On Wednesday, February 13 Virginia House Bill 538 was assigned to the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee. It is expected to have a hearing on Monday, February 18. 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 to date moved quickly through the legislative process. Please contact the Committee members immediately with your concerns about this bill.
Senator Patricia Ticer, Chair
General Assembly Building, Room 329
Capitol Square
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-7530
email: district30@sov.state.va.us
Senator Mary Margaret Whipple
General Assembly Building, Room 327
Capitol Square
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-7531
email: district31@sov.state.va.us
Emmett W. Hanger, Jr.
General Assembly Building, Room 431
Capitol Square
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-7524
email: district24@sov.state.va.us
Senator John C. Watkins
General Assembly Building, Room 331
Capitol Square
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-7510
email: district10@sov.state.va.us
Senator R. Creigh Deeds
General Assembly Building, Room 430
Capitol Square
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-7525
email: district25@sov.state.va.us
Senator Mark D. Obenshain
General Assembly Building, Room 310
Capitol Square
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-7526
email: district26@sov.state.va.us
Senator Ryan T. McDougle
General Assembly Building, Room 314
Capitol Square
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-7504
email: district04@sov.state.va.us
Senator W. Roscoe Reynolds
General Assembly Building, Room 332
Capitol Square
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-7520
email: district20@sov.state.va.us
Senator Phillip P. Puckett
General Assembly Building, Room 330
Capitol Square
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-7538
email: district38@sov.state.va.us
Senator Frank M. Ruff
General Assembly Building, Room 428
Capitol Square
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-7515
email: district15@sov.state.va.us
Senator Harry B. Blevins
General Assembly Building, Room 429
Capitol Square
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-7514
email: district14@sov.state.va.us
Senator A. Donald McEachin
General Assembly Building, Room 318
Capitol Square
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-7509
email: district09@sov.state.va.us
Senator J. Chapman Petersen
General Assembly Building, Room 323
Capitol Square
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-7534
email: district34@sov.state.va.us
Senator Ralph S. Northam
General Assembly Building, Room 308
Capitol Square
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-7506
email: district06@sov.state.va.us
Senator Richard H. Stuart
General Assembly Building, Room 305
Capitol Square
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 698-7528
email: district28@sov.state.va.us
For a list of Virginia Senators please visit this website.
To determine your Senator, please visit this website.
On Wednesday, February 13 Virginia House Bill 538 was assigned to the Senate Agriculture,…