Thank you for the opportunity to comment on these important regulations which will improve the care and safety of dogs and cats sold by pet stores and provide greater confidence to the consumer in considering the purchase of a companion animals.  

While the proposed standards are a good start, I feel that commercial pet stores that sell dogs and cats should be subject to the same requirements that public shelters must adhere to.  This would include having a veterinarian on retainer to conduct and/or develop protocols concerning wellness/pre-sale exams and required vaccinations/medications and civil penalties for regulatory violations.   In addition, a store that has its permit revoked should be subject to a waiting period plus provide proof of corrective action before it can reapply.  It should go without question that a store found to have committed an act of cruelty should not be allowed another permit. 

Finally, the provision of water should be done in a species-specific manner.  Drip bottles, frequently used by stores for their convenience, is not appropriate for the hydration of dogs and cats, which lap their water. 

I live in VA Beach, VA and am dismayed at the continued procurement of animals from puppy mills funneled into pet shops.  I support unannounced visits by VDACS, but the regulations must go further than this.  At a minimum, pet shops should fall under the same regulations as shelters operated by our cities.  This includes a veterinarian mandated requirements for care and protocol.  Failure to properly care for these animals should result in substantive penalties, to include civil penalties, to protect both animals and consumers.  Further, these puppies and kittens are unable to use drip bottles for water.  We must require pet shops to provide clean water in a bowl allowing them to immerse their tongues.  I’ll never understand how our society can continue to allow the greed that are puppy mills at the expense of animal welfare.  But, the least we can do in the meantime is require proper, humane care at pet shops, required and enforced by VDACS.

I am in favor of requirements for better care and treatment of dogs and cats sold by pet stores. The proposed regulations are a good start but, in my opinion, fall short of what is needed.  Commercial pet stores should be subject to the same types of requirements, oversight and reporting as public shelters.  Ensuring a healthy pet would protect buyers and increase confidence in their "purchase."  Vendors of dogs and cats would also benefit from improved customer relations that would attend these changes.

Furthermore, since pet store animals are typically sourced from "mills" that provide inadequate care in unhealthful environments, greater veterinary attention of such animals should reduce the spread of zoonotic diseases that could threaten public health, including the health of companion pets already in the community.

While ensuring fresh water on a daily basis is important, how that water is delivered should be specified.  Cats and dogs lap their water.  A drip bottle system may be convenient for store staff but does not provide adequate hydration for the animal.

Thank you for considering my comments!

Please strengthen your proposed standards of care for pet shops. The pets in pet shops come from deplorable conditions in puppy mills. Allowing pet shops to front for them must be stopped and/ or strongly regulated

I am a resident of Stuart’s Draft, VA.  While I support many of the proposed changes, including requiring unannounced inspections of all pet shops, I believe more must be included in these regulations to ensure the welfare of puppies and kittens kept at pet shops.  

First, there should be substantive consequences for failing to comply with the standards of care. A pet shop whose permit is revoked should not be permitted to immediately reapply, especially for repeated and egregious violations. VDACS should also be able to bring civil penalties for regulatory violations, just like it can when enforcing animal shelter standards. And most importantly, if a pet shop operator is found to have committed an act of cruelty, the regulations should explicitly prohibit them from obtaining another permit.

Second, pet shops should be required to engage a licensed veterinarian to develop protocols around veterinary care, medications, pre-sale exams, age appropriate tests and vaccinations.  Not only is this something our private and public animal shelters are required to do, but it will also prevent needless suffering due to a lack of veterinary care and protect public health from potential zoonotic diseases.

Finally, while I appreciate the requirement that puppies and kittens must always have water, the regulations should clarify that water must be provided in a manner suitable to the animals species.  Both puppies and kittens drink by immersing their tongues in water.  Unfortunately, most pet shops provide water via a drip tube, which is inappropriate for puppies and kittens.  An animal shelter would never be allowed to provide water in this way, and neither should pet shops.

Thank-you

My name is Ruthann and I am a resident of Williamsburg. While I support many of the proposed changes, including requiring unannounced inspections of all pet shops, I believe more must be included in these regulations to ensure the welfare of puppies and kittens kept at pet shops. 

