                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

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 (§ 3.2-6516)

A. It shall be a violation of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (§ 59.1-196
et seq.) for a pet dealer to state, promise, or represent that a dog or cat is
registered or capable of being registered with any animal pedigree registry
organization if the pet dealer shall then fail to either effect such
registration or provide the consumer with the documents necessary therefor
within 120 days following the date of sale of such animal. In the event that a
pet dealer fails to effect registration or to provide the necessary documents
therefor within 120 days following the date of sale, the consumer shall be
entitled to choose one of the following options:

   1. To return the animal and to receive a refund of the purchase price plus
   sales tax; or

   2. To retain the animal and to receive a refund of an amount not to exceed 50
   percent of the purchase price and sales tax.

B. The veterinary certification and statement required herein shall be presented
to the pet dealer not later than three business days following receipt thereof
by the consumer and shall contain the following information:

   1. The name of the owner;

   2. The date or dates of the examination;

   3. The breed, color, sex, and age of the animal;

   4. A description of the veterinarian&#8217;s findings;

   5. A statement that the veterinarian certifies the animal to be unfit for
   purchase; and

   6. The name and address of the certifying veterinarian and the date of the
   certification.

C. A veterinary finding of intestinal parasites shall not be grounds for
declaring the animal unfit for purchase unless the animal is clinically ill due
to such condition. An animal may not be found unfit for purchase on account of
an injury sustained or illness contracted subsequent to the consumer taking
possession thereof.

HISTORY: 1984, c. 492, § 29-213.52; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.82; 2008, c. 860.