{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/3.2-6513.2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/3.2-6513.2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/3.2-6513.2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/3.2-6513.2.html"}],"law_id":74582,"edition_id":1,"section_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","history":"2020, c. 630; 2024, c. 382.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section, “covered person” means any pet shop, commercial dog breeder, pet dealer, firm, or other pet selling business.B\n\nThe rental or leasing of a dog or cat to a Virginia consumer, including by a purported sale of the animal in such a manner as to vest less than full equity in the consumer at the time of the purported sale, is prohibited.C\n\nNo covered person shall offer in Virginia an agreement for the transfer or sale of a dog or cat to the consumer in which the animal is subject to repossession in any manner upon default of the agreement by the consumer.D\n\nNo financial institution, as defined in § 6.2-100, shall offer in Virginia a loan or financing agreement for the rental, lease, or sale of a dog or cat where the animal is subject to repossession upon default under the terms of the financing agreement.E\n\nAny violation of this section shall also constitute a prohibited practice under § 59.1-200 and shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (§ 59.1-196 et seq.). In addition, any covered person that violates any provision of this section may have its business license, retail license, or local pet shop permit issued pursuant to § 3.2-6537 suspended or revoked after a hearing by the issuing authority. The court may also suspend or revoke the retail license of any business found to be in violation of this section.F\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not apply to the temporary rental or lease of any of the following animals, so long as the animal is used in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local animal protection laws:1\n\nA purebred dog that is rented for the express purpose of breeding pursuant to a written lease that sets out a specific time period, contains a firm end date, and is recorded with a national purebred dog registry;2\n\nA dog or cat that is used in spectator events, shows, exhibitions, motion pictures, or other entertainment, including animal exhibitions, racing events, field trials, polo matches, rodeo events, or any audiovisual media; or3\n\nA service dog as defined in § 51.5-40.1, guide or leader dog as defined in § 3.2-6588, security dog, police or law-enforcement dog, military working dog, or certified facility dog as defined in § 18.2-67.9:1.G\n\nThe financing of a dog or cat is prohibited unless such financing complies with the provisions of § 6.2-436 and any other applicable state or federal law related to consumer credit.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":268036,"text":"As used in this section, “covered person” means any pet shop, commercial dog breeder, pet dealer, firm, or other pet selling business.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":268037,"text":"The rental or leasing of a dog or cat to a Virginia consumer, including by a purported sale of the animal in such a manner as to vest less than full equity in the consumer at the time of the purported sale, is prohibited.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":268038,"text":"No covered person shall offer in Virginia an agreement for the transfer or sale of a dog or cat to the consumer in which the animal is subject to repossession in any manner upon default of the agreement by the consumer.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":268039,"text":"No financial institution, as defined in § 6.2-100, shall offer in Virginia a loan or financing agreement for the rental, lease, or sale of a dog or cat where the animal is subject to repossession upon default under the terms of the financing agreement.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":268040,"text":"Any violation of this section shall also constitute a prohibited practice under § 59.1-200 and shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (§ 59.1-196 et seq.). In addition, any covered person that violates any provision of this section may have its business license, retail license, or local pet shop permit issued pursuant to § 3.2-6537 suspended or revoked after a hearing by the issuing authority. The court may also suspend or revoke the retail license of any business found to be in violation of this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":268041,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not apply to the temporary rental or lease of any of the following animals, so long as the animal is used in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local animal protection laws:","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"F1"},"6":{"id":268042,"text":"A purebred dog that is rented for the express purpose of breeding pursuant to a written lease that sets out a specific time period, contains a firm end date, and is recorded with a national purebred dog registry;","type":"section","prefixes":["F","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"F1","prefix_anchor":"F1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"F2"},"7":{"id":268043,"text":"A dog or cat that is used in spectator events, shows, exhibitions, motion pictures, or other entertainment, including animal exhibitions, racing events, field trials, polo matches, rodeo events, or any audiovisual media; or","type":"section","prefixes":["F","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"F2","prefix_anchor":"F2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"F1","next_prefix":"F3"},"8":{"id":268044,"text":"A service dog as defined in § 51.5-40.1, guide or leader dog as defined in § 3.2-6588, security dog, police or law-enforcement dog, military working dog, or certified facility dog as defined in § 18.2-67.9:1.","type":"section","prefixes":["F","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"F3","prefix_anchor":"F3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"F2","next_prefix":"G"},"9":{"id":268045,"text":"The financing of a dog or cat is prohibited unless such financing complies with the provisions of § 6.2-436 and any other applicable state or federal law related to consumer credit.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F3"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/3.2-6513.2\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2020. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 630<\/a> 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. It has been modified 1 time. 