First, there should be substantive consequences for failing to comply with the standards of care. A pet shop whose permit is revoked should not be permitted to immediately reapply, especially for repeated and egregious violations. VDACS should also be able to bring civil penalties for regulatory violations, just like it can when enforcing animal shelter standards. And most importantly, if a pet shop operator is found to have committed an act of cruelty, the regulations should explicitly prohibit them from obtaining another permit. 

Second, pet shops should be required to engage a licensed veterinarian to develop protocols around veterinary care, medications, pre-sale exams, age-appropriate tests and vaccinations. Not only is this something our private and public animal shelters are required to do, but it will also prevent needless suffering due to a lack of veterinary care and protect public health from potential zoonotic diseases. 

Finally, while I appreciate the requirement that puppies and kittens must always have water, the regulations should clarify that water must be provided in a manner suitable to the animal’s species. Both puppies and kittens drink by immersing their tongues in water. Unfortunately, most pet shops provide water via a drip tube, which is inappropriate for puppies and kittens.

An animal shelter would NEVER BE ALLOWED to provide water in this way, and neither should pet shops.

SHAME ~ IF LAWS & REGULATIONS ARE NOT GREATLY STRENGTHENED!!!!

Thank you so much,
Virginia PawsitiVAty Initiative

Hi there,

Thank you for the regulations which were written over the past two years. I do feel as if they need to be strengthened. We would like for Va pet stores to have similar regulations as our animal shelters.

Also, when a bill was introduced last year to require pet stores to report deaths, like our shelters, why did they have their lobbyist request that those deaths NOT be reported to VDACS????

The pet store in Fairfax Cost tax payers $120,000 and there were multiple dead animals being kept in the freezer. (See article below)

Deaths of cats, dogs and rabbits should have to be reported to VDACS and made public so consumers can research to see how responsible pet stores are and how they take care of their companion animals. Hiding the reports inside the stores tells us everything we need to know.

Please add a regulation mandating pet stores report deaths of dogs, cats and rabbits to VDACS annually. This is about giving Virginia consumers every opportunity  to be an informed consumer before adding a companion animal to their family.

Thank you,

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/report-more-than-a-dozen-dead-rabbits-found-inside-freezer-at-petland-store-in-fairfax.amp

I believe all puppy mills should be shut down and breeders be registered with the state and strict regulations applied, with frequent, unannounced inspections.  There needs to be controlled sale of pets, again with frequent, unannounced inspections and on-site veterinary care in the case of pet shops.  Female breeders should have a limited number of litters and have veterinary care and supervised living conditions (for all the pets).  And people should continue to be encouraged to adopt shelter pets.

My name is Jodi Dean and I am a resident of Powhatan. While I support many of the proposed changes, including requiring unannounced inspections of all pet shops, I believe more must be included in these regulations to ensure the welfare of puppies and kittens kept at pet shops. 

First, there should be substantive consequences for failing to comply with the standards of care. A pet shop whose permit is revoked should not be permitted to immediately reapply, especially for repeated and egregious violations. VDACS should also be able to bring civil penalties for regulatory violations, just like it can when enforcing animal shelter standards. And most importantly, if a pet shop operator is found to have committed an act of cruelty, the regulations should explicitly prohibit them from obtaining another permit. 

Second, pet shops should be required to engage a licensed veterinarian to develop protocols around veterinary care, medications, pre-sale exams, age-appropriate tests and vaccinations. Not only is this something our private and public animal shelters are required to do, but it will also prevent needless suffering due to a lack of veterinary care and protect public health from potential zoonotic diseases. 

Finally, while I appreciate the requirement that puppies and kittens must always have water, the regulations should clarify that water must be provided in a manner suitable to the animal’s species. Both puppies and kittens drink by immersing their tongues in water. Unfortunately, most pet shops provide water via a drip tube, which is inappropriate for puppies and kittens. An animal shelter would never be allowed to provide water in this way, and neither should pet shops.

My name is Pamela Miller and I am a resident of Rockingham Va. While I support many the proposed changes, including unannounced inspections of all pet shops. I feel more should be included to ensure the welfare of the puppies and kittens.

