                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

CONSUMER REMEDIES FOR RECEIPT OF DISEASED ANIMAL UPON CERTIFICATION BY
VETERINARIAN (§ 3.2-6514)

A. If, at any time within 10 days following receipt of an animal, a licensed
veterinarian certifies such animal to be unfit for purchase due to illness, a
congenital defect deleterious to the health of the animal, or the presence of
symptoms of a contagious or infectious disease other than parvovirus, or if at
any time within 14 days following the receipt of an animal a licensed
veterinarian certifies such animal to be unfit for purchase due to being
infected with parvovirus, the pet dealer shall afford the consumer the right to
choose one of the following options:

   1. The right to return the animal or, in the case of an animal that has died,
   to present the veterinary certification, within three business days of
   certification and receive a refund of the purchase price including sales tax;
   or

   2. The right to return the animal or, in the case of an animal that has died,
   to present the veterinary certification, within three business days of
   certification and to receive an exchange animal of equivalent value from the
   dealer, subject to the choice of the consumer; or

   3. In the case of an animal purchased from a pet shop or a USDA licensed
   dealer, the right to retain the animal and to receive the reimbursement of
   veterinary fees in an amount up to the purchase price of the animal, including
   sales tax and the cost of the veterinary certification, incurred up to the
   time the consumer notifies the pet dealer of the intent to keep the animal.
   Such notification shall occur within three business days of certification.
   Veterinary costs incurred by the consumer after such notification shall be the
   responsibility of the consumer.

B. The refund or reimbursement required by subsection A shall be made by the pet
dealer not later than 10 business days following receipt of a signed veterinary
certification as provided in &#xA7; 3.2-6515.

C. Any violation of this section shall also constitute a prohibited practice
under &#xA7; 59.1-200 and shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of the
Virginia Consumer Protection Act (&#xA7; 59.1-196 et seq.).

HISTORY: 1984, c. 492, § 29-213.50; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.80; 2008, c. 860;
2014, c. 448; 2020, c. 412.