                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

BOARDING ESTABLISHMENTS AND GROOMERS; VETERINARY CARE REQUIREMENTS; CONSUMER
NOTIFICATION; PENALTY (§ 3.2-6518)

A. When an animal is boarded at a boarding establishment, or under the care,
custody or subject to the actions of a groomer, the boarding establishment or
groomer shall be responsible for providing the animal care requirements for each
animal as specified in &#xA7; 3.2-6503.

B. If an animal becomes ill or injured while in the custody of the boarding
establishment or groomer, the boarding establishment or groomer shall provide
the animal with emergency veterinary treatment for the illness or injury. The
consumer shall bear the reasonable and necessary costs of emergency veterinary
treatment for any illness or injury occurring while the animal is in the custody
of the boarding establishment or groomer. The boarding establishment or groomer
shall pay for veterinary treatment of any injury that the animal sustains while
at the establishment or under the care or custody of a groomer if the injury
resulted from the establishment&#8217;s or groomer&#8217;s failure, whether
accidental or intentional, to provide the care required by &#xA7; 3.2-6503, or
if the injury is a result of the actions of the boarding establishment or
groomer. Boarding establishments and groomers shall not be required to bear the
cost of veterinary treatment for injuries resulting from the animal&#8217;s
self-mutilation.

C. If an animal is seized from a boarding establishment or groomer because of
the establishment&#8217;s or groomer&#8217;s failure to provide adequate food,
water, shelter, exercise, and care as defined in &#xA7; 3.2-6500 and required by
&#xA7; 3.2-6503 or because of any other violation of this chapter, the animal
shall be returned to the rightful owner as soon as possible or, if the owner
refuses to reclaim the animal, be impounded and disposition made pursuant to
&#xA7; 3.2-6569.

D. Violation of this section by a boarding establishment or groomer is a Class 1
misdemeanor.

HISTORY: 1993, c. 174, § 3.1-796.83:1; 1996, c. 249; 2008, c. 860.