{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/3.2-6546.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/3.2-6546.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/3.2-6546.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/3.2-6546.html"}],"law_id":84667,"edition_id":1,"section_id":84667,"structure_id":13171,"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","history":"1984, c. 492, \u00a7\u00a7 29-213.36, 29-213.66; 1985, c. 21; 1987, c. 488, \u00a7\u00a7 3.1-796.66, 3.1-796.96; 1988, c. 538; 1989, c. 344; 1991, c. 348; 1993, cc. 174, 817, 959; 1994, c. 936; 1995, c. 496; 1997, c. 159; 1998, c. 817; 1999, cc. 627, 672; 2000, c. 1010; 2002, cc. 53, 208, 787; 2003, c. 1007; 2008, cc. 345, 860; 2014, c. 148; 2018, c. 774; 2020, c. 1109; 2022, c. 387.","full_text":"A\n\nFor purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Animal” shall not include agricultural animals.\n\t\t\t“Rightful owner” means a person with a right of property in the animal.B\n\nThe governing body of each county or city shall maintain or cause to be maintained a public animal shelter and shall require dogs running at large without the tag required by \u00a7 3.2-6531 or in violation of an ordinance passed pursuant to \u00a7 3.2-6538 to be confined therein. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit confinement of other companion animals in such a shelter. The governing body of any county or city need not own the facility required by this section but may contract for its establishment with a private group or in conjunction with one or more other local governing bodies. The governing body shall require that:1\n\nThe public animal shelter shall be accessible to the public at reasonable hours during the week;2\n\nThe public animal shelter shall obtain a signed statement from each of its directors, operators, staff, or animal caregivers specifying that each individual has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment, and each shelter shall update such statement as changes occur;3\n\nIf a person contacts the public animal shelter inquiring about a lost companion animal, the shelter shall advise the person if the companion animal is confined at the shelter or if a companion animal of similar description is confined at the shelter;4\n\nThe public animal shelter shall maintain a written record of the information on each companion animal submitted to the shelter by a private animal shelter in accordance with subsection D of § 3.2-6548 for a period of 30 days from the date the information is received by the shelter. If a person contacts the shelter inquiring about a lost companion animal, the shelter shall check its records and make available to such person any information submitted by a private animal shelter or allow such person inquiring about a lost animal to view the written records;5\n\nThe public animal shelter shall maintain a written record of the information on each companion animal submitted to the shelter by a releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter in accordance with subdivision F 2 of § 3.2-6549 for a period of 30 days from the date the information is received by the shelter. If a person contacts the shelter inquiring about a lost companion animal, the shelter shall check its records and make available to such person any information submitted by such releasing agency or allow such person inquiring about a lost companion animal to view the written records; and6\n\nThe public animal shelter shall maintain a written record of the information on each companion animal submitted to the shelter by an individual in accordance with subdivision A 2 of § 3.2-6551 for a period of 30 days from the date the information is received by the shelter. If a person contacts the shelter inquiring about a lost companion animal, the shelter shall check its records and make available to such person any information submitted by the individual or allow such person inquiring about a lost companion animal to view the written records.C\n\nAn animal confined pursuant to this section shall be kept for a period of not less than five days, such stray hold period to commence on the day immediately following the day the animal is initially confined in the facility, unless sooner claimed by the rightful owner thereof.\n\t\t\tThe operator or custodian of the public animal shelter shall make a reasonable effort to ascertain whether the animal has a collar, tag, license, tattoo, or other form of identification, including by complying with the provisions of § 3.2-6585.1. If such identification is found on the animal, the animal shall be held for an additional five-day stray hold period, unless sooner claimed by the rightful owner. If the rightful owner of the animal can be readily identified, the operator or custodian of the shelter shall make a reasonable effort to notify the owner of the animal’s confinement within the next 48 hours following its confinement.\n\t\t\tDuring the stray hold period that an animal is confined pursuant to this subsection, the operator or custodian of the public animal shelter may vaccinate the animal to prevent the risk of communicable diseases, provided that (i) all vaccines are administered in accordance with a protocol approved by a licensed veterinarian and (ii) rabies vaccines are administered by a licensed veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician under the immediate direction and supervision of a licensed veterinarian in accordance with § 3.2-6521. Indoor enclosures used to confine the animal during the applicable stray hold period shall be constructed of materials that are durable, nonporous, impervious to moisture, and able to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. During the applicable stray hold period, the operator or custodian shall provide the animal with adequate care, including reasonable access to outdoor areas to ensure that the animal has adequate exercise and adequate space.\n\t\t\tIf any animal confined pursuant to this section is claimed by its rightful owner, such owner may be charged with the actual expenses incurred in keeping the animal impounded. In addition to this and any other fees that might be levied, the locality may, after a public hearing, adopt an ordinance to charge the owner of an animal a fee for impoundment and increased fees for subsequent impoundments of the same animal.D\n\nIf an animal confined pursuant to this section has not been claimed upon expiration of the applicable stray hold period as provided by subsection C, it shall be deemed abandoned and become the property of the public animal shelter.\n\t\t\tFor any animal not subject to a stray hold period, including an animal for whom the stray hold period has ended, the operator or custodian of the public animal shelter shall confine the animal in an enclosure that can safely house and allow for adequate separation of animals of different species, sexes, ages, and temperaments. Such enclosure may have both an outdoor area and an indoor area. If the facility has an outdoor area, the facility shall ensure that the outdoor areas do not present conditions that would be detrimental to the health of the animal. Indoor areas shall have a solid floor. Each operator or custodian shall ensure adequate access to water, food, and a resting platform, bedding, or perch as appropriate to the animal’s species, age, and condition. Any regulation by the Board that applies to an animal not subject to a stray hold period shall not be so restrictive as to fail to allow for adequate care, adequate exercise, and adequate space, including meaningful indoor and outdoor recreation for the animal.