<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>77364</law_id><section_number>3.2-6516</section_number><catch_line>Failure of pet dealer to effect registration after promise; violation of Consumer Protection Act; remedies; veterinary certification; finding of intestinal parasites; illness subsequent to sale</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>59.1-200</reference></referred_to_by><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="3">Transportation and Sale of Animals</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> It shall be a violation of the Virginia <span class="dictionary">Consumer</span> Protection Act (&#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Title" href="/59.1-196/">59.1-196</a> et seq.) for a pet <span class="dictionary">dealer</span> to state, promise, or represent that a dog or cat is registered or capable of being registered with any <span class="dictionary">animal</span> pedigree registry organization if the pet <span class="dictionary">dealer</span> shall then fail to either effect such registration or provide the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> with the documents necessary therefor within 120 days following the date of sale of such <span class="dictionary">animal</span>. In the event that a pet <span class="dictionary">dealer</span> fails to effect registration or to provide the necessary documents therefor within 120 days following the date of sale, the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> shall be entitled to choose one of the following options: <a id="paragraph-277481" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6516/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> To return the <span class="dictionary">animal</span> and to receive a refund of the purchase price plus sales tax; or <a id="paragraph-277482" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6516/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> To retain the <span class="dictionary">animal</span> and to receive a refund of an amount not to exceed 50 percent of the purchase price and sales tax. <a id="paragraph-277483" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6516/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The veterinary certification and statement required herein shall be presented to the pet <span class="dictionary">dealer</span> not later than three business days following receipt thereof by the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> and shall contain the following information: <a id="paragraph-277484" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6516/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> The name of the <span class="dictionary">owner</span>; <a id="paragraph-277485" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6516/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The date or dates of the examination; <a id="paragraph-277486" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6516/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> The breed, color, sex, and age of the <span class="dictionary">animal</span>; <a id="paragraph-277487" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6516/#B3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> A description of the veterinarian&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">findings</span>; <a id="paragraph-277488" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6516/#B4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> A statement that the veterinarian certifies the <span class="dictionary">animal</span> to be unfit for purchase; and <a id="paragraph-277489" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6516/#B5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> The name and address of the certifying veterinarian and the date of the certification. <a id="paragraph-277490" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6516/#B6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> A veterinary <span class="dictionary">finding</span> of intestinal parasites shall not be grounds for declaring the <span class="dictionary">animal</span> unfit for purchase unless the <span class="dictionary">animal</span> is clinically ill due to such condition. An <span class="dictionary">animal</span> may not be found unfit for purchase on account of an injury sustained or illness contracted subsequent to the <span class="dictionary">consumer</span> taking <span class="dictionary">possession</span> thereof. <a id="paragraph-277491" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6516/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1984, c. 492, &#xA7; 29-213.52; 1987, c. 488, &#xA7; 3.1-796.82; 2008, c. 860.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
