{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/3.2-6574.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/3.2-6574.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/3.2-6574.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/3.2-6574.html"}],"law_id":70938,"edition_id":1,"section_id":70938,"structure_id":14628,"section_number":"3.2-6574","catch_line":"Sterilization of adopted dogs and cats; enforcement; civil penalty","history":"1993, c. 959, \u00a7 3.1-796.126:1; 1998, c. 817; 2008, c. 860; 2010, c. 875.","full_text":"A\n\nEvery new owner of a dog or cat adopted from a releasing agency shall cause to be sterilized the dog or cat pursuant to the agreement required by subdivision 2 of subsection B of this article.B\n\nA dog or cat shall not be released for adoption from a releasing agency unless:1\n\nThe animal has already been sterilized; or2\n\nThe individual adopting the animal signs an agreement to have the animal sterilized by a licensed veterinarian: (i) within 30 days of the adoption, if the animal is sexually mature; or (ii) within 30 days after the animal reaches six months of age, if the animal is not sexually mature at the time of adoption.C\n\nA releasing agency may extend for 30 days the date by which a dog or cat must be sterilized on presentation of a written report from a veterinarian stating that the life or health of the adopted animal may be jeopardized by sterilization. In cases involving extenuating circumstances, the veterinarian and the releasing agency may negotiate the terms of an extension of the date by which the animal must be sterilized.D\n\nNothing in this section shall preclude the sterilization of a sexually immature dog or cat upon the written agreement of the veterinarian, the releasing agency, and the new owner.E\n\nUpon the petition of an animal control officer, humane investigator, the State Veterinarian or a State Veterinarian’s representative to the district court of the county or city where a violation of this article occurs, the court may order the new owner to take any steps necessary to comply with the requirements of this article. This remedy shall be exclusive of and in addition to any civil penalty that may be imposed under this article.F\n\nAny person who violates subsection A or B of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $250.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":255807,"text":"Every new owner of a dog or cat adopted from a releasing agency shall cause to be sterilized the dog or cat pursuant to the agreement required by subdivision 2 of subsection B of this article.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":255808,"text":"A dog or cat shall not be released for adoption from a releasing agency unless:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":255809,"text":"The animal has already been sterilized; or","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":255810,"text":"The individual adopting the animal signs an agreement to have the animal sterilized by a licensed veterinarian: (i) within 30 days of the adoption, if the animal is sexually mature; or (ii) within 30 days after the animal reaches six months of age, if the animal is not sexually mature at the time of adoption.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"C"},"4":{"id":255811,"text":"A releasing agency may extend for 30 days the date by which a dog or cat must be sterilized on presentation of a written report from a veterinarian stating that the life or health of the adopted animal may be jeopardized by sterilization. In cases involving extenuating circumstances, the veterinarian and the releasing agency may negotiate the terms of an extension of the date by which the animal must be sterilized.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"D"},"5":{"id":255812,"text":"Nothing in this section shall preclude the sterilization of a sexually immature dog or cat upon the written agreement of the veterinarian, the releasing agency, and the new owner.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"6":{"id":255813,"text":"Upon the petition of an animal control officer, humane investigator, the State Veterinarian or a State Veterinarian’s representative to the district court of the county or city where a violation of this article occurs, the court may order the new owner to take any steps necessary to comply with the requirements of this article. This remedy shall be exclusive of and in addition to any civil penalty that may be imposed under this article.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"7":{"id":255814,"text":"Any person who violates subsection A or B of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $250.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14628,"edition_id":1,"name":"Mandatory Sterilization of Dogs and Cats Adopted From Releasing Agencies","identifier":"10","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13170,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:59","permalink":{"id":198479,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14628,"identifier":"10","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/10","url":"\/3.2\/V\/65\/10\/","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":70938,"structure_id":14628,"section_number":"3.2-6574","catch_line":"Sterilization of adopted dogs and cats; enforcement; civil penalty","url":"\/3.2-6574\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/10\/3.2-6574","metadata":false},{"id":60449,"structure_id":14628,"section_number":"3.2-6575","catch_line":"Sterilization agreement","url":"\/3.2-6575\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/10\/3.2-6575","metadata":false},{"id":76151,"structure_id":14628,"section_number":"3.2-6576","catch_line":"Sterilization confirmation; civil penalty","url":"\/3.2-6576\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/10\/3.2-6576","metadata":false},{"id":72484,"structure_id":14628,"section_number":"3.2-6577","catch_line":"Notification concerning lost, stolen or dead dogs or cats; civil penalty","url":"\/3.2-6577\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/10\/3.2-6577","metadata":false},{"id":56176,"structure_id":14628,"section_number":"3.2-6578","catch_line":"Exemptions","url":"\/3.2-6578\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/10\/3.2-6578","metadata":false},{"id":84986,"structure_id":14628,"section_number":"3.2-6579","catch_line":"Releasing agency; fees and deposits","url":"\/3.2-6579\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/10\/3.2-6579","metadata":false},{"id":82026,"structure_id":14628,"section_number":"3.2-6580","catch_line":"Civil penalties","url":"\/3.2-6580\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/10\/3.2-6580","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":60449,"structure_id":14628,"section_number":"3.2-6575","catch_line":"Sterilization agreement","url":"\/3.2-6575\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/10\/3.2-6575","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/3.2-6574\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1993. