{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/3.2-6507.2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/3.2-6507.2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/3.2-6507.2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/3.2-6507.2.html"}],"law_id":358257,"edition_id":2,"section_id":358257,"structure_id":51237,"section_number":"3.2-6507.2","catch_line":"Commercial dog breeding; requirements","history":"2008, c. 852, \u00a7 3.1-796.77:2.","full_text":"Commercial dog breeders shall:\n\n1\n\nMaintain no more than 50 dogs over the age of one year at any time for breeding purposes. However, a higher number of dogs may be allowed if approved by local ordinance after a public hearing. Any such ordinance may include additional requirements for commercial breeding operations;\n\n2\n\nBreed female dogs only: (i) after annual certification by a licensed veterinarian that the dog is in suitable health for breeding; (ii) after the dog has reached the age of 18 months; and (iii) if the dog has not yet reached the age of 8 years;\n\n3\n\nDispose of dogs only by gift, sale, transfer, barter, or euthanasia by a licensed veterinarian;\n\n4\n\nDispose of deceased dogs in accordance with § 3.2-6554;\n\n5\n\nDispose of dog waste in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations; and\n\n6\n\nMaintain accurate records for at least five years including:\n\t\t\ta. The date on which a dog enters the operation;\n\n\t\t\tb. The person from whom the animal was purchased or obtained, including the address and phone number of such person;\n\n\t\t\tc. A description of the animal, including the species, color, breed, sex, and approximate age and weight;\n\n\t\t\td. Any tattoo, microchip number, or other identification number carried by or appearing on the animal;\n\n\t\t\te. Each date that puppies were born to such animal and the number of puppies;\n\n\t\t\tf. All medical care and vaccinations provided to the animal, including certifications required by a licensed veterinarian under this chapter; and\n\n\t\t\tg. The disposition of each animal and the date.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1332950,"text":"Commercial dog breeders shall:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":1332951,"text":"Maintain no more than 50 dogs over the age of one year at any time for breeding purposes. However, a higher number of dogs may be allowed if approved by local ordinance after a public hearing. Any such ordinance may include additional requirements for commercial breeding operations;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":1332952,"text":"Breed female dogs only: (i) after annual certification by a licensed veterinarian that the dog is in suitable health for breeding; (ii) after the dog has reached the age of 18 months; and (iii) if the dog has not yet reached the age of 8 years;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":1332953,"text":"Dispose of dogs only by gift, sale, transfer, barter, or euthanasia by a licensed veterinarian;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":1332954,"text":"Dispose of deceased dogs in accordance with § 3.2-6554;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":1332955,"text":"Dispose of dog waste in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations; and","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":1332956,"text":"Maintain accurate records for at least five years including:\n\t\t\ta. The date on which a dog enters the operation;\t\t\tb. The person from whom the animal was purchased or obtained, including the address and phone number of such person;\t\t\tc. A description of the animal, including the species, color, breed, sex, and approximate age and weight;\t\t\td. Any tattoo, microchip number, or other identification number carried by or appearing on the animal;\t\t\te. Each date that puppies were born to such animal and the number of puppies;\t\t\tf. All medical care and vaccinations provided to the animal, including certifications required by a licensed veterinarian under this chapter; and\t\t\tg. The disposition of each animal and the date.","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5"}},"ancestry":[{"id":51237,"edition_id":2,"name":"Commercial Dog Breeding Operations","identifier":"2.1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":3,"parent_id":51234,"metadata":{"child_laws":6,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:39:35","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:27:45","permalink":{"id":1425637,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51237,"identifier":"2.1","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2.1","url":"\/3.2\/V\/65\/2.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51234,"edition_id":2,"name":"Comprehensive Animal Care","identifier":"65","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":5,"parent_id":51220,"metadata":{"child_laws":132,"child_structures":15},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:39:34","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:27:44","permalink":{"id":1425461,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51234,"identifier":"65","token":"3.2\/V\/65","url":"\/3.2\/V\/65\/","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":358256,"structure_id":51237,"section_number":"3.2-6507.1","catch_line":"Business license required","url":"\/3.2-6507.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2.1\/3.2-6507.1","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":358257,"structure_id":51237,"section_number":"3.2-6507.2","catch_line":"Commercial dog breeding; requirements","url":"\/3.2-6507.2\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2.1\/3.2-6507.2","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":358258,"structure_id":51237,"section_number":"3.2-6507.3","catch_line":"Right of entry","url":"\/3.2-6507.3\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2.1\/3.2-6507.3","metadata":false},{"id":358259,"structure_id":51237,"section_number":"3.2-6507.4","catch_line":"Concurrent operation of releasing agency prohibited","url":"\/3.2-6507.4\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2.1\/3.2-6507.4","metadata":false},{"id":358260,"structure_id":51237,"section_number":"3.2-6507.5","catch_line":"Penalty","url":"\/3.2-6507.5\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2.1\/3.2-6507.5","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":358261,"structure_id":51237,"section_number":"3.2-6507.6","catch_line":"Duty of attorneys for the Commonwealth","url":"\/3.2-6507.6\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2.1\/3.2-6507.6","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":358256,"structure_id":51237,"section_number":"3.2-6507.1","catch_line":"Business license required","url":"\/3.2-6507.1\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2.1\/3.2-6507.1","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},"next_section":{"id":358258,"structure_id":51237,"section_number":"3.2-6507.3","catch_line":"Right of entry","url":"\/3.2-6507.3\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2.1\/3.2-6507.3","metadata":false},"metadata":{"court_decisions":""},"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/3.2-6507.2\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2008. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 852<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":358325,"section_number":"3.2-6554","catch_line":"Disposal of dead companion animals","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6554\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1425643,"object_type":"law","relational_id":358257,"identifier":"3.2-6507.2","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2.1\/3.2-6507.2","url":"\/3.2-6507.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/3.2-6507.2\/","token":"3.2\/V\/65\/2.1\/3.2-6507.2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Commercial dog breeding; requirements","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 3.2-6507.2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Commercial dog breeders<\/span> shall:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Maintain no more than 50 dogs over the age of one year at any time for breeding purposes. However, a higher number of dogs may be allowed if approved by local ordinance<\/span> after a public hearing<\/span>. Any such ordinance<\/span> may include additional requirements for commercial breeding operations; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Breed female dogs only: (i) after annual certification by a licensed veterinarian that the dog is in suitable health for breeding; (ii) after the dog has reached the age of 18 months; and (iii) if the dog has not yet reached the age of 8 years; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Dispose of dogs only by gift, sale, transfer, barter, or euthanasia<\/span> by a licensed veterinarian; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Dispose of deceased dogs in accordance with § 3.2-6554<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Dispose of dog waste in accordance with state and federal laws<\/span> and regulations; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Maintain accurate records for at least five years including:\n\t\t\ta. The date on which a dog enters the operation;

