Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, please amend the proposed regulations for for-profit pet stores that sell dogs and cats to require stronger standards of care in pet stores and to add meaningful penalties for animal welfare violations.

Municipal and nonprofit animal shelters in Virginia are held to high welfare standards. For-profit businesses, like pet stores, should be held to at least the same standards in order to protect animals and consumers alike.   Currently, for-profit pet stores are subject only to

local animal control agency oversight, usually in the event of a complaint.

Thank you.