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 959 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 1993 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 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 1998, chapter 817<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 860<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 875<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":86401,"section_number":"3.2-6500","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6500\/"},{"id":66794,"section_number":"3.2-6506","catch_line":"Exceptions regarding veterinarians","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6506\/"},{"id":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":60449,"section_number":"3.2-6575","catch_line":"Sterilization agreement","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6575\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":198481,"object_type":"law","relational_id":70938,"identifier":"3.2-6574","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/10\/3.2-6574","url":"\/3.2-6574\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/3.2-6574\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/10\/3.2-6574","dublin_core":{"Title":"Sterilization of adopted dogs and cats; enforcement; civil penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 3.2-6574","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Every new owner<\/span> of a dog or cat adopted from a releasing agency<\/span> shall cause to be sterilized the dog or cat pursuant to the agreement required by subdivision 2 of subsection B of this article. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A dog or cat shall not be released for adoption<\/span> from a releasing agency<\/span> unless: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The animal<\/span> has already been sterilized; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The individual adopting the animal<\/span> signs an agreement to have the animal<\/span> sterilized by a licensed veterinarian: (i) within 30 days of the adoption<\/span>, if the animal<\/span> is sexually mature; or (ii) within 30 days after the animal<\/span> reaches six months of age, if the animal<\/span> is not sexually mature at the time of adoption<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> A releasing agency<\/span> may extend for 30 days the date by which a dog or cat must be sterilized on presentation of a written report from a veterinarian stating that the life or health of the adopted animal<\/span> may be jeopardized by sterilization<\/span>. In cases involving extenuating circumstances<\/span>, the veterinarian and the releasing agency<\/span> may negotiate the terms of an extension of the date by which the animal<\/span> must be sterilized. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Nothing in this section shall preclude the sterilization<\/span> of a sexually immature dog or cat upon the written agreement of the veterinarian, the releasing agency<\/span>, and the new owner<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Upon the petition<\/span> of an animal control officer<\/span>, humane investigator<\/span>, the State Veterinarian<\/span> or a State Veterinarian<\/span>’s representative to the district court<\/span> of the county or city where a violation of this article occurs, the court<\/span> may order<\/span> the new owner<\/span> to take any steps necessary to comply with the requirements of this article. This remedy shall be exclusive of and in addition to any civil penalty<\/span> that may be imposed under this article. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Any person who violates subsection A or B of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty<\/span> not to exceed $250. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSTERILIZATION OF ADOPTED DOGS AND CATS; ENFORCEMENT; CIVIL PENALTY (\u00a7 3.2-6574)\n\nA. Every new owner of a dog or cat adopted from a releasing agency shall cause\nto be sterilized the dog or cat pursuant to the agreement required by\nsubdivision 2 of subsection B of this article.\n\nB. A dog or cat shall not be released for adoption from a releasing agency\nunless:\n\n 1. The animal has already been sterilized; or\n\n 2. The individual adopting the animal signs an agreement to have the animal\n sterilized by a licensed veterinarian: (i) within 30 days of the adoption, if\n the animal is sexually mature; or (ii) within 30 days after the animal reaches\n six months of age, if the animal is not sexually mature at the time of\n adoption.\n\nC. A releasing agency may extend for 30 days the date by which a dog or cat must\nbe sterilized on presentation of a written report from a veterinarian stating\nthat the life or health of the adopted animal may be jeopardized by\nsterilization. In cases involving extenuating circumstances, the veterinarian\nand the releasing agency may negotiate the terms of an extension of the date by\nwhich the animal must be sterilized.\n\nD. Nothing in this section shall preclude the sterilization of a sexually\nimmature dog or cat upon the written agreement of the veterinarian, the\nreleasing agency, and the new owner.\n\nE. Upon the petition of an animal control officer, humane investigator, the\nState Veterinarian or a State Veterinarian’s representative to the\ndistrict court of the county or city where a violation of this article occurs,\nthe court may order the new owner to take any steps necessary to comply with the\nrequirements of this article. This remedy shall be exclusive of and in addition\nto any civil penalty that may be imposed under this article.\n\nF. Any person who violates subsection A or B of this section shall be subject to\na civil penalty not to exceed $250.\n\nHISTORY: 1993, c. 959, \u00a7 3.1-796.126:1; 1998, c. 817; 2008, c. 860; 2010, c.\n875.","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}}