{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/3.2-5900.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/3.2-5900.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/3.2-5900.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/3.2-5900.html"}],"law_id":358166,"edition_id":2,"section_id":358166,"structure_id":51221,"section_number":"3.2-5900","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 3-4, 3-13; 1966, c. 702, \u00a7\u00a7 3.1-4, 3.1-14; 1972, c. 531; 1975, c. 260; 1977, c. 186; 1978, cc. 219, 540; 1982, c. 150; 1984, c. 492, \u00a7 29-213.36; 1987, c. 488, \u00a7 3.1-796.66; 1988, c. 538; 1991, c. 348; 1993, cc. 174, 455, 959; 1994, cc. 261, 370; 1995, cc. 10, 610; 1996, c. 996; 1998, c. 817; 2002, cc. 351, 500, 787; 2003, cc. 544, 551, \u00a7 3.1-741.3; 2003, c. 1007; 2005, c. 633; 2008, c. 860; 2019, c. 258.","full_text":"As used in this subtitle, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\n“Accredited veterinarian” means a veterinarian approved by the Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in accordance with 9 C.F.R. Part 161, which includes the authority to issue health certificates.\n\n“Animal” means any organism of the kingdom Animalia, other than a human being.\n\n“Hatching egg” means any egg of any chicken, turkey, waterfowl, or game bird, or the egg of any other avian species that is used or intended to be used for hatching purposes.\n\n“Horse” means any stallion, colt, gelding, mare, or filly.\n\n“Livestock” includes all domestic or domesticated bovine animals; equine animals; ovine animals; porcine animals; cervidae animals; capradae animals; animals of the genus Lama or Vicugna; ratites; fish or shellfish in aquaculture facilities, as defined in \u00a7 3.2-2600; enclosed rabbits or hares raised for human food or fiber; or any other individual animal specifically raised for food or fiber, except companion animals.\n\n“Passport” means a document that may be used in lieu of a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and shall contain animal identifiers and health maintenance history such as vaccinations and laboratory tests.\n\n“Poultry” includes all domestic fowl and game birds raised in captivity.\n\n“State Veterinarian” means the veterinarian employed by the Commissioner as provided in \u00a7 3.2-5901.\n\n“State Veterinarian’s representative” means any person who is either: (i) an employee of the Department under the direction of the State Veterinarian; or (ii) a veterinarian deputized pursuant to \u00a7 3.2-5901.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1332661,"text":"As used in this subtitle, unless the context requires a different meaning:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":""},"1":{"id":1332662,"text":"“Accredited veterinarian” means a veterinarian approved by the Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in accordance with 9 C.F.R. Part 161, which includes the authority to issue health certificates.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"2":{"id":1332663,"text":"“Animal” means any organism of the kingdom Animalia, other than a human being.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"3":{"id":1332664,"text":"“Hatching egg” means any egg of any chicken, turkey, waterfowl, or game bird, or the egg of any other avian species that is used or intended to be used for hatching purposes.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"4":{"id":1332665,"text":"“Horse” means any stallion, colt, gelding, mare, or filly.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"5":{"id":1332666,"text":"“Livestock” includes all domestic or domesticated bovine animals; equine animals; ovine animals; porcine animals; cervidae animals; capradae animals; animals of the genus Lama or Vicugna; ratites; fish or shellfish in aquaculture facilities, as defined in \u00a7 3.2-2600; enclosed rabbits or hares raised for human food or fiber; or any other individual animal specifically raised for food or fiber, except companion animals.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"6":{"id":1332667,"text":"“Passport” means a document that may be used in lieu of a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and shall contain animal identifiers and health maintenance history such as vaccinations and laboratory tests.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"7":{"id":1332668,"text":"“Poultry” includes all domestic fowl and game birds raised in captivity.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"8":{"id":1332669,"text":"“State Veterinarian” means the veterinarian employed by the Commissioner as provided in \u00a7 3.2-5901.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"9":{"id":1332670,"text":"“State Veterinarian’s representative” means any person who is either: (i) an employee of the Department under the direction of the State Veterinarian; or (ii) a veterinarian deputized pursuant to \u00a7 3.2-5901.