{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/3.2-6549.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/3.2-6549.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/3.2-6549.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/3.2-6549.html"}],"law_id":86437,"edition_id":1,"section_id":86437,"structure_id":13171,"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","history":"2002, c. 787, \u00a7 3.1-796.96:5; 2003, cc. 770, 1007; 2008, c. 860; 2014, c. 148; 2016, c. 678; 2022, c. 387.","full_text":"A\n\nA releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter:1\n\nMay confine and dispose of companion animals in accordance with subsections B through G of § 3.2-6546 if incorporated and not operated for profit;2\n\nShall keep accurate records of each companion animal received for two years from the date of disposition of the companion animal. Records shall (i) include a description of the companion animal, including species, color, breed, sex, approximate weight, age, reason for release, owner’s or finder’s name, address, and telephone number, and license number or other identifying tags or markings, as well as disposition of the companion animal, and (ii) be made available upon request to the Department, animal control officers, and law-enforcement officers at mutually agreeable times. A releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter shall annually submit a summary of such records to the State Veterinarian in a format prescribed by him, wherein a post office box may be substituted for a home address; and3\n\nShall annually file with the State Veterinarian a copy of its intake policy.\n\t\t\t\tFor purposes of recordkeeping, release of a companion animal by a releasing agency 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.B\n\nEach releasing agency other than a public or private 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 such releasing agency shall update such statement as changes occur.C\n\nNo releasing agency other than a public or private 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 the foster care provider has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment, and such releasing agency shall update the statement as changes occur. A releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter shall maintain the original statement and any updates to such statement for so long as the releasing agency has an affiliation with the foster care provider.D\n\nA releasing agency other than a public or private 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.E\n\nIf a releasing agency other than a public or private 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 area where the foster care provider is located.F\n\nAny releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter that finds a companion animal or receives a companion animal that has not been released by its owner and (i) provides care or safekeeping or (ii) takes possession of such companion animal shall within 48 hours:1\n\nIn compliance with the provisions of § 3.2-6585.1, make a reasonable attempt to notify the owner of the companion animal, if the owner can be ascertained from any tag, license, collar, tattoo, or other identification or markings, or if the owner of the companion animal is otherwise known to the releasing agency; and2\n\nNotify the public animal shelter that serves the locality where the companion animal was found and provide to the shelter contact information including at least a name and a contact telephone number, a description of the companion animal including at least species, breed, sex, size, color, information from any tag, license, collar, tattoo, or other identification or markings, and the location where the companion animal was found.G\n\nA releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter shall comply with the provisions of § 3.2-6503.H\n\nNo releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter shall be operated in violation of any local zoning ordinance.I\n\nA releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter that violates any provision of this section, other than subsection G, may be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $250.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":309586,"text":"A releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":309587,"text":"May confine and dispose of companion animals in accordance with subsections B through G of § 3.2-6546 if incorporated and not operated for profit;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":309588,"text":"Shall keep accurate records of each companion animal received for two years from the date of disposition of the companion animal. Records shall (i) include a description of the companion animal, including species, color, breed, sex, approximate weight, age, reason for release, owner’s or finder’s name, address, and telephone number, and license number or other identifying tags or markings, as well as disposition of the companion animal, and (ii) be made available upon request to the Department, animal control officers, and law-enforcement officers at mutually agreeable times. A releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter shall annually submit a summary of such records to the State Veterinarian in a format prescribed by him, wherein a post office box may be substituted for a home address; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":309589,"text":"Shall annually file with the State Veterinarian a copy of its intake policy.\n\t\t\t\tFor purposes of recordkeeping, release of a companion animal by a releasing agency 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.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"B"},"4":{"id":309590,"text":"Each releasing agency other than a public or private 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 such releasing agency shall update such statement as changes occur.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"C"},"5":{"id":309591,"text":"No releasing agency other than a public or private 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 the foster care provider has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment, and such releasing agency shall update the statement as changes occur. A releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter shall maintain the original statement and any updates to such statement for so long as the releasing agency has an affiliation with the foster care provider.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"6":{"id":309592,"text":"A releasing agency other than a public or private 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":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"7":{"id":309593,"text":"If a releasing agency other than a public or private 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 area where the foster care provider is located.