First, there should be substantial consequences for failing to comply with the standards of care. A pet shop whose permit is revoked should not be permitted to immediately reapply, especially for repeated and agrarious violations. V d a s should also be able to bring civil penalties for regulatory violations, just like it can when enforcing animal shelter standards and most importantly, if a pet shop operator is found to have committed an act of cruelty, the regulations should explicitly prohibit them from obtaining another permit.

Second, Pet Shops should be required to engage a licensedd veterinarian to develop protocols around Veterinary care, medications, pre-sale exams, age appropriate tests and vaccinations. Not only is this something our private and public animal shelters are required to do, but it will also prevent needless suffering due to a lack of veterinary care and protect Public Health from potential zoonotic diseases.

Finally, whilel I appreciate the requirement that puppies and kittens must always have water, the regulations should clarify that water must be provided in a manner suitable to the animals species both puppies and kittens drink by immersing their tongues in water. Unfortunately, most Pet Shops provide water via a drip tube, which is inappropriate for puppies and kittens. And animal shelter would never be allowed to provide water in this way, and neither should pet shops.

          Thank you so much.

           Pamela Miller 

My name is Sarah Sanders and I am a resident of Newport News. 

The majority of pet shops that sell puppies are getting those dogs from puppy mills, large, inhumane commercial breeding facilities where puppies are “mass-produced” for sale. These poor animals are forced to live in squalid conditions with minimal veterinary care or human interaction. It is common for consumers to end up with sick and behaviorally challenged puppies bought from pet shops due to the conditions the puppies are born into, transported in, and subjected to at pet shops. Sick puppies are not only a financial drain for the consumer but are also a public health risk; recent outbreaks of both Canine Brucellosis and Campylobacter have been traced back to commercial dog breeding facilities and pet shop puppies.

Problematic pet shops in Virginia demonstrate a need for better standards. In 2019, a Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) undercover investigation and subsequent investigation by local law enforcement of a pet shop in Fairfax, VA revealed extensive mistreatment of animals. One of the two former pet shop managers was found guilty of animal cruelty for failing to provide veterinary care to one dog that died and 31 rabbits that were found dead in the shop’s freezer. The investigation revealed that as many as 21 puppies at a time were given medications or kept in isolation in the back room due to illness. Standards are needed to prevent this type of suffering and cruelty from happening again while pet shops continue to sell puppies and kittens in Virginia.

Our animal shelters, both public and private, are held to high standards in order to operate in the Commonwealth. Pet shops, which are similarly handling puppies and kittens, should be held to the same standards to protect both animals and consumers.

While I support many of the proposed changes, including requiring unannounced inspections of all pet shops, I believe more must be included in these regulations to ensure the welfare of puppies and kittens kept at pet shops. 

First, there should be substantive consequences for failing to comply with the standards of care. A pet shop whose permit is revoked should not be permitted to immediately reapply, especially for repeated and egregious violations. VDACS should also be able to bring civil penalties for regulatory violations, just like it can when enforcing animal shelter standards. And most importantly, if a pet shop operator is found to have committed an act of cruelty, the regulations should explicitly prohibit them from obtaining another permit. 

Second, pet shops should be required to engage a licensed veterinarian to develop protocols around veterinary care, medications, pre-sale exams, age-appropriate tests and vaccinations. Not only is this something our private and public animal shelters are required to do, but it will also prevent needless suffering due to a lack of veterinary care and protect public health from potential zoonotic diseases. 

Finally, while I appreciate the requirement that puppies and kittens must always have water, the regulations should clarify that water must be provided in a manner suitable to the animal’s species. Both puppies and kittens drink by immersing their tongues in water. Unfortunately, most pet shops provide water via a drip tube, which is inappropriate for puppies and kittens. An animal shelter would never be allowed to provide water in this way, and neither should pet shops.

I would like to see changes brought about to further protect animals that are bred, bought, housed and sold in pet stores. The same regulations at minimum that are required by VDACS for animal shelters should be required for stores that sell animals, not only to protect the animals but also the consumers. These animals are often bred in squalid conditions only to be shipped to a pet shop window to be sold at exorbitant prices to unwitting consumers who are then stuck holding the bag for expensive vet treatments or euthanasia. Any pet store that employs a person convicted of animal cruelty or failure to render veterinary care should have consequences such as loss of permit to sell animals. I feel we owe it to the animals to ensure the environment in which they are kept in is safe, healthy and has proper procedures for their care. 