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":""}},"ancestry":[{"id":51221,"edition_id":2,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"59","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":51220,"metadata":{"child_laws":8,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:39:26","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:27:43","permalink":{"id":1425137,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51221,"identifier":"59","token":"3.2\/V\/59","url":"\/3.2\/V\/59\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51220,"edition_id":2,"name":"Domestic Animals","identifier":"V","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":5,"parent_id":51103,"metadata":{"child_laws":207,"child_structures":28},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:39:26","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:27:43","permalink":{"id":1425135,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51220,"identifier":"V","token":"3.2\/V","url":"\/3.2\/V\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51103,"edition_id":2,"name":"Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food","identifier":"3.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":5,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":1194,"child_structures":151},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:37:33","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:27:27","permalink":{"id":1420941,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51103,"identifier":"3.2","token":"3.2","url":"\/3.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":358166,"structure_id":51221,"section_number":"3.2-5900","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/3.2-5900\/","token":"3.2\/V\/59\/3.2-5900","metadata":false},{"id":358169,"structure_id":51221,"section_number":"3.2-5901","catch_line":"State Veterinarian and representatives","url":"\/3.2-5901\/","token":"3.2\/V\/59\/3.2-5901","metadata":false},{"id":358167,"structure_id":51221,"section_number":"3.2-5901.1","catch_line":"State Animal Welfare Inspector","url":"\/3.2-5901.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/59\/3.2-5901.1","metadata":false},{"id":358168,"structure_id":51221,"section_number":"3.2-5901.2","catch_line":"State Veterinarian; large animal veterinary grant program","url":"\/3.2-5901.2\/","token":"3.2\/V\/59\/3.2-5901.2","metadata":false},{"id":358170,"structure_id":51221,"section_number":"3.2-5902","catch_line":"Certificate of veterinary inspection required for importation of certain pet animals; examination; exceptions; penalty","url":"\/3.2-5902\/","token":"3.2\/V\/59\/3.2-5902","metadata":false},{"id":358171,"structure_id":51221,"section_number":"3.2-5903","catch_line":"Laboratory for diagnosis of diseases","url":"\/3.2-5903\/","token":"3.2\/V\/59\/3.2-5903","metadata":false},{"id":358172,"structure_id":51221,"section_number":"3.2-5904","catch_line":"Authority of the Commissioner; coyotes; black vultures","url":"\/3.2-5904\/","token":"3.2\/V\/59\/3.2-5904","metadata":false},{"id":358173,"structure_id":51221,"section_number":"3.2-5905","catch_line":"Compensation for animals slaughtered or animals or animal products destroyed to control or eradicate an animal disease outbreak","url":"\/3.2-5905\/","token":"3.2\/V\/59\/3.2-5905","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":358169,"structure_id":51221,"section_number":"3.2-5901","catch_line":"State Veterinarian and representatives","url":"\/3.2-5901\/","token":"3.2\/V\/59\/3.2-5901","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/3.2-5900\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 21 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1966, chapter 702; in 1972, chapter 531; in 1975, chapter 260; in 1977, chapter 186; in 1978, chapters 219 and 540; in 1982, chapter 150; in 1984, chapter 492; in 1987, chapter 488; in 1988, chapter 538; in 1991, chapter 348; in 1993, chapters 174, 455, and 959; in 1994, chapters 261<\/a> and 370<\/a>; in 1995, chapters 10<\/a> and 610<\/a>; in 1996, chapter 996<\/a>; in 1998, chapter 817<\/a>; in 2002, chapters 351<\/a>, 500<\/a>, and 787<\/a>; in 2003, chapters 544<\/a> and 551<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 1007<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 633<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 860<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 258<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":350998,"section_number":"18.2-46.7","catch_line":"Act of bioterrorism against agricultural crops or animals; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-46.7\/"},{"id":368903,"section_number":"54.1-3806.1","catch_line":"Disclosure forms required","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3806.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":357440,"section_number":"3.2-2600","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-2600\/"},{"id":358169,"section_number":"3.2-5901","catch_line":"State Veterinarian and representatives","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-5901\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1425139,"object_type":"law","relational_id":358166,"identifier":"3.2-5900","token":"3.2\/V\/59\/3.2-5900","url":"\/3.2-5900\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/3.2-5900\/","token":"3.2\/V\/59\/3.2-5900","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 3.2-5900","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