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"8":{"id":309594,"text":"Any releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter that finds a companion animal or receives a companion animal that has not been released by its owner and (i) provides care or safekeeping or (ii) takes possession of such companion animal shall within 48 hours:","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"F1"},"9":{"id":309595,"text":"In compliance with the provisions of § 3.2-6585.1, make a reasonable attempt to notify the owner of the companion animal, if the owner can be ascertained from any tag, license, collar, tattoo, or other identification or markings, or if the owner of the companion animal is otherwise known to the releasing agency; and","type":"section","prefixes":["F","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"F1","prefix_anchor":"F1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"F2"},"10":{"id":309596,"text":"Notify the public animal shelter that serves the locality where the companion animal was found and provide to the shelter contact information including at least a name and a contact telephone number, a description of the companion animal including at least species, breed, sex, size, color, information from any tag, license, collar, tattoo, or other identification or markings, and the location where the companion animal was found.","type":"section","prefixes":["F","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"F2","prefix_anchor":"F2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"F1","next_prefix":"G"},"11":{"id":309597,"text":"A releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter shall comply with the provisions of § 3.2-6503.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F2","next_prefix":"H"},"12":{"id":309598,"text":"No releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter shall be operated in violation of any local zoning ordinance.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G","next_prefix":"I"},"13":{"id":309599,"text":"A releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter that violates any provision of this section, other than subsection G, may be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $250.","type":"section","prefixes":["I"],"prefix":"I","entire_prefix":"I","prefix_anchor":"I","level":1,"prior_prefix":"H"}},"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; penalties","url":"\/3.2-6537\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6537","metadata":false},{"id":74955,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6537.1","catch_line":"Cash bond for a pet shop obtaining certain dogs","url":"\/3.2-6537.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6537.1","metadata":false},{"id":75887,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6538","catch_line":"Governing body of any locality may prohibit dogs from running at large; civil penalty","url":"\/3.2-6538\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6538","metadata":false},{"id":54470,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6539","catch_line":"Ordinance requiring dogs to be kept on leash","url":"\/3.2-6539\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6539","metadata":false},{"id":86290,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540","catch_line":"Dangerous dogs; investigation, summons, and hearing","url":"\/3.2-6540\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540","metadata":false},{"id":78978,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540.01","catch_line":"Obligations of officer and owner following dangerous dog finding","url":"\/3.2-6540.01\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.01","metadata":false},{"id":61898,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540.02","catch_line":"Notice of dangerous dog finding; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6540.02\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.02","metadata":false},{"id":76550,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540.03","catch_line":"Violation of law by owner of dangerous dog; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6540.03\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.03","metadata":false},{"id":54186,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540.04","catch_line":"Subsequent attack or bite by dangerous dog; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6540.04\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.04","metadata":false},{"id":82525,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6540.1","catch_line":"Vicious dogs; penalties","url":"\/3.2-6540.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6540.1","metadata":false},{"id":64609,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6541","catch_line":"Authority to prohibit training of attack dogs","url":"\/3.2-6541\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6541","metadata":false},{"id":67596,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6541.1","catch_line":"Authority to prohibit ownership of particular breed","url":"\/3.2-6541.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6541.1","metadata":false},{"id":60877,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6542","catch_line":"Establishment of Dangerous Dog Registry","url":"\/3.2-6542\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6542","metadata":false},{"id":71489,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6542.1","catch_line":"Renewal of dangerous dog registration","url":"\/3.2-6542.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6542.1","metadata":false},{"id":81226,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6542.2","catch_line":"Dangerous dog fees; local fund","url":"\/3.2-6542.2\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6542.2","metadata":false},{"id":78689,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6543","catch_line":"Governing body of any locality may adopt certain ordinances","url":"\/3.2-6543\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6543","metadata":false},{"id":66579,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6543.1","catch_line":"Authority to enact parallel dangerous dog ordinance","url":"\/3.2-6543.