2006 Code of Virginia § 3.1-796.70 - Sale, etc., of unweaned or certain immature animals prohibited, vaccinations required for dogs and ...

3.1-796.70. Sale, etc., of unweaned or certain immature animals prohibited,vaccinations required for dogs and cats; penalty.

A. No person shall sell, raffle, give away, or offer for sale as pets ornovelties, or offer or give as a prize, premium, or advertising device anyliving chicks, ducklings, or other fowl under two months old in quantities ofless than six or any unweaned mammalian companion animal or any dog under theage of seven weeks without its dam, or any cat under the age of seven weekswithout its queen. Dealers may offer immature fowl, unweaned mammaliancompanion animals, dogs or cats under the age of seven weeks for sale as petsor novelties with the requirement that prospective owners take possession ofthe animals only after fowl have reached two months of age, mammaliancompanion animals have been weaned, and dogs and cats are at least sevenweeks of age. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the sale, gift, ortransfer of an unweaned animal (i) as food for other animals, (ii) with thelactating dam or queen or a lactating surrogate dam or queen that hasaccepted the animal, (iii) due to a concern for the health or safety of theunweaned animal, or (iv) to animal control, an animal shelter, or aveterinarian.

B. Dealers shall provide all dogs and cats with current vaccinations againstcontagious and infectious diseases, as recommended in writing and consideredappropriate for the animal's age and breed by a licensed veterinarian, orpursuant to written recommendations provided by the manufacturer of suchvaccines at least five days before any new owner takes possession of theanimal. For dogs, the vaccinations required by this subsection shall includeat a minimum canine distemper, adenovirus type II parainfluenza, andparvovirus. For cats, the vaccinations required by this subsection shallinclude at a minimum rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. Dealersshall provide the new owner with the dog's or cat's immunization history.

C. A violation of this section is punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor.

(1984, c. 492, 29-213.40; 1987, c. 488; 1993, c. 174; 1995, c. 625; 2006,c. 503.)