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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>70938</law_id><section_number>3.2-6574</section_number><catch_line>Sterilization of adopted dogs and cats; enforcement; civil penalty</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>3.2-6500</reference><reference>3.2-6506</reference><reference>3.2-6543</reference><reference>3.2-6575</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="10">Mandatory Sterilization of Dogs and Cats Adopted From Releasing Agencies</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Every <span class="dictionary">new owner</span> of a dog or cat adopted from a <span class="dictionary">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. <a id="paragraph-255807" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6574/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> A dog or cat shall not be released for <span class="dictionary">adoption</span> from a <span class="dictionary">releasing agency</span> unless: <a id="paragraph-255808" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6574/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> The <span class="dictionary">animal</span> has already been sterilized; or <a id="paragraph-255809" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6574/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The individual adopting the <span class="dictionary">animal</span> signs an agreement to have the <span class="dictionary">animal</span> sterilized by a licensed veterinarian: (i) within 30 days of the <span class="dictionary">adoption</span>, if the <span class="dictionary">animal</span> is sexually mature; or (ii) within 30 days after the <span class="dictionary">animal</span> reaches six months of age, if the <span class="dictionary">animal</span> is not sexually mature at the time of <span class="dictionary">adoption</span>. <a id="paragraph-255810" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6574/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> A <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">animal</span> may be jeopardized by <span class="dictionary">sterilization</span>. In cases involving <span class="dictionary">extenuating circumstances</span>, the veterinarian and the <span class="dictionary">releasing agency</span> may negotiate the terms of an extension of the date by which the <span class="dictionary">animal</span> must be sterilized. <a id="paragraph-255811" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6574/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Nothing in this section shall preclude the <span class="dictionary">sterilization</span> of a sexually immature dog or cat upon the written agreement of the veterinarian, the <span class="dictionary">releasing agency</span>, and the <span class="dictionary">new owner</span>. <a id="paragraph-255812" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6574/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Upon the <span class="dictionary">petition</span> of an <span class="dictionary">animal control officer</span>, <span class="dictionary">humane investigator</span>, the <span class="dictionary">State Veterinarian</span> or a <span class="dictionary">State Veterinarian</span>&#x2019;s representative to the district <span class="dictionary">court</span> of the county or city where a violation of this article occurs, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may <span class="dictionary">order</span> the <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> that may be imposed under this article. <a id="paragraph-255813" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6574/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> Any person who violates subsection A or B of this section shall be subject to a civil <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> not to exceed $250. <a id="paragraph-255814" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-6574/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1993, c. 959, &#xA7; 3.1-796.126:1; 1998, c. 817; 2008, c. 860; 2010, c. 875.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