Puppy mills must cease to be legal !  How any so-called human can bring a life into this world and mistreat dogs for pure profit is beyond comprehension.  For our legislators to allow this to continue is reprehensible and a poor reflection of their characters.

I support a ban on puppy mills and the sale of their products in VA

Thomas C Piazza

But for the grace of God, we are not kept in cages and left piteously alone. Rules must be administered to direct care and humane treatment for all God’s animals.  

My name is Stacy Moran  and I am a resident of Suffolk VA. While I support many of the proposed changes, including requiring unannounced inspections of all pet shops, I believe more must be included in these regulations to ensure the welfare of puppies and kittens kept at pet shops. 

First, there should be substantive consequences for failing to comply with the standards of care. A pet shop whose permit is revoked should not be permitted to immediately reapply, especially for repeated and egregious violations. VDACS should also be able to bring civil penalties for regulatory violations, just like it can when enforcing animal shelter standards. And most importantly, if a pet shop operator is found to have committed an act of cruelty, the regulations should explicitly prohibit them from obtaining another permit. 

Second, pet shops should be required to engage a licensed veterinarian to develop protocols around veterinary care, medications, pre-sale exams, age-appropriate tests and vaccinations. Not only is this something our private and public animal shelters are required to do, but it will also prevent needless suffering due to a lack of veterinary care and protect public health from potential zoonotic diseases. 

Thank you for your time,

Stacy Moran 

While I appreciate regulating that have been passed to protect pet shop animals  I urge you to adopt more substantive consequences for failing to comply with standards of care. Shops that have permits revoked shouldn’t be permitted to immediately reapply.  Any shops that commit acts of cruelty should be immediately closed and not allowed to reopen. Shops should be held to the same standards as animal shelters to include frequent inspections.

Our animal shelters, both public and private, are held to high standards in order to operate in Virginia.  Pet shops should be held to the same high standards to protect both animals and consumers.

• Please, hold pet shop owners accountable when they fail to comply with standards of care.
• Pet shops should engage a licensed vet to develop protocols around vet care to prevent needless suffering by animals in their care.
• Please, add to the standard of care that puppies and kittens must always have water.

Thank you for strengthening standards of care for companion animals in pet shops.

I live in Luray, VA and I care about animals. While I do support many of the VDACS proposed pet store regulations, including requiring unannounced inspections of all pet shops, I believe more must be included in these regulations to protect the welfare of puppies and kittens.Pet stores need to be held to the same requirements as our animal shelters in VA.

Basic standards of care for the animals must be met and if they are not, then there must be real consequences or why would the pet store owners even bother to comply?

If a pet store gets their permit revoked then there should be a waiting period before they can reapply. Otherwise, what's the point?

VDACS should also be able to bring civil penalties for regulatory violations, just as it can when enforcing animal shelter regulations.

Above all, if a pet store owner is found to have committed cruelty to animals, then they should never be allowed to get another permit! If this isn't included, then what kind of message are you sending?

Pet shops should be required to engage a licensed veterinarian to develop protocols for veterinary care, medications, presale exams, age-appropriate tests, and vaccinations just like our animal shelters already do.

These are all very basic and common sense measures that need to be added to the regulations that are currently being drafted. Dogs and cats are relying on you to help them since chances are the pet shop owners won't.

As a resident of [your city/town], I support many of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (VDACS) proposed pet store regulations, including requiring unannounced inspections of all pet shops, but I believe more must be included in these regulations to protect the welfare of puppies and kittens. At the very least, for-profit pet shops should be subject to animal welfare requirements at least as stringent as those currently in place for Virginia’s animal shelters.

There must be meaningful consequences for failing to comply with basic standards of care. Otherwise, there’s no incentive for a pet shop to do so. A pet shop whose permit is revoked should not be permitted to reapply immediately, especially in cases of repeated or egregious violations. VDACS should also be able to bring civil penalties for regulatory violations, just as it can when enforcing animal shelter regulations. And most importantly, if a pet shop operator is found to have committed cruelty to animals, the regulations should explicitly prohibit them from obtaining another permit.

Pet shops should be required to engage a licensed veterinarian to develop protocols for veterinary care, medications, presale exams, age-appropriate tests, and vaccinations. This is already required of our private and public animal shelters, and it would prevent needless suffering due to lack of veterinary care, in addition to protecting public health.

