On Tuesday, February 12 Virginia House Bill 538 passed the House of Delegates and was sent to the Senate. The bill seeks to:
- Define commercial breeders as persons who maintain 30 or more unsterilized adult females for commercial breeding;
- Limit commercial breeders to maintaining no more than 50 adult dogs at one time;
- Restrict the breeding age of females to between 18 months and 8 years;
- Require commercial breeders to cooperate with inspections by animal control officers; and
- Mandate commercial breeders to keep records of animal sales, purchases, breeding history, and veterinary care.
The American Kennel Club opposes the concept of breeding permits, breeding bans, or mandatory spay/neuter of purebred dogs. Instead, we support reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of purebred dogs and do not restrict the rights of breeders and owners who take their responsibilities seriously.
The bill has not yet been referred to committee but has to date moved quickly through the legislative process. Please contact your Senator soon with your concerns about this bill.
For a list of Virginia Senators please visit this website.
To determine your Senator, please visit this website.
On Tuesday, February 12 Virginia House Bill 538 passed the House of Delegates and was sent to the…