\n\t\t\tSuch animal may be euthanized in accordance with the methods approved by the State Veterinarian or disposed of by the methods set forth in subdivisions 1 through 5. No shelter shall release more than two animals or a family of animals during any 30-day period to any one person under subdivision 2, 3, or 4.1\n\nRelease to any humane society, public or private animal shelter, or other releasing agency within the Commonwealth, provided that each humane society, animal shelter, or other releasing agency obtains a signed statement from each of its directors, operators, staff, or animal caregivers specifying that each individual has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment and updates such statements as changes occur;2\n\nAdoption by a resident of the county or city where the shelter is operated and who will pay the required license fee, if any, on such animal, provided that such resident has read and signed a statement specifying that he has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment;3\n\nAdoption by a resident of an adjacent political subdivision of the Commonwealth, if the resident has read and signed a statement specifying that he has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment;4\n\nAdoption by any other person, provided that such person has read and signed a statement specifying that he has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment and provided that no dog or cat may be adopted by any person who is not a resident of the county or city where the shelter is operated, or of an adjacent political subdivision, unless the dog or cat is first sterilized, and the shelter may require that the sterilization be done at the expense of the person adopting the dog or cat; or5\n\nRelease for the purposes of adoption or euthanasia only, to an animal shelter, or any other releasing agency located in and lawfully operating under the laws of another state, provided that such animal shelter, or other releasing agency: (i) maintains records that would comply with § 3.2-6557; (ii) requires that adopted dogs and cats be sterilized; (iii) obtains a signed statement from each of its directors, operators, staff, and animal caregivers specifying that each individual has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment, and updates such statement as changes occur; and (iv) has provided to the public or private animal shelter or other releasing agency within the Commonwealth a statement signed by an authorized representative specifying the entity’s compliance with clauses (i) through (iii), and the provisions of adequate care and performance of humane euthanasia, as necessary in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.\n\t\t\t\tFor purposes of recordkeeping, release of an animal by a public animal shelter to a public or private animal shelter or other releasing agency shall be considered a transfer and not an adoption. If the animal is not first sterilized, the responsibility for sterilizing the animal transfers to the receiving entity.\n\t\t\t\tAny proceeds deriving from the gift, sale, or delivery of such animals shall be paid directly to the treasurer of the locality. Any proceeds deriving from the gift, sale, or delivery of such animals by a public or private animal shelter or other releasing agency shall be paid directly to the clerk or treasurer of the animal shelter or other releasing agency for the expenses of the society and expenses incident to any agreement concerning the disposing of such animal. No part of the proceeds shall accrue to any individual except for the aforementioned purposes.E\n\nNothing in this section shall prohibit the immediate euthanasia of a critically injured, critically ill, or unweaned animal for humane purposes. Any animal euthanized pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be euthanized by one of the methods prescribed or approved by the State Veterinarian.F\n\nNothing in this section shall prohibit the immediate euthanasia or disposal by the methods listed in subdivisions D 1 through 5 of an animal that has been released to a public or private animal shelter, other releasing agency, or animal control officer by the animal’s rightful owner after the rightful owner has read and signed a statement: (i) surrendering all property rights in such animal; (ii) stating that no other person has a right of property in the animal; and (iii) acknowledging that the animal may be immediately euthanized or disposed of in accordance with subdivisions D 1 through 5.G\n\nNothing in this section shall prohibit any feral dog or feral cat not bearing a collar, tag, tattoo, or other form of identification that, based on the written statement of a disinterested person, exhibits behavior that poses a risk of physical injury to any person confining the animal, from being euthanized after being kept for a period of not less than three days, at least one of which shall be a full business day, such period to commence on the day the animal is initially confined in the facility, unless sooner claimed by the rightful owner. The statement of the disinterested person shall be kept with the animal as required by § 3.2-6557. For purposes of this subsection, a disinterested person shall not include a person releasing or reporting the animal.H\n\nNo public animal shelter shall place a companion animal in a foster home with a foster care provider unless the foster care provider has read and signed a statement specifying that he has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment, and each shelter shall update such statement as changes occur. The shelter shall maintain the original statement and any updates to such statement in accordance with this chapter and for at least so long as the shelter has an affiliation with the foster care provider.I\n\nA public animal shelter that places a companion animal in a foster home with a foster care provider shall ensure that the foster care provider complies with § 3.2-6503.J\n\nIf a public animal shelter finds a direct and immediate threat to a companion animal placed with a foster care provider, it shall report its findings to the animal control agency in the locality where the foster care provider is located.K\n\nThe governing body shall require that the public animal shelter be operated in accordance with regulations issued by the Board. If this chapter or such regulations are violated, the locality may be assessed a civil penalty by the Board or its designee in an amount that does not exceed $1,000 per violation. Each day of the violation is a separate offense. In determining the amount of any civil penalty, the Board or its designee shall consider (i) the history of previous violations at the shelter; (ii) whether the violation has caused injury to, death or suffering of, an animal; and (iii) the demonstrated good faith of the locality to achieve compliance after notification of the violation. All civil penalties assessed under this section shall be recovered in a civil action brought by the Attorney General in the name of the Commonwealth. Such civil penalties shall be paid into a special fund in the state treasury to the credit of the Department to be used in carrying out the purposes of this chapter.L\n\nIf this chapter or any laws governing public animal shelters are violated, the Commissioner may bring an action to enjoin the violation or threatened violation of this chapter or the regulations pursuant thereto regarding public animal shelters, in the circuit court where the shelter is located. The Commissioner may request the Attorney General to bring such an action, when appropriate.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":303447,"text":"For purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Animal” shall not include agricultural animals.\n\t\t\t“Rightful owner” means a person with a right of property in the animal.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":303448,"text":"The governing body of each county or city shall maintain or cause to be maintained a public animal shelter and shall require dogs running at large without the tag required by \u00a7 3.2-6531 or in violation of an ordinance passed pursuant to \u00a7 3.2-6538 to be confined therein. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit confinement of other companion animals in such a shelter. The governing body of any county or city need not own the facility required by this section but may contract for its establishment with a private group or in conjunction with one or more other local governing bodies. The governing body shall require that:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":303449,"text":"The public animal shelter shall be accessible to the public at reasonable hours during the week;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":303450,"text":"The public animal shelter shall obtain a signed statement from each of its directors, operators, staff, or animal caregivers specifying that each individual has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment, and each shelter shall update such statement as changes occur;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":303451,"text":"If a person contacts the public animal shelter inquiring about a lost companion animal, the shelter shall advise the person if the companion animal is confined at the shelter or if a companion animal of similar description is confined at the shelter;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":303452,"text":"The public animal shelter shall maintain a written record of the information on each companion animal submitted to the shelter by a private animal shelter in accordance with subsection D of § 3.2-6548 for a period of 30 days from the date the information is received by the shelter. If a person contacts the