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. That modification is as follows: in 2024, chapter 382<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":81839,"section_number":"3.2-6537","catch_line":"Ordinances; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6537\/"},{"id":71254,"section_number":"3.2-6588","catch_line":"Intentional interference with a guide or leader dog; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6588\/"},{"id":60539,"section_number":"51.5-40.1","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.5-40.1\/"},{"id":56198,"section_number":"59.1-196","catch_line":"Title","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-196\/"},{"id":82977,"section_number":"59.1-200","catch_line":"Prohibited practices","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-200\/"},{"id":80540,"section_number":"6.2-100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/6.2-100\/"},{"id":86596,"section_number":"6.2-436","catch_line":"Compliance with federal law","order_by":null,"url":"\/6.2-436\/"}],"permalink":{"id":198707,"object_type":"law","relational_id":74582,"identifier":"3.2-6513.2","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6513.2","url":"\/3.2-6513.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/3.2-6513.2\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/3\/3.2-6513.2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Rental or lease of dog or cat prohibited; requirements for financing a dog or cat; civil penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 3.2-6513.2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> As used in this section, “covered person<\/span>” means any pet shop<\/span>, commercial dog breeder<\/span>, pet dealer<\/span>, firm, or other pet selling business. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The rental or leasing of a dog or cat to a Virginia consumer<\/span>, including by a purported sale of the animal<\/span> in such a manner as to vest less than full equity<\/span> in the consumer<\/span> at the time of the purported sale, is prohibited. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> No covered person<\/span> shall offer in Virginia an agreement for the transfer or sale of a dog or cat to the consumer<\/span> in which the animal<\/span> is subject to repossession in any manner upon default<\/span> of the agreement by the consumer<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> No financial institution, as defined in § 6.2-100<\/a>, shall offer in Virginia a loan or financing agreement for the rental, lease, or sale of a dog or cat where the animal<\/span> is subject to repossession upon default<\/span> under the terms of the financing agreement. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Any violation of this section shall also constitute a prohibited practice under § 59.1-200<\/a> and shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of the Virginia Consumer<\/span> Protection Act (§ 59.1-196<\/a> et seq.). In addition, any covered person<\/span> that violates any provision of this section may have its business license, retail license, or local pet shop<\/span> permit issued pursuant to § 3.2-6537<\/a> suspended or revoked after a hearing<\/span> by the issuing authority. The court<\/span> may also suspend or revoke the retail license of any business found to be in violation of this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not apply to the temporary rental or lease of any of the following animals<\/span>, so long as the animal<\/span> is used in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local animal<\/span> protection laws<\/span>: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> A purebred dog that is rented for the express purpose of breeding pursuant to a written lease that sets out a specific time period, contains a firm end date, and is recorded with a national purebred dog registry; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> A dog or cat that is used in spectator events, shows, exhibitions, motion<\/span> pictures, or other entertainment, including animal<\/span> exhibitions, racing events, field trials<\/span>, polo matches, rodeo events, or any audiovisual media; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> A service dog as defined in § 51.5-40.1<\/a>, guide or leader dog as defined in § 3.2-6588<\/a>, security dog, police or law<\/span>-enforcement dog, military working dog, or certified facility<\/span> dog as defined in § 18.2-67.9:1<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> The financing of a dog or cat is prohibited unless such financing complies with the provisions of § 6.2-436<\/a> and any other applicable state or federal law<\/span> related to consumer<\/span> credit. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRENTAL OR LEASE OF DOG OR CAT PROHIBITED; REQUIREMENTS FOR FINANCING A DOG OR\nCAT; CIVIL PENALTY (\u00a7 3.2-6513.2)\n\nA. As used in this section, “covered person” means any pet shop,\ncommercial dog breeder, pet dealer, firm, or other pet selling business.\n\nB. The rental or leasing of a dog or cat to a Virginia consumer, including by a\npurported sale of the animal in such a manner as to vest less than full equity\nin the consumer at the time of the purported sale, is prohibited.\n\nC. No covered person shall offer in Virginia an agreement for the transfer or\nsale of a dog or cat to the consumer in which the animal is subject to\nrepossession in any manner upon default of the agreement by the consumer.\n\nD. No financial institution, as defined in § 6.2-100, shall offer in\nVirginia a loan or financing agreement for the rental, lease, or sale of a dog\nor cat where the animal is subject to repossession upon default under the terms\nof the financing agreement.\n\nE. Any violation of this section shall also constitute a prohibited practice\nunder § 59.1-200 and shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of the\nVirginia Consumer Protection Act (§ 59.1-196 et seq.). In addition, any\ncovered person that violates any provision of this section may have its business\nlicense, retail license, or local pet shop permit issued pursuant to §\n3.2-6537 suspended or revoked after a hearing by the issuing authority. The\ncourt may also suspend or revoke the retail license of any business found to be\nin violation of this section.\n\nF. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the temporary rental or\nlease of any of the following animals, so long as the animal is used in\naccordance with applicable federal, state, and local animal protection laws:\n\n 1. A purebred dog that is rented for the express purpose of breeding pursuant\n to a written lease that sets out a specific time period, contains a firm end\n date, and is recorded with a national purebred dog registry;\n\n 2. A dog or cat that is used in spectator events, shows, exhibitions, motion\n pictures, or other entertainment, including animal exhibitions, racing events,\n field trials, polo matches, rodeo events, or any audiovisual media; or\n\n 3. A service dog as defined in § 51.5-40.1, guide or leader dog as\n defined in § 3.2-6588, security dog, police or law-enforcement dog,\n military working dog, or certified facility dog as defined in §\n 18.2-67.9:1.\n\nG. The financing of a dog or cat is prohibited unless such financing complies\nwith the provisions of § 6.2-436 and any other applicable state or federal\nlaw related to consumer credit.\n\nHISTORY: 2020, c. 630; 2024, c. 382.","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}}