To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to support the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' proposed pet store regulations. However, they do not go as far as the animals need them to go, namely, for-profit pet stores must adhere to the same level of requirments as do animal shelters in Virginia.

Pet stores will not be motivated to carry a high level standard of care for the animals in their care if they are not forced to. They should not be allowed to reapply immediately when their permit is revoked, and never if the store has engaged in animal cruely; there should be civil penalties when a store has regulatory violations; and every pet store should have a licensed vet who develops protocols for veterinary care, medications, presale exams, age-appropriate tests, and vaccinations. All animals in our Commonwealth need to be afforded the same protections regardless of whose care they are in.

Thank you for your consideration.