shelter inquiring about a lost companion animal, the shelter shall check its records and make available to such person any information submitted by a private animal shelter or allow such person inquiring about a lost animal to view the written records;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"6":{"id":303453,"text":"The public animal shelter shall maintain a written record of the information on each companion animal submitted to the shelter by a releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter in accordance with subdivision F 2 of § 3.2-6549 for a period of 30 days from the date the information is received by the shelter. If a person contacts the shelter inquiring about a lost companion animal, the shelter shall check its records and make available to such person any information submitted by such releasing agency or allow such person inquiring about a lost companion animal to view the written records; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"B6"},"7":{"id":303454,"text":"The public animal shelter shall maintain a written record of the information on each companion animal submitted to the shelter by an individual in accordance with subdivision A 2 of § 3.2-6551 for a period of 30 days from the date the information is received by the shelter. If a person contacts the shelter inquiring about a lost companion animal, the shelter shall check its records and make available to such person any information submitted by the individual or allow such person inquiring about a lost companion animal to view the written records.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"B6","prefix_anchor":"B6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"C"},"8":{"id":303455,"text":"An animal confined pursuant to this section shall be kept for a period of not less than five days, such stray hold period to commence on the day immediately following the day the animal is initially confined in the facility, unless sooner claimed by the rightful owner thereof.\n\t\t\tThe operator or custodian of the public animal shelter shall make a reasonable effort to ascertain whether the animal has a collar, tag, license, tattoo, or other form of identification, including by complying with the provisions of § 3.2-6585.1. If such identification is found on the animal, the animal shall be held for an additional five-day stray hold period, unless sooner claimed by the rightful owner. If the rightful owner of the animal can be readily identified, the operator or custodian of the shelter shall make a reasonable effort to notify the owner of the animal’s confinement within the next 48 hours following its confinement.\n\t\t\tDuring the stray hold period that an animal is confined pursuant to this subsection, the operator or custodian of the public animal shelter may vaccinate the animal to prevent the risk of communicable diseases, provided that (i) all vaccines are administered in accordance with a protocol approved by a licensed veterinarian and (ii) rabies vaccines are administered by a licensed veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician under the immediate direction and supervision of a licensed veterinarian in accordance with § 3.2-6521. Indoor enclosures used to confine the animal during the applicable stray hold period shall be constructed of materials that are durable, nonporous, impervious to moisture, and able to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. During the applicable stray hold period, the operator or custodian shall provide the animal with adequate care, including reasonable access to outdoor areas to ensure that the animal has adequate exercise and adequate space.\n\t\t\tIf any animal confined pursuant to this section is claimed by its rightful owner, such owner may be charged with the actual expenses incurred in keeping the animal impounded. In addition to this and any other fees that might be levied, the locality may, after a public hearing, adopt an ordinance to charge the owner of an animal a fee for impoundment and increased fees for subsequent impoundments of the same animal.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B6","next_prefix":"D"},"9":{"id":303456,"text":"If an animal confined pursuant to this section has not been claimed upon expiration of the applicable stray hold period as provided by subsection C, it shall be deemed abandoned and become the property of the public animal shelter.\n\t\t\tFor any animal not subject to a stray hold period, including an animal for whom the stray hold period has ended, the operator or custodian of the public animal shelter shall confine the animal in an enclosure that can safely house and allow for adequate separation of animals of different species, sexes, ages, and temperaments. Such enclosure may have both an outdoor area and an indoor area. If the facility has an outdoor area, the facility shall ensure that the outdoor areas do not present conditions that would be detrimental to the health of the animal. Indoor areas shall have a solid floor. Each operator or custodian shall ensure adequate access to water, food, and a resting platform, bedding, or perch as appropriate to the animal’s species, age, and condition. Any regulation by the Board that applies to an animal not subject to a stray hold period shall not be so restrictive as to fail to allow for adequate care, adequate exercise, and adequate space, including meaningful indoor and outdoor recreation for the animal.\n\t\t\tSuch animal may be euthanized in accordance with the methods approved by the State Veterinarian or disposed of by the methods set forth in subdivisions 1 through 5. No shelter shall release more than two animals or a family of animals during any 30-day period to any one person under subdivision 2, 3, or 4.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"D1"},"10":{"id":303457,"text":"Release to any humane society, public or private animal shelter, or other releasing agency within the Commonwealth, provided that each humane society, animal shelter, or other releasing agency obtains a signed statement from each of its directors, operators, staff, or animal caregivers specifying that each individual has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment and updates such statements as changes occur;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"D1","prefix_anchor":"D1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"D2"},"11":{"id":303458,"text":"Adoption by a resident of the county or city where the shelter is operated and who will pay the required license fee, if any, on such animal, provided that such resident has read and signed a statement specifying that he has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"D2","prefix_anchor":"D2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D1","next_prefix":"D3"},"12":{"id":303459,"text":"Adoption by a resident of an adjacent political subdivision of the Commonwealth, if the resident has read and signed a statement specifying that he has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"D3","prefix_anchor":"D3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D2","next_prefix":"D4"},"13":{"id":303460,"text":"Adoption by any other person, provided that such person has read and signed a statement specifying that he has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment and provided that no dog or cat may be adopted by any person who is not a resident of the county or city where the shelter is operated, or of an adjacent political subdivision, unless the dog or cat is first sterilized, and the shelter may require that the sterilization be done at the expense of the person adopting the dog or cat; or","type":"section","prefixes":["D","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"D4","prefix_anchor":"D4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D3","next_prefix":"D5"},"14":{"id":303461,"text":"Release for the purposes of adoption or euthanasia only, to an animal shelter, or any other releasing agency located in and lawfully operating under the laws of another state, provided that such animal shelter, or other releasing agency: (i) maintains records that would comply with § 3.2-6557; (ii) requires that adopted dogs and cats be sterilized; (iii) obtains a signed statement from each of its directors, operators, staff, and animal caregivers specifying that each individual has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment, and updates such statement as changes occur; and (iv) has provided to the public or private animal shelter or other releasing agency within the Commonwealth a statement signed by an authorized representative specifying the entity’s compliance with clauses (i) through (iii), and the provisions of adequate care and performance of humane euthanasia, as necessary in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.