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6543.1","metadata":false},{"id":64002,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6544","catch_line":"Regulation of keeping of animals and fowl","url":"\/3.2-6544\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6544","metadata":false},{"id":65760,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6545","catch_line":"Regulation of sale of animals procured from animal shelters","url":"\/3.2-6545\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6545","metadata":false},{"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","url":"\/3.2-6546\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6546","metadata":false},{"id":73172,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6547","catch_line":"Acceptance of animals for research or experimentation; prohibition","url":"\/3.2-6547\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6547","metadata":false},{"id":83344,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6548","catch_line":"Private animal shelters; confinement and disposition of animals; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties; injunctive relief","url":"\/3.2-6548\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6548","metadata":false},{"id":86437,"structure_id":13171,"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","url":"\/3.2-6549\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6549","metadata":false},{"id":85287,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6550","catch_line":"Requirements for foster homes; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6550\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6550","metadata":false},{"id":67608,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6551","catch_line":"Notification by individuals finding companion animals; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6551\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6551","metadata":false},{"id":76046,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6552","catch_line":"Dogs killing, injuring, or chasing livestock or poultry","url":"\/3.2-6552\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6552","metadata":false},{"id":74206,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6553","catch_line":"Compensation for livestock and poultry killed by dogs","url":"\/3.2-6553\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6553","metadata":false},{"id":68901,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6554","catch_line":"Disposal of dead companion animals","url":"\/3.2-6554\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6554","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":83344,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6548","catch_line":"Private animal shelters; confinement and disposition of animals; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties; injunctive relief","url":"\/3.2-6548\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6548","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":85287,"structure_id":13171,"section_number":"3.2-6550","catch_line":"Requirements for foster homes; penalty","url":"\/3.2-6550\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6550","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/3.2-6549\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2002. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 787<\/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 5 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 2003, chapters 770<\/a> and 1007<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 860<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 148<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 678<\/a>; in 2022, chapter 387<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":84667,"section_number":"3.2-6546","catch_line":"County or city public animal shelters; confinement and disposition of animals; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties; injunctive relief","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6546\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":84667,"section_number":"3.2-6546","catch_line":"County or city public animal shelters; confinement and disposition of animals; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties; injunctive relief","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6546\/"},{"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":198897,"object_type":"law","relational_id":86437,"identifier":"3.2-6549","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6549","url":"\/3.2-6549\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/3.2-6549\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/6\/3.2-6549","dublin_core":{"Title":"Releasing agencies other than public or private animal shelters; confinement and disposition of companion animals; recordkeeping; affiliation with foster care providers; penalties","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 3.2-6549","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> A releasing agency<\/span> other than a public or private animal shelter<\/span>: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> May confine and dispose of companion animals<\/span> in accordance with subsections B through G of § 3.2-6546<\/a> if incorporated<\/span> and not operated for profit; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Shall keep accurate records of each companion animal<\/span> received for two years from the date of disposition<\/span> of the companion animal<\/span>. Records shall (i) include a description of the companion animal<\/span>, including species, color, breed, sex, approximate weight, age, reason for release, owner<\/span>’s or finder’s name, address, and telephone number, and license number or other identifying tags or markings, as well as disposition<\/span> of the companion animal<\/span>, and (ii) be made available upon request to the Department<\/span>, animal control officers<\/span>, and law<\/span>-enforcement officers<\/span> at mutually agreeable times. A releasing agency<\/span> other than a public or private animal shelter<\/span> shall annually submit a summary of such records to the State Veterinarian<\/span> in a format prescribed by him, wherein a post office box may be substituted for a home address; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Shall annually file with the State Veterinarian<\/span> a copy of its intake policy.\n\t\t\t\tFor purposes of recordkeeping, release of a companion animal<\/span> by a releasing agency<\/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. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Each releasing agency<\/span> other than a public or private 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 such releasing agency<\/span> shall update such statement as changes occur. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> No releasing agency<\/span> other than a public or private 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 the foster care provider<\/span> has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment, and such releasing agency<\/span> shall update the statement as changes occur. A releasing agency<\/span> other than a public or private animal shelter<\/span> shall maintain the original statement and any updates to such statement for so long as the releasing agency<\/span> has an affiliation with the foster care provider<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> A releasing agency<\/span> other than a public or private 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