\t\t\tb. The person from whom the animal<\/span> was purchased or obtained, including the address and phone number of such person;

\t\t\tc. A description of the animal<\/span>, including the species, color, breed, sex, and approximate age and weight;

\t\t\td. Any tattoo, microchip number, or other identification number carried by or appearing on the animal<\/span>;

\t\t\te. Each date that puppies were born to such animal<\/span> and the number of puppies;

\t\t\tf. All medical care<\/span> and vaccinations provided to the animal<\/span>, including certifications required by a licensed veterinarian under this chapter; and

\t\t\tg. The disposition<\/span> of each animal<\/span> and the date. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCOMMERCIAL DOG BREEDING; REQUIREMENTS (\u00a7 3.2-6507.2)\n\nCommercial dog breeders shall:\n\n1. Maintain no more than 50 dogs over the age of one year at any time for\nbreeding purposes. However, a higher number of dogs may be allowed if approved\nby local ordinance after a public hearing. Any such ordinance may include\nadditional requirements for commercial breeding operations;\n\n2. Breed female dogs only: (i) after annual certification by a licensed\nveterinarian that the dog is in suitable health for breeding; (ii) after the dog\nhas reached the age of 18 months; and (iii) if the dog has not yet reached the\nage of 8 years;\n\n3. Dispose of dogs only by gift, sale, transfer, barter, or euthanasia by a\nlicensed veterinarian;\n\n4. Dispose of deceased dogs in accordance with § 3.2-6554;\n\n5. Dispose of dog waste in accordance with state and federal laws and\nregulations; and\n\n6. Maintain accurate records for at least five years including:\n\t\t\ta. The date on which a dog enters the operation;\t\t\tb. The person from whom\nthe animal was purchased or obtained, including the address and phone number of\nsuch person;\t\t\tc. A description of the animal, including the species, color,\nbreed, sex, and approximate age and weight;\t\t\td. Any tattoo, microchip number,\nor other identification number carried by or appearing on the animal;\t\t\te. Each\ndate that puppies were born to such animal and the number of puppies;\t\t\tf. All\nmedical care and vaccinations provided to the animal, including certifications\nrequired by a licensed veterinarian under this chapter; and\t\t\tg. The disposition\nof each animal and the date.\n\nHISTORY: 2008, c. 852, \u00a7 3.1-796.77:2.","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"}}