\n\t\t\t\tFor purposes of recordkeeping, release of an animal by a public animal shelter to a public or private animal shelter or other releasing agency shall be considered a transfer and not an adoption. If the animal is not first sterilized, the responsibility for sterilizing the animal transfers to the receiving entity.\n\t\t\t\tAny proceeds deriving from the gift, sale, or delivery of such animals shall be paid directly to the treasurer of the locality. Any proceeds deriving from the gift, sale, or delivery of such animals by a public or private animal shelter or other releasing agency shall be paid directly to the clerk or treasurer of the animal shelter or other releasing agency for the expenses of the society and expenses incident to any agreement concerning the disposing of such animal. No part of the proceeds shall accrue to any individual except for the aforementioned purposes.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"D5","prefix_anchor":"D5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D4","next_prefix":"E"},"15":{"id":303462,"text":"Nothing in this section shall prohibit the immediate euthanasia of a critically injured, critically ill, or unweaned animal for humane purposes. Any animal euthanized pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be euthanized by one of the methods prescribed or approved by the State Veterinarian.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D5","next_prefix":"F"},"16":{"id":303463,"text":"Nothing in this section shall prohibit the immediate euthanasia or disposal by the methods listed in subdivisions D 1 through 5 of an animal that has been released to a public or private animal shelter, other releasing agency, or animal control officer by the animal’s rightful owner after the rightful owner has read and signed a statement: (i) surrendering all property rights in such animal; (ii) stating that no other person has a right of property in the animal; and (iii) acknowledging that the animal may be immediately euthanized or disposed of in accordance with subdivisions D 1 through 5.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"17":{"id":303464,"text":"Nothing in this section shall prohibit any feral dog or feral cat not bearing a collar, tag, tattoo, or other form of identification that, based on the written statement of a disinterested person, exhibits behavior that poses a risk of physical injury to any person confining the animal, from being euthanized after being kept for a period of not less than three days, at least one of which shall be a full business day, such period to commence on the day the animal is initially confined in the facility, unless sooner claimed by the rightful owner. The statement of the disinterested person shall be kept with the animal as required by § 3.2-6557. For purposes of this subsection, a disinterested person shall not include a person releasing or reporting the animal.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"H"},"18":{"id":303465,"text":"No public animal shelter shall place a companion animal in a foster home with a foster care provider unless the foster care provider has read and signed a statement specifying that he has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment, and each shelter shall update such statement as changes occur. The shelter shall maintain the original statement and any updates to such statement in accordance with this chapter and for at least so long as the shelter has an affiliation with the foster care provider.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G","next_prefix":"I"},"19":{"id":303466,"text":"A public animal shelter that places a companion animal in a foster home with a foster care provider shall ensure that the foster care provider complies with § 3.2-6503.","type":"section","prefixes":["I"],"prefix":"I","entire_prefix":"I","prefix_anchor":"I","level":1,"prior_prefix":"H","next_prefix":"J"},"20":{"id":303467,"text":"If a public animal shelter finds a direct and immediate threat to a companion animal placed with a foster care provider, it shall report its findings to the animal control agency in the locality where the foster care provider is located.","type":"section","prefixes":["J"],"prefix":"J","entire_prefix":"J","prefix_anchor":"J","level":1,"prior_prefix":"I","next_prefix":"K"},"21":{"id":303468,"text":"The governing body shall require that the public animal shelter be operated in accordance with regulations issued by the Board. If this chapter or such regulations are violated, the locality may be assessed a civil penalty by the Board or its designee in an amount that does not exceed $1,000 per violation. Each day of the violation is a separate offense. In determining the amount of any civil penalty, the Board or its designee shall consider (i) the history of previous violations at the shelter; (ii) whether the violation has caused injury to, death or suffering of, an animal; and (iii) the demonstrated good faith of the locality to achieve compliance after notification of the violation. All civil penalties assessed under this section shall be recovered in a civil action brought by the Attorney General in the name of the Commonwealth. Such civil penalties shall be paid into a special fund in the state treasury to the credit of the Department to be used in carrying out the purposes of this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["K"],"prefix":"K","entire_prefix":"K","prefix_anchor":"K","level":1,"prior_prefix":"J","next_prefix":"L"},"22":{"id":303469,"text":"If this chapter or any laws governing public animal shelters are violated, the Commissioner may bring an action to enjoin the violation or threatened violation of this chapter or the regulations pursuant thereto regarding public animal shelters, in the circuit court where the shelter is located. The Commissioner may request the Attorney General to bring such an action, when appropriate.","type":"section","prefixes":["L"],"prefix":"L","entire_prefix":"L","prefix_anchor":"L","level":1,"prior_prefix":"K"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13171,"edition_id":1,"name":"Authority of Local Governing Bodies","identifier":"6","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13170,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:23","permalink":{"id":198807,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13171,"identifier":"6","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6","url":"\/3.2\/V\/65\/6\/","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":81839,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6537","catch_line":"Ordinances; 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prohibition","url":"\/3.2-6547\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6547","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/3.2-6546\/","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 19 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 1985, chapter 21; in 1987, chapter 488; in 1988, chapter 538; in 1989, chapter 344; in 1991, chapter 348; in 1993, chapters 174, 817, and 959; in 1994, chapter 936<\/a>; in 1995, chapter 496<\/a>; in 1997, chapter 159<\/a>; in 1998, chapter 817<\/a>; in 1999, chapters 627<\/a> and 672<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 1010<\/a>; in 2002, chapters 53<\/a>, 208<\/a>, and 787<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 1007<\/a>; in 2008, chapters 345<\/a> and 860<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 148<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 774<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 1109<\/a>; in 2022, chapter 387<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":69013,"section_number":"3.2-6511","catch_line":"Failure of dealer or pet shop to provide adequate care; penalty; report","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6511\/"},{"id":75503,"section_number":"3.2-6522","catch_line":"Rabid animals","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6522\/"},{"id":78689,"section_number":"3.2-6543","catch_line":"Governing body of any locality may adopt certain ordinances","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6543\/"},{"id":86437,"section_number":"3.2-6549","catch_line":"Releasing agencies other than public or private animal shelters; confinement and disposition of companion animals; recordkeeping; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6549\/"},{"id":86859,"section_number":"3.2-6562","catch_line":"Capturing, confining, and euthanizing companion animals by animal control officers; approval of drugs