Virginia Code 3.2-6593.1: Animal testing facilities; adoption of dogs and cats.
Any breeder or animal testing facility that no longer has need for a dog or cat in its possession that does not pose a health or safety risk to the public or welfare of the animal shall (i) offer for release such dog or cat to a releasing agency for eventual adoption or for adoption through a private placement or (ii) in the case of a testing facility operated by an agency or institution of higher education, develop its own adoption program, provided that such program maintains records that comply with § 3.2-6557. Such breeder or animal testing facility shall keep such offer for release open for a reasonable length of time, up to three weeks, prior to euthanizing such dog or cat. A breeder or animal testing facility may enter into an agreement with a releasing agency for the implementation of the provisions of this section. A breeder or animal testing facility shall not be liable for any harm caused by or any defect suffered by any dog or cat adopted pursuant to this section.
Terms Used In Virginia Code 3.2-6593.1
- Adoption: means the transfer of ownership of a dog or a cat, or any other companion animal, from a releasing agency to an individual. See Virginia Code 3.2-6500
- Animal: means any live vertebrate nonhuman animal. See Virginia Code 3.2-6591
- Animal testing facility: means any facility, including a private entity, state agency, or institution of higher education, that confines and uses dogs or cats for research, education, testing, or other scientific or medical purposes. See Virginia Code 3.2-6591
- Facility: means a building or portion thereof as designated by the State Veterinarian, other than a private residential dwelling and its surrounding grounds, that is used to contain a primary enclosure or enclosures in which animals are housed or kept. See Virginia Code 3.2-6500
- Releasing agency: means (i) a public animal shelter or (ii) a private animal shelter, humane society, animal welfare organization, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or other similar entity or home-based rescue that releases companion animals for adoption. See Virginia Code 3.2-6500
For purposes of this section, “breeder” means a breeder who breeds dogs and cats for sale or transfer to an animal testing facility.