of Consumer Protection Act; contents of certificate","url":"\/3.2-6512\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6512","metadata":false},{"id":75230,"structure_id":13341,"section_number":"3.2-6513","catch_line":"Inclusion of false or misleading statements in certificate violation of Consumer Protection Act","url":"\/3.2-6513\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6513","metadata":false},{"id":60330,"structure_id":13341,"section_number":"3.2-6513.1","catch_line":"Pet shops; posting of information about dogs","url":"\/3.2-6513.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6513.1","metadata":false},{"id":74582,"structure_id":13341,"section_number":"3.2-6513.2","catch_line":"Rental or lease of dog or cat prohibited; requirements for financing a dog or cat; civil penalty","url":"\/3.2-6513.2\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6513.2","metadata":false},{"id":80528,"structure_id":13341,"section_number":"3.2-6514","catch_line":"Consumer remedies for receipt of diseased animal upon certification by veterinarian","url":"\/3.2-6514\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6514","metadata":false},{"id":54323,"structure_id":13341,"section_number":"3.2-6515","catch_line":"Written notice of consumer remedies required to be supplied by pet dealers","url":"\/3.2-6515\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6515","metadata":false},{"id":77364,"structure_id":13341,"section_number":"3.2-6516","catch_line":"Failure of pet dealer to effect registration after promise; violation of Consumer Protection Act; remedies; veterinary certification; finding of intestinal parasites; illness subsequent to sale","url":"\/3.2-6516\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6516","metadata":false},{"id":84726,"structure_id":13341,"section_number":"3.2-6517","catch_line":"Remedies cumulative","url":"\/3.2-6517\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6517","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":86958,"structure_id":13341,"section_number":"3.2-6510","catch_line":"Sale of unweaned or certain immature animals prohibited, vaccinations required for dogs and cats; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6510\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6510","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":84119,"structure_id":13341,"section_number":"3.2-6511.1","catch_line":"Pet shops; procurement of dogs; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6511.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6511.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/3.2-6511\/","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 4 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 1993, chapter 174; in 2008, chapter 860<\/a>; in 2022, chapter 273<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":84606,"section_number":"18.2-403.2","catch_line":"Offenses involving animals \u2014 Class 3 misdemeanors","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-403.2\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":84667,"section_number":"3.2-6546","catch_line":"County or city public animal shelters; confinement and disposition of animals; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties; injunctive relief","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6546\/"}],"permalink":{"id":198683,"object_type":"law","relational_id":69013,"identifier":"3.2-6511","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6511","url":"\/3.2-6511\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/3.2-6511\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6511","dublin_core":{"Title":"Failure of dealer or pet shop to provide adequate care; penalty; report","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 3.2-6511","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Any dealer<\/span> or pet shop<\/span> that fails to adequately house, feed, water, exercise<\/span> or care<\/span> for animals<\/span> in his or its possession<\/span> or custody<\/span> as provided for under this chapter is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor<\/span>. Such animals<\/span> shall be subject to seizure and impoundment, and upon conviction<\/span> of such person the animals<\/span> may be sold, euthanized, or disposed of as provided by § 3.2-6546<\/a> for licensed, tagged, or tattooed animals<\/span>. Such failure is also grounds for revocation<\/span> of a permit or certificate of registration after public hearing<\/span>. Any funds that result from such sale shall be used first to pay the costs of the local jurisdiction<\/span> for the impoundment and disposition<\/span> of the animals<\/span>, and any funds remaining shall be paid to the owner<\/span>, if known. If the owner<\/span> is not found, the remaining funds shall be paid into the Literary Fund. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Each pet shop<\/span> shall retain records indicating any time a dog or cat in its possession<\/span> or custody<\/span> dies or is euthanized. Such records shall be (i) maintained for a period of at least two years and (ii) provided to animal control officers<\/span> and the Inspector<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nFAILURE OF DEALER OR PET SHOP TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE CARE; PENALTY; REPORT (\u00a7\n3.2-6511)\n\nA. Any dealer or pet shop that fails to adequately house, feed, water, exercise\nor care for animals in his or its possession or custody as provided for under\nthis chapter is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. Such animals shall be subject\nto seizure and impoundment, and upon conviction of such person the animals may\nbe sold, euthanized, or disposed of as provided by § 3.2-6546 for licensed,\ntagged, or tattooed animals. Such failure is also grounds for revocation of a\npermit or certificate of registration after public hearing. Any funds that\nresult from such sale shall be used first to pay the costs of the local\njurisdiction for the impoundment and disposition of the animals, and any funds\nremaining shall be paid to the owner, if known. If the owner is not found, the\nremaining funds shall be paid into the Literary Fund.\n\nB. Each pet shop shall retain records indicating any time a dog or cat in its\npossession or custody dies or is euthanized. Such records shall be (i)\nmaintained for a period of at least two years and (ii) provided to animal\ncontrol officers and the Inspector.\n\nHISTORY: 1984, c. 492, \u00a7 29-213.41; 1987, c. 488, \u00a7 3.1-796.71; 1993, c. 174;\n2008, c. 860; 2022, c. 273.","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}}