used","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6562\/"},{"id":55376,"section_number":"3.2-6569","catch_line":"Seizure and impoundment of animals; notice and hearing; disposition of animal; disposition of proceeds upon sale","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6569\/"},{"id":72218,"section_number":"3.2-6570","catch_line":"Cruelty to animals; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6570\/"},{"id":72314,"section_number":"32.1-48.3","catch_line":"Regulations of Commissioner covering local ordinances and requirements","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-48.3\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":86745,"section_number":"3.2-6521","catch_line":"Rabies inoculation of companion animals; availability of certificate; rabies clinics","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6521\/"},{"id":72870,"section_number":"3.2-6531","catch_line":"Displaying receipts; dogs to wear tags","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6531\/"},{"id":75887,"section_number":"3.2-6538","catch_line":"Governing body of any locality may prohibit dogs from running at large; civil penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6538\/"},{"id":83344,"section_number":"3.2-6548","catch_line":"Private animal shelters; confinement and disposition of animals; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties; injunctive relief","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6548\/"},{"id":86437,"section_number":"3.2-6549","catch_line":"Releasing agencies other than public or private animal shelters; confinement and disposition of companion animals; recordkeeping; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6549\/"},{"id":67608,"section_number":"3.2-6551","catch_line":"Notification by individuals finding companion animals; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6551\/"},{"id":58132,"section_number":"3.2-6557","catch_line":"Animal control officers and humane investigators; limitations; records; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6557\/"},{"id":59361,"section_number":"3.2-6585.1","catch_line":"Duty to identify; scanning for microchip","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6585.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":198885,"object_type":"law","relational_id":84667,"identifier":"3.2-6546","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6546","url":"\/3.2-6546\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/3.2-6546\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6546","dublin_core":{"Title":"County or city public animal shelters; confinement and disposition of animals; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties; injunctive relief","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 3.2-6546","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> For purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Animal<\/span>” shall not include agricultural animals<\/span>.\n\t\t\t“Rightful owner<\/span>” means a person with a right of property in the animal<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The governing body of each county or city shall maintain or cause to be maintained a public animal shelter<\/span> and shall require dogs running at large without the tag required by \u00a7 3.2-6531<\/a> or in violation of an ordinance<\/span> passed pursuant to \u00a7 3.2-6538<\/a> to be confined therein. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit confinement of other companion animals<\/span> in such a shelter. The governing body of any county or city need not own the facility<\/span> required by this section but may contract<\/span> for its establishment with a private group or in conjunction with one or more other local governing bodies. The governing body shall require that: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The public animal shelter<\/span> shall be accessible to the public at reasonable hours during the week; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The public animal shelter<\/span> shall obtain a signed statement from each of its directors, operators, staff, or animal caregivers specifying that each individual has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment, and each shelter shall update such statement as changes occur; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> If a person contacts the public animal shelter<\/span> inquiring about a lost companion animal<\/span>, the shelter shall advise the person if the companion animal<\/span> is confined at the shelter or if a companion animal<\/span> of similar description is confined at the shelter; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The public animal shelter<\/span> shall maintain a written record of the information on each companion animal<\/span> submitted to the shelter by a private animal shelter<\/span> in accordance with subsection D of § 3.2-6548<\/a> for a period of 30 days from the date the information is received by the shelter. If a person contacts the shelter inquiring about a lost companion animal<\/span>, the shelter shall check its records and make available to such person any information submitted by a private animal shelter<\/span> or allow such person inquiring about a lost animal to view the written records; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> The public animal shelter<\/span> shall maintain a written record of the information on each companion animal<\/span> submitted to the shelter by a releasing agency<\/span> other than a public or private animal shelter<\/span> in accordance with subdivision F 2 of § 3.2-6549<\/a> for a period of 30 days from the date the information is received by the shelter. If a person contacts the shelter inquiring about a lost companion animal<\/span>, the shelter shall check its records and make available to such person any information submitted by such releasing agency<\/span> or allow such person inquiring about a lost companion animal<\/span> to view the written records; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> The public animal shelter<\/span> shall maintain a written record of the information on each companion animal<\/span> submitted to the shelter by an individual in accordance with subdivision A 2 of § 3.2-6551<\/a> for a period of 30 days from the date the information is received by the shelter. If a person contacts the shelter inquiring about a lost companion animal<\/span>, the shelter shall check its records and make available to such person any information submitted by the individual or allow such person inquiring about a lost companion animal<\/span> to view the written records. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> An animal confined pursuant to this section shall be kept for a period of not less than five days, such stray hold period to commence on the day immediately following the day the animal is initially confined in the facility<\/span>, unless sooner claimed by the rightful owner<\/span> thereof.\n\t\t\tThe operator or custodian of the public animal shelter<\/span> shall make a reasonable effort to ascertain whether the animal has a collar<\/span>, tag, license, tattoo, or other form of identification, including by complying with the provisions of § 3.2-6585.1<\/a>. If such identification is found on the animal, the animal shall be held for an additional five-day stray hold period, unless sooner claimed by the rightful owner<\/span>. If the rightful owner<\/span> of the animal can be readily identified, the operator or custodian of the shelter shall make a reasonable effort to notify the owner of the animal’s confinement within the next 48 hours following its confinement.\n\t\t\tDuring the stray hold period that an animal is confined pursuant to this subsection, the operator or custodian of the public animal shelter<\/span> may vaccinate the animal to prevent the risk of communicable diseases, provided that (i) all vaccines are administered in accordance with a protocol approved by a licensed veterinarian and (ii) rabies vaccines are administered by a licensed veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician under the immediate direction and supervision of a licensed veterinarian in accordance with § 3.2-6521<\/a>. Indoor enclosures<\/span> used to confine the animal during the applicable stray hold period shall be constructed of materials<\/span> that are durable, nonporous, impervious to moisture, and able to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. During the applicable stray hold period, the operator or custodian shall provide the animal with adequate care<\/span>, including reasonable access to outdoor areas to ensure that the animal has adequate exercise<\/span> and adequate space<\/span>.