Regarding pet stores selling cats and dogs,

Mahatma Gandhi, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

As a resident of Chesterfield County, VA, I support many of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (VDACS) proposed pet store regulations, including requiring unannounced inspections of all pet shops, but I believe more must be included in these regulations to protect the welfare of puppies and kittens. At the very least, for-profit pet shops should be subject to animal welfare requirements at least as stringent as those currently in place for Virginia’s animal shelters.

There must be meaningful consequences for failing to comply with basic standards of care. Otherwise, there’s no incentive for a pet shop to do so. A pet shop whose permit is revoked should not be permitted to reapply immediately, especially in cases of repeated or egregious violations. VDACS should also be able to bring civil penalties for regulatory violations, just as it can when enforcing animal shelter regulations. And most importantly, if a pet shop operator is found to have committed cruelty to animals, the regulations should explicitly prohibit them from obtaining another permit.

Pet shops should be required to engage a licensed veterinarian to develop protocols for veterinary care, medications, presale exams, age-appropriate tests, and vaccinations. This is already required of our private and public animal shelters, and it would prevent needless suffering due to lack of veterinary care, in addition to protecting public health.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

As a resident of Fairfax, I support many of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (VDACS) proposed pet store regulations, including requiring unannounced inspections of all pet shops, but I believe more must be included in these regulations to protect the welfare of puppies and kittens. At the very least, for-profit pet shops should be subject to animal welfare requirements at least as stringent as those currently in place for Virginia’s animal shelters.

There must be meaningful consequences for failing to comply with basic standards of care. Otherwise, there’s no incentive for a pet shop to do so. A pet shop whose permit is revoked should not be permitted to reapply immediately, especially in cases of repeated or egregious violations. VDACS should also be able to bring civil penalties for regulatory violations, just as it can when enforcing animal shelter regulations. And most importantly, if a pet shop operator is found to have committed cruelty to animals, the regulations should explicitly prohibit them from obtaining another permit.

Pet shops should be required to engage a licensed veterinarian to develop protocols for veterinary care, medications, presale exams, age-appropriate tests, and vaccinations. This is already required of our private and public animal shelters, and it would prevent needless suffering due to lack of veterinary care, in addition to protecting public health.

As a resident of Portsmouth, I support many of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (VDACS) proposed pet store regulations, including requiring unannounced inspections of all pet shops, but I believe more must be included in these regulations to protect the welfare of puppies and kittens. At the very least, for-profit pet shops should be subject to animal welfare requirements at least as stringent as those currently in place for Virginia’s animal shelters.

There must be meaningful consequences for failing to comply with basic standards of care. Otherwise, there’s no incentive for a pet shop to do so. A pet shop whose permit is revoked should not be permitted to reapply immediately, especially in cases of repeated or egregious violations. VDACS should also be able to bring civil penalties for regulatory violations, just as it can when enforcing animal shelter regulations. And most importantly, if a pet shop operator is found to have committed cruelty to animals, the regulations should explicitly prohibit them from obtaining another permit.

Pet shops should be required to engage a licensed veterinarian to develop protocols for veterinary care, medications, presale exams, age-appropriate tests, and vaccinations. This is already required of our private and public animal shelters, and it would prevent needless suffering due to lack of veterinary care, in addition to protecting public health.

I think it is horrible to purchase from puppy mills, all these poor animals in the shelters deserve a chance to have a home and these poor animals in puppy mills is a total sin against Gods creation.  You greedy jerks need to stop this cruelty.

Hello, Please help put an end to stores selling cats and dogs! Everyday thousands of animals die in shelters across the country because there simply aren't enough homes for everyone. How these stores come to having these animals is also a huge issue. Puppy mills are typically disgusting facilities that overbreed dogs and usually involve incest, which causes a lot of issues for the dogs down the road. You also have your "backyard" breeders who know nothing of how to properly take care of animals and the beings in their care suffer until they're sold for profit. By eliminating stores that sell cats and dogs, you are not only saving the lives of animals in shelters, but also preventing the suffering of thousands more from breeding. Please do what is right in Virginia! 