E.<\/span> If a releasing agency<\/span> other than a public or private 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 area where the foster care provider<\/span> is located. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Any releasing agency<\/span> other than a public or private animal shelter<\/span> that finds a companion animal<\/span> or receives a companion animal<\/span> that has not been released by its owner<\/span> and (i) provides care or safekeeping or (ii) takes possession<\/span> of such companion animal<\/span> shall within 48 hours: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> In compliance with the provisions of § 3.2-6585.1<\/a>, make a reasonable attempt to notify the owner<\/span> of the companion animal<\/span>, if the owner<\/span> can be ascertained from any tag, license, collar<\/span>, tattoo, or other identification or markings, or if the owner<\/span> of the companion animal<\/span> is otherwise known to the releasing agency<\/span>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Notify the public animal shelter<\/span> that serves the locality where the companion animal<\/span> was found and provide to the shelter contact information including at least a name and a contact telephone number, a description of the companion animal<\/span> including at least species, breed, sex, size, color, information from any tag, license, collar<\/span>, tattoo, or other identification or markings, and the location where the companion animal<\/span> was found. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> A releasing agency<\/span> other than a public or private animal shelter<\/span> shall comply with the provisions of § 3.2-6503<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

H.<\/span> No releasing agency<\/span> other than a public or private animal shelter<\/span> shall be operated in violation of any local zoning ordinance<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

I.<\/span> A releasing agency<\/span> other than a public or private animal shelter<\/span> that violates any provision of this section, other than subsection G, may be subject to a civil penalty<\/span> not to exceed $250. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRELEASING AGENCIES OTHER THAN PUBLIC OR PRIVATE ANIMAL SHELTERS; CONFINEMENT AND\nDISPOSITION OF COMPANION ANIMALS; RECORDKEEPING; AFFILIATION WITH FOSTER CARE\nPROVIDERS; PENALTIES (\u00a7 3.2-6549)\n\nA. A releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter:\n\n 1. May confine and dispose of companion animals in accordance with subsections\n B through G of § 3.2-6546 if incorporated and not operated for profit;\n\n 2. Shall keep accurate records of each companion animal received for two years\n from the date of disposition of the companion animal. Records shall (i)\n include a description of the companion animal, including species, color,\n breed, sex, approximate weight, age, reason for release, owner’s or\n finder’s name, address, and telephone number, and license number or\n other identifying tags or markings, as well as disposition of the companion\n animal, and (ii) be made available upon request to the Department, animal\n control officers, and law-enforcement officers at mutually agreeable times. A\n releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter shall annually\n submit a summary of such records to the State Veterinarian in a format\n prescribed by him, wherein a post office box may be substituted for a home\n address; and\n\n 3. Shall annually file with the State Veterinarian a copy of its intake\n policy.\n \t\t\t\tFor purposes of recordkeeping, release of a companion animal by a\n releasing agency to a public or private animal shelter or other releasing\n agency shall be considered a transfer and not an adoption. If the animal is\n not first sterilized, the responsibility for sterilizing the animal transfers\n to the receiving entity.\n\nB. Each releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter shall\nobtain a signed statement from each of its directors, operators, staff, or\nanimal caregivers specifying that each individual has never been convicted of\nanimal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment, and each such releasing agency shall\nupdate such statement as changes occur.\n\nC. No releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter shall place\na companion animal in a foster home with a foster care provider unless the\nfoster care provider has read and signed a statement specifying that the foster\ncare provider has never been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or\nabandonment, and such releasing agency shall update the statement as changes\noccur. A releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter shall\nmaintain the original statement and any updates to such statement for so long as\nthe releasing agency has an affiliation with the foster care provider.\n\nD. A releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter that places\na companion animal in a foster home with a foster care provider shall ensure\nthat the foster care provider complies with § 3.2-6503.\n\nE. If a releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter finds a\ndirect and immediate threat to a companion animal placed with a foster care\nprovider, it shall report its findings to the animal control agency in the area\nwhere the foster care provider is located.\n\nF. Any releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter that finds\na companion animal or receives a companion animal that has not been released by\nits owner and (i) provides care or safekeeping or (ii) takes possession of such\ncompanion animal shall within 48 hours:\n\n 1. In compliance with the provisions of § 3.2-6585.1, make a reasonable\n attempt to notify the owner of the companion animal, if the owner can be\n ascertained from any tag, license, collar, tattoo, or other identification or\n markings, or if the owner of the companion animal is otherwise known to the\n releasing agency; and\n\n 2. Notify the public animal shelter that serves the locality where the\n companion animal was found and provide to the shelter contact information\n including at least a name and a contact telephone number, a description of the\n companion animal including at least species, breed, sex, size, color,\n information from any tag, license, collar, tattoo, or other identification or\n markings, and the location where the companion animal was found.\n\nG. A releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter shall comply\nwith the provisions of § 3.2-6503.\n\nH. No releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter shall be\noperated in violation of any local zoning ordinance.\n\nI. A releasing agency other than a public or private animal shelter that\nviolates any provision of this section, other than subsection G, may be subject\nto a civil penalty not to exceed $250.\n\nHISTORY: 2002, c. 787, \u00a7 3.1-796.96:5; 2003, cc. 770, 1007; 2008, c. 860; 2014,\nc. 148; 2016, c. 678; 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}}