\n\t\t\tIf any animal confined pursuant to this section is claimed by its rightful owner<\/span>, such owner may be charged with the actual expenses incurred in keeping the animal impounded. In addition to this and any other fees that might be levied, the locality may, after a public hearing<\/span>, adopt an ordinance<\/span> to charge the owner of an animal a fee for impoundment and increased fees for subsequent impoundments of the same animal. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> If an animal confined pursuant to this section has not been claimed upon expiration of the applicable stray hold period as provided by subsection C, it shall be deemed abandoned and become the property of the public animal shelter<\/span>.\n\t\t\tFor any animal not subject to a stray hold period, including an animal for whom the stray hold period has ended, the operator or custodian of the public animal shelter<\/span> shall confine the animal in an enclosure<\/span> that can safely house and allow for adequate separation of animals of different species, sexes, ages, and temperaments. Such enclosure<\/span> may have both an outdoor area and an indoor area. If the facility<\/span> has an outdoor area, the facility<\/span> shall ensure that the outdoor areas do not present conditions that would be detrimental to the health of the animal. Indoor areas shall have a solid floor. Each operator or custodian shall ensure adequate access to water, food, and a resting platform, bedding, or perch as appropriate to the animal’s species, age, and condition. Any regulation by the Board<\/span> that applies to an animal not subject to a stray hold period shall not be so restrictive as to fail to allow for adequate care<\/span>, adequate exercise<\/span>, and adequate space<\/span>, including meaningful indoor and outdoor recreation for the animal.\n\t\t\tSuch animal may be euthanized in accordance with the methods approved by the State Veterinarian<\/span> or disposed of by the methods set forth in subdivisions 1 through 5. No shelter shall release more than two animals or a family of animals during any 30-day period to any one person under subdivision 2, 3, or 4. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Release to any humane society<\/span>, public or private animal shelter<\/span>, or other releasing agency<\/span> within the Commonwealth, provided that each humane society<\/span>, animal shelter, or other releasing agency<\/span> obtains a signed statement from each of its directors, operators, staff, or animal caregivers specifying that each individual has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment and updates such statements as changes occur; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Adoption<\/span> by a resident of the county or city where the shelter is operated and who will pay the required license fee, if any, on such animal, provided that such resident has read and signed a statement specifying that he has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Adoption<\/span> by a resident of an adjacent political subdivision of the Commonwealth, if the resident has read and signed a statement specifying that he has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Adoption<\/span> by any other person, provided that such person has read and signed a statement specifying that he has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment and provided that no dog or cat may be adopted by any person who is not a resident of the county or city where the shelter is operated, or of an adjacent political subdivision, unless the dog or cat is first sterilized, and the shelter may require that the sterilization<\/span> be done at the expense of the person adopting the dog or cat; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Release for the purposes of adoption<\/span> or euthanasia<\/span> only, to an animal shelter, or any other releasing agency<\/span> located in and lawfully operating under the laws<\/span> of another state, provided that such animal shelter, or other releasing agency<\/span>: (i) maintains records that would comply with § 3.2-6557<\/a>; (ii) requires that adopted dogs and cats be sterilized; (iii) obtains a signed statement from each of its directors, operators, staff, and animal caregivers specifying that each individual has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment, and updates such statement as changes occur; and (iv) has provided to the public or private animal shelter<\/span> or other releasing agency<\/span> within the Commonwealth a statement signed by an authorized representative specifying the entity’s compliance with clauses (i) through (iii), and the provisions of adequate care<\/span> and performance of humane euthanasia<\/span>, as necessary in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.\n\t\t\t\tFor purposes of recordkeeping, release of an animal by a public animal shelter<\/span> to a public or private animal shelter<\/span> or other releasing agency<\/span> shall be considered a transfer and not an adoption<\/span>. If the animal is not first sterilized, the responsibility for sterilizing the animal transfers to the receiving entity.\n\t\t\t\tAny proceeds deriving from the gift, sale, or delivery of such animals shall be paid directly to the treasurer<\/span> of the locality. Any proceeds deriving from the gift, sale, or delivery of such animals by a public or private animal shelter<\/span> or other releasing agency<\/span> shall be paid directly to the clerk or treasurer<\/span> of the animal shelter or other releasing agency<\/span> for the expenses of the society and expenses incident to any agreement concerning the disposing of such animal. No part of the proceeds shall accrue to any individual except for the aforementioned purposes. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Nothing in this section shall prohibit the immediate euthanasia<\/span> of a critically injured, critically ill, or unweaned animal for humane purposes. Any animal euthanized pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be euthanized by one of the methods prescribed or approved by the State Veterinarian<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Nothing in this section shall prohibit the immediate euthanasia<\/span> or disposal by the methods listed in subdivisions D 1 through 5 of an animal that has been released to a public or private animal shelter<\/span>, other releasing agency<\/span>, or animal control officer<\/span> by the animal’s rightful owner<\/span> after the rightful owner<\/span> has read and signed a statement: (i) surrendering all property rights in such animal; (ii) stating that no other person has a right of property in the animal; and (iii) acknowledging that the animal may be immediately euthanized or disposed of in accordance with subdivisions D 1 through 5. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> Nothing in this section shall prohibit any feral dog or feral cat not bearing a collar<\/span>, tag, tattoo, or other form of identification that, based on the written statement of a disinterested person, exhibits behavior that poses a risk of physical injury to any person confining the animal, from being euthanized after being kept for a period of not less than three days, at least one of which shall be a full business day, such period to commence on the day the animal is initially confined in the facility<\/span>, unless sooner claimed by the rightful owner<\/span>. The statement of the disinterested person shall be kept with the animal as required by § 3.2-6557<\/a>. For purposes of this subsection, a disinterested person shall not include a person releasing or reporting the animal. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

H.<\/span> No public animal shelter<\/span> shall place a companion animal<\/span> in a foster home<\/span> with a foster care provider<\/span> unless the foster care provider<\/span> has read and signed a statement specifying that he has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment, and each shelter shall update such statement as changes occur. The shelter shall maintain the original statement and any updates to such statement in accordance with this chapter and for at least so long as the shelter has an affiliation with the foster care provider<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

I.<\/span> A public animal shelter<\/span> that places a companion animal<\/span> in a foster home<\/span> with a foster care provider<\/span> shall ensure that the foster care provider<\/span> complies with § 3.2-6503<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