As used in this subtitle, unless the context requires a different meaning:<\/p>

“Accredited veterinarian<\/span>” means a veterinarian approved by the Administrator of the U.S. Department<\/span> of Agriculture in accordance with 9 C.F.R. Part 161, which includes the authority to issue<\/span> health certificates.<\/p>

“Animal<\/span>” means any organism of the kingdom Animalia, other than a human being.<\/p>

“Hatching egg<\/span>” means any egg of any chicken, turkey, waterfowl, or game bird, or the egg of any other avian species that is used or intended to be used for hatching purposes.<\/p>

“Horse<\/span>” means any stallion, colt, gelding, mare, or filly.<\/p>

“Livestock<\/span>” includes all domestic or domesticated bovine animals<\/span>; equine animals<\/span>; ovine animals<\/span>; porcine animals<\/span>; cervidae animals<\/span>; capradae animals<\/span>; animals<\/span> of the genus Lama or Vicugna; ratites; fish or shellfish in aquaculture facilities, as defined in \u00a7 3.2-2600<\/a>; enclosed rabbits or hares raised for human food or fiber; or any other individual animal<\/span> specifically raised for food or fiber, except companion animals<\/span>.<\/p>

“Passport<\/span>” means a document that may be used in lieu of a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and shall contain animal<\/span> identifiers and health maintenance history such as vaccinations and laboratory tests.<\/p>

“Poultry<\/span>” includes all domestic fowl and game birds raised in captivity.<\/p>

“State Veterinarian<\/span>” means the veterinarian employed by the Commissioner<\/span> as provided in \u00a7 3.2-5901<\/a>.<\/p>

“State Veterinarian<\/span>’s representative” means any person who is either: (i) an employee of the Department<\/span> under the direction of the State Veterinarian<\/span>; or (ii) a veterinarian deputized pursuant to \u00a7 3.2-5901<\/a>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 3.2-5900)\n\nAs used in this subtitle, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\n“Accredited veterinarian” means a veterinarian approved by the\nAdministrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in accordance with 9 C.F.R.\nPart 161, which includes the authority to issue health certificates.\n\n“Animal” means any organism of the kingdom Animalia, other than a\nhuman being.\n\n“Hatching egg” means any egg of any chicken, turkey, waterfowl, or\ngame bird, or the egg of any other avian species that is used or intended to be\nused for hatching purposes.\n\n“Horse” means any stallion, colt, gelding, mare, or filly.\n\n“Livestock” includes all domestic or domesticated bovine animals;\nequine animals; ovine animals; porcine animals; cervidae animals; capradae\nanimals; animals of the genus Lama or Vicugna; ratites; fish or shellfish in\naquaculture facilities, as defined in \u00a7 3.2-2600; enclosed rabbits or hares\nraised for human food or fiber; or any other individual animal specifically\nraised for food or fiber, except companion animals.\n\n“Passport” means a document that may be used in lieu of a\nCertificate of Veterinary Inspection and shall contain animal identifiers and\nhealth maintenance history such as vaccinations and laboratory tests.\n\n“Poultry” includes all domestic fowl and game birds raised in\ncaptivity.\n\n“State Veterinarian” means the veterinarian employed by the\nCommissioner as provided in \u00a7 3.2-5901.\n\n“State Veterinarian’s representative” means any person who is\neither: (i) an employee of the Department under the direction of the State\nVeterinarian; or (ii) a veterinarian deputized pursuant to \u00a7 3.2-5901.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 3-4, 3-13; 1966, c. 702, \u00a7\u00a7 3.1-4, 3.1-14; 1972, c.\n531; 1975, c. 260; 1977, c. 186; 1978, cc. 219, 540; 1982, c. 150; 1984, c. 492,\n\u00a7 29-213.36; 1987, c. 488, \u00a7 3.1-796.66; 1988, c. 538; 1991, c. 348; 1993, cc.\n174, 455, 959; 1994, cc. 261, 370; 1995, cc. 10, 610; 1996, c. 996; 1998, c.\n817; 2002, cc. 351, 500, 787; 2003, cc. 544, 551, \u00a7 3.1-741.3; 2003, c. 1007;\n2005, c. 633; 2008, c. 860; 2019, c. 258.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}