As a veterinary technician, I too often see cases of animals purchased from pet stores who are ill, or who are born with congenital diseases because of poor breeding, especially with animals who are purchased from puppy mills  Inbreeding in these mills produces animals with serious conditions.  

I firmly believe, first and foremost, that pet stores SHOULD NOT sell animals, but if they are allowed to continue in this practice, there MUST be stringent regulations put in place so that animals are not suffering and consumers are not stuck with pets which will require a good deal of medical attention.

Please strengthen and put teeth in the regulations pertaining to the care of animals sold in pet stores. Without penalties, pet stores will not comply with common sense requirements that are being advised for the care of puppies and kittens. They are routinely received from puppy mills and could possibly be ill, and the failure to comply with state regulations can mean lifetime problems or death. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

For-profit businesses like pet stores should be held to at least the same standards as municipal and nonprofit animal shelters in Virginia to ensure the health and safety of animals.

Proposed regulations should be amended to require stronger standards of care and meaningful penalties for animal welfare violations for pet stores. 

As a resident of [your city/town], I support many of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (VDACS) proposed pet store regulations, including requiring unannounced inspections of all pet shops, but I believe more must be included in these regulations to protect the welfare of puppies and kittens. At the very least, for-profit pet shops should be subject to animal welfare requirements at least as stringent as those currently in place for Virginia’s animal shelters.

There must be meaningful consequences for failing to comply with basic standards of care. Otherwise, there’s no incentive for a pet shop to do so. A pet shop whose permit is revoked should not be permitted to reapply immediately, especially in cases of repeated or egregious violations. VDACS should also be able to bring civil penalties for regulatory violations, just as it can when enforcing animal shelter regulations. And most importantly, if a pet shop operator is found to have committed cruelty to animals, the regulations should explicitly prohibit them from obtaining another permit.

Pet shops should be required to engage a licensed veterinarian to develop protocols for veterinary care, medications, presale exams, age-appropriate tests, and vaccinations. This is already required of our private and public animal shelters, and it would prevent needless suffering due to lack of veterinary care, in addition to protecting public health.

As a resident of King William , I support many of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (VDACS) proposed pet store regulations, including requiring unannounced inspections of all pet shops, but I believe more must be included in these regulations to protect the welfare of puppies and kittens. At the very least, for-profit pet shops should be subject to animal welfare requirements at least as stringent as those currently in place for Virginia’s animal shelters.

There must be meaningful consequences for failing to comply with basic standards of care. Otherwise, there’s no incentive for a pet shop to do so. A pet shop whose permit is revoked should not be permitted to reapply immediately, especially in cases of repeated or egregious violations. VDACS should also be able to bring civil penalties for regulatory violations, just as it can when enforcing animal shelter regulations. And most importantly, if a pet shop operator is found to have committed cruelty to animals, the regulations should explicitly prohibit them from obtaining another permit.

Pet shops should be required to engage a licensed veterinarian to develop protocols for veterinary care, medications, presale exams, age-appropriate tests, and vaccinations. This is already required of our private and public animal shelters, and it would prevent needless suffering due to lack of veterinary care, in addition to protecting public health.

No puppies or kittens should be accepted at these stores without papers and preferably not from Puppy Mills. It is horrible how these animals are treated.

Good afternoon,

We really need to rethink having animals available for purchase in pet stores.  9 times out of 10, those cute puppies come from HORRENDOUS situations that there mom and dad cant get out of.  The breeder dogs are treated with such a lack of care, concern or medical.  The parents often times are without teeth (or lower jaws for that matter).  Most animals are in crates, have never seen the sun, have never walked on grass and are commited to a lifetime of torture.  All so people can buy animals.  

The shelters are overrun with pets that need homes, good homes.  If someone wants a purebred, contact a reputable breeder.  Pet stores dont care where their cute puppies come from.  PLEASE ban pet stores from existing/.  Its cruel and unusual punishment for the breeder pups left behind.  

PLEASE.  We are better than this.  Adopt - DONT SHOP!  Please!!!!

Good afternoon,

We really need to rethink having animals available for purchase in pet stores.  9 times out of 10, those cute puppies come from HORRENDOUS situations that there mom and dad cant get out of.  The breeder dogs are treated with such a lack of care, concern or medical.  The parents often times are without teeth (or lower jaws for that matter).  Most animals are in crates, have never seen the sun, have never walked on grass and are commited to a lifetime of torture.  All so people can buy animals.  