J.<\/span> If a public animal shelter<\/span> finds a direct and immediate threat<\/span> to a companion animal<\/span> placed with a foster care provider<\/span>, it shall report its findings<\/span> to the animal control agency in the locality where the foster care provider<\/span> is located. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

K.<\/span> The governing body shall require that the public animal shelter<\/span> be operated in accordance with regulations issued by the Board<\/span>. If this chapter or such regulations are violated, the locality may be assessed a civil penalty<\/span> by the Board<\/span> or its designee in an amount that does not exceed $1,000 per violation. Each day of the violation is a separate offense<\/span>. In determining the amount of any civil penalty<\/span>, the Board<\/span> or its designee shall consider (i) the history of previous violations at the shelter; (ii) whether the violation has caused injury to, death or suffering of, an animal; and (iii) the demonstrated good faith of the locality to achieve compliance after notification of the violation. All civil penalties assessed under this section shall be recovered in a civil action<\/span> brought by the Attorney General<\/span> in the name of the Commonwealth. Such civil penalties shall be paid into a special fund in the state treasury to the credit of the Department<\/span> to be used in carrying out the purposes of this chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

L.<\/span> If this chapter or any laws<\/span> governing public animal shelters<\/span> are violated, the Commissioner<\/span> may bring an action to enjoin the violation or threatened violation of this chapter or the regulations pursuant thereto regarding public animal shelters<\/span>, in the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> where the shelter is located. The Commissioner<\/span> may request the Attorney General<\/span> to bring such an action, when appropriate. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCOUNTY OR CITY PUBLIC ANIMAL SHELTERS; CONFINEMENT AND DISPOSITION OF ANIMALS;\nAFFILIATION WITH FOSTER CARE PROVIDERS; PENALTIES; INJUNCTIVE RELIEF (\u00a7\n3.2-6546)\n\nA. For purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Animal” shall not include agricultural animals.\n\t\t\t“Rightful owner” means a person with a right of property in the\nanimal.\n\nB. The governing body of each county or city shall maintain or cause to be\nmaintained a public animal shelter and shall require dogs running at large\nwithout the tag required by \u00a7 3.2-6531 or in violation of an ordinance passed\npursuant to \u00a7 3.2-6538 to be confined therein. Nothing in this section shall be\nconstrued to prohibit confinement of other companion animals in such a shelter.\nThe governing body of any county or city need not own the facility required by\nthis section but may contract for its establishment with a private group or in\nconjunction with one or more other local governing bodies. The governing body\nshall require that:\n\n 1. The public animal shelter shall be accessible to the public at reasonable\n hours during the week;\n\n 2. The public animal shelter shall obtain a signed statement from each of its\n directors, operators, staff, or animal caregivers specifying that each\n individual has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or\n abandonment, and each shelter shall update such statement as changes occur;\n\n 3. If a person contacts the public animal shelter inquiring about a lost\n companion animal, the shelter shall advise the person if the companion animal\n is confined at the shelter or if a companion animal of similar description is\n confined at the shelter;\n\n 4. The public animal shelter shall maintain a written record of the\n information on each companion animal submitted to the shelter by a private\n animal shelter in accordance with subsection D of § 3.2-6548 for a period\n of 30 days from the date the information is received by the shelter. If a\n person contacts the shelter inquiring about a lost companion animal, the\n shelter shall check its records and make available to such person any\n information submitted by a private animal shelter or allow such person\n inquiring about a lost animal to view the written records;\n\n 5. The public animal shelter shall maintain a written record of the\n information on each companion animal submitted to the shelter by a releasing\n agency other than a public or private animal shelter in accordance with\n subdivision F 2 of § 3.2-6549 for a period of 30 days from the date the\n information is received by the shelter. If a person contacts the shelter\n inquiring about a lost companion animal, the shelter shall check its records\n and make available to such person any information submitted by such releasing\n agency or allow such person inquiring about a lost companion animal to view\n the written records; and\n\n 6. The public animal shelter shall maintain a written record of the\n information on each companion animal submitted to the shelter by an individual\n in accordance with subdivision A 2 of § 3.2-6551 for a period of 30 days\n from the date the information is received by the shelter. If a person contacts\n the shelter inquiring about a lost companion animal, the shelter shall check\n its records and make available to such person any information submitted by the\n individual or allow such person inquiring about a lost companion animal to\n view the written records.\n\nC. An animal confined pursuant to this section shall be kept for a period of not\nless than five days, such stray hold period to commence on the day immediately\nfollowing the day the animal is initially confined in the facility, unless\nsooner claimed by the rightful owner thereof.\n\t\t\tThe operator or custodian of the public animal shelter shall make a\nreasonable effort to ascertain whether the animal has a collar, tag, license,\ntattoo, or other form of identification, including by complying with the\nprovisions of § 3.2-6585.1. If such identification is found on the animal,\nthe animal shall be held for an additional five-day stray hold period, unless\nsooner claimed by the rightful owner. If the rightful owner of the animal can be\nreadily identified, the operator or custodian of the shelter shall make a\nreasonable effort to notify the owner of the animal’s confinement within\nthe next 48 hours following its confinement.\n\t\t\tDuring the stray hold period that an animal is confined pursuant to this\nsubsection, the operator or custodian of the public animal shelter may vaccinate\nthe animal to prevent the risk of communicable diseases, provided that (i) all\nvaccines are administered in accordance with a protocol approved by a licensed\nveterinarian and (ii) rabies vaccines are administered by a licensed\nveterinarian or licensed veterinary technician under the immediate direction and\nsupervision of a licensed veterinarian in accordance with § 3.2-6521.\nIndoor enclosures used to confine the animal during the applicable stray hold\nperiod shall be constructed of materials that are durable, nonporous, impervious\nto moisture, and able to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. During the\napplicable stray hold period, the operator or custodian shall provide the animal\nwith adequate care, including reasonable access to outdoor areas to ensure that\nthe animal has adequate exercise and adequate space.\n\t\t\tIf any animal confined pursuant to this section is claimed by its rightful\nowner, such owner may be charged with the actual expenses incurred in keeping\nthe animal impounded. In addition to this and any other fees that might be\nlevied, the locality may, after a public hearing, adopt an ordinance to charge\nthe owner of an animal a fee for impoundment and increased fees for subsequent\nimpoundments of the same animal.\n\nD. If an animal confined pursuant to this section has not been claimed upon\nexpiration of the applicable stray hold period as provided by subsection C, it\nshall be deemed abandoned and become the property of the public animal shelter.\n\t\t\tFor any animal not subject to a stray hold period, including an animal for\nwhom the stray hold period has ended, the operator or custodian of the public\nanimal shelter shall confine the animal in an enclosure that can safely house\nand allow for adequate separation of animals of different species, sexes, ages,\nand temperaments. Such enclosure may have both an outdoor area and an indoor\narea. If the facility has an outdoor area, the facility shall ensure that the\noutdoor areas do not present conditions that would be detrimental to the health\nof the animal. Indoor areas shall have a solid floor. Each operator or custodian\nshall ensure adequate access to water, food, and a resting platform, bedding, or\nperch as appropriate to the animal’s species, age, and condition. Any\nregulation by the Board that applies to an animal not subject to a stray hold\nperiod shall not be so restrictive as to fail to allow for adequate care,\nadequate exercise, and adequate space, including meaningful indoor and outdoor\nrecreation for the animal.