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2022 SESSION


CHAPTER 93
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 3.2-6592.1, relating to breeders; records of animals sold or transferred to animal testing facility.
[S 88]
Approved April 5, 2022

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 3.2-6592.1 as follows:

§ 3.2-6592.1. Breeding cats and dogs for experimental purposes.

Any person or entity that breeds dogs or cats, including dogs or cats regulated under federal law as research animals, for sale or transfer to an animal testing facility shall be required to keep accurate records of each dog or cat purchased, acquired, owned, held, or otherwise in the person or entity's possession or control, and each dog or cat transported, euthanized, sold, or otherwise disposed of, for five years from the date of the acquisition, transfer, or disposition of the dog or cat. Records shall include:

1. The name and address of the person from whom the dog or cat was purchased or otherwise acquired, and such person's license or registration number if licensed or registered under the federal Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. § 2131 et seq.);

2. The date on which the dog or cat was acquired;

3. The name and address of the person or entity to whom the dog or cat was sold, given, or transferred and such person or entity's license or registration number if licensed or registered under the federal Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. § 2131 et seq.);

4. The official U.S. Department of Agriculture tag number or tattoo assigned to the dog or cat under the federal Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. § 2131 et seq.);

5. A description of the dog or cat, which shall include (i) the species and breed or type, (ii) the sex, (iii) the date of birth or approximate age, and (iv) the color and any distinctive markings;

6. The date and number of any offspring born of any animal while in the possession or under the control of the person or entity;

7. All medical care and vaccinations provided to the animal;

8. The date and method of disposition of the dog or cat, including sale, death and cause thereof if not euthanasia, euthanasia, adoption, or transfer;

9. The number of dogs or cats in the person or entity's possession for which the person or entity no longer has a need; and

10. The number of dogs or cats in the person or entity's possession for which the person or entity no longer has a need that have been offered for transfer to a releasing agency for eventual adoption or for adoption through private placement in accordance with § 3.2-6593.1.

Records shall be made available upon request to the Department, animal control officers, and law-enforcement officers at mutually agreeable times. The person or entity subject to the requirements of this section shall quarterly submit a summary of such records to the State Veterinarian in a format prescribed by him.