<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>84680</law_id><section_number>3.2-6507.2</section_number><catch_line>Commercial dog breeding; requirements</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="3.2">Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="V">Domestic Animals</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="65">Comprehensive Animal Care</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="2.1">Commercial Dog Breeding Operations</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p><span class="dictionary">Commercial dog breeders</span> shall:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Maintain no more than 50 dogs over the age of one year at any time for breeding purposes. However, a higher number of dogs may be allowed if approved by local <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> after a public <span class="dictionary">hearing</span>. Any such <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> may include additional requirements for commercial breeding operations; <a id="paragraph-303504" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6507.2/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Breed female dogs only: (i) after annual certification by a licensed veterinarian that the dog is in suitable health for breeding; (ii) after the dog has reached the age of 18 months; and (iii) if the dog has not yet reached the age of 8 years; <a id="paragraph-303505" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6507.2/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Dispose of dogs only by gift, sale, transfer, barter, or <span class="dictionary">euthanasia</span> by a licensed veterinarian; <a id="paragraph-303506" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6507.2/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Dispose of deceased dogs in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Disposal of dead companion animals" href="/3.2-6554/">3.2-6554</a>; <a id="paragraph-303507" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6507.2/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Dispose of dog waste in accordance with state and federal <span class="dictionary">laws</span> and regulations; and <a id="paragraph-303508" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6507.2/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Maintain accurate records for at least five years including:
			a. The date on which a dog enters the operation;
			b. The person from whom the <span class="dictionary">animal</span> was purchased or obtained, including the address and phone number of such person;
			c. A description of the <span class="dictionary">animal</span>, including the species, color, breed, sex, and approximate age and weight;
			d. Any tattoo, microchip number, or other identification number carried by or appearing on the <span class="dictionary">animal</span>;
			e. Each date that puppies were born to such <span class="dictionary">animal</span> and the number of puppies;
			f. All medical <span class="dictionary">care</span> and vaccinations provided to the <span class="dictionary">animal</span>, including certifications required by a licensed veterinarian under this chapter; and
			g. The <span class="dictionary">disposition</span> of each <span class="dictionary">animal</span> and the date. <a id="paragraph-303509" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6507.2/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2008, c. 852, &#xA7; 3.1-796.77:2.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