\n\t\t\tSuch animal may be euthanized in accordance with the methods approved by the\nState Veterinarian or disposed of by the methods set forth in subdivisions 1\nthrough 5. No shelter shall release more than two animals or a family of animals\nduring any 30-day period to any one person under subdivision 2, 3, or 4.\n\n 1. Release to any humane society, public or private animal shelter, or other\n releasing agency within the Commonwealth, provided that each humane society,\n animal shelter, or other releasing agency obtains a signed statement from each\n of its directors, operators, staff, or animal caregivers specifying that each\n individual has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment\n and updates such statements as changes occur;\n\n 2. Adoption by a resident of the county or city where the shelter is operated\n and who will pay the required license fee, if any, on such animal, provided\n that such resident has read and signed a statement specifying that he has\n never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment;\n\n 3. Adoption by a resident of an adjacent political subdivision of the\n Commonwealth, if the resident has read and signed a statement specifying that\n he has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment;\n\n 4. Adoption by any other person, provided that such person has read and signed\n a statement specifying that he has never been convicted of animal cruelty,\n neglect, or abandonment and provided that no dog or cat may be adopted by any\n person who is not a resident of the county or city where the shelter is\n operated, or of an adjacent political subdivision, unless the dog or cat is\n first sterilized, and the shelter may require that the sterilization be done\n at the expense of the person adopting the dog or cat; or\n\n 5. Release for the purposes of adoption or euthanasia only, to an animal\n shelter, or any other releasing agency located in and lawfully operating under\n the laws of another state, provided that such animal shelter, or other\n releasing agency: (i) maintains records that would comply with §\n 3.2-6557; (ii) requires that adopted dogs and cats be sterilized; (iii)\n obtains a signed statement from each of its directors, operators, staff, and\n animal caregivers specifying that each individual has never been convicted of\n animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment, and updates such statement as changes\n occur; and (iv) has provided to the public or private animal shelter or other\n releasing agency within the Commonwealth a statement signed by an authorized\n representative specifying the entity’s compliance with clauses (i)\n through (iii), and the provisions of adequate care and performance of humane\n euthanasia, as necessary in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.\n \t\t\t\tFor purposes of recordkeeping, release of an animal by a public animal\n shelter to a public or private animal shelter or other releasing agency shall\n be considered a transfer and not an adoption. If the animal is not first\n sterilized, the responsibility for sterilizing the animal transfers to the\n receiving entity.\n \t\t\t\tAny proceeds deriving from the gift, sale, or delivery of such animals\n shall be paid directly to the treasurer of the locality. Any proceeds deriving\n from the gift, sale, or delivery of such animals by a public or private animal\n shelter or other releasing agency shall be paid directly to the clerk or\n treasurer of the animal shelter or other releasing agency for the expenses of\n the society and expenses incident to any agreement concerning the disposing of\n such animal. No part of the proceeds shall accrue to any individual except for\n the aforementioned purposes.\n\nE. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the immediate euthanasia of a\ncritically injured, critically ill, or unweaned animal for humane purposes. Any\nanimal euthanized pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be euthanized\nby one of the methods prescribed or approved by the State Veterinarian.\n\nF. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the immediate euthanasia or disposal\nby the methods listed in subdivisions D 1 through 5 of an animal that has been\nreleased to a public or private animal shelter, other releasing agency, or\nanimal control officer by the animal’s rightful owner after the rightful\nowner has read and signed a statement: (i) surrendering all property rights in\nsuch animal; (ii) stating that no other person has a right of property in the\nanimal; and (iii) acknowledging that the animal may be immediately euthanized or\ndisposed of in accordance with subdivisions D 1 through 5.\n\nG. Nothing in this section shall prohibit any feral dog or feral cat not bearing\na collar, tag, tattoo, or other form of identification that, based on the\nwritten statement of a disinterested person, exhibits behavior that poses a risk\nof physical injury to any person confining the animal, from being euthanized\nafter being kept for a period of not less than three days, at least one of which\nshall be a full business day, such period to commence on the day the animal is\ninitially confined in the facility, unless sooner claimed by the rightful owner.\nThe statement of the disinterested person shall be kept with the animal as\nrequired by § 3.2-6557. For purposes of this subsection, a disinterested\nperson shall not include a person releasing or reporting the animal.\n\nH. No public animal shelter shall place a companion animal in a foster home with\na foster care provider unless the foster care provider has read and signed a\nstatement specifying that he has never been convicted of animal cruelty,\nneglect, or abandonment, and each shelter shall update such statement as changes\noccur. The shelter shall maintain the original statement and any updates to such\nstatement in accordance with this chapter and for at least so long as the\nshelter has an affiliation with the foster care provider.\n\nI. A public animal shelter that places a companion animal in a foster home with\na foster care provider shall ensure that the foster care provider complies with\n§ 3.2-6503.\n\nJ. If a public animal shelter finds a direct and immediate threat to a companion\nanimal placed with a foster care provider, it shall report its findings to the\nanimal control agency in the locality where the foster care provider is located.\n\nK. The governing body shall require that the public animal shelter be operated\nin accordance with regulations issued by the Board. If this chapter or such\nregulations are violated, the locality may be assessed a civil penalty by the\nBoard or its designee in an amount that does not exceed $1,000 per violation.\nEach day of the violation is a separate offense. In determining the amount of\nany civil penalty, the Board or its designee shall consider (i) the history of\nprevious violations at the shelter; (ii) whether the violation has caused injury\nto, death or suffering of, an animal; and (iii) the demonstrated good faith of\nthe locality to achieve compliance after notification of the violation. All\ncivil penalties assessed under this section shall be recovered in a civil action\nbrought by the Attorney General in the name of the Commonwealth. Such civil\npenalties shall be paid into a special fund in the state treasury to the credit\nof the Department to be used in carrying out the purposes of this chapter.\n\nL. If this chapter or any laws governing public animal shelters are violated,\nthe Commissioner may bring an action to enjoin the violation or threatened\nviolation of this chapter or the regulations pursuant thereto regarding public\nanimal shelters, in the circuit court where the shelter is located. The\nCommissioner may request the Attorney General to bring such an action, when\nappropriate.\n\nHISTORY: 1984, c. 492, \u00a7\u00a7 29-213.36, 29-213.66; 1985, c. 21; 1987, c. 488,\n\u00a7\u00a7 3.1-796.66, 3.1-796.96; 1988, c. 538; 1989, c. 344; 1991, c. 348; 1993, cc.\n174, 817, 959; 1994, c. 936; 1995, c. 496; 1997, c. 159; 1998, c. 817; 1999, cc.\n627, 672; 2000, c. 1010; 2002, cc. 53, 208, 787; 2003, c. 1007; 2008, cc. 345,\n860; 2014, c. 148; 2018, c. 774; 2020, c. 1109; 2022, c. 387.","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}}