The shelters are overrun with pets that need homes, good homes.  If someone wants a purebred, contact a reputable breeder.  Pet stores dont care where their cute puppies come from.  PLEASE ban pet stores from existing/.  Its cruel and unusual punishment for the breeder pups left behind.  

PLEASE.  We are better than this.  Adopt - DONT SHOP!  Please!!!!

Thank you for trying to better regulate pet stores when selling dogs and cats. We would ask that you strengthen this to include having a licensed vet develop protocols for sick animals; increase the civil penalties for lapses in animal care standards and make sure the US Dept of Agriculture’s inspection report is readily available to customers. Thank you, Sara Ford, president AWL 

As a resident of [your city/town], I support many of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (VDACS) proposed pet store regulations, including requiring unannounced inspections of all pet shops, but I believe more must be included in these regulations to protect the welfare of puppies and kittens. At the very least, for-profit pet shops should be subject to animal welfare requirements at least as stringent as those currently in place for Virginia’s animal shelters.

There must be meaningful consequences for failing to comply with basic standards of care. Otherwise, there’s no incentive for a pet shop to do so. A pet shop whose permit is revoked should not be permitted to reapply immediately, especially in cases of repeated or egregious violations. VDACS should also be able to bring civil penalties for regulatory violations, just as it can when enforcing animal shelter regulations. And most importantly, if a pet shop operator is found to have committed cruelty to animals, the regulations should explicitly prohibit them from obtaining another permit.

Pet shops should be required to engage a licensed veterinarian to develop protocols for veterinary care, medications, presale exams, age-appropriate tests, and vaccinations. This is already required of our private and public animal shelters, and it would prevent needless suffering due to lack of veterinary care, in addition to protecting public health.

Convicted Perpetrators need to be hit where it hurts most, their pocket book with a $500T fine and long prison time.

Hello,

I’m completely opposed to animal selling business because people have a tendency to care about their own profit. They don’t care about animals well-being. That yields to abuse, neglect and exploitation. Animals are not merchandise. Please, prohibit all kinds of businesses that involve animals. Please, ensure animals well being. They were created for us to enjoy. It is our responsibility to take good care of them. They don’t need the suffering that human beings can cause.

Thank you.

Judy Critzer 

I am very concerned for the dogs and cats who are sold in "pet stores."  First, it is upsetting to see animals purposely bred for sale in a retail environment (or anywhere) due to the likely impulsive nature of the purchase of these vulnerable lives. Also, to breed dogs and cats when thousands are euthanized every day in non-profit shelters due to space constraints is simply unconscionable. I dream of a day when animals will not be sold in pet stores. Until dogs and cats (and other animals) are not sold in pet shops, the very least we can and should do is protect them from neglect and abuse by amending and requiring stronger standards of care in pet shops and meaningful penalties for animal welfare violations.  As a taxpayer and life-long Virginia resident, I implore the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to protect the welfare of animals with amended regulations that will require stronger standards of care without exception.

I thank you in advance for your prompt and compassionate action.

Please strengthen the standards of care for animals in pet shops. They are voiceless, uncared for, and treated like lifeless commodities.  Pet chains and independent pet shop owners MUST be held accountable for the welfare of the creatures with which they sustain their lives.

i know multiple people who've purchased 'pure bred' dogs and cats from pet stores whose animals end up having anywhere from mild to pretty severe health conditions due to their puppy mill/breeding facility beginnings. there are pet stores in here in virginia positioning themselves as very 'small business, mom-and-pop', when in reality they make huge profits from these sales, and have heavy influence in richmond, our capital, when the laws are made (or not) to protect these animals.

(the other issue is the unlicensed breeder. anyone can breed animals in their backyard and put up a sign. typically when you go to a breeder to adopt, you're not even allowed to see the mother of the newborn. the mother is often in bad condition- an unhealthy run down, breeding machine.)

people love their pets like family these days, and do not want to think that their kids' sweet new puppy came from unsanitary/unhealthy, inhumane beginnings with the mother still prisoner in that life, in order to bring in huge profits for pet stores.

