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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>54448</law_id><section_number>3.2-6520</section_number><catch_line>Procedure for animals left unclaimed with veterinarian or boarding establishment after public notice; lien; sale</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="4">Boarding Establishments and Groomers</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>Any <span class="dictionary">animal</span> not claimed by its <span class="dictionary">owner</span> from a licensed veterinarian or <span class="dictionary">boarding establishment</span> within 14 days after a letter of notice has been sent to the <span class="dictionary">owner</span>, by the veterinarian or <span class="dictionary">boarding establishment</span>, may be sold by the veterinarian or <span class="dictionary">boarding establishment</span>. The <span class="dictionary">animal</span> may be sold at public or private sale for fair compensation to a person capable of providing <span class="dictionary">care</span> consistent with this chapter. Any expense incurred by the veterinarian or <span class="dictionary">boarding establishment</span> becomes a <span class="dictionary">lien</span> on the <span class="dictionary">animal</span> and the proceeds of the sale shall first discharge this <span class="dictionary">lien</span>. Any balance of the proceeds shall be paid to the <span class="dictionary">owner</span>. If the <span class="dictionary">owner</span> cannot be found within the next ensuing 30 days, the balance shall be paid to the Literary Fund. If no purchaser is found, the <span class="dictionary">animal</span> may be offered for <span class="dictionary">adoption</span> or euthanized.</p></section></text><history>1984, c. 492, &#xA7; 29-213.45; 1987, c. 488, &#xA7; 3.1-796.75; 1993, c. 174; 2008, c. 860.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