Why would anyone want to purchase a puppy that is from a puppy mill? All pets should be protected so they are not coming from puppy mills and have standard care that is regulated!! Please pass the law of standards to protect these innocent babies. They don't have a voice and we need to stand up for them Pet stores should either be regulated or not sell pets at all 

Unless the punishment for failing to adhere to regulations involves a real threat to pet stores’ bottom line, they will simply disregard them. A PETA investigation found that multiple pet stores across Virginia had failed to comply with a sensible, easy-to-follow law requiring them to display a sign stating that U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection reports for the breeders whose puppies they sell are available to customers prior to purchase. Some pet stores refused or needed to be pressed to show customers the puppies’ paperwork, which they are required by law to provide.

But as drafted, these regulations don’t afford animals meaningful protection.  If a VDACS inspector finds that an animal shelter has violated state law, the shelter faces civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day until the issue is corrected. These fines help ensure that any lapse in animal care standards will be quickly addressed. But civil penalties like these—and any other meaningful enforcement action—are notably absent from the proposed pet store regulations, meaning that pet stores have little incentive to comply.

.lspeakinf up for puppies and kittens in Virginia by asking that the proposed regulations be amended to require stronger standards of care in pet shops and meaningful penalties for animal welfare violations.  Thank you

For profit Pet stores should be held to the same standards as animal shelters, the least that should be expected. 

I really do not like pet shops , and I don't mean pet supply stores, but those that sell animals that have to live in cold, hard boxes with often times little to no attention or care. As a resident of Falls Church, I support many of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (VDACS) proposed pet store regulations, including requiring unannounced inspections of all pet shops, but I believe more must be included in these regulations to protect the welfare of puppies and kittens. At the very least, for-profit pet shops should be subject to animal welfare requirements at least as stringent as those currently in place for Virginia’s animal shelters.

There MUST be meaningful consequences for failing to comply with basic standards of care. Otherwise, there’s no incentive for a pet shop to do so. A pet shop whose permit is revoked should not be permitted to reapply immediately, especially in cases of repeated or egregious violations. VDACS should also be able to bring civil penalties for regulatory violations, just as it can when enforcing animal shelter regulations. And most importantly, if a pet shop operator is found to have committed cruelty to animals, the regulations should explicitly prohibit them from obtaining another permit.

Pet shops should be required to engage a licensed veterinarian to develop protocols for veterinary care, medications, presale exams, age-appropriate tests, and vaccinations. This is already required of our private and public animal shelters, and it would prevent needless suffering due to lack of veterinary care, in addition to protecting public health.

PLEASE hold these businesses to higher standards and regulations. It's hard to imagine that those who volunteer to help care for and save animals have these but those in it for a profit are not held to the same protocols. It just does not make sense. 

As a resident of Virginia Beach, I support many of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (VDACS) proposed pet store regulations, including requiring unannounced inspections of all pet shops, but I believe more must be included in these regulations to protect the welfare of puppies and kittens. At the very least, for-profit pet shops should be subject to animal welfare requirements at least as stringent as those currently in place for Virginia’s animal shelters.

There must be meaningful consequences for failing to comply with basic standards of care. Otherwise, there’s no incentive for a pet shop to do so. A pet shop whose permit is revoked should not be permitted to reapply immediately, especially in cases of repeated or egregious violations. VDACS should also be able to bring civil penalties for regulatory violations, just as it can when enforcing animal shelter regulations. And most importantly, if a pet shop operator is found to have committed cruelty to animals, the regulations should explicitly prohibit them from obtaining another permit.

Pet shops should be required to engage a licensed veterinarian to develop protocols for veterinary care, medications, presale exams, age-appropriate tests, and vaccinations. This is already required of our private and public animal shelters, and it would prevent needless suffering due to lack of veterinary care, in addition to protecting public health.

PLEASE HELP!!!   PLEASEEEEE

Please strengthen the standards of care for pets in Virginia pet stores and shelters.

The proposed legislation should be amended to require stronger standards of care in pet shops and meaningful penalties for animal welfare violations. 

Animal shelters in Virginia should be legally required to engage a licensed veterinarian to develop protocols for sick animals in their care.  If a shelter violates the law, they should be fined until the discrepancy is corrected.

These are basic animal rights that Virginians whole heartedly support!